5th Annual

Los Angeles Invitational Spirits Challenge

Los Angeles Invitational Logo

About

The Los Angeles Invitational Wine & Spirits Challenge was established, in conjunction with LA beverage professionals, to highlight the best of the best wine & spirits producers in the world. Our panel of esteemed judges include winemakers, distillers, sommeliers, beverage trade and media.

 

The mission is to introduce those elite producers to the Southern California market of consumers, one of the largest in the country.

Media Sponsor

Los Angeles Times logo

2025 Best of the Best Spirits

Garrison Brothers Bourbon Whiskey
Garrison Brothers Bourbon Whiskey
2025 Winners by Award
2024 Winners

Reasons to Enter

  • Drive brand awareness in the Los Angeles region, one of the top wine and spirits markets in the world.
  • Experienced judges representing:
    • Winemakers
    • Distillers
    • Wine & Spirits Media
    • Alcohol Beverage Educators
    • Trade and Restaurant / Hospitality Industries
  • Our Audience Loves Wine & Spirits
    • Wine Drinkers
      • We reach 9.2 million wine drinkers
      • 33% Male
      • 67% Female
      • 48% Ages 25-54
      • 52% HHI $100K+
      • 35% Have children
      • 76% Hold college or postgraduate degrees
      • 25% Multicultural
    • Spirit Drinkers
      • We reach 7.3 million spirit drinkers
      • 35% Male
      • 67% Female
      • 48% Ages 25-54
      • 52% HHI $100K+
      • 33.5% Have children
      • 70% Hold college or postgraduate degrees
      • 42% Multicultural
    Source: ComScore National Multiplatform (NantMedia), Nov. 2923, Base: A21+ Wine Drinkers
  • Winners will be promoted in a LA Times promotional campaign specifically targeting Food & Drink Enthusiasts
    • Tasting Notes Newsletter: 175,000 subscribers
    • Targeted ad campaign: 400,000+ impressions
    • Dedicated email: 140,000 subscribers
    • Total campaign: 700,000+ impressions
  • Winners to receive multi-formatted digital medals specifically designed for online and social media marketing.
  • Winning Producers will have the opportunity to participate in the:
  • Gold and better listed and promoted on the website and through social media channels.
  • Los Angeles Times Media Sponsor Reach
    • 47 Million Unique Visitors
    • 194 Million Monthly Page Views
    • 57 Million eNewspaper Monthly Page Views
    • 2.2 Million Weekly Print Readership
    • 177 Million Total Podcast Downloads
    • 2 Million Newsletter Subscribers
    • 200K Attendees Across 70+ Annual Events
    • 14.5 Million+ Social Followers
    Source: Internal Data Jan 2025 (includes website, e-Newspaper, app & Apple News) Readership (Scarborough LA 2024 R2)
LA Times Promotional Opportunities

Entry Deadline and Product Shipments Due

Early Bird Entry Deadline: January 28th, 2026

Regular Entry Deadline: February 5th, 2026

Delivery Deadline: February 9th, 2026

Click Here to Enter!

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does it cost to enter?

Early Bird Entry Fee: $325 per online entry / $175 Mixers and Pre-Mixed Cocktails.

*2026 Early Bird Entry Deadline: January 28th, 2026

Regular Entry Fee: $345 per online entry / $195 Mixers and Pre-Mixed Cocktails.

*2026 Entry Deadline: February 5th, 2026

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Official Rules

  • Deadlines

    Early Bird Entry Deadline: January 28th, 2026

    Regular Entry Deadline: February 5th, 2026

    Delivery Deadline: February 9th, 2026

    Competition Judging: February 18th - 19th, 2026

     

  • Fees

    Fees are $345 per entry online or $195 for Mixers and Pre-mixed Cocktails.

    *Save $20 per entry with early bird discount by registering before January 28th, 2026

  • Legal

    Spirits produced in any region of the world that meet the applicable federal legal requirements.

  • Who may enter

    Open to Commercial Distillers, Craft Distillers, Producers, Importers and Distributors.

  • Advertising Opportunities

    For more information about advertising with the Los Angeles Times, please contact Eric Ma, Executive Director, Media and Advertising Sales @ eric.ma@latimes.com  or Dustin Erb, Associate, Director Events and Sponsorship @ dustin.erb@latimes.com.

  • Entries

    An official entry shall consist of two (2) bottles, each bottle no less than 750 ml in volume or larger. For sizes less than 750 ml, please submit three (3) bottles per entry. If packaged in cans, please send 6 per entry.

  • Labels

    Any spirit that is delivered to the competition without a full and proper label will be disqualified from the judging. Please do not send spirits with laboratory, temporary, photocopied, or altered labels

    Download a mailing label

  • Medals

    Please note that Gold and above winners will be receiving medals automatically. Digital awards will be available on the website for all winners to use as they choose for individual award promotion. (websites, social media, advertising, etc.)

Cheers!

Feature your products in front of the perfect audience!

Contact Us
Click Here to Enter!