Best in Show: How Wines Win Medals

If you’ve been to the California Mid State Fair, you’ve most likely seen the Central Coast Wine Competition. The competition is open to local wineries and both the “Gold Medal” and “Best of…” wines are on display for the public to see. 

The winning wines are then shown at 4 other county fairs: the Monterey County Fair, the San Benito County Fair, the Santa Barbara County Fair, and the Ventura County Fair. The additional exposure helps market the award winning wines, promotes the tasting rooms, and gives wine lovers the chance to hear the story behind the winners.

Historically, one of the reasons people attended the county fair was to discover new products--and wine was no exception. California’s wine history dates back to the 1800s—well before media outlets were in place to introduce wine to people. Back then, the fair was just about the only place a winemaker could share the fruits of his labor.

After Prohibition, county fairs were instrumental in helping the wine industry regain its footing and they still play an important role. Today, the county fair helps promote local wineries, showcase local wines produced in a region, and helps guide the consumer in choosing wines.

The Paso Robles Wine Club has a similar goal. As a member, you’ll enjoy tasting through a variety of award winning wines from the Paso Robles AVA, but we go the extra mile by selecting wines from boutique producers who are still too small to show up at the Mid State Fair. 

In fact, membership in our wine club means that you’ll taste local wines that most locals won’t even get to taste. And, if you discover one that you really love, we’ll go the extra mile and ship more your way. Join our wine club today, and start tasting the best the region has to offer.