Newport in February has conducted the longest continuous wine competition in the Northwest. This is an exciting opportunity to taste award-winning wines, meet the winemakers responsible for them and discover why the wine world is coming to Oregon in search of the best.

For the last 25 years of the Festival's thirty-five year history, Gold, Silver, Bronze and Best-In-Show awards have been handed out to the most consistent achievers in a Commercial Wine Competition marked by one strong field after another. This early-in the-year look at Northwest wines offers clear evidence of which wineries are on track and who to watch at other festival showcases around the country throughout the year.

Winners that have been selected as festival participants from the Pacific Northwest are eligible to enter this prestigious competition.

* 182 entries were received in 2011.

* 110 awards were made: 38 Gold, 22 Silver and 44 Bronze. Best of Show - White - Eola Hills Wine Cellars - 2006 Sauvignon Blanc Vind’or late harvest. Best of Show - Red - Red Slagle Creek Vineyards 2007 Claret.

Judges are selected on the basis of wine knowledge, experience in wine judging, and a general familiarity of the northwest wine region. Entry applications and rules are sent to the wineries approximately thirty days prior to the judging. The results are released to the press, the entrants, the judges and the public after the judging is completed.