Frequently
Asked Questions
What is the Emerging Winemakers Competition and Symposium?
This year’s Symposium will be in-person Saturday April 13, 2024. The Emerging Winemakers Competition and Symposium is a celebration of wine and those emerging winemakers who make wine. If you are at least twenty-one years of age, make your own wine(s) but don’t sell them commercially, you are an emerging winemaker. At the sole discretion of independent judges, awards are provided in the various wine classes based on blind tasting of the wines entered in the Competition. Whether given an award or not, all entrants receive confidential feedback from industry-leading experts on the wine(s) they submit. An added benefit is that emerging winemakers can meet commercial winemakers and potentially find mutual opportunities in the wine industry. Finally, Symposium attendees get a valuable opportunity to learn more about winemaking.
Who is organizing this event?
Yavapai College Viticulture and Enology program.
Who is an “emerging winemaker”?
Where will the event be held?
This year’s symposium will be in-person at Yavapai College, Verde Valley Campus: 601 Black Hills Drive Clarkdale, AZ 86324
When will the Symposium be held?
Why should I enter this Competition?
Competitor’s wines will be evaluated by independent Wine Industry professionals who will provide confidential feedback to each winemaker at the conclusion of the Awards Celebration.
What wines are eligible to compete?
Competitors may enter any single varietal or blend of red, rosé, white, fruit, sweet, sparkling and mead wines. Please – no aromatized, flavored or taste adulterants of any kind.
Is there a vintage limitation?
Will single varietal and blended wines be judged differently?
No, a single varietal wine in any catagory will be judged the same against a blended wine in it’s catagory. Meads will be judged in their own catagory and not in the wine catagory.
Must the wine be made only with Arizona fruit?
No, the fruit can come from anywhere in the world.
How much does it cost to enter the Competition?
A competitor must submit an entry form, a competition label for each bottle of wine submitted, and a $20.00 entry fee per bottle.
What is the best way to send my wine(s)?
We encourage competitors to deliver their wine(s) in person to the Southwest Wine Center at Yavapai College, 601 W. Black Hills, Drive, Clarkdale, Arizona 86324, Thursday – Sunday; 12 to 5:30pm between January 1, 2024, and March 31, 2024. Consideration of an entry submitted after April 1, 2024 is at the sole discretion of the Yavapai College.
Are there any other ways to send my wine(s)?
Wine(s) may also be delivered by any other appropriate means, such as a courier, between January 1, 2024 and March 31, 2024.
Additionally, if you contact Michael.pierce@yc.edu, we will do our best to help you find a way to pick up your wine.
Where do I submit my entry forms and wine(s)?
The submission form to enter your wines into the competition is available on the competition homepage: https://emergingwinemakers.com
The physical drop-off point for your wine is Southwest Wine Center at the Verde Valley campus of Yavapai College located at 601 W. Black Hills, Drive, Clarkdale, Arizona 86324. Competitors must submit the entry form on the website before dropping off or shipping the wine.
May I send in multiple bottles in case of bottle variation?
Yes, you may. However, please note that a $20.00 entry fee must accompany each bottle accompanied by a Competition label.
When is the deadline for entering the Competition?
March 31, 2024!
Who will be judging the wines?
The Judges are independent Wine Industry Professionals.
Will awards be given?
At the sole discretion of the Judges, Double Gold, Gold, Silver, and Best of Show may be awarded. This year’s Awards Ceremony will be held in person at Yavapai College, Verde Valley Campus: 601 Black Hills Drive, Clarkdale, AZ 86324. Award Ceremony will be held Saturday, April 13, 2024.
When will the awards be announced?
Saturday, April 13, 2024. This year’s Awards Ceremony will be held in-person at Yavapai College, Verde Valley Campus: 601 Black Hills Drive, Clarkdale, AZ 86324. Please stay tuned more details coming.
Are there any other fees?
No.
Must each attendee reserve a ticket for the Symposium?
Yes.
I have more questions! Who should I contact for more information?
Please contact us at Michael.Pierce@yc.edu
]We are looking forward to your attendance at the Symposium.