The Los Angeles International Competitions
Setting the Gold Standard Since 1922
For the ancient Greeks, who started modern wine culture, competitions served to drive excellence and forge new connections among people. Today, competition can bring people together as they celebrate the best of the best – including wine, distilled beverages, aged cheeses and extra virgin olive oils.
For more than 100 years, the Los Angeles International Competitions have bestowed gold medals to the best wines, spirits, olive oils and dairy products from around the globe, showcasing the winners at the LA County Fair.
Judged by an array of the finest palates in the world, the ensuing scrutiny can result in catapulting a little-known product to worldwide fame or reiterate the staying power of a traditional label.
Why Enter the Los Angeles International Competitions?
Combining an impressive list of the world’s finest judging professionals and an international array of entries, the Los Angeles International Competitions has cemented itself as the premier wine, spirits, evoo and dairy competition.
- LAIC hosts the original Los Angeles Wine Competition, celebrating its 89th anniversary in 2024
- We have staying power and a sterling reputation: we’ve been operating the Dairy Competition since 1922
- Exposure to more than nearly 100,000 visitors to our websites and 375,000 followers on social media
- Opportunity to participate at Cheers: LA’s Wine, Spirits & Beer Festival, a fundraiser for The Learning Centers at Fairplex that draws an audience of more than 1,000 guests in June
- Featured at the LA County Fair, one of the largest fairs and festivals in the U.S., with more than 750,000 guests annually
- The opportunity for your product to be featured in The Marketplace, the Fair’s hub for all things wine, spirits, evoo and dairy. Your product can be tasted by thousands of Fair guests!
- The Marketplace also offers public education classes featuring select LAIC medal winners and industry experts
- Marketed in the Fair’s public relations and marketing collateral, including it’s $2.4 million earned media (2023) and $2 million paid media efforts (2023)
Our Programs
Fairplex Annual Pass
There’s so much to see and do at Fairplex, why not enjoy admission year-round? Become an Annual Pass holder and enjoy unlimited* fun at several Fairplex events, including the LA County Fair!
*Unlimited admission is for Platinum Pass only
Los Angeles International Competitions
Where the World Competes for Gold
Four elite competitions. One global stage.
The Los Angeles International Competitions set the gold standard for excellence, uniting four of the world’s most prestigious contests in wine, spirits, extra virgin olive oil and dairy. Judged by acclaimed industry leaders, these competitions attract top producers from across the globe, each vying for medals that bring unmatched prestige, recognition and marketing power. Gold medal winners take the spotlight at the LA County Fair – the largest in the nation – where thousands of Fairgoers savor the best of the best in a celebration that is as fun as it is world-class.
Why Enter the Los Angeles International Competitions?
Recognize Excellence
Competitions provide an objective, expert evaluation of products, judged blind by trained professionals. This helps identify outstanding quality and craftsmanship.
Benchmark Quality
Producers can compare their products against those from other producers, regions and styles, giving them valuable feedback and insight into where they stand in the marketplace.
Marketing & Prestige
Winning a medal – especially from a respected competition like LAIC – becomes a powerful marketing tool. Awards can boost sales, attract media attention and open new distribution opportunities.
Educate Consumers
Medals give buyers confidence in their purchase, helping them discover quality wines, spirits, olive oils and dairy products they may not have tried otherwise.
Celebrate Diversity & Innovation
Competitions showcase a wide range of styles, varieties and production approaches, encouraging exploration and appreciation among both trade and public audiences.
Outreach in LA
We offer opportunities for your products to be showcased in front of hundreds of thousands of event attendees at the LA County Fair each May. From displays to tastings to education classes, we help market your award-winning products to our consumers.
Our Programs
Meet some of our judges
Marketing Materials
Access all competition marketing materials in one place. Find press releases, promotional assets, sticker order forms, and official resources.