The Long Beach Grand Cru is considered one of the top international wine competitions in the U.S. The major public tasting event attracts more than 1,400 wine and food aficionados every August. Since its inception in 1995, the Competition has grown in size and prestige, attracting wineries from across the United States and from around the world.* Because of the increase in the number of entries each year, the competition was expanded in 2000 and now takes place over two days. In 2007, there were 447 wineries from 23 states and 12 countries submitting 1,960 entries. Medals were awarded in categories as follows: Sweepstakes, Best of Class, Gold, Silver and Bronze.

The Competition is held approximately four weeks prior to the awards and tasting. The format is a retain-eliminate of major categories, similar to the California State Fair and other major competitions in San Francisco, Los Angeles and Riverside. 

Each year, the Grand Cru makes improvements to ensure a professional, competitive arena for wineries who enter. Dan Berger, Chief Judge, continues to improve the system.  Its simple, easy-to-use forms and classifications are appreciated by wineries entering the competition. (Please see Judging Process.)

To meet the demands of another anticipated record-breaking year, the Grand Cru's computerized program allows us to provide results more quickly and efficiently. Dan Berger selects the panel of judges. The Steering Committee will assist in the selection and recruitment of panel judges for the competition, thus ensuring the continuity of exemplary judges. These judges are recruited from a pool of winemakers, restaurateurs, wine store representatives, noted wine writers, educators and recognized wine connoisseurs.

The Grand Cru is unique in that it provides support to a charity. It is the primary fundraising vehicle for the Long Beach office of the Legal Aid Foundation of Los Angeles, a 501(c)(3) non-profit corporation. The Foundation provides legal support in civil matters for low income citizens who meet Federal poverty guidelines. Annually, the Foundation provides legal services to thousands, including battered women and children, seniors, disabled and the homeless, in addition to conducting educational programs and outreach to the community.

We welcome your participation and wish you the best of luck! 

Ludmila Montoya, Founder & Executive Producer
Roni Gould, Chair

* The 2007 Participating States and Countries:

United States: California, Colorado, Iowa, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Maryland, Michigan, Missouri, North Carolina, New Jersey, New Mexico, Nevada, New York, Ohio, Oregon, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Texas, Virginia, Washington, Wisconsin.

International: Argentina, Australia, Canada, Chile, France, Germany, Italy, Mexico, New Zealand, South Africa and Spain.

Note:  Fund-raising is a critical factor of the Long beach Grand Cru.  Funds raised benefit the Legal Aid Foundation of Los Angeles, Long Beach Office which provides legal help for low income and poor people in civil matters only.  Medal-winning wines not used in the competition will be featured in the public tasting.  To avoid running short of award-winning wines at the public tasting, we request that medal winners make an additional donation of wine to allow your wine and winery to be seen and experienced by the approximately 1,400 guest who attend.  We recommend you send a winery representative to pour or we can assign a volunteer pourer.  All remaining wine after the public tasting will be used for charitable fund-raising and marketing benefits throughout the following year.

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July 19 & 20,  2008

Long Beach Petroleum Club
A full service banquet facility
For more information call (562) 427-4040
Visit the website www.LBPetroleumclub.com
8:300 AM - 4:00 PM

March 21 - July 7, 2008
Wine entries entry forms & fees accepted.

July 12, 2008
Wines must arrive by July 12. (This ensures that wines will have time to settle before the competition.)

July 19 & 20, 2008
Judging of all entries at the Long Beach Petroleum Club. It is closed to the public.

July 21, 22, 23
Winning wineries notified by email, fax.

August 4, 5, 6
Results will be mailed to all participating wineries.

August 16, 2008
Public display and tasting of all medal-winning wines at the Rainbow Lagoon Park in Downtown Long Beach, California.

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