Is there an age limit on entrants?
The winemakers must be born after 01/07/1975.
Can I submit more than two wines for the tasting panel?
You can only register the YGOW Awards once per year, and must submit no more and no less than two wines (submitted in January 2021).
Are the two wines entered for the tasting panel the same wines shown at the events?
Not necessarily. You are free to show any of your chosen wines at any of the events.
How do I submit the wines for the tasting panel?
We will contact all registrants by January with further details for submitting wines in January.
Do my two wines need to be from the same producer?
Not necessarily. The two wines may come from one brand or two separate labels made by the same winemaker.
Can I enter as a winemaking partnership?
Yes. Please note, if entering two brands by a winemaking partnership, both wines submitted must be made by the duo – ie, not one label each from two individuals.
Any advice about which two wines to send in for the tasting panel at start of 2021?
Part of the Awards is having to choose which two wines to enter. Put your best foot forward. The wines have to be delicious. First and foremost, the winemaker is assessed on what is in the glass, and then broader topics such as the winemaker’s vision, leadership, creativity and execution comes into the discussion.
How are the wines assessed by the tasting panel?
The two wines submitted by the winemaker are tasted side-by-side. They are not tasted blind. A general assessment of the quality of the wines is first made, before deeper discussion on the appeal and interest of the wine in the glass, and then the bigger picture of the winemaker: their creativity and leadership; the execution of their product in a wholistic sense; and the context of the individual and their work in the wine landscape today.
Can I submit a barrel sample or blend that has not yet been bottled?
The wines submitted for tasting panel must be finished bottled product – either already in market, or ready for commercial release. If the bottled product is not labelled, that is acceptable. However, please note that we are interested in all aspects of people’s work, and packaging is something that the tasting panel looks at.
What if my wine is not labelled?
It’s in your best interest to have your wine labelled, however, submitting a labelled product for the tasting panel is not mandatory.
Can I get feedback about my wines from the tasting panel?
Yes! For the first time in our 15 year history, all winemakers will receive written feedback on their submissions to the panel tasting.
Have you got firm dates for the 2021 events at this stage?
We will confirm the event program for 2021 at some stage in March 2021. The events are for finalists only, and will conclude withe the trophy presentation by early June 2021.