PISMO BEACH, CA  (July 30, 2012)  -- Formerly, Sunset Magazine’s Western Wine Awards, the SUNSET INTERNATIONAL WINE COMPETITION will be held for a second year in Pismo Beach on Friday, September 28.

At this premier California food and wine event, guests will attend an exclusive reception hosted by Sunset Wine Editor Sara Schneider and Editor-in-Chief Kitty Morgan and will be the first to taste the judges’ global selection of wines chosen by Sunset’s panel of experts.

"This year, we changed the competition for several reasons.  We thought it was an interesting opportunity to bring wines from all over the world to our readers and we had grown to the point where we needed a completely different program,” explains Sunset Wine Editor Sara Schneider. “We felt like it was better for Sunset readers, if we vetted a larger number of wine varietals since their interest in wine is growing incredibly fast.”

In addition to the competition’s Grand Tasting, guests can indulge in an exquisite wine & food pairing dinner and dance. Fresh regional cuisine will be prepared by top local chefs led by Marquis Chef Gregg Wangard of Marisol at the Cliffs Resort; Vons Executive Chef Jeff Anderson; Executive Chef Robert Trester of Gardens of Avila at Sycamore Mineral Springs Resort and their colleagues from Splash Cafe, Cracked Crab, Steamers and Ventana Grill. Later, guests will dance under the stars at the internationally inspired after-party with popular LA DJ, D-Fuse.

Continuing into the weekend, guests can relax in the warm Indian Summer weather while staying at their choice of one of Pismo Beach’s oceanfront lodgings just steps away from an array of restaurants and downtown tasting rooms, including the artisan wines of Sans Liege. Additionally, guests can venture out to tour and taste in the Edna Valley at wineries like Claiborne & Churchill, Tolosa and Bailyeana just minutes away. http://classiccalifornia.com/wine-waves.htm

“We are the perfect place to host this international wine competition.  We are in the heartland of California's wine industry and a dynamic burgeoning wine region,” says Peter Candela, Director of the Pismo Beach Chamber of Commerce. “Not only can wine enthusiasts come to enjoy this event, but it's a great opportunity for a weekend coastal wine country getaway visiting our local wineries and tasting the exceptional wines made here.”

Sunset International Wine Competition takes place Friday, Sept. 28, 2012 from 5:30pm-10:00pm in Pismo Beach at Dinosaur Caves Park, overlooking the Pacific Ocean. Tickets start at $50 for the Grand Tasting and $125 for an all-inclusive evening of tasting, dining and dancing. http://www.savorcentralcoast.com/schedule-overview/special-events/.

To find an array of lodging specials in Pismo Beach, go http://www.classiccalifornia.com/lodging.htm.