When you reach the top, word travels quickly. Dan Kleck, owner/winemaker at Silver Stone Wines in Paso Robles, California, only wishes he had more of his 2004 Tempranillo, which won Best Wine of the Competition at the 2007 Los Angeles International Wine & Spirits Competition.

“It sold out almost instantly,” he commented.

The marketing value from the competition and the support it received from the Ralphs Grocery chain, which featured winning wines in its stores and advertised the winners in the Los Angeles Times, had a “tremendous impact,” said Kleck. Local restaurants soon picked up the award-winning Tempranillo, making it available by the glass.

“This cemented the brand for us.”

The Los Angeles International Wine & Spirits Competition provides award winners with additional marketing opportunities, including free wine bottle labels identifying wines as medal winners, a pocket wine guide, and public tastings at the Los Angeles International Wine & Spirits Marketplace, presented by Ralphs, during the Fair.

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