Pennsylvania Wine Earns International Recognition Waltz Vineyards' 2023 Old Line Chardonnay advanced from nearly 300 global entries to become a finalist at the 2026 Judgment of Davis, a blind tasting organized by the Harvard Data Science Initiative and the University of California, Davis. The wine was recognized as a Leading Wine by the Audience Panel. Judged completely blind against Chardonnays from Burgundy, Napa Valley, Australia, and South Africa, the $27 Pennsylvania wine earned recognition based solely on quality in the glass, with labels, prices, reputations, and regions removed from consideration.
Emerging Region Gains Credibility The result marks a significant moment for Pennsylvania wine production.
The recognition reflects a broader industry shift as consumers and trade professionals increasingly discover exceptional wines from emerging regions. Lancaster County, home to Waltz Vineyards, is emerging as a serious wine-growing region.
Why It Matters
Blind tasting results carry weight in the wine trade because they eliminate bias based on brand reputation or region prestige—a key metric as operators evaluate wine programs and sourcing strategies. Recognition for Pennsylvania producers at this caliber could reshape buyer perception of domestic alternatives to established wine regions.
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Written by FBM Publications Editors
