Wakefield Taylors Wines and 1800 Milenio Take Top Honors

July 14, 2025 — Winners have been announced in the 18th annual Women’s International Wine & Spirits Competition (IWWSC). The competition, which took place recently in Santa Rosa, Calif., was founded on the premise that the majority of wine purchased for home consumption is bought by women. The IWWSC judging panels consist entirely of professional women in the wine and spirits industries — winemakers, distillers, marketers, buyers, sommeliers, educators and journalists. 

This year, Wakefield Taylor Wines 2024 Estate Riesling and 1800 Milenio Extra-Aged Añejo took top honors. Wakefield Taylor, a heritage winery in Australia’s Clare Valley (a region known for quality Reislings), wowed judges with its “mouthwatering citrus blooms” and “gentle salinity.” 

A representative from 1800 Mileno remarked, “1800 Milenio is backed by 11 generations of tequila-making expertise and a legacy of aging innovation – beginning with the world’s first Añejo in 1967 – marking a turning point in the tequila category that helped elevate tequila as a luxury spirit. That same pioneering spirit lives on in 1800 Milenio, originally created to commemorate the dawn of a new millennium and celebrating its 25th Anniversary this year.”

 “As always, the International Women’s Wine & Spirits Competition shined a spotlight on hundreds of deserving products,” says Debra Del Fiorentino, owner of Wine Competitions Management & Production, which organizes and presents IWWSC. “Entry is open to all winemakers, regardless of gender, but we do add an extra spotlight for the top woman winemaker and distiller. In an industry that has traditionally been perceived as a ‘men’s club,’ it’s important to highlight the roles women are playing to push the industry forward.” 

An unprecedented tie in the race for Best Woman Winemaker saw two past winners — Carol Shelton (Carol Shelton Wines) and Diane Wilson (Wilson Family Wines) — sharing the title this year. Meanwhile, Victoria Eady Butler was named Best Woman Distiller. Butler, Master Blender for Uncle Nearest, Inc., is the first African American master blender for a major spirit brand, earning multiple awards for her expertise, including this one. 

“This is only our fifth year including spirits in this competition,” says Del Fiorentino. “I’m pleased with the category's growth since then. We continue to add entry volume and product quality every year, and our judges appreciate being exposed to new releases and companies.” 

A list of Sweepstakes contenders in both wine and spirits categories follows this press release.

About Wine Competitions Management & Production 

Wine Competitions Management & Productions (WCMP) produces more than a dozen wine, cider and spirits competitions annually, each carefully designed to appeal to a niche market based on regionality or style of judging. Judges are internationally renowned and respected experts. For more information, visit our website at winecompetitions.com

2025 International Women’s Wine Competition Winners

Best of the Best, Best White Wine 
Wakefield Taylors Wines 2024 Estate Riesling (BOC, GG, 96 pts.)
Judges: Mouthwatering citrus blooms; gentle salinity  

Best Red Wine 
Sierra Starr Vineyards 2022 Barbera (BOC, GG, 98)
Judges: Delicious, earthy; Fennel and rich, ripe dark fruit 

Best Sparkling Wine 
Breathless Wines Blanc de Noirs NV (BOC, GG, 97)
Judges: Honeysuckle and Rainier cherry; integrated bubbles; long, balanced finish

Best Rosé Wine 
Wilson of Dry Creek 2024 Rosé of Zinfandel (BOC, GG, 99)
Judges: Strawberry and watermelon notes;  lilac and orange peel; nice color; crisp and refreshing 

Best Dessert Wine 
Barefoot Cellars White Moscato NV (BOC, GG, 97)
Judges: Bright lemon-lime; vanilla pastry; candied grapefruit on finish 

Best Cider 
Gowan’s Heirloom Ciders Rosé Cider NV (BOC, GG, 98)
Judges: Fresh clean style; great acid structure with sweetness; complex  

Best Woman Winemaker (tie) 
Carol Shelton, Carol Shelton Wines
Diane Wilson, Wilson of Dry Creek Wines

2025 International Women’s Spirits Competition Winners

Best of the Best, Best Tequila 
1800 Milenio Extra-Aged Añejo (BOC, GG, 99 pts.)
Judges: Absolutely beautiful, balanced; everything you want in an aged Tequila 

Best Cristalino
Snow Tequila (Te-ski-LA) Cristalino Reposado (BOC, GG, 99)
Judges: Beautiful, subtle sweetness; round and rich — well made; notes of sweet agave, vanilla, light caramel and light milk chocolate; mouthwatering finish 

Best Tequila Anejo
Guachimonton Añejo Tequila (BOC, GG, 98)
Judges: Elegant; orange peel/Grand Marnier taste 

Best Tequila Blanco
Orgullo Ajeno Tequila Blanco (BOC, GG, 97)
Judges: Nuance of fresh lime skin; textbook Tequila 

Best Tequila Reposado
Dia De La Sirena Reposado Tequila (BOC, GG, 98)
Judges: Well-made, clean and complex; richness 

Best Bourbon 
Lythgoe Bourbon Founders' Collection Small-Batch Bourbon (BOC, GG, 99)
Judges: Salty caramel; extremely well-made; well balanced

 Best Bourbon (Infused) 
Von Payne Black Ultra Premium (BOC, GG, 97)
Judges: Well-integrated; easy sipping; crowd pleaser 

Best Whiskey 
Uncle Nearest Green Tennessee Whiskey (BOC, GG, 98)
Judges: Elegant and well-balanced; beautiful vanilla notes with orange 

Best Gin 
Holistic Spirits Company Harmony Gin (BOC, GG, 98)
Judges: Nice palate; very well-integrated; stellar craftsmanship 

Best Vodka 
Vodka 57 Pure Glacier Vodka (BOC, G, 93)
Judges: Freshness; would accommodate a cocktail 

Best Vodka (Infused) 
Holistic Spirits Company Origen Specialty Vodka (BOC, GG, 96)
Judges: Creative; notes of artichoke but it doesn't taste like artichoke 

Best Woman Distiller 
Victoria Eady Butler, Uncle Nearest Premium Whiskey

For a full list of Gold and Double Gold medal winners, visit www.winecompetitions.com/2025-international-women-s-re