The annual Winemaker Magazine International Amateur Wine Competition judging was held August 21 – 23, 2020 in Manchester, Vermont. Over 2,500 homemade wines from all 50 states, and 6 countries were entered into the competition.
Amateur winemakers took home 107 medals using RJS Craft Winemaking kits, representing just over 12% of all 857 medal-winning entries. RJS Craft Winemaking won 23 of the 156 gold medals in the competition. Lucie Doyon of Gatineau, Quebec also won Best of Show in the Kit/Concentrate category with a 2011 RJS Cru Specialty Pomme Tatin.
The Port category is where RJS Craft Winemaking kits truly shined, winning over half (12) of the 21 gold-medals awarded, and 20 of the 42 total medals awarded in the category.
2020 WineMaker Magazine International Amateur Wine Competition Results (PDF)
The full list of RJS Craft Winemaking gold-medal winners from this year’s competition is below. Entries are due for next year’s competition are due on March 16, 2021.
Other White Vinifera Blends – 44 entries
Simo Lazreq • Kenora, ON: RQ Chardonnay Sémillion 2019
Merlot – 104 entries
Heather Hodder • Elmsdale, NS: Cru International Merlot 2019
Pinot Noir – 87 entries
Lincoln Vlasblom • Toronto, ON: En Primeur Winery Series Australian Pino Noir 2018
Other Red Vinifera Varietals – 246 entries
Elmer Baugess • Wake Forest, NC – RQ Eminence Spain Tempranillo 2018
Other Red Vinifera Blends – 218 entries
Douglas E. Keeder • Westlake Village, CA: En Primeur Italian Amarone 2016
Liam McNamara • Riverview, NB: En Primeur Spanish Grenache Syrah 2018
Larry Roux • N. Syracruse, NY: RQ Chilean Cabernet Sauvignon Merlot Sirah 2018
Red or White Vinifera Late Harvest and Ice Wine – 29 entries
Shannon Burrows and Chris Holden • Mt Forest, ON: Cru Specialty Riesling Dessert Wine 2019
Grape & Non-Grape Table Wine Blend – 22 entries
Jeff and Michelle Vincent • Louisville, KY: Orchard Breezin’ Tropical Lime 2018
Berry Fruit – 111 entries
Norman Yerdon • Adams, NY: Raspberry Peach Sangria
Other Fruits – 52 entries
Brian Cline • Monroe, WI: Orchard Breezin’ White Sangria 2019
Port Style – 87 entries
Lori Dahlberg • Calgary, AB: Black Forest Port, cherry brandy 2018
Mike Dault • Edgewood, KY: Orchard Breezin’ Peach Perfection 2019
Mike Dault • Edgewood, KY: Cru Specialty Toasted Caramel, 5% Brandy 2019
Terry Doub • Baton Rouge, LA: Toasted Caramel Dessert Wine 2018
Donald Hanke • Sterling Heights, MI: Crème Brûlée Dessert Wine 2018
Clinton Kent • Lexington, KY: Cru Speciality Toasted Caramel 2015
Clinton Kent • Lexington, KY: Cru Specialty Vanilla Fig Dessert Wine 2017
Sandy Shivas • Ilion, NY: Crème Brûlée Dessert Wine 2018
Brenda Spencer • Hamilton, ON: Crème Brûlée Dessert Wine 2018
Michelle Walker • San Diego, CA: Cru Specialty Coffee Port, fortified with Kahula 2014
Chenlong Wang • Scarborough, ON: 50% Cru Specialty Black Forest, 50% Cru Specialty Toasted Caramel 2019
Jodi Frank and Peter Wronski • Charlestown, RI: Cru Vanilla Fig 2018
A full list of all RJS Craft Winemaking kits available for orders is available on the Wine Ingredient Kits page of the BSG Handcraft website.