Frequently
Asked Questions
Emerging Winemakers Symposium will be a hybrid symposium in 2023.
Next year’s Symposium will be hybrid both in-person and virtually. Please stay tuned, more details coming.
What is the Emerging Winemakers Competition and Symposium?
This year’s Symposium will be a hybrid of in-person and virtually Saturday April 15, 2023. 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 Grand Crew, a Viticulture and Enology student/alumni organization.
Who is an “emerging winemaker”?
Where will the event be held?
This year’s Symposium will be done in a hydrid style both in-person and virtually. In-person will be at Yavapai College, Verde Valley Campus: 601 Black Hills Drive Clarkdale, AZ 86324
When will the Symposium be held?
The Symposium will be held Saturday, April 15, 2023.
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, 2023 and March 31, 2023. Consideration of an entry submitted after April 4, 2023 is at the sole discretion of the Grand Crew.
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, 2023 and March 31, 2023.
Drop-off locations can be found on “Wine Submission Locations” page of the website. You can also check our most current drop-off locations found on our website at www.https://emergingwinemakers.com/wine-submission-locations/
Additionally, if you contact the Formation Committee Chairman, 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)?
By appointment only at the Southwest Wine Center at the Verde Valley campus of Yavapai College located at 601 W. Black Hills, Drive, Clarkdale, Arizona 86324. You can also check our most current drop-off locations found on our website at www.https://emergingwinemakers.com/wine-submission-locations/
Do I submit my entry forms by mail, email or fax?
We suggest that you submit everything at the same time: (i) entry form, (ii) a label for each bottle submitted, (iii) entry fee per bottle and (iv) the wine(s) you wish to enter into the Competition.
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, 2023!
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 15, 2023.
When will the awards be announced?
Saturday, April 15, 2023. 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 John.Brixen@yc.edu. We are looking forward to your attendance at the Symposium.
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If you have any questions about the Symposium, sponsorship or volunteering, please contact us.