(SACRAMENTO, CA) - The California State Fair is proud to announce the winners of the 2026 Home Wine Competition. One-hundred eighty amateur winemakers submitted 615 entries which were judged by a wide variety of professionals including sommeliers, university professors, and professional winemakers. Judges awarded a total of three Best of Show Winners:
Best of Show White: Frederick Carbone - 2025 Chenin Blanc
Best of Show Red: Mark Beadleston - 2024 Barbera
Best of Show Sweet & Other Wine: Donna Bettencourt - 2017 Black Muscat Tawny Port
Rick Kushman, a New York Times bestselling author and award-winning journalist returned for the 10th year as Chief Judge for the Home Wine Competition.
“Every year, the state’s home winemakers make better and better wines and most of that is because of their hard work,” said Rick Kushman, Chief Judge. “Our goal is to give California’s home winemakers both honest evaluations from pros and specific, useful advice. Whether they’re learning from us or on their own, we can say the home winemakers in our state are terrific."
Kushman directed 42 wine judges on 14 panels to evaluate the wines. Scott Harvey of Scott Harvey Wines served as Technical Judge for this competition. In addition to the Best of Show, the judges awarded 21 Best of Class, 44 Double Gold, 79 Gold, 261 Silver and 187 Bronze Awards. The judging was held on Saturday, April 25, 2026.
“We are proud to offer California's home winemakers the opportunity to showcase their craft on a professional stage,” said Tom Martinez, CEO of Cal Expo and the California State Fair. " This competition not only provides participants with invaluable expert feedback, but also celebrates the talent and success that define our state's vibrant winemaking community."
The competition is hosted in partnership with the Sacramento Home Winemakers, an all-volunteer organization that has supported the art and science of home winemaking for over five decades.
“Our Club is proud to assist in coordinating this important competition,” said Mike Menard, Executive Board Member of the Sacramento Home Winemakers. “This competition offers home winemakers an impartial, professional evaluation of their wines from respected winemakers, educators, and sommeliers statewide.”
A complete list of award winners is available at: www.CalExpoStateFair.com.
The California State Fair runs from July 17 through August 2 at the Cal Expo fairgrounds. Gates open at 4 p.m. Monday through Thursday and at 10 a.m. Friday through Sunday.
