Written by Livermore Valley Winegrowers Association
Uncorked! Celebrating Excellence in California Wine
Uncork the Gold.
An evening of gold medal wines, live award announcements, and everything Livermore Valley does best!
Every bottle poured at Uncorked 2026 has earned a Gold Medal or higher at the California Signature Wine Awards — a rigorous, independent competition held to the highest standards in the industry, evaluated by a panel of respected wine professionals. To pour here, a wine had to prove itself. That’s what makes this evening different.
The 2026, Uncorked! marks an exciting evolution with the launch of the California Signature Wine Competition. This new competition unites two respected traditions, the long-running Alameda County Fair wine competitions and Livermore Valley’s Uncorked! Judging, creating one premier event dedicated to recognizing exceptional wines.
Join us at the stunning McGrail Vineyards & Winery on May 15th for a night that celebrates the very best Livermore Valley has to offer, in the glass and on the stage.
From the expert judges to the rigorous blind tasting process, Uncorked! showcases the dedication and artistry behind every bottle.
The Evening
6:00 – 7:00 PM — Seminar
Start the evening with an intimate, expert-led seminar that goes beyond the pour. Hear directly from the people behind Livermore Valley’s wines and become apart of our community.
Seminar tickets are available individually or packaged with a general tasting ticket.
7:00 – 9:00 PM — Tasting Event
Join us outdoors on the front lawn of McGrail Vineyards & Winery and taste your way through Livermore Valley’s finest. Every wine available tonight earned a Gold Medal or higher at the California Signature Wine Awards. This isn’t a showcase of everything — it’s a showcase of the best.
The Main Event — Live Award Announcements
The evening culminates with the announcement of the Uncorked Best Red and Uncorked Best White — Livermore Valley’s highest wine honors. Eligible wines are those that received a Double Gold or higher at the California Signature Wine Awards from wines submitted from Livermore Valley wineries. The winners are revealed live, on the night.
Why This Matters
The California Signature Wine Awards is a new competition built on a simple idea: rigorous judging produces meaningful results. With strict standards for both the wines entered and the professionals who evaluate them, a gold medal here carries real weight.
Every winery pouring tonight met that standard. That’s not something you’ll find at a typical wine event — and it’s exactly why Uncorked 2026 is worth your evening.
Tickets
Two ways to experience Uncorked 2026:
General Tasting Admission
Access to the full tasting event from 7:00 – 9:00 PM. Taste gold medal wines and be there for the live announcement of Uncorked’s Best Red and Best White.
Seminar + Tasting Package
The full evening experience — intimate seminar from 6:00 – 7:00 PM followed by the tasting event. Limited seats available for the seminar; package tickets are recommended.
Meet the Judges
At the heart of the Uncorked! competition are the judges. They are wine professionals, journalists, educators, and trade experts who bring years of experience and discerning palates to the tasting panels.
Warner Boin– a Certified Sommelier and the founder of Confidence Uncorked, specializing in wine education and marketing consulting. A native Texan who now calls Sonoma County, CA home, her passion lies in making wine fun and accessible for all.
John Jackson– (AttorneySomm) is a data privacy attorney & wine expert w/ DipWSET level 4 certification. Featured in “In the Dark Wine Sea” & published in Forbes, he has 39K+ Instagram followers & has visited 400+ wineries across 75 wine regions worldwide.
Jeremy Troupe-Massi– A Bay Area native, Jeremy is a Certified Sommelier, Chef, & Small Business Owner. After working at Bohemian Club, Roka Akor SF, & Darcie Kent Vineyards, he now serves on Livermore Downtown Inc.’s board & hosts the “Through the Grapevine” podcast.
Kat C. René– Kat René is a wine writer, blogger, judge & educator. A native Houstonian, tax attorney, wife, & mother of two, she loves sharing her passion for wine, food, & travel. You can follow her vinous adventures at www.thecorkscrewconcierge.com.
Thomas Zarillo– WSET Level 3 and Italian Wine Scholar graduate. Created @winebarchronicles, attended press trips to wine regions globally. Recently moved to Charleston, SC, embracing its wine and food scene while continuing to share wine stories.
Fran Cunniffe- Certified Sommelier and WSET Level 4 Diploma. Wine educator at PRIMA Vini, Italian wine specialist, and founder of a Northern Italy food and wine tourism program. 15 years across Livermore Valley and beyond.
Miggi Demeyer- Certified Sommelier (Court of Master Sommeliers), Le Cordon Bleu graduate, and Bay Area wine consultant. Author of two books, including Napa Valley (2025). Wine educator for private and corporate clients since 2013.
Peter Granoff, MS– One of America’s first 15 Master Sommeliers, 1991 James Beard Sommelier of the Year, and co-founder of Virtual Vineyards — the first business to sell wine on the internet. Co-proprietor, Ferry Plaza Wine Merchant, San Francisco.
Jamie Knee– Certified Sommelier, global wine travel personality, and host of Petite Wine Traveler Explores (PBS, 2026). Top 50 Most Influential Women in Wine. Judge at SF Chronicle, Concours Mondial de Bruxelles & more. Circle of Wine Writers member.
Dave McIntyre– Certified Sommelier, Associate Wine Editor SOMM Journal, and former Washington Post wine columnist (2008–2025). Contributor, World Atlas of Wine 8th & 9th editions. WineLine on Substack, recommended by the WSJ.
Sarah Looper- WSET Diploma, Certified Wine Educator, and Master Sommelier candidate with 25+ years in food and wine. Founder of Loopersomm wine education & travel company. CIA Napa Valley–trained and CU Boulder European History alumna.
Tonya Pitts– Writer-at-Large, Wine Enthusiast; Certified Sommelier and 15-year Wine Director at One Market, SF. Judge, SF International Wine Competition and TEXSOM. Founding mentor, Wine Unify and Bâtonnage Forum.
Ranier Reglos- Certified Sommelier and Beverage Director for Sabio Hospitality Group, overseeing wine and cocktail programs across three Tri-Valley restaurants, including Wine Spectator Award of Excellence–winning Sabio on Main.
Raquel Royers– WSET Diploma, Certified Specialist of Wine, and creator of top wine Instagram Watch Me Sip. Sonoma-based tastemaker with 10+ years in wine marketing, reaching millions with her digital-first approach to wine storytelling.
Cindy Rynning– Award-winning wine blogger (Grape Experiences, est. 2011), WSET Level 3 with Merit, and member of the prestigious Circle of Wine Writers. Contributing Editor, Slow Wine Guide 2024–2026. Judge, Central Coast Wine Competition 2022–2025.
Kristy Wenz– WSET 3, Rioja Wine Diploma. Wine writer, educator, and judge at Concours Mondial de Bruxelles. Field correspondent, Slow Wine Guide USA. Content creator @kristys_winetravels and six-harvest veteran of Michigan and Willamette Valley wineries.
Each judge is carefully selected for their expertise within the wine industry. Judges are required to hold WSET Level 2 certification or higher, or to be experienced wine journalists from established publications who have previously participated in wine competitions. This ensures every wine entered is evaluated by knowledgeable professionals who understand the complexity and diversity of modern winemaking.
During the judging sessions, wines are tasted blind and independently, meaning judges evaluate each wine without knowing its producer. Only the varietal and vintage (when appropriate) are disclosed. This process allows wines to be judged purely on their quality, balance, and expression.
Judges carefully consider a range of attributes, including:
- Appearance and color
- Aroma and bouquet
- Acidity and structure
- Flavor and body
- Overall quality and balance
By combining diverse perspectives and expertise, the judging panels ensure that the awards represent true excellence in winemaking.
California Signature Wine Awards!
This year we are partnering with The Alameda County Fair (ACF) to launch an exciting new collaborative wine competition during the 2026 annual summer Fair, the California Signature Wine Awards. This new competition unites the long-running ACF Wine Competition and LVWC Uncorked! Wine Competition into one premier event celebrating outstanding wines from across the United States. This year’s collaboration with LVWC brings a new facet of partnership between two organizations deeply rooted in the region’s thriving wine industry.
The California Signature Wine Awards aims to create expanded visibility and recognition for participating wineries while strengthening the Fair’s long-standing tradition of showcasing excellent winemaking of the region. This wine competition will continue to highlight the craftsmanship, innovation, and diversity of wines from the Tri-Valley and beyond. The California Signature Wine Awards remains one of the few major wine competitions offering no entry fees across all competitions, providing wineries with a valuable opportunity to earn industry recognition without the burden of traditional submission costs. “The Livermore Valley Wine Community is proud to partner with the Alameda County Fair to reimagine our separate wine competitions as one collaborative event celebrating wines from across the U.S.,” said Brandi Lombardi, Executive Director of the Livermore Valley Wine Community. “By working together, we’re creating more opportunities for consumers and industry professionals to discover the exceptional quality and diversity produced across the state.”
The entry deadline for the California Signature Wine Awards is April 22, 2026. Competitors must register and enter through EnofileOnline.com.
Individual categories include Sparkling Wines, Red Wines, White Wines, Red Blends, White Blends, and Rose Wines. Award-winning wines will be prominently displayed during the 2026 Alameda County Fair and during the Wine Fest event on June 27, featured on the Fair’s website, highlighted through email and social media, and showcased to thousands of guests throughout the Fair.
Various Gold Medal wines will be available daily by the glass in the Wine Garden, offering direct consumer exposure during the Fair’s 18-day run.
Get Your Tickets Today
Gold medal wines. A beautiful vineyard setting. With gold medal wines in every glass, passionate experts behind the scenes, and the excitement of live award announcements, this is a celebration you won’t want to miss. Join us on May 15th at McGrail Vineyards & Winery to raise a glass with the people who make these wines come to life and experience firsthand what makes Livermore Valley one of California’s most exciting wine regions.