WineGB West held its revitalised annual competition on Tuesday 21st November 2023 at the picturesque Trevibban Mill Vineyard near Padstow, Cornwall. This regional organisation is made up of the majority of wine producers spanning Herefordshire, Gloucestershire, Worcestershire, Somerset, Dorset, Devon and Cornwall.

The competition this year saw almost one hundred wines entered from across the region. This year the categories within the competition were reviewed in order to bring it up to date with modern winemaking styles and techniques. The West being a region full of innovative winemakers, a class for alternative wine styles is now part of the competition line up.

Vigo, part of the Rawlings Group were the sponsors of the competition this year whilst Trevibban Mill and its breathtaking views provided the backdrop for the two days’ of judging prior to the 21st November. The judging panel was led by wine writer Susy Atkins who was joined by educator Debbie Warner of Wild Wine School, winemaker Zoe Driver from Hampshire’s Black Chalk Winery and Phoebe French from WineGB. This all-female judging line up provided expert knowledge from across the wine industry sectors. Said Susy Atkins had the following to say on the competition:

“The standard of entries overall this year was clearly the highest of any year I’ve judged these awards. It was a pleasure to blind-taste the wines and the judging panel, although debating each one at length, and awarding individual scores, was in firm agreement about the worthy winners.”

The Gold medalists and trophy winners were as follows:

Gold medals:
Langham Wine Estate Blanc de Blancs NV
Langham Wine Estate Pinot Noir 2019
Trevibban Mill Vineyard Blanc de Noir 2015
Sandridge Barton Classic Cuvée 2020
Fenny Castle Sparkling Rosé 10th Anniversary

The Trophies:
Best Still White – Cotswold Hills Ortega
Best Bacchus – Fenny Castle Bacchus
Best Still Rosé – Dunleavy Rosé
Best Still Red – Abberley Hills Marley Red
Best Classic Cuvée – Sandridge Barton Classic Cuvée
Best Sparkling Rosé – Fenny Castle Sparkling Rosé 10th Anniversary
Best Blanc de Blancs – Langham Wine Estate Blanc de Blancs
Best Blanc de Noirs – Langham Wine Estate Pinot Noir 2019
Best Alternative Wine Style – Cotswold Hills Fizzy White Can
Best Overall Wine – Sandridge Barton Classic Cuvée
Best Small Producer – Fenny Castle
Best Producer – Langham Wine Estate