Early Bird
Deadline
January 31, 2026
Judging
Date
May 18, 2026
Winners
Announced
June 10, 2026
The BTN Competitions are designed to help wine producers gain visibility, credibility, and new distribution opportunities. Below are two levels of benefits — one for all entrants, and another for category winners who achieve top recognition.
Your results are shared with over 50,000 verified trade professionals in the Beverage Trade Network community, including importers, distributors, sommeliers, and retail buyers around the world.
Your achievement will reach the right buyers through BTN’s global channels — professionals actively looking to add new, high-quality products to their portfolios.
Each entry receives a dedicated product page on the official competition website. These pages showcase your brand story, product image, tasting notes, and medal results, creating a professional digital footprint easily discoverable by trade buyers and consumers worldwide.

Your page stays live year-round and is indexed by Google — becoming a lasting online asset for your brand.
Competition results are distributed across the relevant audience in the BTN’s international media ecosystem:
BevRoute, Sommelier Business, Los Angeles Drinks Guide, New York Drinks Guide, Chicago Drinks Guide.
Competition website
Our media partners BTN and BevRoute provide extensive press and social coverage, keeping your wine brand visible throughout the year.
Winners receive year-long social media exposure through BTN and its partner media accounts — reaching on-trade and off-trade buyers across key global markets and helping your brand stay top of mind.

All winners receive:
Digital medal downloads
Printable certificates
Professional tasting notes from judges
Shelf talker templates
These tools help you enhance your product presentation and boost shelf impact in both retail and trade environments.
Access your digital medal artwork and press release template to use across your website, marketing, and PR channels.
(Please follow the official release timeline shared with you before public posting.)
Winning brands are featured across BTN’s international media network:
SommelierBusiness.com – for wine professionals
TheOnTrade.com – for restaurants, pubs, and hotels
ChicagoDrinksGuide.com – for consumers/B2C audiences
Your brand gains unmatched visibility across both trade and consumer segments.

A. CPGBuyerAI Buyer Matches
Entrants submitting six or more products receive one time 20 verified matched buyers through BTN’s proprietary CPGBuyerAI platform:
AI- and human-verified importer, distributor, and retail buyer data.
Each lead includes a Fit Score and a reason for the match.
Access matched hotels, venues, retail stores, and importers worldwide.
This feature helps producers expand distribution with precision.
B. Grow Direct-to-Consumer Sales with CPGBuyerAI Velocity
Entrants also unlock Velocity Exposure, connecting consumers directly with your retail and e-commerce channels:
Featured “Where-to-Buy” links on BTN’s digital network.
AI-driven promotion across BTN’s websites and social media.
Drives consumer awareness, retail traffic, and reorder velocity.
“These benefits give producers measurable ROI from the moment they enter.” — Sid Patel, CEO, Sommeliers Choice Awards
Celebrate your success with one month of free access to CPGBuyerAI, BTN’s AI-powered buyer discovery platform.
Get 50 verified buyer matches tailored to your product and export goals.
Valued at $599, this helps you start global outreach immediately.
You’ll be featured in a Winner Story on BTN’s media platforms and social channels, reaching a global audience of engaged trade and consumer readers.
Celebrate your win with a free set of 1,000 medal stickers. (Please share your shipping details for delivery)
Join a 10-minute pitch call with BTN leadership to introduce your brand and products.
Your recording will be edited and published on SCA’s digital and social platforms, and a copy will be provided for your own marketing.