California Mid-State Fair announces Home Winemaking Competition winners

By PASO ROBLES PRESS STAFF REPORT · Mon May 18 2026

PASO ROBLES — The California Mid-State Fair has announced the winners of the 2026 competition, recognizing amateur winemakers from across San Luis Obispo County and Santa Barbara County.

The annual competition, held ahead of the CMSF, showcases locally produced wines in categories including sparkling, white, rosé, and red varietals. Entries are judged by local wine industry professionals based on appearance, aroma, and taste.

This year’s top honors went to Ronald Besser of Paso Robles, whose 2023 Malbec from Sherry Place Vineyard earned both Best of Show and Best Red Wine awards.

Additional winners included Ben Hoover of Templeton, who received Best White Wine for a 2025 Sauvignon Blanc, and Frederick Carbone of Santa Maria, whose 2025 Syrah Rosé won Best Rosé.

Award-winning wines, along with other beverage competition entries, will be displayed in the Ponderosa Pavilion during the fair.

“The Home Winemaking Competition is a great example of the community being part of the Fair,” said  Colleen Bojorquez, CEO of the California Mid-State Fair. “We truly appreciate the home winemakers from  San Luis Obispo and Santa Barbara Counties who take the time to participate and bring their wines to the  competition—it’s a fun way to celebrate this region’s winemaking and agriculture.”

The fair also thanked sponsors Baker Wine & Grape Analysis, ETS Laboratories, and Vintner’s Vault for supporting the competition, as well as the volunteers who help organize the event each year.

The 2026 California Mid-State Fair, themed “Back to the ’80s” in celebration of the fair’s 80th anniversary, will run July 15 through July 26 at the Paso Robles Event Center.