Pizza and wine have long been the unsung power couple of casual dining—and one of Sonoma County’s most cinematic estates is betting big on that pairing again. On July 1, 2026, Francis Ford Coppola Winery, the Geyserville estate behind the award-winning Diamond Collection brand, launched the fifth annual “Perfect Your Pizza” contest: a nationwide hunt for America’s best pizza recipe and Coppola wine pairing, backed by a $25,000 total prize pool.
For a brand rooted in founder Francis Ford Coppola’s dual legacy in film and wine hospitality, this isn’t just a marketing sweepstakes. It’s a case study in how a heritage wine brand turns a food-and-beverage ritual into a durable, community-driven platform.
The contest entry period runs July 1 through September 30, 2026. Home cooks and pizza lovers can submit an original pizza recipe, a Coppola Diamond Collection wine pairing, and the story behind their creation at the winery’s website. The winning recipe will be announced on the brand’s socials (@coppolawine) in October 2026.
Here’s how the prize structure breaks down:
- Grand Prize: One winner takes home either $10,000 cash or the “Sip & Slice” package.
- The Sip & Slice package: A home upgrade built for pizza-wine-and-movie nights—a premium outdoor pizza oven, luxury wine fridge, elegant wine glasses, a movie projector, the Coppola film collection, a $5,000 installation package, and a virtual pizza-making class with master pizzaiolo Dan Richer.
- Companion sweepstakes: A separate online sweepstakes awards $15,000 in prizes between July 1 and September 30, bringing the total pool to $25,000.
Fans can also join the conversation all summer by posting on Instagram or Facebook using #PerfectYourPizza.
A Judging Table With Serious Credibility
Returning as head judge and program spokesperson is Dan Richer—master pizzaiolo, six-time James Beard Award™ nominee, and New York Times–bestselling author of The Joy of Pizza: Everything You Need to Know. As chef and owner of Razza in Jersey City, the only pizza restaurant in the U.S. to earn three stars from The New York Times, Richer brings rare authority to the panel…