MARCH 4, 2011, PASO ROBLES, CALIFORNIA

­ The Central Coast Wine Competition announced today that they are accepting entries for the 2011 event. The CCWC team strongly encourages wineries to take advantage of the on-line entry system. Wineries can fill out the official forms at the following website: http://cmsfw.fairmanager.com/. The last day to enter online will be Friday, May 27.  As in years past, entry forms can still be sent in the mail.  2011 Entry Book information can be found on the California Mid-State Fair webpage or the CCWC blog at https://centralcoastwinecompetition.wordpress.com/.  Last week, hard copies were mailed to wineries that had entered in 2010.

The CCWC has experienced many new changes this year.  From the expansion of the judging classes to the addition of the San Benito County Fair, the competition has grown into a major competition for Central Coast wines. The different classes range from sparkling wine categories to a varietal based blended red wine categories. All official rules and guidelines will be explained thoroughly in the entries booklet.

The Central Coast Wine Competition team is thrilled with the judges for the 2011 event.  The 15 member panel will be lead by Chief Judge Bob Foster and includes members of the wine industry, trade and media.  Mr. Foster is the Assistant Editor of the California Grapevine wine newsletter and has over 25 years of wine judging experience. “We have assembled a very experienced panel of judges. Collectively they have well over 100 years of wine judging experience,” noted Bob Foster, Chief Judge.  “I have been judging wine competitions for many years and have worked with many of these individuals.  They are top professionals in their fields.” The 2011 judges include: Dan Berger – journalist, William Bloxsom-Carter –  Executive Chef and Director of Food and Beverage at the Playboy Mansion, Laurie Daniel – journalist, Mike Dunne – journalist, Traci Dutton – Sommelier for Wine Spectator Greystone Restaurant, Doug Frost – MS & MW, Daryl Groom – Professional Winemaker, Joe Hart, Hart Winery, Chris Hoel – Sommelier, The French Laundry, Ellen Landis – Wine Director and Sommelier at Landis Shores Oceanfront Inn, Ann Littlefield – international wine industry consultant, Mike Stepanovich – journalist, Bakersfield Magazine, Dr. Valery Uhl – Chief Judge and Director of the “North of the Gate” Wine Competition, and Robert Whitley – journalist. For a full biography on all our judges, please visit CCWC Facebook page or our wine blog at centralcoastwinecompetition.wordpress.com.

The CCWC judging will take place on June 15th and 16th at the Paso Robles Event Center.  For further information refer to our  wine blog at centralcoastwinecompetition.wordpress.com.