The wait is over—the Sommeliers Choice Awards is back for 2026, and entries are officially open. If you make wine and want to see it poured in restaurants, bars, and hotels, this is the competition you should be in.

Unlike other wine competitions, the Sommeliers Choice Awards (SCA) is built entirely around the on-premise trade. Every single wine is tasted and scored by the people who actually decide what makes it onto a wine list—Master Sommeliers, experienced sommeliers, wine directors, and beverage managers. These are the real decision-makers who understand what works in a glass, on a menu, and with a dish.

Why Enter Now?

The Super Early Bird deadline is October 31, 2025, which means two things:

1. You get the lowest entry fees of the year.

2. You give yourself more time to use your entry in your marketing and sales conversations before the competition even happens.

Early entry also means your wines can be part of the buzz leading up to judging—more visibility, more opportunities, and more time to get in front of buyers.

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What Makes the SCA Different?

It’s judged like a sommelier buys.

Wines aren’t just tasted for quality—they’re scored on Food Pairability, Typicity, Quality, Value, and Packaging. In other words, exactly how sommeliers think when they’re building a wine list. The judges keep asking themselves: “Would I stock this?” and “Will guests order a second glass?”

Master Sommeliers lead every panel. Each judging panel is chaired by a Master Sommelier to ensure consistency, fairness, and a level of expertise you won’t find in most competitions.

It’s growing fast and attracting the world. From just a few hundred entries in its first year to over 1,600 wines from 40+ countries in 2024, the SCA has become a truly global benchmark for wines that work in hospitality.

A medal here is more than a sticker. Winners get featured across Beverage Trade Network’s media platforms, from SommelierBusiness.com to regional Drinks Guides in key U.S. markets. They appear in the Top 100 On-Premise Wines list, get listed on Wine-Searcher, and receive ready-to-use marketing assets—everything from medal graphics to shelf talkers—to help turn that award into actual sales.

The Bottom Line

If you want your wines in the hands of people who shape the most important wine lists in the world, the Sommeliers Choice Awards is where you need to be. It’s a competition judged by the trade, for the trade—and it’s open now.

Super Early Bird Deadline: October 31, 2025
Open to wineries worldwide
Submit Your Entries Now and get your wines in front of the people who matter most.

Also Read:
What Makes the Sommeliers' Choice Awards Unique?
Chicago: Come and taste the top wines for bars and restaurants
The 2024 Cape Bleue Rosé wins Best Wine for On-Premise at the 2025 Sommeliers Choice Awards