2020 Nevada Vinny Awards: Dates Announced, Show Plans on the Drawing Board

Winemaker Jim Phelan shows off gold medals at the 2019 Nevada Vinny Awards Show. Photo: John Macaluso for Grape Basin News.

Plans are underway for the 2020 Nevada Vinny Awards. Commercial wines will again be judged separately from homemade wines. Deadline for entries is March 17, with judging in  mid-April. Nevada Vines & Wines board members will soon announce the format for competition and the awards show venue, according to board president Teri Bath. Entry drop-off locations will be announced at the same time.

Efforts will be made this year to increase submissions from home winemakers in southern Nevada, says Bath. Southern Nevada’s commercial wines were impressive in 2019, with Vegas Valley Winery tying for the best in show award.

The Vinny Awards Show is scheduled for May 21. Grape Basin News will serve as communication advisor and title sponsor for the show, a reduced role. GBN was the producer of the 2019 awards show, revamping and expanding it from an informal ceremony to a full stage show.

The 2019 judging panel was composed of regional residents with strong wine resumes, including veteran winemakers and wine retailers.