Eligibility

Competitors must hold active membership in a BCAWA-affiliated club with current dues paid. The competition is for wines and ciders produced in the homes of members — brew-on-premises products are not eligible.

Number of Entries

A competitor may submit two entries per class, provided they use different ingredients, varieties, vintages, or vineyards. Minor variations in yeast strain or blending adjustments alone do not constitute distinct entries.

Entry Documentation

Each entry requires a completed entry identifying the class, vintage year, primary ingredients with percentages, sweetness level, and style. Kit wine entries are included in the appropriate wine classes. Grape-based entries must include geographic sourcing information.

All bottles, and fees must reach the Chief Steward, Registrar, or a designated drop site by the published deadline.

Bottle Requirements

• Minimum 375 mL capacity (750 mL required for table wine classes)
• No capsules, branded corks, or identifying labels — bottles must be anonymous
• Sparkling wines must be in thick-walled sparkling wine bottles with no sediment
• Ciders: glass or plastic bottles approximately 350 mL with appropriate closures

Bottle Identification (Bottle Tags)

The only permitted identification is a Bottle Tag attached by elastic band to the bottle neck. Bottle tags are automatically generated as part of the registration process. The include the folowing information.

• Your name and club
• Class ID and class name
• Entry designation (Entry 1 or Entry 2)
• Randomly generated entry number

Preparing Your Bottles

It is strongly recommended that every bottle be opened, tasted, and topped up before entry. This helps avoid submitting corked or oxidised bottles. Handle bottles carefully before submission to avoid disturbing any sediment.

Entering a Competition

BCAWA sponsors a number of competitions each year tyhat are judges by the BC Guild of Wine Judges. They have professionally developed to both allow entries and manage all aspects of a wine competition. Clicking on the link below will take you to the software where you can register and enter your wines if you belong to a member Club of BCAWA.