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National Wine Awards of Canada 2023 (NWAC)
The WineAlign National Wine Awards of Canada (NWAC), now 22 years old, is the country’s largest and most respected competition involving 100 percent grown and produced Canadian wine. It was founded by co-chairs Anthony Gismondi and David Lawrason in 2001 and is held in locations across Canadian wine country annually. The judging involves a select group of Canadian wine writers, educators, sommeliers, and two international judges who spend a week assessing some 1,900 wines and ciders.
The 2023 judging will take place June 24 to 28 in Penticton, British Columbia.
Please see below for User Registration and Login instructions. We look forward to seeing your wines and ciders at the 2023 National Wine Awards of Canada.
The National Wine Awards of Canada is for ciders too! If you are a Canadian-based cidery that utilizes Canadian-grown apples and fruit, you can enter the National Wine Awards of Canada. We have several cider categories to ensure your ciders are treated with respect. And, we are bringing back the Best Cider of the Year award, which will be awarded to the highest-scoring cider (not including iced ciders).
Those interested in following the judges and seeing all their reactions to the wines and ciders, and gaining greater insight into the week’s activities can follow us on Twitter and Instagram using the hashtags: #NWAC23 and #NWAC2023
The National Wine Awards presents four major awards: The Canadian Winery of the Year, The Best Performing Small Winery, Icewine of the Year, and Cider of the Year. Within each of the 37 categories, wines are awarded Gold, Silver or Bronze medals, all topped by Platinum medals presented to the top one percent highest-scoring wines across all competition categories.
Two decades later, the National Wine Awards of Canada have become the definitive national wine competition and the best opportunity to benchmark yourself against the country’s most important producers, who, in a rare moment for any country, almost all come together to compete at The Nationals. As David Lawrason and Anthony Gismondi say, “There is no hiding at The Nationals with multiple intensive rounds of blind tastings yielding the most important medals in the country. You can compete against a handful of Canadian wineries at various international tastings, but when you enter The Nationals, the competition is the entire Canadian industry, making the results the most meaningful in the country.”
Speaking of results, we have sped up the final reporting process to get the results to all participating wineries and cideries sooner allowing you to maximize your ability to market your wines and wineries throughout the busy late summer and fall season. Full results, including Canadian Winery of the Year and Best Performing Small Winery of the Year, will be published on WineAlign by the end of July.
Several years ago we instituted the first full integration of the results into the WineAlign website, in effect creating a lasting virtual medal for all winning participants, so we will post silver, gold, and platinum wine notes on WineAlign (many in both French and English), along with high-quality bottle images.
Please see below for User Registration and Login instructions. We look forward to seeing your wines and ciders at the 2023 National Wine Awards of Canada.
Cost of Entry:
April 1 – 30: $135/wine + GST
May 1 – 31: $140/wine + GST
June 1 – 9 : $145/wine + GST
Note: Fees must also be paid in those times in order to receive the early bird prices.
REGISTER (& PAY) EARLY AND SAVE!
(Please send at least 3 bottles (750ml or equivalent)).
Rules for Entry
Shipping
Registration
Frequently Asked Questions
Shipping to Eastern consolidation point ends: Wednesday, May 24 at 4:00 pm – Closed
Shipping to Western consolidation point ends: Wednesday, June 14 at 4:00 pm
Online registration ends: Friday, June 2, 2023 – extended to Friday, June 9
Wine entry fees must be paid by: Friday, June 9, 2023
Please use the menu at the top and bottom of the page to find more information about Registration, Rules for Entry, Judges, Shipping, Promoting Your Wines, Sponsors, and FAQ.
User Registration and Login Instructions
When you click on Register, you will come to this page.
If you have entered wines into the National Wine Awards of Canada in previous years you will already have an account. Please click on Login at the top of the page. You will then get the page below. Fill in your login information. If you have any questions, please email [email protected].
If you have never entered wines into the National Wine Awards of Canada before then you will need to register an account. Please click on User Registration at the top of the page. You will then get the page below. Please fill in the form and follow the instructions. If you have any questions, please email [email protected].
Questions or comments? Contact us: [email protected]