2025 Sommelier Judgement of PA Wines

2025 SOMMELIER JUDGEMENT OF PA WINES

Pennsylvania Winery Association Hosts Prestigious Blind Tasting and 

Celebration of PA’s Finest Wines

Event Date: Monday, June 23, 2025

Location: The Inn at Grace Winery, Glen Mills, PA

The Pennsylvania Winery Association (PWA)—a leading voice for Pennsylvania’s more than 350 wineries—proudly hosted the 2025 Sommelier Judgment of PA Wines on Monday, June 23 at the historic Inn at Grace Winery in Glen Mills, PA.

This annual event in its eighth year, supported by the PA Winery Association, convenes top wine professionals to spotlight and elevate the quality and potential of Pennsylvania-grown wines. A curated selection of dry wines—vinifera varietals and select hybrids—were submitted by 19 wineries from across the Commonwealth for blind evaluation by an expert panel of 15 sommeliers, wine writers, buyers, and educators with experience in cool-climate wines.

To qualify, all wines submitted had to meet strict criteria:

  • 100% Pennsylvania-grown fruit
  • A minimum of 75% vinifera or hybrid varieties
  • Less than 1% residual sugar

The Sommelier Judgment of PA Wines plays a vital role in spotlighting the growing excellence and potential of Pennsylvania’s wine industry. With a focus on dry wines made from 100% Pennsylvania-grown fruit, the event underscores the region’s ability to produce wines that rival those from more established wine regions. By gathering a panel of experienced sommeliers, buyers, writers, and educators, this initiative promotes greater awareness, respect, and recognition for Pennsylvania wines—both locally and beyond. Ultimately, the goal is to foster pride in the Commonwealth’s winegrowing, support producers committed to quality and innovation, and open new opportunities for these wines to earn their place on restaurant lists, in cellars, and in national conversations.

Over the course of two tasting rounds, the panel blind-tasted more than 85 wines, evaluating each for appearance, aroma and bouquet, taste and texture, finish, and overall impression. In the first round, wines were grouped into sparkling, white, rosé, and red categories. The top 20% advanced to a second round for final deliberation. All wines were judged blind; panelists were provided only the grape varietal and vintage—details such as producer, region, and price remained undisclosed.

Carrie Lyn Strong, Founder, Sommelier, and Wine Educator at Strong Wine Consulting, has served as a judge for several years and remarked, “It’s inspiring to see how far the Pennsylvania wine industry has come in such a short time. PA winemakers are demonstrating passion, innovation, and a deep stewardship for the local landscape—all while showing true dedication to their craft. It’s an exciting time to be tasting Pennsylvania wines!”

2025 Judging Panel:
The 2025 judging panel included Noelle Allen, Arindam Basu, Mark Cochard, Cheron Cowan, Tom Dean, Matt Kirkland, Kevin Ostrowski, Bailey Place, Joseph Quintela, Robin Shreeves, Justen Sloyer, Carrie Lyn Strong, Phillip Thomas, Bob Trimble and Scott Zoccolillo.

Recognizing Excellence in Pennsylvania Wine

The Top 10 Wines of 2025 will be featured at the Best of Philly Soirée on August 13, 2025, at the Philadelphia Museum of Art—an exciting opportunity to taste these standout wines and meet the talented winemakers behind them.

Congratulations to the following wines and wineries selected for this year’s Top 10:

The official “Best Of” category winners will be announced at the inaugural Harvest Celebration, taking place October 11, 2025, at Stone Gables Estate during PA Wine Month. This event  will feature tastings, winemaker meet-and-greets, and a spotlight on the state’s best wines. Tickets for the Harvest Celebration are now available for purchase.

As part of the ongoing effort to champion Pennsylvania wines, the “Best Of” selections will also be featured in a Visit PA promotional video campaign launching this October for PA Wine Month.

Cheron Cowan of Wine Enthusiast, a first-time judge this year, shared: “Participating in the Sommelier Judgment of PA Wines was truly an experience! It was exciting to explore the unique grape varieties emerging from the region. The wineries’ and winemakers’ commitment to producing quality wine was palpable. It’s a privilege to witness the evolution of this wine community’s identity.”

For more information about the 2025 Sommelier Judgement of PA Wines or press inquiries, please contact [email protected] or visit pennsylvaniawine.com. 

 

About the Pennsylvania Winery Association

The Pennsylvania Winery Association is a trade association advocating on behalf of the state’s growing multibillion-dollar wine industry. To learn more about Pennsylvania wine or to plan a trip, visit pennsylvaniawine.com.