Pennsylvania Winery Association Announces Best of Winners and Top 10 Wines from 2026 Sommelier Judgement of PA Wines

Blind tasting at Garces Trading Company brought together Pennsylvania wineries and wine professionals to recognize standout wines from across the Commonwealth

PHILADELPHIA, PA — October 13, 2026 — The Pennsylvania Winery Association (PWA) has announced the Best of category winners and Top 10 wines from its 2026 Sommelier Judgement of PA Wines, held September 28 at Garces Trading Company in Philadelphia. The ninth annual event brought together 16 Pennsylvania wineries, 93 wines and 20 wine professionals for a blind tasting focused on evaluating Pennsylvania wines and connecting local producers with members of the wine trade.

The Best of winners represent four categories: sparkling, white, rosé and red. The Top 10 recognizes standout wines selected through the judging process, highlighting the quality and diversity of wines being produced across Pennsylvania.

2026 Best of Winners

• Best Sparkling: 2025 Kissel Valley Blanc de Noir — Waltz Vineyards
• Best White: 2024 Albariño — Grandview Vineyard
• Best Rosé: 2025 Rosé Saperavi — Fero Vineyard & Winery
• Best Red: 2021 Ameritage Reserve — Penns Woods Winery

2026 Top 10 Wines

Listed in alphabetical order by winery or wine name:

• 2025 Rosé Saperavi — Fero Vineyard & Winery
• 2024 Albariño — Grandview Vineyard
• 2023 Cabernet Sauvignon — Karamoor Estate Winery
• 2025 Kissel Valley Blanc de Noir — Waltz Vineyards
• 2024 Pinot Grigio — Mazza Vineyards
• 2021 Grüner Veltliner, South Shore Wine Company — Mazza Vineyards
• 2021 Ameritage Reserve — Penns Woods Winery
• 2023 Pinot Noir — Penns Woods Winery
• 2021 Cabernet Franc Reserve — Vynecrest Vineyard & Winery
• 2022 Pinotage — Winslow Winery

The Sommelier Judgement gives Pennsylvania wineries an opportunity to put their wines in front of sommeliers, wine buyers, writers, educators, distributors, retailers and restaurant professionals. Wines are evaluated blind, allowing judges to focus on the wine itself while providing participating producers with valuable feedback and an additional perspective on their work.

Following the tasting, PWA hosted an Industry and Winery Networking event, giving participating wineries and wine professionals an opportunity to connect, taste together and discuss potential opportunities for restaurant placements, retail, media coverage, collaborations and future tastings.

“The Sommelier Judgement is about creating meaningful connections between Pennsylvania wineries and the professionals who can help introduce these wines to new audiences,” said Abigail Miller, Association Director of the Pennsylvania Winery Association. “Recognizing this year's Best of Category winners and Top 10 wines is an opportunity to celebrate the work happening across our state's wine industry and encourage more people to discover what Pennsylvania wineries have to offer.”

The event is part of PWA's ongoing efforts to increase awareness and recognition of Pennsylvania wines and create new opportunities for the state's more than 375 wineries. By bringing producers and members of the wine trade together, the Sommelier Judgement helps expand the conversation around the quality, diversity and potential of Pennsylvania-grown wines.

To learn more about Pennsylvania wines and discover wineries across the Commonwealth, visit PennsylvaniaWine.com.

About the Pennsylvania Winery Association

The Pennsylvania Winery Association represents more than 375 wineries across the Commonwealth and works to promote Pennsylvania wine, support its winery members, increase awareness of the state's wine regions, and create opportunities for Pennsylvania wines in markets throughout Pennsylvania and beyond.

To learn more, visit PennsylvaniaWine.com.