JUNE 29, 2016, PASO ROBLES, CA – On June 15, 2016, the California Mid-State Fair hosted the packaging contest component to the Central Coast Wine Competition, Central Coast Olive Oil Competition, Central Coast Vinegar Competition and the newly established California Craft Spirits Competition. This year’s competition consisted of over 880 entries from a total of 214 wineries, olive oil producers, vinegar companies and distilleries throughout California. Each entry was judged in the 2016 Packaging Competition in which judges were asked to evaluate many aspects of the product’s outward appeal.

The criteria for judging included bottle and label design along with evaluation of innovation, artistic, untraditional and many more aspects that contributed to the overall packaging. The competition featured the best the Central Coast has to offer in wines, olive oils, vinegars and spirits in the largest evaluation of these products in the Central Coast region.  Two Moons Wines of Templeton was awarded Best Brand Series and Best of Show. “We place a great deal of thought when developing a brand, from the look of the label to the overall style of the complete package,” stated Neil Roberts, owner and winemaker of Two Moons.  “With so many choices in the market place for the wine consumer, finding a look that will help introduce a new buyer to our product is essential.”

The panel of three judges, noted entries had “unique use of label material” while others were selected for their “simple elegance” and “modern font and deign aesthetic.” Judge Jon Elkins of stated “It is amazing to see the imagination and work that goes into a label and hard to judge one’s artistic endeavor against the others,” said Judge Jon Elkins. “I was happy to see such a variety of style, form, and packaging represented.” Award winning entries will be showcased in Estrella Hall daily at the California Mid-State Fair July 20 through July 31, 2016. For more information, please visit our website at http://www.centralcoastwinecomp.com.

Best of Show

Best Spirit Packaging

Bethel Road Distillery

Templeton, CA

 Best Wine Packaging

Two Moons Wines

Templeton, CA

 Best Vinegar Packaging

Aris Vinegar

Paso Robles, CA

Best Olive Oil Packaging

The Olive Press

Sonoma, CA

Awards have been given by judges as follows:

 Best of a Brand Series

Two Moons Wines, Gold Medal, Templeton, CA

Kita Wines, Silver Medal, Lompoc, CA

Coquelicot Wines, Bronze Medal, Los Olivos, CA

The Olive Press, Gold Medal, Sonoma, CA

KroBar Distillery, Gold Medal, Paso Robles, CA

Pendray’s Distillery, Silver Medal, Templeton, CA

Bethel Road Distillery, Bronze Medal, Paso Robles, CA

Best of Modern Design

Broadside Wines, Gold Medal, Paso Robles, CA

District 7, Silver Medal, Monterey, CA

J Dusi Wines, Bronze Medal, Paso Robles, CA

Calivirgin, Gold Medal, Lodi, CA

Rocket Vodka, Gold Medal, El Dorado Hills, CA

Best of Artistic Design

Two Moons Wines, Gold Medal, Templeton, CA

Toccata Wines, Silver Medal, Solvang, CA

Baileyana Winery, Bronze Medal, San Luis Obispo, CA

Partridge Family Olive Oil Company, Gold Medal, Paso Robles, CA

Benham’s Sonoma Dry Gin, Gold Medal, Graton, CA

Most Innovative

Porch Pounder, Gold Medal, Templeton, CA

Lodi Olive Oil Company, Gold Medal, Lodi, CA

Best of Untraditional

Grey Wolf Cellars, Gold Medal, Paso Robles, CA

Paydirt Wines, Silver Medal, Paso Robles, CA

True Myth Winery, Bronze Medal, San Luis Obispo, CA

Halter Ranch, Gold Medal, Paso Robles, CA

Best of Classic Wines

Santa Barbara Winery, Gold Medal, Santa Barbara, CA

Denner Vineyards, Silver Medal, Paso Robles, CA

Lafond Winery, Bronze Medal, Buellton, CA

Wine Shine Manhattan Project, Gold Medal, Paso Robles, CA