In addition to the juried Gold / Silver / Bronze / Certificate evaluations, the Wine Country Model Expo will also present a select group of Special Awards recognizing truly outstanding work across a range of modeling genres and presentations. These awards are intended to celebrate exceptional craftsmanship, creativity, and presentation, and to highlight work that stands out within its subject or approach — not to create additional competition categories.
We are grateful to the individuals within our modeling community who have generously sponsored these awards in support of the Expo and the broader hobby.
Special Awards
Best Youth Entry
Sponsored by: Jim Prinzivalli, Mt Diablo Model Club
Awarded to an outstanding entry by a young modeler, recognizing skill, effort, and enthusiasm for the hobby(includes youth and juniors)
Best Figure Subject
Sponsored by: Listening to Paint Dry
Recognizes excellence in figure modeling and painting, including historical, fantasy, and character subjects (includes fantasy)
Best Science Fiction Subject
Sponsored by: Halby Marketing, Inc.
Awarded to an exceptional science fiction or spacecraft model, highlighting creativity, finish, and execution.
Best Gunpla Subject
Sponsored by: Doug Yuen
Recognizes outstanding work in Gunpla and related mecha subjects, including construction, finish, and presentation.
Best Car Subject
Sponsored by: Mick Burton
Awarded for excellence in automotive modeling, including street, racing, and custom vehicles.
Best Ship or Naval Subject
Sponsored by: Ray Kummer
Presented to an outstanding ship or naval model, recognizing accuracy, craftsmanship, and overall presentation.
Best Armour Subject
Sponsored by: In Honor of Mr. Duane Pfister
Awarded for excellence in armor and military vehicle modeling, including wheeled and soft-skin subjects (includes soft skins)
Best Aircraft Subject
Sponsored by: Carl Molesworth
Recognizes an exceptional aircraft model, with emphasis on construction quality, finish, and overall realism.
Best Diorama Subject
Sponsored by: In Honor of Mr. Greg Pierce
Awarded to a diorama that demonstrates outstanding storytelling, composition, and integration of models, figures, and setting.
Outstanding Table Presentation
Sponsored by: Halby Marketing, Inc.
This Special Award recognizes an Outstanding Table Presentation for thoughtful layout and overall presentation of a modeller’s display area. All modellers exhibiting at the Wine Country Model Expo are automatically eligible.
Judges’ Choice Award
Sponsored by: Ben Harper
Selected by the judging team to recognize a model that made a strong impression for its craftsmanship, creativity, or execution.
People’s Choice Award
Sponsored by: In Honor of Mr. Shunsaku Tamiya
Voted on by Expo attendees, this award reflects the model that most captured the interest and admiration of the public.
Wine Country Inspirational Award
Sponsored by: James Morando
A special recognition celebrating creativity, storytelling, and the ability of a model to inspire others. The Inspiration Award recognizes a model or body of work of any genre that captures attention, encourages conversation, and leaves a lasting impression — whether through presentation, originality, narrative, or the ideas behind the build. It reflects the Expo’s emphasis on exhibition-style display and a modeller-focused experience that values engagement, learning, and shared inspiration within the modelling community.
A Note of Thanks
We sincerely thank all of our Special Award sponsors for their support of the Wine Country Model Expo. Their generosity helps make these recognitions possible and contributes directly to a welcoming, community-focused event for modelers of all experience levels.