Generally, responses begin to arrive in February. Wine is shipped via United States Mail, UPS, Federal Express, Airborne Express, through customs in Long Beach, California, and some is even hand delivered. Upon receipt, Entry Forms are checked for accuracy and fees are processed through the use of a customized computer program that catalogues and sorts information into categories. Wine is then hand labeled and separated by class for competition purposes. Immediately prior to the competition, judges are flown in and arranged into ten panels of three.
Wine is evaluated and gold, silver and bronze medals are awarded for each category.
Gold medal recipients are eligible for further evaluation for trophies such as Best White Wine, etc. Upon completion of the competition, results are printed and immediately forwarded to interested media. The Awards booklet is then updated and mailed to all parties involved. Then, the process begins all over again. All wines need to be received by this date.