Huston Vineyards Brings Home Significant Honors at 2020 Sunset International Wine Competition

July 6, 2020 – Huston, ID

On April 21, 2018, Huston Vineyards, along with other regions around the world, will celebrate the varietal for World Malbec Day.

The results of the 2020 Sunset International Wine Competition are in and Huston Vineyards showed that Idaho wines can compete in the big leagues.

In the white blend category, Huston’s 2019 Chicken Dinner White received gold, 98 points and Best of Class from the distinguished judging panel. In the Rose’ Category, Huston’s 2019 Chicken Dinner Rosé received gold, 95 points and another Best of Class. Huston’s 2018 Malbec received a gold and 90 points. The 2019 Chicken Dinner Red also received gold and 90 points in the Red Blend Category.

This is no small achievement. The Sunset International competition has the honor and distinction of recognizing the best wines produced internationally. This contest draws top-level wines and hand-picked top-notch judges to create a sophisticated and enthusiastic wine experience that is considered to be the most prestigious in the United States. The Sunset Competition organizers said “wines judged here were considered to be a cut above the rest – simply put, the Best of the Best.”

Wines were judged from a field of over 2,800 entries. Only wines rating 90+ points were awarded gold medals and were eligible to move on to the “Best Of” Category.
This year’s competition saw a 10% increase in entries over last year, despite the pandemic, and was held in Santa Rosa the week of June 22. A record 12 judging panels were needed to accommodate the volume of entries, along with physical distancing requirements. Judging panels were comprised of 36 industry experts, including journalists, buyers and winemakers, who judged wines from all over the world over a three-day period.

“This news is huge both for Huston Vineyards and for the Idaho wine industry,” said Gregg Alger, owner of Huston Vineyards. “My wife Mary and I are so grateful to all our customers and to our Huston team who have worked so diligently in supporting us and promoting Huston and our Chicken Dinner brands. It is so nice to be recognized internationally for the efforts of so many.”