About Us - The Tasting Alliance

The Tasting Alliance

For producers, a medal from The Tasting Alliance is more than an accolade — it’s a game-changer, elevating brands to new levels of recognition and success. For consumers and trade professionals, we are the trusted resource for discovering the world’s finest wine and spirits, ensuring that every bottle bearing our mark is worthy of attention.
Join us in celebrating excellence and discover why a medal from The Tasting Alliance is not just an accolade, but a transformative milestone for producers aspiring to global recognition.

The Tasting Alliance

Experience the legacy and impact of the San Francisco World Spirits Competition—the industry’s most prestigious and influential spirits competition. Discover what sets us apart and why brands worldwide trust our process.

2025 SAN FRANCISCO WORLD SPIRITS COMPETITION

The San Francisco World Spirits Competition (SFWSC) stands as the most prestigious competition in the world, setting the industry standard for excellence. Recognizing both globally renowned distilleries and rising small-batch producers, SFWSC medal winners earn widespread recognition and respect. Enter the 2025 SFWSC for the opportunity to earn a distinguished medal symbolizing quality, craftsmanship, and distinction in the spirits industry.

SAN FRANCISCO INTERNATIONAL WINE COMPETITION (SFIWC)

Founded in 1980, the San Francisco International Wine Competition (SFIWC) set the gold standard for professional wine evaluation, establishing the rigorous blind judging process that The Tasting Alliance continues to uphold across all its competitions. As the first competition in our portfolio, SFIWC pioneered a platform for global recognition, providing wineries with an esteemed benchmark for quality and excellence. For over four decades, it has remained a trusted authority, celebrating wines from around the world and helping brands gain credibility, visibility, and consumer trust.

TASTING ALLIANCE ADVISORS

Tasting Alliance Advisors (TAA) is a quality-specific, brand-agnostic consultancy and advocacy network of the world’s most trusted and respected spirits professionals. Our partner network provides guidance in the areas of product development, talent recruitment, brand strategy, and brand activation.

Product Development – Guidance and insights to improve products, marketing, and overall business strategy. Market Research and Analysis. New Product Conception. Existing Product Re-Engineering. Brand Line Expansions.

Brand Strategy – Fostering collaborations that transform distilleries into compelling brands. Brand Ideation. Brand Story Development. Package and Label Design. Content Creation and Social Media. eCommerce and Digital Marketing.

Talent Recruitment – Helping brands, producers, and distributors identify and recruit exceptional professionals who possess the rare blend of skills and passion required to excel in the spirits industry. Hiring Process Consultation. Market Research Salary Analysis. Identification of Top Candidates. Coordination of Interviews.

Brand Activation – Conceptualization, creation, and execution of brand activations. Experiential Builds. Field Collateral. Merchandise.

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PARTNERS

Park Street provides alcohol brands with streamlined regulatory compliance, freight and logistics, and importation services, ensuring secure and cost-effective product shipments into The Tasting Alliance competitions.
For over three decades, Glencairn Crystal Studio has been known for fine glassware and partners with The Tasting Alliance to provide official glassware for our competitions and events.
The Distilled Spirits Council of the United States (DISCUS) represents leading distilled spirits producers, advocating for lower taxes, reduced trade barriers, and policies that expand market access while supporting responsible consumption.
Flaviar is a community of spirits enthusiasts passionate about culture, history, and the art of distillation. By entering The Tasting Alliance competitions, brands gain the opportunity to be featured on Flaviar’s site, included in exclusive tasting boxes, and make their brand websites shoppable—reaching a dedicated audience of quality-driven consumers.
Total Wine & More, America's Wine Superstore®, is the largest independent retailer of fine wine. Double Gold medalists from The Tasting Alliance competitions have the exclusive chance to be featured in in-store experiences, showcasing their products to a national audience.
The Wine & Spirit Education Trust (WSET), established in 1969, offers qualifications for beginners, professionals, and enthusiasts in wine, spirits, sake, and beer. As a global leader and not-for-profit, WSET provides impartial, high-quality education to build expertise in the industry.
Founded in 1948, the United States Bartenders’ Guild® (USBG) is a non-profit organization that unites bartenders and hospitality professionals to advance their careers. With over 40 local communities, the USBG offers peer learning, expert instruction, community service, and skills-based competitions.
True Brands is a global leader in beverage lifestyle accessories, offering on-trend products and branding at competitive prices, backed by expert design, customization, and exceptional customer service.