U.S. Open Finals

THE ONLY ROAD TO THE
WORLD WINE TASTING CHAMPIONSHIP

Due to COVID-19 the 2020 Wine Tasting US Open was cancelled. The World Wine Tasting Championship in France is still presently scheduled to occur in October 2020. Should travel to Europe be allowed in October, TEAM USA will be represented by past winners of the Wine Tasting US Open, as well as team members from TEAM USA who finished in an astonishing Third Place at the World Wine Tasting Championship in 2016.

TEAM USA for 2020 includes Ulf Palmnas (TEAM USA, 2016), Kristen Shubert (TEAM USA, 2016, US Open Champion, 2018), Lisa Stroll (US Open Champion, 2018), and Taylor Robertson (US Open Champion, 2019). We are very excited to be sending this team of champions to represent the USA in the World Wine Tasting Championships this Fall. Given the volatile nature of this year, previous TEAM USA members are standing by should any members of TEAM USA not be able to participate in the World Wine Tasting Championship.

The US Open will resume as usual in 2021. As with previous years, you do not need to be a member of any wine club or society. YOU are eligible to compete against the nation’s best. The Wine Tasting US Open is a blind tasting competition where you are scored on your ability to correctly determine the main grape varietal, country of origin, wine region of origin, vintage, and producer of wines from around the world.

Individuals or teams of two may compete in this tournament for the chance to win a trip to France. The top two scoring entrants (teams or individuals) become TEAM USA. These winners are invited to represent the US at the World Wine Tasting Championships held in France where they will compete against national teams from over twenty countries. Airfare and accommodations for Team USA will be provided.

Taste along with the competitors to test your wine knowledge and witness the tournament from the sidelines as an observer.

Click here for rules and scoring.

2018 Wine Tasting US Open

The 2019 Wine Tasting U.S. Open Championship Finals were held at the historic Pierpont Inn in  Ventura, California on July 14, 2019. The event was a head-to-head competition tasting twelve wines, six white and six red. Contestants were scored on their ability to correctly determine the main grape varietal, country of origin, wine region of origin, vintage, and producer of each wine. The top two teams will compete as TEAM USA in the World Championships held in France in October, 2019.

2019 WINNERS

1st Place: Taylor Robertson and Jacob Fergus, 101 points
 
2nd Place: Gwendolyn Alley and Sue Hill, 92 points
 
3rd Place: Lisa Stoll and Elan Glasser, 59 points
 
WINES POURED
  1. 2017 Pazo Senorans Albarino from Spain, Galicia region
  2. 2017 Jean Jacques Auchere Sancerre (Sauvignon Blanc) from France, Loire region
  3. 2015 Spier Chenin Blanc from South Africa, Stellenbosch region
  4. 2017 Chateau de Nages Vielles Vignes (Grenache Blanc blend) from France, Rhone region
  5. 2018 Gerd Anselmann Riesling Trocken from Germany, Pfalz region
  6. 2015 Saintsbury Chardonnay from United States, California North Coast (Carneros) region
  7. 2015 Gerard Bertrand Corbieres (Grenache blend) from France, Languedoc region
  8. 2015 Ego Bodegas GORU 18M (Mourvedre blend) from Spain, Murcia region
  9. 2013 Castelgreve Chianti Classico Riserva (Sangiovese blend) from Italy, Tuscany region
  10. 2014 Louis M. Martini Cabernet Sauvignon from United States, California North Coast (Napa) region
  11. 2015 Tapiz Alta Collection Malbec from Argentina, Mendoza region
  12. 2014 Quinta Das Carvalhas Touriga Nacional from Portugal, Douro region

CLICK HERE to learn more about scoring and rules.

Want info on future events?

Find out more about upcoming blind wine tasting events and the Wine Tasting US Open.
2018 Wine Tasting US Open
2018 Wine Tasting US Open Water Bottle