Setting the standard for wine, and now spirits

For more than seven decades the Los Angeles International Wine Competition has bestowed gold medals to the best wines from around the globe. With the evolution of the competition, and a resurgence in cocktails and mixology, it was inevitable that distilled beverages be included in the judging.

In 2007, the inaugural spirits portion of the newly renamed Los Angeles International Wine & Spirits Competition was opened to Blue Agave Tequilas. The event was such a success, the competition was opened to all spirits and mixers in 2010. Our judges, world-renown journalists, pub and bar owners and distillers – weigh spirits against one another, awarded gold, silver and bronze to the most deserving. Like its partner wine competition, the spirits competition is well on its way of becoming the most prestigious judging show in the world.

The wine & spirits competition is the foundation for an extensive wine & spirits education program that’s available to 1.4 million visitors to the L.A. County Fair. Public wine tasting began in 1968; in 1998 a wine education center opened, complete with consumer-driven classes, tastings and a display of award-winning wines. Spirits were added to the program in 2007, following our first spirits competition. The Los Angeles International Wine & Spirits Competition is committed to educating the public about wine and spirits, featuring industry experts with extensive knowledge about selection, tasting and food pairings.