2026 San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition: Clarksburg Winners Guide

Key Takeaways

Clarksburg wineries made a powerful statement at the 2026 San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition, earning Best of Class, Double Gold, and Gold medals across an impressive range of varietals and styles.

• Bogle Family Vineyards delivered one of the strongest performances at the competition, winning Best of Class for their 2023 Chardonnay and earning multiple Double Gold and Gold awards across whites, reds, and sparkling wines.
• Elevation Ten, Heringer Estates, Scribner Bend, Fellow, Julietta, and Silt Wine Company all brought home major medals in diverse varietals, including Malbec, Tempranillo, Chenin Blanc, Nero d’Avola, Montepulciano, and Teroldego.
• These results confirm Clarksburg as a must-visit Delta wine destination where visitors can taste award-winning wines directly in local tasting rooms.
• From bold reds to crisp whites and creative sparkling options, Clarksburg’s 2026 medal winners offer something for every palate—all within easy reach of Sacramento and the Bay Area.

Clarksburg in the Spotlight at the 2026 San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition

The 2026 San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition judged nearly 5,500 wines from over 900 wineries across North American wine regions, making it the largest competition of its kind on the continent. Professional judges evaluated entries blind across structured categories from Jan 13-16, 2026, with results announced shortly after—a stage where earning recognition truly means something.

Clarksburg sits in the heart of California’s Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta, just a short drive from downtown Sacramento. This thriving wine region offers friendly tasting rooms, scenic river views, and a growing reputation for producing high-quality, approachable wines that punch well above their weight class.

In 2026, Clarksburg wineries earned top-tier distinctions that put the region shoulder-to-shoulder with more famous California AVAs:

This guide walks through the medal winners in the Clarksburg area, winery by winery, making it easy to plan a tasting itinerary around these competition-recognized bottles. Whether you’re excited to explore bold reds, vibrant whites, or adventurous varietals, these results prove Clarksburg deserves a spot on your wine travel list.

Bogle Family Vineyards: Best of Class & a Sweep of Medals

Bogle Family Vineyards delivered one of the most impressive performances of any Clarksburg winery at the 2026 San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition. With wins spanning white, red, and sparkling categories, Bogle demonstrated the kind of range that turns heads among judges and wine lovers alike.

The standout achievement: Bogle’s 2023 Chardonnay earned Best of Class, meaning it was judged the top wine in its category among all entries at the Chronicle Wine Competition. That same 2023 Chardonnay also received Double Gold recognition—a powerful one-two punch that signals serious quality.

Double Gold Winners

Bogle’s momentum continued with Double Gold medals for:

• 2024 Sauvignon Blanc – bright and refreshing
• 2024 Chenin Blanc – vibrant with honeysuckle notes
• 2022 Petite Sirah – bold and deeply structured
• 2022 Zinfandel – rich with Clarksburg character

The contrast between the crisp, citrus-forward whites and the robust, concentrated reds shows just how well Bogle leverages the region’s terroir.

Gold Medal Lineup

The gold medals kept coming across an impressive variety of styles:

This mix of varietals and styles—from elegant bubbles to a Cab Sauv leading blend alternative like their Merlot and red blend options—demonstrates Bogle’s mastery across the board. Some of their Zinfandel and Petite Sirah blocks date back to the 1880s, delivering concentrated flavors and balanced acidity that the judges clearly appreciated.

A visit to Bogle’s Clarksburg tasting room is an ideal starting point for exploring these award winners in flights, by the glass, and through seasonal experiences.

Elevation Ten Winery: Refined Reds and Elegant Whites

Elevation Ten Winery earned its place among Clarksburg’s top producers with strong recognition at the 2026 San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition. This boutique, family-owned estate focuses on sustainable farming and careful craftsmanship—qualities that translated directly into medal-worthy wines.

The 2023 Malbec earned Double Gold, a distinction that means every judge on the panel awarded it Gold-level scores. Expect dark fruit, plush texture, and food-friendly tannins that showcase Clarksburg’s ability to ripen thick-skinned reds with impressive depth.

Elevation Ten’s 2024 Chardonnay also earned Gold, signaling that the winery excels not just in robust reds but also in graceful, nuanced whites with balance and restraint.

These awards underscore Elevation Ten’s ability to deliver depth and finesse across a range of varietals, appealing to visitors with diverse palates. Make sure to include Elevation Ten on your Clarksburg itinerary for a relaxed tasting experience where you can compare medal-winning Malbec and Chardonnay side by side.

Heringer Estates: Consistent Quality from Chardonnay to Tempranillo

Heringer Estates represents the kind of multi-generational, family-run vineyard operation that defines Clarksburg’s agricultural heritage. With deep Delta farming roots and a commitment to quality, Heringer reinforced its reputation with multiple Gold medals in 2026.

Gold Medal Wines

The Tempranillo win is particularly noteworthy—it showcases Clarksburg’s ability to handle Mediterranean varietals with real finesse, offering something different from the usual California lineup.

Heringer Estates is an ideal stop for groups with varied tastes. Whether your crew gravitates toward easy-drinking whites or age-worthy reds, you’ll find medal-recognized options representing Clarksburg’s best across the board.

Scribner Bend Vineyards: Shining with Nero d’Avola

Scribner Bend Vineyards sits along a picturesque stretch of river, offering guests a relaxed atmosphere and an adventurous varietal lineup that often surprises first-time visitors.

The surprise this year? Scribner Bend’s 2022 Nero d’Avola earned a prestigious Double Gold. This lesser-seen Sicilian varietal thrives in Clarksburg’s warm days and cool nights, yielding vivid red fruit, spice, and vibrant acidity that the competition judges couldn’t ignore.

For visitors who love discovering something new beyond classic Cabernet and Pinot, Nero d’Avola offers a refreshing departure. The wine showcases dark cherry, violet, and herbal complexity—proof that Clarksburg’s prowess extends well beyond expected varietals.

Consider Scribner Bend a “hidden gem” stop where you can pair scenic views and warm hospitality with an award-winning, off-the-beaten-path red wine. It’s the kind of discovery that makes a wine tasting day memorable.

Fellow: A Double Gold Showcase for Clarksburg Chenin Blanc

Fellow has emerged as a rising Clarksburg producer, and the 2026 San Francisco competition results confirmed what locals already knew: this winery knows how to make expressive, site-driven wines that stand out.

The 2025 Chenin Blanc earned Double Gold, showcasing bright stone fruit, lively acidity, and a refreshing finish that makes it instantly appealing. Chenin Blanc has deep roots in the Delta—historically planted here since the 19th century—and it thrives in the area’s sandy loam soils and long growing season.

Clarksburg’s cooling breezes give Chenin Blanc the vibrant acidity and honeysuckle notes that set it apart, and Fellow’s version serves as a benchmark example of what the region can achieve on the national stage.

If you prioritize crisp, vibrant white wines and want to explore emerging local labels, Fellow deserves a spot on your tasting list. Seek out their Chenin Blanc specifically—you’ll understand why this varietal is becoming a Clarksburg signature.

Julietta Winery: Gold-Winning Montepulciano for the Adventurous Palate

Julietta Winery welcomes guests who enjoy exploring beyond the usual Cabernet and Chardonnay lineup. This Clarksburg destination has built a reputation for offering something different, and its 2026 wine competition performance backs that up.

Julietta’s 2023 Montepulciano earned a Gold medal, underlining how well this Italian varietal can flourish in Clarksburg’s climate. Expect medium to full body, notes of dark cherry and herbs, and smooth tannins, making it food-friendly and approachable.

This Gold-winning Montepulciano is a perfect “try something different” recommendation for visitors eager to expand their tasting horizons. Consider pairing a visit to Julietta with other Clarksburg wineries on this list to build a day of both classic and adventurous, competition-recognized wines.

Silt Wine Company: Double Golds Across Red, White, and Sparkling

Silt Wine Company had one of the most diverse and impressive sets of wins at the 2026 San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition. This creative, quality-driven Clarksburg producer proved that excellence isn’t limited to a single style or varietal—they delivered across the board.

Double Gold Winners

The range here is remarkable: Spanish-inspired Tempranillo, Italian Teroldego, and a standout Chardonnay all earned unanimous approval from the judges.

Gold Medal Wines

Silt’s gold medals showcase even more variety:

• 2024 Chenin Blanc – bright and aromatic
• 2022 Reclamation BDX – Bordeaux-style leading blend with structure and elegance
• NV Clarksburg Sparkling Chenin Charmat – frothy, fruit-forward bubbles
• 2025 Albarino – crisp and saline-driven
• 2023 Petit Verdot – bold and concentrated
• 2022 Reclamation Red – a crowd-pleasing blend

This medal haul shows Silt excelling in white, red, sparkling, and blend categories. Note the Cabernet Franc-friendly approach in their Bordeaux-style blends and the creativity of their Charmat-method sparkling.

Plan extra time at Silt to explore flights featuring both the Double Gold and Gold winners. With this much variety, you can experience an entire tasting journey in a single visit—and pick up a few bottles of the wines that speak to you most.

Plan Your Clarksburg Tasting Day Around These Winners

Congratulations to all Clarksburg wineries on their outstanding showing at the 2026 San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition! These results prove that Clarksburg can compete with any major wine region in California and beyond.

Sample Tasting Day Structure

Of course, you can customize based on your favorite styles. Most visitors can comfortably enjoy tastings at 3-4 wineries in a day without rushing.

Before You Go

• Check each winery’s website for current tasting hours and reservation policies
• Confirm which medal-winning vintages are currently pouring or available for purchase
• Look into tasting fees and wine club benefits

Beyond wine, you can enjoy scenic Delta drives, pack a picnic, attend seasonal events, and experience the warm, down-to-earth hospitality that makes Clarksburg especially approachable.

Congrats again to these medal winners for representing Clarksburg so well. Plan your next wine getaway and come taste these award-winning wines where they were grown. Visit EnjoyClarksburg.com to start building your itinerary today!

FAQ

When were the results of the 2026 San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition announced, and where can I see the full list?

Results are typically released in January each year, following the mid-January judging sessions. You can search the complete 2026 results on the official San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition website, filtering by winery, region, varietal, and medal level to find exactly what you’re looking for. The public tasting event takes place in March at Fort Mason Center in San Francisco.

Are all of these medal-winning Clarksburg wines available for tasting right now?

Availability varies by vintage and inventory. Some award-winning wines sell out quickly after competition results are announced, while others remain available throughout the year. Contact each winery’s tasting room directly or check their website to confirm which 2026 medal winners are currently on the tasting list or available for bottle purchase.

Do I need reservations to taste at the wineries in Clarksburg mentioned in this article?

Reservations are recommended, especially on weekends, holidays, and during special event days. Each winery has its own policy regarding walk-ins, group sizes, and tasting fees. Check individual winery websites for current reservation requirements and any wine club member benefits that might apply.

How far is Clarksburg from Sacramento and the Bay Area?

Clarksburg is about 20-30 minutes from downtown Sacramento, making it an easy day trip or afternoon escape. From many Bay Area locations, expect roughly 1.5-2 hours, depending on traffic. The scenic Delta drive is part of the experience—you’ll pass farmland, river views, and plenty of photo opportunities along the way.

Can I visit multiple award-winning Clarksburg wineries in one day without rushing?

Most visitors can comfortably enjoy tastings at 3-4 wineries in a day, allowing time for scenic drives, a food break, and unhurried tasting experiences. Plan ahead with a route that groups nearby tasting rooms together, and share driving duties or arrange a designated driver so everyone can fully explore Clarksburg’s medal-winning lineup.