Pennsylvania’s Waltz Vineyards Earns Place on Global Stage, Named Among World’s Top Chardonnays at the 2026 Judgment of Davis

Waltz Vineyards 2023 Old Line Chardonnay Named a Finalist at the 2026 Judgment of Davis

LANCASTER, PA (July 8, 2026) — Waltz Vineyards Estate Winery, a family-owned winery located on a seventh-generation Lancaster County farm, has earned international recognition at the 2026 Judgment of Davis, one of the world’s most scientifically rigorous blind wine evaluations.

Its 2023 Old Line Chardonnay advanced from nearly 300 international entries to become a Finalist, competing alongside wines from Burgundy, Napa Valley, Australia, South Africa, and other globally respected wine regions. The wine was also recognized as a Leading Wine by the Audience Panel, consisting of wine professionals, symposium participants, and individuals representing a range of wine knowledge and tasting experience, placing among the highest-scoring wines evaluated during the competition.

For Pennsylvania wine, this recognition marks a milestone.

“The question is no longer whether Pennsylvania can make great wine,” said Zach Waltz, Director of Operations at Waltz Vineyards. “The Judgment of Davis placed our wines in the same conversation as some of the most respected producers in the world.”

During this competition, every wine was judged completely blind with no labels, no price tags, no producer names, and no regional reputations. Hosted at the University of California, Davis, and co-organized by the Harvard Data Science Initiative, the UC Davis Departments of Agricultural and Resource Economics and Viticulture & Enology, and the Robert Mondavi Institute for Wine and Food Science, the Judgment of Davis brought together sensory scientists, economists, statisticians, wine professionals, and consumers to evaluate wine quality through a uniquely data-driven lens.

The recognition is the culmination of nearly three decades of work by the Waltz family. The farm has operated since the mid-1800s, and in 1997 the family planted its first wine grapes after recognizing the potential of Lancaster County’s soils and climate. Situated on elevated, well-drained silt-loam soils with ample airflow and a growing season comparable to parts of Northern Italy and Central France, the site proved ideally suited for premium wine grapes.

Today, Waltz Vineyards farms 35 acres of estate vineyards, produces wines exclusively from estate-grown fruit, operates three tasting room locations, and serves a thriving wine club community.

Retailing for $27, the 2023 Old Line Chardonnay offers notes of pineapple, lemon curd, and vanilla with subtle oak influence. In a competition dominated by wines from some of the world’s most celebrated regions, it was also among the most accessible wines in the field.

“For most of wine’s history, greatness was associated with a relatively small number of regions,” added Waltz. “Today, consumers are more adventurous than ever. They’re discovering wines from places they may not have considered before. Our hope is that this recognition encourages more people to explore Pennsylvania wine and experience what our region is capable of producing.”

For more information, visit waltzvineyards.com or follow us on Instagram and Facebook @waltzvineyardsestate.

About Waltz Vineyards Estate Winery

Waltz Vineyards is proudly putting Pennsylvania wines on the map. Founded on a seventh-generation family farm in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, Waltz Vineyards Estate Winery is dedicated to producing premium wines from 100% estate-grown fruit. Since planting its first vines in 1997, Waltz Vineyards has earned a reputation for crafting world-class Bordeaux and Burgundy varietals that reflect the unique terroir of the region. In 2026, Waltz Vineyards received international recognition when its 2023 Old Line Chardonnay was named a finalist at the Judgment of Davis, a prestigious blind tasting competition featuring nearly 300 wines from renowned wine regions around the world. Combining generations of agricultural stewardship with a commitment to quality winemaking, Waltz Vineyards showcases the potential of Pennsylvania wine on the global stage. The winery operates three tasting room locations and welcomes guests to experience its wines throughout Pennsylvania. For more information, visit waltzvineyards.com.