A remarkable achievement unfolded recently for Sonoma County when a Grenache from Grey Stack Cellars clinched the top honor at the 14th annual North Coast Wine Challenge. This prestigious award marks the first time a Grenache has won the “Best of the Best” title in this notable wine competition, which gathered more than 1,000 entries from across the region.

The event took place on April 8, 2026, at the Sonoma County Fairgrounds in Santa Rosa, with Grey Stack’s 2023 Grenache from Sonoma Mountain not only winning the overall best prize but also taking home awards for Best Red and Best Sonoma County wine. Additionally, its 2025 Rosé of Pinot Noir and Grenache garnered the title of Best Rosé.

Deodora Estate’s Sonoma Coast Riesling secured the title of Best White for the second year in a row, marking a historic consecutive win. Other notable winners included Breathless Wines’ NV Brut for Best Sparkling and Navarro Vineyards’ Late Harvest Riesling for Best Dessert.

Daryl Groom, the chief judge of the competition, expressed enthusiasm over the outcomes, particularly the triumphs of Grenache and Riesling. Traditionally, varietals like Chardonnay or Bordeaux blends often took the upper hand, so this shift in preference highlights evolving consumer tastes, leaning towards lighter wines.

The competition brought together 30 local judges who blind-tasted wines sourced from 220 wineries within the North Coast AVA, which encompasses Sonoma, Napa, Mendocino, Lake, Solano, and Marin counties. Only a select 42 wines moved on to the final sweepstakes round, including various categories such as reds, whites, and sparkling.

Among the notable mentions, the “other white varietals” category, which includes less common varietals, saw significant growth, indicating a rising consumer interest in unique white wines. While Chardonnay remains the most entered varietal, many wineries are expanding their selections to include crisper options to attract a wider audience.

The tasting event not only showcases the diversity of wines produced in the region but also highlights the ongoing commitment of local wineries to elevate their craft. Looking ahead, wine enthusiasts can look forward to savoring the award-winning selections at the North Coast Wine & Food Festival on June 13 at the Luther Burbank Center for the Arts in Santa Rosa. For further details, visit northcoastwineandfood.com.

Top Winners of the 2026 North Coast Wine Challenge

• Best of the Best, Best Red, and Best Sonoma County: Grey Stack Cellars 2023 Grenache, Four Brothers Vineyard, Sonoma Mountain
• Best Sparkling: Breathless Wines (NV) Brut, Sonoma County
• Best White: Deodora Estate Vineyards 2023 Riesling, Sonoma Coast
• Best Rosé: Grey Stack Cellars 2025 Rosé of Pinot Noir and Grenache, Four Brothers Vineyard
• Best Dessert: Navarro Vineyards 2025 Late Harvest Riesling, Anderson Valley
• Best Napa County: AMPL 2023 Proprietary Red Blend, Howell Mountain
• Best Mendocino County: Ra Ra Wine Co. 2025 Dry Gewürztraminer, Redwood Valley
• Best Lake County: R Vineyards 2023 Reba Red, Lake County
• Best Solano County: Moshin Vineyards 2024 Chenin Blanc, Solano County