STARS of Pinot at the Montage Beverly Hills on July 11th, 2018

June 11, 2018 by evebushman Leave a Comment

Beverly Hills, Calif. – Pinot Noir has been a very important grape since the ROMAN era. In fact, Pinot Noir has two times as many acres/hectares planted in France than it does in California, even though Pinot has been in a huge growth mode for almost 20 years! To honor this majestic grape, WineLA is thrilled to present our 4th annual STARS of Pinot event on Wednesday, July 11, 2018 at The Montage Beverly Hills. With over 40 top Pinot Producers set to participate, WineLA invites you to join us and taste over 100 different wines at this annual gathering. The Montage Beverly Hills expects to welcome hundreds of wine enthusiasts to meet the makers and celebrate the best Pinots’ from many of world’s top producers.

Wineries set to participate: Clos Pepe Estate, Croix, Kanzler Family Vineyard, King Estate, Iris, Mail Road Wines, McIntyre Vineyards, Tolosa, Wrath, J Vineyards and Winery, Fess Parker Winery and Vineyard, Willamette Valley Vineyards, Bernardus, Hyde Vineyards, Old Bridge Cellars, Robert Talbott Vineyards, Hartford Family Winery, Alma Rosa Winery and Vineyards, The 50 by 50, Bouchaine Napa Valley + Carneros, Roadhouse Winery, WeatherBorne Wine Corp, Artesa Napa Valley, Carmel Road, Russian River, Sonoma Coast, Oregon, Burgundy and yes, Champagne is anticipated to be there! (more brands joining daily).

All guests will be able to participate to bid on wines and collectables during our silent auction, benefiting the T.J Martell FOUNDATION for Children’s Hospital Los Angeles.

The event will begin at 6PM for VIP DINNER TICKETS (Advance tickets for the VIP experience may be purchased for $150; price increases as sell out approaches, remaining tickets will be $200 at the door). 6PM entry grants a delicious VIP PINOT PANEL Dinner and a beautiful Los Angeles Magazine gift bag lined with artisan products and thank you gifts. There are a limited number of VIP (6 p.m. admission tickets). 7 p.m. doors open for General Admission. Advanced tickets may be purchased for less than $80 per person with day of tickets (if available) at $95.

The VIP PINOT PANEL DINNER – Hosted by Master of Wine, Jennifer Simonetti-Bryan (the most famous MW in the world)! This VIP panel dinner gives you a chance to enjoy a great MONTAGE dinner and drink a special set of VIP wines served with the discussion at the panel. The Winemakers debate and discuss various topics and the audience is typically filled with wines most enthusiastic. Panelists’ Include: Jeff Stewart of Hartford Family winery (SONOMA); Richard Sanford of Alma Rosa winery (SANTA BARBARA); David Coventry of Robert Talbott Vineyard (CARMEL/MONTEREY); Brandon Sparks of Dragonette (SANTA BARBARA); and Jay Somers of J.Christopher (OREGON).

Come and meet with the who’s who of Pinot Noir while enjoying unlimited wine tasting, great MONTAGE tray passed appetizers and a wonderful audience. WineLA welcomes wine fans of all experience levels.

For more information and to purchase tickets, please visit http://www.winela.com/stars-of-pinot-2018

About WineLA

WineLA is about enhancing the wine culture of Los Angeles one event at a time. To do so, wine must be in rhythm with fashion, music, food and other beverages. It must take advantage of the geography, the architecture and the centers of interest. Los Angeles is a giant playground with an amazing array of venues, spaces, wine bars, restaurants, beaches, rooftops, gardens, and magical views. We are a part of the LA lifestyle, the wine lifestyle, and celebrate the people, the place and the passion.

For more information call 310-451-7600 or email PR@winela.com

Napa 2017 After The Fires: Clos Pegase

December 22, 2017 by evebushman Leave a Comment

Last time we visited the grand Clos Pegase was…before I started writing about wine! Over ten years! Eddie, the husband, looked for photos…and lo and behold we were there February 6, 2004! Definitely overdue for a visit! And gotta hump that thumb again!

Visiting Clos Pegase – Over A Decade Later

This “need for a re-visit” has happened to us before as there is so much to taste in Napa, wineries change hands, winemakers move and then there is a buzz about a new place that takes precedent sometimes. We were happy for the opportunity for a re-visit.

Arriving a wee bit early we took a look at the grounds. Things had been moved, new sculptures in and older ones, like the infamous thumb, had been removed. No worries, we got to taste in a brand new tasting room that was designed with both standing tasting bars, seated sections and outdoor tastings. New owners means new vineyards and one, now the namesake “Mitsuko’s Vineyard” in the Carneros/Napa appellation, joins Tenma Vineyard and Applebone Vineyard both in the Calistoga/Napa Valley appellation.

We chose a grouping of cozy of couches and settled in for our tasting with winery rep Diane Rubenfeld. Beginning with a 2016 Mitsuko’s Vineyard 100% Sauvignon Blanc fermented and aged in tanks and neutral oak I noted a very bright style reminiscent of a New Zealand Sauv Blanc with stone fruit, apricot, pear and a medium acid.

Next came the 2014 Hommage Chardonnay Mitsuko’s Vineyard that had been aged for 28 months in 78% French oak. Notes of oak, toast, green-skinned fruit like green apples came to mind, butter…with a long satisfying finish.

The 2014 Pegaso Red Blend of Zinfandel, Petite Sirah and Petit Verdot came from a single vineyard, 18 months oak aged. This was their first year they didn’t use Syrah in the Pegaso blend. I got notes of chocolate, spice, black fruit, drying tannins but a lovely balance as the blend may have made it not as spicy as I would have expected.

Now we had the 2013 Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon in our glasses. A round bouquet of spice, fruit, dust and rose petals was followed by a juicy and tart taste, a bit of cigar, wet earth and incense.

A 2015 Mitsuko’s Vineyard Merlot was next up. With 90% Merlot and the remaining percentages included both Cabernet Sauvignon and Syrah. Fresh ripe red berries, mushroom and some dust floated up in the nose, followed by flavors of bright red fruit, green peppercorn – it was another nicely balanced wine.

Our final wine was the 2014 Syrah Mitsuko’s Vineyard with 6% Petite Sirah. Yummy raspberry fruit, brambles, stems, earth and drying tannins, followed a nose of blue fruit, pepper, raspberry and pepper. Nice for only being three years old.

#NapaFire

A 10-day “cloud” hung over the valley floor during the fires. The cellar workers stayed until the evacuation orders came through. They returned when the order was lifted and resumed pump overs. Their grapes are still in the process of being smoke tested, however, 90% of their fruit had already been picked. No one in the Clos Pegase winery family lost a home.

About Clos Pegase

Eve and Eddie Feb 2004 with the thumb!

RoBIN AKHURST’S ROAD TO THE NAPA VALLEY took him around the globe, through eight consecutive and exhausting harvests, picking up an impressive list of mentors along the way. In 2016, he took over winemaking for Clos Pegase, one of the Napa Valley’s landmark wineries….read more.

http://www.clospegase.com/

1060 Dunaweal Ln, Calistoga, CA 94515. (707) 942-4981.

Eve Bushman has a Level Two Intermediate Certification from the Wine and Spirits Education Trust (WSET), a “certification in first globally-recognized course” as an American Wine Specialist ® from the North American Sommelier Association (NASA), Level 1 Sake Award from WSET, was the subject of a 60-minute Wine Immersion video, authored “Wine Etiquette for Everyone” and has served as a judge for the Long Beach Grand Cru. You can email Eve@EveWine101.com to ask a question about wine or spirits. You can also seek her marketing advice via Eve@EveBushmanConsulting.com

The Fire Path: As Told From One Calistoga Family-Owned Winery

October 27, 2017 by evebushman Leave a Comment

Reading news articles and watching film clips of both the #SonomaFire and the #NapaFire tells only one part of the story, over the last few weeks I found myself more drawn to social media – and especially to posts from friends – to grasp the full weight of what has happened.

Ready to evacuate at Phifer Pavitt.

One such friend, Gary Warburton – the white winemaker at Calistoga’s Phifer Pavitt and one of the first winemakers I ever met – was doing frequent updates as he, his wife Terry, his son Shane and daughter-in-law Suzanne and their children were surrounded by fires. I asked Gary if I could share his accounts, and he agreed.

So from beginning to end:

October 9, 1:36 AM: Fire seems to be everywhere. Entire hill between us and Santa Rosa ablaze. We are fine for now. Wind blowing away.

10:57 AM: …We have been up since 11:30 last night watching the hills burn all around us. Our fire started about 5 miles northwest at Tubbs and 128 and burned all the way over the hill to Santa Rosa taking many many homes, Safari West, and even possibly some of the kids high school. We watched it all morning just behind Chateau Montelena. If it had turned south we would have evacuated. Calistoga Fire looks controlled. Now Santa Rosa and Atlas Peak are ablaze. The kids and grandkids have been texting all night and many of their friends have lost entire homes. We appear to have dodged the worst.

2:45 PM: We are all safe here but stranded. Can’t leave in any direction. All electrical in both Calistoga and St Helena is out but for some unknown reason we have power at house and winery. We will stay on alert all night due to the forecast of wind direction change. Note: the Cavalry has arrived.

5:44 PM: Calistoga/Napa/Santa Rosa fire update. As predicted the wind has reversed and now we here at the Winery are covered with thick smoke. Visibility is less than 1000 feet. Not evacuating yet. The photo normally features a beautiful view of the valley.

October 10, 6:34 PM: Fire update. All of us here at the winery are safe at this time. A flare up just occurred on the ridge about 5 miles west and we have been watching a constant water bombing by 747s for the past hour. We will spend a vigilant night. The other six fires from Napa City to Santa Rosa are still all out of control. Our kids and grandkids all have close friends that have lost homes. More than a dozen to now. They also lost a great deal of their high school. Night for now.

October 11, 9:38 PM: We spent a vigilant night in shifts watching for flare ups in a hot spot a few miles west of our hillside location.

All is quiet now due to light or no wind. However, Cal-Fire expects 20 mph wind later today with higher gusts so Much of Calistoga has been evacuated and the remainder on evacuation alert. We are just outside or perhaps out of sight of the evacuation area so we are sitting tight but have a definite retreat planned if we see flames crest the ridge behind the winery. We are currently in heavy smoke and ash which is preventing the huge 747 tankers from making their drops but they are in the air ready to provide support. I’ll report again later today.

1 PM: Update from the Pavitts; at 3:15am this morning, Evacuation Notices were issued to Calistoga – up to Solage (1 mile away). The Tubbs Fire is the most immediate threat at Mt. St. Helena. However, all fires around us are still raging. We are at the edge of the Mandatory Calistoga evacuation. If we leave, we cannot get back in. Presently we are holding and we have assumed a defensive position.

The Firefighter ground crews have been battling all night. We need the ‘air cavalry’. Visibility & air quality is very poor right now. Praying for visibility to clear just enough that the Air Tankers can arrive.

Winds are rumored to create a ruckus from 5:00pm today thru 10:00am Thursday.

5:00 PM: Thank you for your calls, emails, texts and prayers! Currently, our family, our Team, our Home and our Winery are safe and unscathed.

It has been a harrowing few days. We are taking shifts sleeping. Our position in Calistoga has us flanked by fires to the North, West and South. After 2 days, we still have ZERO fire containment. The smoke is VERY thick and difficult to breathe. Ash has been raining down throughout Calistoga.

Air quality reports have reached the Dangerous air level. We are wearing bandanas and remaining indoors.

The boys lost their high school and SO many of our friends have lost their homes, wineries & vineyards. Many are still in harms way with the fires raging throughout Napa and Sonoma Counties.

The weather reports are not favorable, with forecasts of increased winds this evening.

We are numb with fatigue, fear and disbelief but we are safe, together and blessed beyond measure.

Thank you for your offers to help. At this point, please just keep praying for the safety of human life, our Firefighters and Emergency personnel and for containment of the widespread fires.

We will provide situation updates as they become available and time permits.

5PM: We are still under mandatory evacuation but are holding out for a bit trying to wet down the winery and house. As you can see by my photo the closest hot spot is gaining in intensity. It’s about five miles at most. We can’t see flames yet but imagine it’s only a matter of time. We will not risk staying much longer since we know the original flare up on Sunday traveled at 1 mile every 50 SECONDS…I’m off to wet things down. Promise to report late tonight.

11 PM: We are under mandatory evacuation as of 3:00pm. We wet down house and winery, put equipment away from buildings, riddled the Sparkling and evacuated at 6:00pm. Wind was only 2-3 mph and in a direction away from property. The kids decided to stay a bit longer. Wind decreased. Outlook good. As of this report the wind is still almost zero and the fire hot spots are burning away from the winery. Next report in the morning.

October 12, 7 AM: Time for a North Bay wildfires update from my perspective…Can’t say I wasn’t a very worried grandmother as I was leaving my kids and grandkids behind (at their insistence) to hold the fort, stay strong and fight Mother Nature. At 5:42 am we received an update from them that they had been vigilant throughout the night and as of now, house and winery are still standing with no damage. Thank you so very much for all your good thoughts and prayers, it looks like He was listening. We cannot thank enough the first responders who so tirelessly worked on all of our behalf. Even the stern sheriff that insisted we leave “right now!” Before we left the property, Gary and I each took a hose and sprayed the winery from top to bottom as the kids were doing the same for the house. They took shifts again last night to watch for any flare-ups or trespassing embers and were rewarded this morning to see that all is well. Thank you God. I don’t think we will be allowed back to Calistoga today, but hopefully tomorrow.

P.S. The video below only shows a few seconds of our escape. It doesn’t show the traffic we hit at the south end of the Valley where Hwy 29 and Hwy 12 meet. Cars and buses were merging together from Napa and Sonoma and it was crazy. We had plenty of time to call three different hotels to finally find one who had ONE room available in San Ramon (an hour and a half drive from Calistoga). Once we arrived, we were turned away because they had overbooked – there were five other families who had evacuated from the Valleys who were being disappointed at the same time we were. Back into the car to call another three hotels until we found one in Pleasanton where we landed a room right on the fwy (with all the fwy noise you would expect), and I slept like a baby for seven hours straight. Heaven! Sitting here now, I can’t believe I slept through the noise. Lol!

P.S.S. For those of my Facebook friends who remember Mango, our beautiful Blue and Gold Macaw, she apparently has been spared from the fire, as all of the animals at Safari West have been. The owner of the animal sanctuary, where we gave up our girl, saved all of his animals with a garden hose and perseverance. According to reports, he lost his home though. So the next time you are visiting the Napa or Sonoma Valley, plan on a visit to the sanctuary to show your support of such determination and love.

9 AM: Phifer Pavitt Winery survived the night of mandatory evacuation. The forecasted high winds did not blow and the hot spot that caused our evacuation moved away from Calistoga. We will remain vigilant. The fires are still out of control in the area but today should see some containment. Sidebar: what do you pack in your car when mandatorily ordered to evacuate? Personal business papers? Family photographs? Clean underwear? Well the only thing “I” packed were the 10000 labels for my Sparkling Wine. Stay tuned for afternoon report.

6 PM: The winery is not in immediate danger due to the favorable SW wind at only 4mph blowing fire away. However, the fire blew back over to the SW of Hwy 29 about 5 miles to the NW of the winery. Since the terrain is not defendable by man or engine our last crew on the property evacuated after again soaking the house and winery. So as of tonight our entire family is off the property and personally safe. Terry and I are in a hotel in Pleasanton and the kids and grandkids are with friends in west Santa Rosa. We will all meet tomorrow in Mendocino area to sit out the rest of this ordeal. Thank you ALL for your thoughts and prayers.

October 13, 6 PM: Good news to this point. Of course the worst of the remaining Tubbs Fire is still only a few miles behind the winery but the wind has stayed light and our skeleton crew managed a quick look at our wine. All is fine. Praying that the expected 20-40 mph wind does not materialize tonight. We are all on our way to Mendocino via “Chateau Jordan” where we are being hosted tonight.

Totally bummed that we just heard that the home of Charles Schulz along with all memorabilia was burned to the foundation. The Schulz legend is steeped here in Santa Rosa.

I’ll report tomorrow morning. Positive thoughts for a windless night.

October 14, 8 AM: The Tubbs Fire (our fire) after a somewhat calm night is now 45% contained. We are still under a “red flag” warning until, most likely, tomorrow morning. This will mean our mandatory evacuation may last until Monday or longer. Our winery as well as all others in Calistoga seems to be out of immediate danger. However, containment is not “control” and if the winds materialize the flames can travel at more than a mile every 50 seconds. We all remain patient and vigilant.

Since we can’t return now we are headed a few miles west to the beach in search of clean air…

8 PM: Calistoga is still under mandatory evacuation. Red flag fire warnings are still posted. Close friends who have eyes on the fire say that the Tubbs Fire behind our winery occasionally flares up but the winds have cooperated and the Cal-Fire crews have made great progress. We are blessed with friends offering sanctuary and are currently at Irish Beach with hopes of an advisory of repopulation soon. When this advisory comes we expect another day or two before it becomes effective. This may be a fantasy but we hold out hope. Sitting here totally out of danger and as a family we reflect on all our friends who have lost their homes and wineries. A sad day indeed. And the danger continues.

October 15, 10 AM: Preliminary and unofficial word is that the night was calm on our fire site. Firefighters on foot attacked the Mt St Helena area at its peak cutting fire breaks at the 4000ft plus level. Apparently the nighttime temperatures and humidity affords better chances of containment. Our “scouts” report that they are attempting to legally re-enter the winery to care for our wine on a temporary basis. We are insisting that all of our family and employees take no action that would either endanger themselves, hamper fire fighting, or ignore any official mandates. At the present, officially all road closures remain in effect and all evacuation orders stand firm. I’ll keep you posted on current events. We are hopeful that our evacuation orders will be able to be lifted soon. And to report on our wine all I can say is that we are very fortunate to be in a period between harvests and at the present all of our wine is safe and happy. Updates to follow, as we as a family are in retreat on the Mendocino coast in fresh air. We only wish that all of our friends could have been this fortunate. Our prayers go out to those who weren’t. We are patiently waiting until we can return so we can be of greater help.

6 PM: The Tubbs Fire (our fire) is over 60% contained. Calistoga City was repopulated as of 2:00pm today. However, we are about .6 miles outside the city limits so we are waiting for the OK to return from the county. Our staff was able to get a County Ag permit to return to do winery business. We are spending one more night here in Mendocino and will return tomorrow. Afternoon: our Cab is scheduled to be harvested Wednesday and that should be good timing as long as the current progress against the fires remains constant. One more night for us should calm our nerves along with…Dark’n Stormys.

October 15, 8AM: Calistoga Fire Report, Tubbs Fire. 70% contained. We are packing to return…for now I must mention that close to 10,000 fire fighters from as far away as Australia who have tirelessly fought against what the fire Captains have called a “career” fire. Amazing that fire fighters rallied from all around the nation. Last note this morning: while sitting at the winery on Tuesday late afternoon the parade of tanker planes attacking the flames looked like the landing pattern on a busy night at LAX.

October 16, 6:00PM: Home again. All intact and we are exhausted. The past 5 days of exile have been brutal but nothing compared to those who lost homes, schools, business, and loved ones. All fires now seem to be manageable but will cover the Napa and Sonoma Valleys with smoke for days to come. Our drive home forced us to drive south of Sonoma where we saw that the fire was stopped only by a few vineyards and the San Francisco Bay. It started north/west of our winery and traveled 31 miles to Carneros and the Bay devastating huge parts of both Napa and Sonoma Counties. Total acres burned approach 200000 or 315 sq. miles. The city of San Francisco is about 48 sq. miles and NYC is 304 sq. miles. Gives us some prospective of this firestorm’s wrath. This will be my last post as long as the fire continues to burn out. One Cal Fire Chef noted that most firefighters will see only one “career” fire in a lifetime. He said there were 5 career fires in this inferno. Thank you all for all your wonderful thoughts and prayers.

Vintage Eve March 2012: A Napa Tasting to Quench Your Thirst

October 4, 2016 by evebushman Leave a Comment

From a recent trip to Napa I had a lot of wine, emphasis on a LOT, to taste. The story on the wineries will be in the upcoming April/May (2012) edition of Elite Magazine of Santa Clarita. But, for my wonderful readers, a thirsty audience that can’t wait until April, some of my tasting notes are below for wines I found truly remarkable:

Castello di Amoroso

http://castellodiamorosa.ewinerysolutions.com//index.cfm

Below is a vertical tasting of the Il Barone, Reserve, Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley (The few scores mentioned were offered by our host and the years not mentioned were unavailable for tasting):

2005, 100% Cab: Aromas of chocolate sauce, root beer, cherry candy followed by a welcoming taste of chocolate covered cherries and a gentle dryness of the palate.

2007, 94% Cab, 94 pts RP, 99 WS: A somewhat vegetal nose – with plenty of mushroom that was quickly surpassed by a great plumy taste and incredible smoothness.

2008, 94% Cab, 92 RP: Nice dark fruit and toastiness on the nose, and then a lovely blend of both dark fruit and black pepper on the palate.

2011, barrel sample, 100% Cab not yet blended: Young but plenty of potential!

Terra Valentine

2007 Yverdon Cabernet: Made from grapes from their property (and many soil types) this wine had a deep garnet color, a smooth balanced nose of plum and other dark fruits. The taste was just as balanced as the aromas promised a lovely fruit bowl of flavors and some white pepper to round it out.

2007 Wurtele Cabernet: Sourced from grapes grown three miles away with volcanic soil, we were greeted by a dark ruby to purple color, followed by flavors of both dark and bright fruit, some stemminess and dark cherry. (This is the one Jason Park has on the menu at Maru.)

Both of the above wines were aged in French Oak.

2007 Marriage: The color was a dark ruby with a brown edge – indicating some age. Made in a Bordeaux blend style of Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot and Merlot, I got some chocolate on the nose, and then…dark, ripe, spicy fruit – seemed altogether ripe and ready to drink!

Chateau Montelena

2007 Cabernet Sauvignon, Montelena Estate, 99% Cab and 1% Merlot: A ruby color with a slightly darker hued edge, and then a blast of jammy fruits: raspberry, cherry and plum. Pepper and tannins hitting me at the finish, the taste was round. Enjoyed the tannins against the bright fruit flavors.

Robert Sinskey

2008 Cabernet Franc, Vandal Vineyard, Los Carneros, Napa Valley:

Dark ruby-red color followed by forest floor soils, pepper, mushroom with a lovely bright taste and balance.

2007 Cabernet Sauvignon, Vandal Vineyard, Los Carneros, Napa Valley: Eddie’s favorite, their last vintage made, a garnet color, paler fruit taste (but welcoming!) with some nice chocolate.

2008 Cabernet Sauvignon, “SLD”, Stags leap District, Napa Valley: Purple color, dark fruit, plums, pepper and a perfect finish!

The 2016 International Chardonnay Symposium Announces Medal Winners

July 3, 2016 by evebushman Leave a Comment

Awards were handed out in four categories and The SOMM Journal named its top sommelier

Pismo Beach, CA – The International Chardonnay Symposium, (ICS), TheChardonnaySymposium.com, the world’s foremost gathering of premium Chardonnay producers, sommeliers, trade and enthusiasts, announced the official medal winners of the 2016 International Chardonnay Symposium Wine Competition.

The ICS 2016 and The SOMM Journal selected leading sommeliers to judge the extensive double-blind tasting of Chardonnay from around the globe. The medal winners were announced at the Symposium’s Annual La Paulée Dinner and Vintner Awards Ceremony, held this year at Greengate Ranch & Vineyard in the heart of the Edna Valley AVA in mid-May.

The 2016 ICS was held in the seaside resort towns of Pismo Beach, ClassicCalifornia.com; Avila Beach, VisitAvilaBeach.com; and the Edna Valley, an area of the Highway 1 Discovery Route in San Luis Obispo County, Highway1DiscoveryRoute.com.

The 2016 International Chardonnay Symposium Wine Competition “Best” category winners are:

v Best of Show

Alpha Omega 2013 Reserve (Napa Valley)

Platinum medal

v Best Unoaked Chardonnay

Simonnet-Febvre 2014 Chablis Premier Cru “Vaillons” (Chablis)

Double Gold medal

v Best Oaked Chardonnay

Grgich Hills Estate 2013 Miljenko’s Selection (Carneros)

Double Gold medal

v SOMM Journal’s Choice

Arínzano 2010 Gran Vino White (Arínzano, Vino de Pago, Spain)

Gold medal

The Best of Show award was especially meaningful for vintner Robin Baggett, the proprietor of Alpha Omega in Napa Valley and Tolosa Winery in San Luis Obispo. Baggett said, “Having graduated from Cal Poly and raised by family in San Luis Obispo, then starting my wine career in Edna Valley at Tolosa Winery, it’s an honor to return and receive such a prestigious award for our Napa Valley efforts.”

The SOMM Journal and the ICS named Alicia Ajolo of taste wine-beer-kitchen in Long Beach, California, as the Symposium’s 2016 Top Sommelier. Ajolo was one of the judges at the day-long wine competition where she determined the origin of the most of wines during a double-blind tasting.

Platinum Medal Winners

Alpha Omega 2013 Reserve (Napa Valley)

Hearst Ranch Winery 2014 Proprietor’s Reserve (Central Coast)

RUSACK Vineyards 2014 Santa Maria Valley Reserve (Santa Maria Valley)

Double Gold Medal Winners

ADELAIDA 2014 Estate, (Adelaida District)

Bernardus 2013 Sierra Mar (Santa Lucia Highlands)

Clos Pepe 2013 Estate Barrel Fermented (Sta. Rita Hills)

CRU Wine Co. 2014 Montage (Monterey)

El Pistolero 2015 “Cold Steel” (Santa Lucia Highlands)

Grgich Hills Estate 2013 Miljenko’s Selection (Carneros)

Simonnet-Febvre 2014 Chablis Premier Cru “Vaillons” (Chablis)

Wente Vineyards 2014 The Nth Degree (Livermore Valley)

Windemere 2014 MacGregor Vineyard (Central Coast)

Gold Medal Winners

Alpha Omega 2013 Chardonnay (Napa Valley)

Arínzano 2010 Gran Vino White (Arínzano, Vino de Pago, Spain)

Baileyana 2014 Firepeak (Edna Valley)

Chartron et Trébuchet 2012 Meursault (Meursault)

Cotiere 2014 Talley Rincon (Arroyo Grande Valley)

DeLoach Vineyard 2013 Estate (Russian River)

Edna Valley Vineyard 2014 (Central Coast)

Edna Valley Vineyard 2014 Winemaker Series Heritage (Santa Lucia Highlands)

Landmark Vineyards 2014 Overlook (Sonoma County)

Louis Latour 2010 Corton-Charlemagne Grand Cru (Corton-Charlemagne)

Nottingham Cellars 2014 1846 by Nottingham Cellars (Arroyo Seco)

Sextant Wines 2014 Central Coast (Central Coast)

Sinor-LaVallee 2014 White Label-Bassi Vineyard (Santa Lucia Highlands)

St. Francis Winery 2014 Behler (Sonoma Valley)

Tolosa Winery 2014 569 (Central Coast)

Tolosa Winery 2014 Dijon (Central Coast)

Silver Medal Winners

ADELAIDA 2014 HMR Vineyard (Adelaida District)

Buena Vista Winery 2013 Private Reserve (Sonoma County)

Capensis 2013 (Western Cape, South Africa)

Chartron et Trébuchet 2013 Rully Premier Cru Les Grésigny (Rully)

Clos Pepe 2013 Estate (Sta. Rita Hills)

CRU Wine Co. 2014 Unoaked (Arroyo Seco)

Domaine L’Arjolle 2015 Côtes de Thongue (Côtes de Thongue)

Harmony Cellars 2014 (Central Coast)

Hearst Ranch Winery 2014 Glacier Ridge (Santa Lucia Highlands)

Jean-Charles Boisset 2013 JCB #81 (Sonoma Coast)

Presqu’ile, 2013 Presqu’ile Vineyard (Santa Maria Valley)

Talley Vineyards 2014 Estate (Arroyo Grande Valley)

Trefethen 2014 (Oak Knoll District)

True Myth 2014 Paragon Estate (Edna Valley)

About The International Chardonnay Symposium

The International Chardonnay Symposium attracts winemakers, sommeliers, media, trade, wine enthusiasts and tastemakers from across the globe to enjoy and study the world’s favorite grape. When the discussion ends, there’s plenty of time for exploring nearby Central Coast wineries, as well as the hosting seaside resort towns of Pismo Beach and Avila Beach that offer downtown winetasting rooms, pristine beaches, surfing and kayaking, hiking and biking trails, farm-to-table and seaport-inspired cuisine, boutique shopping, and more. The International Chardonnay Symposium is sponsored by Pismo Beach Conference & Visitors Bureau, Avila Beach Tourism Alliance, California Highway 1 Discovery Route, Visit San Luis Obispo County, The Tasting Panel Magazine, The SOMM Journal, Wine Enthusiast Magazine, 805 Living, Touring & Tasting, Greengate Ranch & Vineyard, Riedel, Farm Credit West, San Luis Obispo County Regional Airport, Wisconsin Milk Marketing Board, and Yelp.

About Pismo Beach, Avila Beach, & Highway 1 Discovery Route of SLO County

San Luis Obispo County’s Pismo Beach, Avila Beach and the Highway 1 Discovery Route destination towns are located on California’s famous Central Coast, halfway between San Francisco and Los Angeles. With miles of pristine Pacific coastline, enjoy great weather, a plethora of outdoor activities, rich wild life and nature preserves, downtown wine tasting rooms, and the neighboring world class wine producing regions of the Edna Valley, Arroyo Grande Valley, Santa Maria Valley and Paso Robles. For information on the wide variety of lodging choices, accommodating every budget and lifestyle, visit ClassicCalifornia.com, VisitAvilaBeach.com, and Highway1DiscoveryRoute.com.

Perlis Picks: THE OTHER WINE COUNTRY, PART V, Ferrari-Carano

March 12, 2016 by evebushman Leave a Comment

When I think of Ferrari-Carano, I immediately think of Fumé Blanc. I’m sure I’m not the only one. Many years ago, I remember ordering a bottle of this delicious refreshing wine with the Ferrari-Carano label at a San Francisco restaurant. But this winery is about a lot more than that.

Photo courtesy Ferrari-Carano

The winery was founded in 1981 by Don and Rhonda Carano, The first wines were released in 1987 – the 1985 Chardonnay and the aforementioned 1986 Fumé Blanc. I’m pretty sure this was the same Fumé Blanc bottling I had enjoyed at that San Francisco restaurant; if not, then one from a vintage soon thereafter. Now, about 30 years later, this was my first visit to the winery.

Those who read my columns on any kind of regular or semi-regular basis will know that I tend to favor smaller wineries and am just as happy tasting in a barrel room as in a fancy tasting room. But, sometimes you have to “go big”. And in the Dry Creek Valley, one of the best places to do this is Ferrari-Carano.

When Karen and I drove through the gates of the Ferrari-Carano property, we were immediately impressed by the spectacular winery building and the immaculate grounds. But, would the wines do justice to the beauty of the scenery?

Well, the short answer is “yes”.

Here’s the longer answer…

The Caranos first visited Sonoma County in 1979. They initially purchased a vineyard in Alexander Valley, but kept acquiring vineyards as the winery expanded, currently owning 19 properties, not only in Sonoma but in Napa and Mendocino as well.

In Alexander Valley, they grow Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, Sangiovese, Merlot, Syrah, Malbec, Petit Verdot, Cabernet Franc and Cabernet Sauvignon. [The Ferrari-Carano Mountain Winery is in this AVA as well, but more on this later.] In the cool climate of the Russian River Valley, they grow Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay and Pinot Noir, while in the warmer Dry Creek Valley they also grow Sauvignon Blanc but, in addition, Malbec and Zinfandel. Chardonnay is grown in Napa Carneros and Pinot Noir on Mendocino Ridge and Anderson Valley.

With all those vineyards, they do make an abundance of wines, which they have conveniently divided into “families” for easy reference:

The Classics – Fumé Blanc, Viognier, Chardonnay, Reserve Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Pinot Noir AV [Anderson Valley], Merlot, Zinfandel, Cabernet Sauvignon, Trésor [Bordeaux Blend].

Vineyard Selects – four Chardonnays [Emelia’s Cuvée, Fiorella, Dominique and Tré Terre], also the Sky High Ranch Pinot Noir and the Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon.

Spirit of Italy – Pinot Grigio and Siena [a Sangiovese dominant red blend].

PreVail – West Face [a Cabernet Sauvignon dominant blend] and Back Forty [100% Cabernet Sauvignon].

So we tore ourselves away from the views and went downstairs to taste some of these wines.

First up was the 2014 Fumé Blanc from Sonoma County. Brought back great memories. Fresh, clean and refreshing. Excellent quaffing wine.

Then we moved onto the 2012 Reserve Chardonnay. The wine had gone through 100% malolactic fermentation and had spent 13 months in French oak. I was concerned that it might be overly buttery, but it was extremely well balanced.

The above two wines, along with Ferrari-Carano’s other white, are made at the winery we were visiting, the Estate Winery in the Dry Creek Valley. The reds are produced at the Mountain Winery on RockRise Mountain in Alexander Valley. That was where we were headed next – not literally, but figuratively, as the next wine up was the 2013 Zinfandel.

At 83% Zinfandel and the rest Petite Sirah with a little Carignane, this was another very well-balanced wine. Great fruit with a little pepper at the finish, I could drink a lot of this.

We finished up with the big boys, the two PreVails, both from the 2012 vintage. Both wines spent 21 months in oak and had the backbone to handle it. Great fruit and structure. Hard to pick a favorite but in this case I preferred the West Face slightly over the Back Forty due to its healthy percentage of Syrah in the blend.

I’d be remiss to not mention that Ferrari-Carano also owns Vintners Inn in Santa Rosa. A beautiful 42-room inn, it is on 92 acres of vineyards in the Russian River Valley, just a little south of Dry Creek. With the culinary delights of the onsite John Ash & Co. restaurant, this is definitely our favorite place to stay in the area. Service is impeccable, rooms are charming, and [wouldn’t you know it?] there’s a bottle of Vintners Inn Sauvignon Blanc waiting for you upon your arrival. Perfect!

TO BE CONTINUED…

Michael Perlis has been pursuing his passion for wine for more than 25 years. He has had the good fortune of having numerous mentors to show him the way, as well as a wonderful wife who encourages him and shares his interest. After a couple of decades of learning about wine, attending events, visiting wineries and vineyards, and tasting as much wine as he possibly could, he had the amazing luck to meet Eve Bushman. Now, as Contributing Editor for Eve’s Wine 101, he does his best to bring as much information as possible about wine to Eve’s Wine 101 faithful readers. Michael is also Vice President of Eve Bushman Consulting (fka Eve’s Wine 101 Consulting) http://evebushmanconsulting.com/ and President of MCP Financial. Michael can be contacted at michaelthezinfan@aol.com or michael@evebushmanconsulting.com

Judging 101: The Long Beach Grand Cru AND THE WINNING WINE LIST

July 21, 2015 by evebushman 1 Comment

I was a little fretful…panicked is actually the right word, about judging the Long Beach Grand Cru for two days after only serving as a guest judge in the LA Wine Competition two years ago…once. I recognized the names of some of the judges, and personally knew quite a few, but I thought I better up my game and do some research.

I read Factors Considered in Wine Evaluation by Alexis Hartung (printed in the Winter Issue, 1999 AWS Journal Volume 31, No. 4 found online: http://www.bjcp.org/mead/Factors_Wine_Eval.pdf) and then I was also lucky enough to find the actual Judging Process that the Long Beach Grand Cru uses on their website. (It turned out that I was ready, even before doing the review work.)

Panel l to r – David Stevens, Joe Hart, Stephen Young and Mike Stepanovich.

Shenanigans?

There were no shenanigans during the judging process, but it WAS fun. All those numbered wine glasses crowding around me waiting to be swirled, sniffed, tasted and spat were also accompanied by the appropriate items to cleanse any palate: green olives, sliced gray beef, water crackers and waxy no-flavor cheese. (Good thing our meals were fully flavored!)

My assigned panel was led by David Stevens (Senior Wine Consultant, Davon International), and included Joe Hart (Hart Winery), Mike Stepanovich (Wine Journalist, Bakersfield, CA.) and Stephen H. Young (graduate of the American Wine Society Wine Judge Certification Program).

These knowledgeable gentleman, and the wine, made my nervousness fall away pretty quickly. Soon we were moving at a good pace. At the end of each round, ranging from 6 to a dozen separate tastes, we discussed our findings and came to a consensus if a wine received no medal, bronze, silver or gold.

There was so much thought and consideration in awarding each medal it made me pause, how often do you pause and consider buying a wine based on a medal? Do you consider it as much as you do a wine with a high numerical score? You are doing wineries a disservice to only consider one ranking body, in my now-educated opinion.

Each panel, there were 26 judges in all, had nearly 100 wines to judge on the first day, about half that they second, and finally did a round of sweepstakes “sweeps” to determine which of the Gold medals were all-around favorites of all the judges. Many of the entries and winners came from small producers outside of California. Made me think that a small producer making good wine should definitively enter the Long Beach Grand Cru.

There was a distinct level of camaraderie amongst the judges as some had been doing the Long Beach Grand Cru competition for 20+ years. It was an honor to join them that I hope to repeat annually.

http://longbeachgrandcru.com/2015-judges/

Dinner, More Wine, and the Point of it All

Day 1 closed with a wonderful dinner and unlimited wine tasting (wines from the day and more) at Parker’s Lighthouse. Our private room was full and during the first hour or so many of the judges, Long Beach Grand Cru Board of Directors members and volunteers spilled out into the patio for a view of the Queen Mary.

It was then that a tall gentleman wearing a cowboy slipped a bottled of wine from Stolpman Vineyards onto the tasting table. It took me about a nanosecond to figure out who that was. Tom Stolpman is also on the Board of Directors. A second after that I learned that he met fellow board member, James McAdams, in law school in the 70s and the two practiced in the same Long Beach firm.

Executive Producer Kim Vu welcomed the diners and introduced organizer Magdalena “Maggie” Davis, who in turn thanked the volunteers. Judge and local SCV sommelier, George Skorka then stood up to say “(he received) dignity and kindness from volunteers, my life is better because we spend two days here.”

“An amazing crew has done this for 21 years and the Board of Directors of the Grand Cru thanks you,” Executive Director, Silvia Argueta said. “All of the money made from the event goes to the Legal Aid of Long Beach and the lawyers that dedicate themselves to poverty law. Long Beach has the second highest number of children living in poverty and they work to lower that number every year.”

Tom Stolpman commented that we need to reach out and help others by serving in city council, etc., as that helps the common good and that equals legal aid. “At the end of the day the message of tonight is that we all walk out of here thinking that we are doing better and maybe not enough. Thank you for feeling that.” It was a sobering thought. Support it and buy a ticket, $50 off with code EVES WINE àhttps://www.eventbrite.com/e/2015-long-beach-grand-cru-public-tasting-tickets-16239099584?discount=EVESWINE

The Winners

Sweepstakes Nominees

Alba Vineyard, Chambourcin, 2012, Alba Estate Vineyard Chambourcin, Warren Hills

Alexander Valley Vineyards, Cabernet Franc, 2013, Estate Bottled & Produced, Alexander Valley, Sonoma County

Anyela’s Vineyards, Riesling, 2013, 2013 Riesling, Estate Grown & Bottled, Finger Lakes

Balletto Vineyards, Rose of Pinot Noir, 2014, Estate Grown, Produced and Bottled, Russian River

Bex, Riesling, 2013, Nahe

Bodegas Marilena, Petit Verdot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Grenache, 2012, Maxixe, Valle de Guadalupe

Bowers Harbor Vineyards Block II & Langley, Riesling, 2014, Block II & Langley, Estate Blend, Michigan

Bowers Harbor Vineyards Medium Dry, Riesling, 2014, Smokey Hollow, Single Vineyard, Old Mission Peninsula

Cakebread Cellars, Dancing Bear Ranch, 2012, Dancing Bear Ranch, Howell Mountain

Calista, Russian River Pinot Noir, 2012, Russian River Valley

Carmen, Carmenere Gran Reserva, 2012, Chile, Colchagua Valley

Carolyn’s Sakonnet Vineyard, The Blessed Blend White, NV, Estate Grown, Produced and Bottled, Rhode Island

Carolyn’s Sakonnet Vineyard, 42° Parallel Chancellor, 2010, Rhode Island

Cedar Creek Winery, Pinot Grigio, 2014, American

Cholame Vineyard, Cross Country, 2012, Cholame Vineyard, Barrel Aged, California, Monterey County

Coopers Hawk Winery & Restaurants, Icewine, NV, American

Coyote Moon Vineyards, Marquette, 2012, New York

Daniel Gehrs, Rocker Rarities, 2012, Central Coast

Dellatorri, Pinot Grigio, 2014, delle Venezie IGT

Easley Winery, Cabernet Sauvignon, 2013, Indiana

Easley Winery, Sweet Barrel Red, NV, Indiana

Elmaro, West Prairie White, 2014, Reserve, America (Country Appellation)

Forty-Five North Vineyard & Winery, 45 White, 2014, Michigan

Fre, Sparkling Brut, NV, California

Gloria Ferrer, Royal Cuvée, 2006, Carneros

Gloria Ferrer, Blanc de Blancs, NV, Carneros

Goose Watch Winery, Cabernet Franc Rosé, 2014, Finger Lakes

Grape Creek Vineyards, Viognier, 2014, American

Harmony Cellars, Petite Sirah, 2013, Paso Robles

Havens, Merlot Blend, 2012, Napa Valley

Hawley, Pinot Noir, 2013, Oehlman Vineyard, Russian River Valley

J. Lohr Estates, Los Osos Merlot, 2013, Paso Robles

Joseph Cellars Winery, ZINFANDEL, 2011, Dry Creek Valley, Limited Production, California, Sonoma County

Lopez Island Vineyards and Winery, Siegerrebe, 2014, Estate, Certified Organically Grown Grapes, Puget Sound

Lucky Star, Chardonnay, 2013, California (State Appellation)

Marc Cellars, Pinot Noir, 2013, California (State Appellation)

Noceto, Rosato di Sangiovese, 2014, Estate Grown, Produced & Bottled, Shenandoah Valley, Amador County

Noceto, Sangiovese, 2012, Reserva, Shenandoah Valley, Amador County

Pearmund Cellars, Ameritage Reserve, 2013, Reserve, Virginia

Pedroncelli, Cabernet Sauvignon, 2012, Estate, Dry Creek Valley

pureCru Winery, pureCoz Napa Valley Red Wine, 2010, Napa Valley (AVA)

pureCru Winery, CFM, 2011, Napa Valley

Red Soles Stillhouse, Limoncello – New Brandy infused with lemons, NV, California, Paso Robles

St. James Winery, Strawberry, NV, American

Thirsty Owl Wine Company, Gewurztraminer, 2014, Finger Lakes

Thirsty Owl Wine Company, Snow Owl, 2014, Finger Lakes

Thirsty Owl Wine Company, Diamond, 2014, Finger Lakes

Twirl, Chardonnay, 2012, California

TWOFOLD, Sauvignon Blanc, 2014, Small Lot Wine, California, Napa Valley, Oak Knoll District

Wagner Vineyards, Fathom 107, 2013, Finger Lakes

Wollersheim Winery, Dry Riesling, 2014, American

Red Soles Stillhouse, Limoncello – New Brandy infused with lemons, NV, California, Paso Robles

Daniel Gehrs, Rocker Rarities, 2012, Central Coast

Goose Watch Winery, Cabernet Franc Rosé, 2014, Finger Lakes

Gloria Ferrer, Royal Cuvée, 2006, Carneros

Elmaro, West Prairie White, 2014, Reserve, America (Country Appellation)

Chairman’s Best of Class

Alba Vineyard, Chambourcin, 2012, Alba Estate Vineyard Chambourcin, Warren Hills

Alexander Valley Vineyards, Cabernet Franc, 2013, Estate Bottled & Produced, Alexander Valley, Sonoma County

Anyela’s Vineyards, Riesling, 2013, 2013 Riesling, Estate Grown & Bottled, Finger Lakes

Bex, Riesling, 2013, Nahe

Bowers Harbor Vineyards Block II & Langley, Riesling, 2014, Block II & Langley, Estate Blend, Michigan

Bowers Harbor Vineyards Medium Dry, Riesling, 2014, Smokey Hollow, Single Vineyard, Old Mission Peninsula

Carmen, Carmenere Gran Reserva, 2012, Chile, Colchagua Valley

Carolyn’s Sakonnet Vineyard, The Blessed Blend White, NV, Estate Grown, Produced and Bottled, Rhode Island

Cedar Creek Winery, Pinot Grigio, 2014, American

Cholame Vineyard, Cross Country, 2012, Cholame Vineyard, Barrel Aged, California, Monterey County

Coyote Moon Vineyards, Marquette, 2012, New York

Daniel Gehrs, Rocker Rarities, 2012, Central Coast

Dellatorri, Pinot Grigio, 2014, delle Venezie IGT

Easley Winery, Cabernet Sauvignon, 2013, Indiana

Elmaro, West Prairie White, 2014, Reserve, America (Country Appellation)

Forty-Five North Vineyard & Winery, 45 White, 2014, Michigan

Fre, Sparkling Brut, NV, California

Gloria Ferrer, Royal Cuvée, 2006, Carneros

Gloria Ferrer, Blanc de Blancs, NV, Carneros

Grape Creek Vineyards, Viognier, 2014, American

Harmony Cellars, Petite Sirah, 2013, Paso Robles

Havens, Merlot Blend, 2012, Napa Valley

Hawley, Pinot Noir, 2013, Oehlman Vineyard, Russian River Valley

J. Lohr Estates, Los Osos Merlot, 2013, Paso Robles

Lopez Island Vineyards and Winery, Siegerrebe, 2014, Estate, Certified Organically Grown Grapes, Puget Sound

Lucky Star, Chardonnay, 2013, California (State Appellation)

Marc Cellars, Pinot Noir, 2013, California (State Appellation)

Noceto, Sangiovese, 2012, Reserva, Shenandoah Valley, Amador County

Pedroncelli, Cabernet Sauvignon, 2012, Estate, Dry Creek Valley

pureCru Winery, CFM, 2011, Napa Valley

Thirsty Owl Wine Company, Gewurztraminer, 2014, Finger Lakes

Thirsty Owl Wine Company, Snow Owl, 2014, Finger Lakes

Thirsty Owl Wine Company, Diamond, 2014, Finger Lakes

Twirl, Chardonnay, 2012, California

TWOFOLD, Sauvignon Blanc, 2014, Small Lot Wine, California, Napa Valley, Oak Knoll District

Wagner Vineyards, Fathom 107, 2013, Finger Lakes

Wollersheim Winery, Dry Riesling, 2014, American

Double Gold Medal Winners

Balletto Vineyards, Rose of Pinot Noir, 2014, Estate Grown, Produced and Bottled, Russian River

Carolyn’s Sakonnet Vineyard, The Blessed Blend White, NV, Estate Grown, Produced and Bottled, Rhode Island

Coopers Hawk Winery & Restaurants, Icewine, NV, American

Coyote Moon Vineyards, Marquette, 2013, New York

Coyote Moon Vineyards, Marquette, 2012, New York

Cycles Gladiator, Petite Sirah, 2013, California, Central Coast

Easley Winery, Cabernet Sauvignon, 2013, Indiana

Easley Winery, Sweet Barrel Red, NV, Indiana

Forty-Five North Vineyard & Winery, 45 White, 2014, Michigan

Forty-Five North Vineyard & Winery, 45 Bubbly, 2014, Michigan

Fre, Sparkling Brut, NV, California

Havens, Merlot Blend, 2012, Napa Valley

Hooker, Cabernet Sauvignon, 2012, Napa Valley

J. Lohr Estates, Los Osos Merlot, 2013, Paso Robles

Milbrandt Vineyards, Traditions Merlot, 2012, Columbia Valley (AVA)

Milbrandt Vineyards, Traditions Cabernet Sauvignon, 2012, Columbia Valley (AVA)

Pearmund Cellars, Ameritage Reserve, 2013, Reserve, Virginia

Pedroncelli, Cabernet Sauvignon, 2012, Estate, Dry Creek Valley

pureCru Winery, pureCoz Napa Valley Red Wine, 2010, Napa Valley (AVA)

Reggae Wines, Red, NV, Indiana

St. James Winery, Moscato, NV, American

St. James Winery, Strawberry, NV, American

Swedish Hill Winery, Vignoles, 2014, Finger Lakes

Thirsty Owl Wine Company, Snow Owl, 2014, Finger Lakes

Thirsty Owl Wine Company, Diamond, 2014, Finger Lakes

Wagner Vineyards, Fathom 107, 2013, Finger Lakes

Gold Medal Winners

Alba Vineyard, Chambourcin, 2012, Alba Estate Vineyard Chambourcin, Warren Hills

Alexander Valley Vineyards, Cabernet Franc, 2013, Estate Bottled & Produced, Alexander Valley, Sonoma County

Andeluna, Malbec, 2014, 1300, Mendoza, Tupungato

Angove Family Winemakers, Family Crest Grenache Shiraz Mourvedre, 2014, McLaren Vale

Anyela’s Vineyards, Dry Riesling, 2013, Anyela’s Vineyards, Finger Lakes

Anyela’s Vineyards, Riesling, 2013, 2013 Riesling, Estate Grown & Bottled, Finger Lakes

Barefoot, Sweet Red, NV, California

Barefoot Bubbly, Red Moscato, NV, California

Barefoot Bubbly, Berry Fusion, NV, California

Barefoot Refresh, Perfectly Pink, NV, California

Bex, Riesling, 2013, Nahe

Big Cork Vineyards, Vidal, 2014, Maryland

Bodega Garzón, Albariño, 2014, Uruguay

Bodega Garzón, Tannat, 2013, Uruguay

Bodegas Marilena, Petit Verdot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Grenache, 2012, Maxixe, Valle de Guadalupe

Boeger Winery, Sauvignon Blanc, 2014, El Dorado

Boeger Winery, Zinfandel, 2013, Estate, El Dorado

Bowers Habor Vineyards Medium Sweet, Riesling, 2014, Estate Blend, Old Mission Peninsula

Bowers Harbor Vineyards Block II & Langley, Riesling, 2014, Block II & Langley, Estate Blend, Michigan

Bowers Harbor Vineyards Medium Dry, Riesling, 2014, Smokey Hollow, Single Vineyard, Old Mission Peninsula

Broadside, Cabernet Sauvignon, 2012, Margarita Vineyard, Single Vineyard, Paso Robles

Cakebread Cellars, Dancing Bear Ranch, 2012, Dancing Bear Ranch, Howell Mountain

Calista, Russian River Pinot Noir, 2012, Russian River Valley

Carmen, Carmenere Gran Reserva, 2012, Chile, Colchagua Valley

Carol Shelton, Zinfandel, 2013, Wild Thing Zinfandel, Mendocino County

Carolyn’s Sakonnet Vineyard, 42° Parallel Chancellor, 2010, Rhode Island

Cartlidge & Browne, Cabernet Sauvignon, 2013, North Coast

Cedar Creek Winery, Pinot Grigio, 2014, American

Cedar Creek Winery, Waterfall Riesling, 2014, American

Chacewater, Petite Sirah, 2012, Lake County

Chatom Vineyards, Cuvee, 2011, Calaveras County

Cholame Vineyard, Chardonnay, 2012, La Presa Vineyard, Oak Aged, Santa Barbara County

Cholame Vineyard, Cross Country, 2012, Cholame Vineyard, Barrel Aged, California, Monterey County

Clos Pegase Winery, Cabernet Sauvignon, 2012, Napa Valley

Cobblestone Vineyards, Cabernet Sauvignon, 2009, Napa Valley, Atlas Peak

Cosentino Winery, Zinfandel, 2013, The Zin, Lodi

Coyote Moon Vineyards, Brianna, 2013, New York

Coyote Moon Vineyards, Fireboat Red, 2013, New York

Criterion, Carmenere, 2013, Valle Colchagua

Criterion, Cabernet Sauvignon, 2013, Coonawarra

Cycles Gladiator, Chardonnay, 2013, California, Central Coast

Daniel Gehrs, Rocker Rarities, 2012, Central Coast

Dellatorri, Pinot Grigio, 2014, delle Venezie IGT

Dominant Seven, Cabernet Sauvignon, 2013, California

Draxton, Sauvignon Blanc, 2014, Nelson Vineyard, Dry Creek Valley

Draxton, Cabernet Sauvignon, 2012, Alexander Valley, Sonoma County

Elmaro, West Prairie White, 2014, Reserve, America (Country Appellation)

Eye Chart, Red Blend, NV, California

Forty-Five North Vineyard & Winery, Chenin Blanc, 2014, American

Forty-Five North Vineyard & Winery, Riesling, 2013, Leelanau Peninsula

Four Vines, Zinfandel “Biker”, 2012, Biker, Paso Robles

Four Vines, Zinfandel “The Sophisticate”, 2012, California, Sonoma County

Four Vines, Zinfandel “Truant”, 2012, Truant, California (State Appellation)

Fresno State Winery, Touriga, 2012, Duarte Vineyards, California

Fulkerson Wine Cellars, Juicy Sweet Diamond, 2014, Finger Lakes

Gallo Family Vineyards, Moscato, NV, California

Girl and Dragon, Pinot Grigio, 2014, Veneto IGT

Gloria Ferrer, Royal Cuvée, 2006, Carneros

Gloria Ferrer, Blanc de Blancs, NV, Carneros

Goose Watch Winery, Traminette, 2014, Finger Lakes

Goose Watch Winery, Cabernet Franc Rosé, 2014, Finger Lakes

Goose Watch Winery, Cabernet Franc Ice, 2013, Finger Lakes

Goyette, Cabernet Sauvignon, 2012, Sonoma County

Grape Creek Vineyards, Viognier, 2014, American

Grape Creek Vineyards, Cabernet Trois, 2013, American

Grape Creek Vineyards, Mosaic – Bourdeaux blend, 2013, American

Hagafen, Cabernet Franc, 2012, Estate Bottled, Napa Valley

Hagafen, Brut Cuvee Sparkling Wine Methode Champenoise, 2012, Brut, California, Napa Valley

Harmony Cellars, Petite Sirah, 2013, Paso Robles

Havens, Cabernet Sauvignon, 2013, Napa Valley

Hawley, Pinot Noir, 2013, Oehlman Vineyard, Russian River Valley

Hyatt Vineyards, Cabernet Sauvignon, 2012, Hyatt Vineyards, Rattlesnake Hills

J. Lohr Estates, Flume Crossing Sauvigon Blanc, 2014, Arroyo Seco (AVA)

Jamieson Ranch Vineyards, Cabernet Sauvignon, 2012, Napa Valley

Joseph Cellars Winery, ZINFANDEL, 2011, Dry Creek Valley, Limited Production, California, Sonoma County

Joseph Cellars Winery, CABERNET SAUVIGNON, 2011, Bartholomew Family Vineryard, Estate, California, Napa Valley

Judd’s Hill, Cabernet Sauvignon, 2012, Rutherford, Napa

L.A. Cetto, L.A. CETTO ZINFANDEL, 2013, valle de guadalupe, Estate Bottled, Baja California, Valle de Guadalupe

La Chertosa Old World Wines, Zinfandel, 2013, Reserve, Amador County

La Chertosa Old World Wines, Chardonnay, 2013, Reserve, Sonoma Valley

La Chertosa Old World Wines, Cabernet Sauvignon, 2010, Reserve, Napa Valley (AVA)

La Marca, Prosecco, NV, Veneto IGT

Light Horse, Chardonnay, 2013, California

Lopez Island Vineyards and Winery, Siegerrebe, 2014, Estate, Certified Organically Grown Grapes, Puget Sound

Lucas & Lewellen, Malbec, 2012, Valley View Vineyard, Estate Vineyards, California, Santa Barbara County

Lucky Star, Pinot Noir, 2013, California

Lucky Star, Chardonnay, 2013, California (State Appellation)

Lucky Star, Cabernet Sauvignon, 2013, California

Main & Geary, Petite Sirah, 2013, California

Main & Geary, Zinfandel, 2012, Dry Creek Valley

Marc Cellars, Pinot Noir, 2013, California (State Appellation)

Menage a Trois, Prosecco, NV, Prosecco DOC

Myles & Moore, Cabernet Sauvignon, 2013, Paso Robles

Narmada Winery, Yash-Vir, 2011, Virginia

Noceto, Rosato di Sangiovese, 2014, Estate Grown, Produced & Bottled, Shenandoah Valley, Amador County

Noceto, Sangiovese, 2012, Reserva, Shenandoah Valley, Amador County

Oak Farm Vineyards, Barbera, 2013, Lodi

Oak Mountain Winery, Pinotage, 2012, Estate Grown, Temecula Valley

Open Kimono, Riesling, 2013, Washington

Pedernales Cellars, Pedernales Cellars Texas Viognier Reserve, 2014, Reserve, Texas

pureCru Winery, CFM, 2011, Napa Valley

Ray’s Creek, Cabernet Sauvignon, 2013, Central Coast

Red Soles Stillhouse, California Hooch – New Brandy, NV, California, Paso Robles

Red Soles Stillhouse, Limoncello – New Brandy infused with lemons, NV, California, Paso Robles

Reggae Wines, Blush, NV, Indiana

Rex Goliath, Pinot Noir*, NV, America

Rex Goliath, Sauvignon Blanc*, NV, Australia

Rex Goliath, Cabernet Sauvignon, NV, Chile

Rodney Strong Vineyards, Sonoma County Chardonnay, 2013, Sonoma County

Save Me San Francisco, Sauvignon Blanc, 2014, Bullet Proof Sauvignon Blanc, California

SeaGlass, Chardonnay, 2014, California, Santa Barbara County

SeaGlass, Riesling, 2013, Monterey County

South Creek Vineyards & Winery, 2011 Maestro, 2011, South Creek Vineyards & Winery, Estate Grown, Produced and Bottled, North Carolina

St. James Winery, Vignoles, 2014, Ozark Highlands

St. James Winery, Blackberry, NV, American

St. James Winery, Blueberry, NV, American

Stonehedge, Cabernet Sauvignon, 2013, Napa Valley

Sutter Home Family Vineyards, Sweet Red, NV, California

Swedish Hill Winery, Riesling, 2014, Finger Lakes

Swedish Hill Winery, Blue Waters Riesling, 2014, Finger Lakes

Terra dOro, Pinot Grigio, 2014, Santa Barbara County

Terra dOro, Zinfandel, 2013, Amador County

Thirsty Owl Wine Company, Riesling, 2014, Lahoma Vineyard, Finger Lakes

Thirsty Owl Wine Company, Riesling, 2014, Finger Lakes

Thirsty Owl Wine Company, Chardonnay, 2014, Finger Lakes

Thirsty Owl Wine Company, Gewurztraminer, 2014, Finger Lakes

Trailhead, Cabernet Sauvignon, 2013, Napa Valley

Trecini, MERLOT, 2013, DUNN, California, Russian River Valley

Twirl, Chardonnay, 2012, California

TWOFOLD, Sauvignon Blanc, 2014, Small Lot Wine, California, Napa Valley, Oak Knoll District

Ventana, Sauvignon Blanc, 2013, Ventana, Estate Grown, Arroyo Seco (AVA)

Viansa Winery, Cabernet Sauvignon, 2012, Sonoma Valley

Vina Ventisquero, Carmenere, 2012, Colchagua

Vista da Régua, Port Blend, 2013, Caráter, Douro DOC

Wagner Vineyards, Riesling, 2013, Finger Lakes

Wakefield/Taylors, Wakefield/Taylors Merlot, 2014, Australia, Clare Valley

Wave Series, Sauvignon Blanc, 2014, Leyda Valley

Whispering Oaks Winery, Blueberry Blush, 2015, Florida

Windsor Vineyards, Zinfandel, 2013, Platinum Series, Dry Creek Valley

Windsor Vineyards, Merlot, 2013, Platinum Series, Alexander Valley

Wine Sisterhood, Passionate Pinot Grigio, NV, California

Wollersheim Winery, Prairie Fume, 2014, American

Wollersheim Winery, Dry Riesling, 2014, American

ZD, Pinot Noir, 2013, Carneros

Silver Medal Winners

2007 Cabernet Sauvignon, Project Z, 2013, Washington

2007 Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Sauvignon, 2012, Meyer Reserve, Washington

3 Ball, Zinfandel, 2012, California

Acronym, Red Blend, 2013, California

Adored, Red Blend, 2013, California, North Coast

Alba Vineyard, Chelsea Dry Rosé, 2014, Chelsea Dry Rosé, Warren Hills

Alba Vineyard, Riesling, 2014, Alba Estate Vineyard Dry Riesling, Warren Hills

Alcantara Vineyards, Red Blend, NV, Confluence VI, Arizona, Yavapai County

Alcantara Vineyards, Viognier, 2014, Arizona, Yavapai County

Alexander Valley Vineyards, Merlot, 2012, Alexander Valley

Alexander Valley Vineyards, Cabernet Sauvignon, 2013, Estate Grown & Bottled, Alexander Valley, Sonoma County

Alpen Cellars, Chardonnay, 2014, Trinity Lakes

Alpen Cellars, Pinot Noir, 2013, Trinity Lakes

Angove Family Winemakers, Dr. Angove Recipe Red Blend, 2013, South Australia

Angove Family Winemakers, Family Crest Shiraz, 2013, McLaren Vale

Anyela’s Vineyards, Avail, 2013, 2013 Avail, Estate Vineyards, Finger Lakes

Balletto Vineyards, Teresa’s Chardonnay, 2014, Estate Bottled & Produced, Russian River Valley

Balletto Vineyards, Pinot Noir, 2013, Estate Grown, Estate Bottled, California, Sonoma County, Russian River Valley

Balverne, Chardonnay, 2013, Unoaked, Russian River Valley

Bandit, Chardonnay, NV, California

Bandit, Red Blend, NV, California

Barefoot, Chardonnay, NV, California

Barefoot, Merlot, NV, California

Barefoot, Pinot Noir, NV, California

Barefoot, Cabernet Sauvignon, NV, Argentina

Barefoot, Riesling, NV, California

Barefoot, Sauvignon Blanc, NV, California

Barefoot, Moscato, NV, California

Barefoot, Red Moscato, NV, California

Barefoot, Pink Moscato, NV, California

Barefoot, Rosa Red Blend, NV, California

Barefoot Bubbly, Tropical Fusion, NV, California (State Appellation)

Barefoot Bubbly, Prosecco, NV, Italy

Barefoot Bubbly, Moscato Spumante, NV, California

Barefoot Bubbly, Brut Cuvee, NV, California

Barefoot Bubbly, Peach Fusion, NV, California

Barefoot Bubbly, Citrus Fusion, NV, California

Barefoot Bubbly, Pink Moscato, NV, California

Barefoot Refresh, Crisp White, NV, California

Barefoot Refresh, Summer Red, NV, California

Big Cork Vineyards, Syrah Rosé, 2014, Maryland

Big Cork Vineyards, 2013, Maryland

Big Cork Vineyards, Barbera, 2013, Maryland

Big Cork Vineyards, Viognier, 2014, Maryland

Big Cork Vineyards, Merlot, 2013, Maryland

Big Cork Vineyards, Sauvignon Blanc, 2014, Maryland

Black Box Wines, Merlot (2013), 2013, California

Black Box Wines, Malbec (2014*), 2014, Argentina, Mendoza

Black Willow Winery, Classic Diamond, 2014, Estate Bottled & Produced, New York State

Bodegas Marilena, 2011, Malaguena, Valle de Guadalupe

Boeger Winery, Barbera, 2012, Estate, El Dorado

Borrellie, Zinfandel, 2013, Sonoma County

Cabpothesis, Cabernet Sauvignon, 2013, Lodi

Calista, Pinot Noir “The Coast Range”, 2012, The Coast Range, California (State Appellation)

Carol Shelton, Pinot Noir, 2013, Larson Vineyard, Carneros (Sonoma)

Carol Shelton, Petite Sirah, 2012, Florence Vineyard, Dry Creek Valley

Carol Shelton, Zinfandel, 2013, Piazza Vineyard, Lodi

Cartlidge & Browne, Merlot, 2013, North Coast

Cedar Creek Winery, LaBelle Vie, 2014, American

Cedar Creek Winery, Gewurztraminer, 2014, American

Cell Block, Shackled Red, 2013, Sonoma County

Chacewater, Zinfandel, 2013, California, Sierra Foothills

Chacewater, Gwin, 2012, California, Lake County

Chacewater, Nell, 2012, Red Hills

Chalkboard, Red Blend, 2013, California

Charles & Charles, Rose, 2014, Washington, Columbia Valley

Cholame Vineyard, Rose, NV, La Presa Vineyard, Barrel Aged, Central Coast

Chronic Cellars, Spritz & Giggles, NV, California

Chronic Cellars, Dead Nuts, 2013, Paso Robles

Chronic Cellars, Sofa King Bueno, 2013, Paso Robles

Chronic Cellars, Purple Paradise, 2013, Paso Robles

Clos Pegase Winery, Sauvignon Blanc, 2013, Mitsuko’s Vineyard, Napa Valley

Coastal Oak, Chardonnay, 2012, California

Coastal Oak, Pinot Noir, 2012, California

Collavini, Pinot Grigio, 2013, Villa Caniungo, Friuli DOC

Coopers Hawk Winery & Restaurants, Cabernet Sauvignon, NV, American

Coopers Hawk Winery & Restaurants, Lux Pinot Noir, NV, American

Coopers Hawk Winery & Restaurants, Riesling, NV, American

Coopers Hawk Winery & Restaurants, Cabernet Zinfandel, NV, American

Coopers Hawk Winery & Restaurants, Malbec, NV, American

Coopers Hawk Winery & Restaurants, Chardonnay, NV, American

Coopers Hawk Winery & Restaurants, Viognier, NV, American

Coopers Hawk Winery & Restaurants, Pinot Noir, NV, American

Cosentino Winery, Cabernet Sauvignon, 2013, The Cab, Lodi

Cosentino Winery, The Dark, 2013, Lodi

Cougar Crest Estate Winery, Merlot, 2012, Cougar Hills Vineyard, Estate Grown, Produced & Bottled, Walla Walla Valley

Cougar Crest Estate Winery, Anniversary Cuvee, 2011, Cougar Hills Vineyard, Estate Grown, Produced & Bottled, Walla Walla Valley

Coyote Moon Vineyards, River Time, 2013, New York

Coyote Moon Vineyards, Island Mama, 2013, New York

Coyote Moon Vineyards, Twisted Sister, 2013, New York

Coyote Moon Vineyards, River Run, 2013, New York

Coyote Moon Vineyards, Frontenac Blanc, 2012, New York

Coyote Moon Vineyards, La Crescent, 2013, New York

Criterion, Rioja, 2009, Rioja DOCa

Criterion, Malbec, 2012, Mendoza, Uco Valley

Cult X, Pinot Noir, 2013, California, Russian River Valley

Cult X, Meritage, 2012, Alexander Valley, Sonoma County

Cycles Gladiator, Merlot, 2013, California, Central Coast

Cycles Gladiator, Cabernet Sauvignon, 2013, California, Central Coast

D & L Carinalli Vineyards, Chardonnay, 2013, D & L Carinalli Vineyards, Estate Grown, Produced & Bottled, Russian River Valley

Darkhorse, Chardonnay, 2013, California (State Appellation)

Darkhorse, Cabernet Sauvignon, 2013, California (State Appellation)

Darkhorse, Merlot, 2013, California (State Appellation)

Davis Bynum Winery, Jane’s Vineyard, Single Vineyard Pinot Noir, 2013, Jane’s Vineyard, Single Vineyard, Russian River Valley

Dominant Seven, Chardonnay, 2012, California

Dominant Seven, Red Blend, 2012, California

Don Ernestos, CLARNET Red Table Wine, 2014, California, Lodi

Donovan-Parke, Pinot Noir, 2013, California

Donovan-Parke, Chardonnay, 2013, California

Donovan-Parke, Cabernet Sauvignon, 2013, California

Duck Commander, Wood Duck Chardonnay, 2012, California (State Appellation)

Duck Commander, Pintail Moscato, 2013, California

Duck Commander, Miss Priss Pink Moscato, 2013, California (State Appellation)

Duck Commander, Triple Threat Red Blend, 2012, California (State Appellation)

Dusk To Dawn, Chardonnay, 2013, California, Russian River Valley

Easley Winery, Sweet Barrel White, NV, Indiana

Eastpoint, Chardonnay, 2013, California

Eberle, Zinfandel, 2013, Steinbeck, Wine-Bush & Cocavin, Paso Robles

Eberle, 2012, Paso Robles

Eberle, Barbera, 2012, Paso Robles

Ektimo Vineyards, Zinfandel, 2013, Dry Creek Valley

Ektimo Vineyards, Pinot Noir, 2013, Russian River Valley

Elder Rock, Chardonnay, 2013, Estate Grown, Produced & Bottled, Monterey

Elmaro, Vidal, 2013, America (Country Appellation)

Fancy Pants, Chardonnay, 2012, California

Fancy Pants, Red, 2013, California

Fancy Pants, Processo, NV, Prosecco DOC

Fifty Shades of Grey, White Silk, 2013, California

Fifty Shades of Grey, Red Satin, 2012, California

Flint & Steel, Sauvignon Blanc, 2014, California, Napa Valley

Four Vines, Zinfandel “Maverick”, 2012, Amador County, Sierra Foothills

Four Vines, “Skeptic” Petite Sirah, 2013, Paso Robles

Four Vines, “Willing” Chardonnay, 2013, Monterey

Frank Family Vineyards, Chardonnay, 2013, Napa Valley

Frank Family Vineyards, Pinot Noir, 2013, Napa Valley

Frank Family Vineyards, Zinfandel, 2012, Napa Valley

Fresno State Winery, Sangiovese, 2011, Duarte Vineyards, California

Fresno State Winery, Merlot, 2012, Duarte Vineyards, San Joaquin County

Fresno State Winery, Petite Sirah, 2009, Duarte Linden Hills Vineyard, Single Vineyard, San Joaquin County

Frogtown Cellars, 404, 2011, Estate, Estate Grown, Produced and Bottled, Georgia

Frogtown Cellars, Convergence, 2011, Estate Grown, Produced & Bottled, American

Frogtown Cellars, Compulsion, 2012, American

Frogtown Cellars, Propaganda, 2011, Frogtown Cellars Dahlonega, Estate Grown, Produced & Bottled, Georgia, Lumpkin County

Fulkerson Wine Cellars, Juicy Sweet Riesling, 2014, Finger Lakes

Galen Glen, Riesling, 2014, Estate Grown, Produced & Bottled, Pennsylvania

Galleano winery, Sherry, NV, Mary Margaret Sherry, Cucamonga Valley

Girl and Dragon, Cabernet Sauvignon, 2013, California, North Coast

Gloria Ferrer, Sonoma Brut, NV, Sonoma County

Gloria Ferrer, Carneros Cuvée, 2004, Carneros

Gloria Ferrer, Blanc de Noirs, NV, Carneros

Gloria Ferrer, VA de VI, NV, Sonoma County

Gloria Ferrer, Chardonnay, 2012, Carneros

Goose Watch Winery, Golden Spumanté, NV, Finger Lakes

Goose Watch Winery, Diamond, 2014, Finger Lakes

Goose Watch Winery, Classic Cream Sherry, NV, Finger Lakes

Goose Watch Winery, Snow Goose, NV, Finger Lakes

Goose Watch Winery, Finalé White Port, 2013, Finger Lakes

Goyette, Pinot Noir, 2012, Sonoma Coast

Grape Creek Vineyards, Merlot, 2013, American

Grape Creek Vineyards, Bellissimo – Super Tuscan Styled, 2012, Texas

Grape Creek Vineyards, Rendezvous, 2013, Texas

Grape Creek Vineyards, Cabernet Blanc, 2014, American

Grape Creek Vineyards, Grand Rouge, 2014, American

Grape Creek Vineyards, Petite Sirah, 2013, American

Grape Creek Vineyards, Cuvee Blanc, 2014, Texas

Grape Creek Vineyards, Riesling, 2014, American

Graton Cellars, Chardonnay, 2013, California (State Appellation)

Greater Than One >1, 2 Red Blend, 2013, California

Greater Than One >1, 3 White Blend, 2013, California

Hagafen, Merlot, 2013, Estate Bottled, Napa Valley

Halcyon, Petit Verdot, 2012, Vintner’s Select, Lodi (AVA)

Handsome Devil, Cabernet Sauvignon, 2013, California

Handsome Devil, Red Blend, 2013, California

Harmony Cellars, Red Bordeaux, 2011, Diamond Reserve Aria, Meritage, Paso Robles

Harmony Cellars, Zinfandel, 2013, Grandpa Barlogio, Paso Robles

Hawk and Horse Vineyards, Petite Sirah, 2011, Red Hills AVA, Demeter Certified Biodynamic® Grapes, California, Lake County

Hawk and Horse Vineyards, Cabernet Sauvignon, 2009, Lake County, Red Hills

Hawk and Horse Vineyards, Latigo- Fortified Dessert Wine, 2010, Hawk and Horse Vineyards, Biodynamic Grapes, Red Hills Lake County

Hawk and Horse Vineyards, Cabernet Sauvignon, 2012, Red Hills AVA, Demeter Certified Biodynamic® Grapes, California, Lake County

Hawley, Pinot Noir, 2013, Estines Vineyard, Certified Organically Grown Grapes, Russian River Valley

Hawley, Zinfandel, 2013, Ponzo Vineyard, California, Russian River Valley

Hawley, Petite Sirah, 2013, Dry Creek Valley

Heliodoro, Pinot Noir, 2013, Dos Sobrinos, California, Russian River Valley

Hyacinth, Pinot Noir, 2012, Santa Lucia Highlands

Hyatt Vineyards, Merlot, 2012, Hyatt Vineyards, Rattlesnake Hills

Hyatt Vineyards, Roadside Market Red, 2012, Hyatt Vineyards, Rattlesnake Hills

Hyatt Vineyards, Syrah, 2012, Hyatt Vineyards, Rattlesnake Hills

It”So, Merlot, NV, California

J. Lohr Estates, Bay Mist White Riesling, 2014, Monterey County

J. Lohr Estates, Seven Oaks Cabernet Sauvignon, 2013, Paso Robles

J. Lohr Vineyard Series, CAROL’S VINEYARD Sauvignon Blanc, 2014, St. Helena ~ Napa Valley (AVA)

Jamieson Ranch Vineyards, “Silver Spur” Sauvignon Blanc, 2014, Limited, Napa Valley

Jewelry Box, Cabernet Sauvignon, 2013, Central Coast

Jewelry Box, Chardonnay, 2012, Central Coast

Joel Gott, Cabernet Sauvignon #815, 2013, California

Joel Gott, Pinot Noir, 2013, California, Sonoma County

Joseph Cellars Winery, Chardonnay, 2012, Thomas LaTour Vineyard Mt Veeter Hyde Clone 110R Root Stock, Limited Edition, California, Napa Valley, Mount Veeder

Joseph Cellars Winery, Cellar Select Blend Cabernet, 2011, Napa Valley, Limited Production, California, Napa Valley

Judd’s Hill, Red Blend, 2011, Napa

L.A. Cetto, L. A. CETTO PETITE SIRAH PRIVATE RESERVE., 2010, VALLE DE GUADALUPE, Reserva, Baja California, Valle de Guadalupe

L.A. Cetto, L. A. CETTO CHENÍN BLANC, 2014, valle de guadalupe, Estate Bottled, Baja California, Valle de Guadalupe

La Rusticana d ‘Orsa, La Rusticana d’Orsa Cinque, 2012, Santa Cruz Mountains, Santa Cruz Mountains/Santa Clara Valley

Lafond Winery, Pinot Noir, 2011, Arita Hills Vineyard, Santa Rita Hills

Lafond Winery, Pinot Noir, 2013, SRH, Santa Rita Hills

Lafond Winery, Pinot Noir, 2011, Santa Rita Hills

Le Vigne Winery, Merlot, 2013, Paso Robles

Le Vigne Winery, Chardonnay, 2014, Paso Robles

Le Vigne Winery, Cabernet Sauvignon, 2012, Paso Robles

Leopard Frog, Titillation MCC Pinotage Prestige Cuvee, 2011, Limited Release, Stellenbosch

Lions Peak, Lionesse, 2012, Paso Robles

Lions Peak, Proprietor’s Reserve, 2012, Paso Robles

Lions Peak, Vis a Vis, 2012, Paso Robles

Long Valley Ranch, Pinot Noir, 2013, Monterey

Lucas & Lewellen, Rose of Pinot Noir, 2014, Estate Vineyards, California, Santa Barbara County

Lucas & Lewellen, Cabernet Sauvignon, 2012, Valley View Vineyard, Estate Vineyards, California, Santa Barbara County

Magistrate, Cabernet Sauvignon, 2013, Paso Robles

Main & Geary, Cabernet Sauvignon, 2013, Napa Valley

Main & Geary, Chardonnay, 2013, Sonoma County

Main & Geary, Pinot Noir, 2013, Sonoma Coast

Marc Cellars, Cabernet, 2013, California (State Appellation)

Marlo, Sauvignon Blanc, 2013, California (State Appellation)

Mazza Chautauqua Cellars, Gewurztraminer, 2013, Lake Erie

Mazza Chautauqua Cellars, Pinot Grigio, 2013, Finger Lakes

Mazza Chautauqua Cellars, Riesling, 2013, Faulkenhauser Block, Lake Erie

Menage a Trois, Merlot, 2013, California

Menage a Trois, Cabernet Sauvignon, 2013, California

Menage a Trois, Moscato, 2013, California

Menage a Trois, Pinot Noir, 2013, California

Middle Sister, Drama Queen, Pinot Grigio, NV, California

Middle Sister, Mischief Maker, Cabernet Sauvignon, NV, California

Middle Sister, Sweet and Sassy, Moscato, NV, California

Middle Sister, Goodie Two Shoes, Pinot Noir, NV, California (State Appellation)

Milbrandt Vineyards, The Estates Merlot, 2011, Washington, Wahluke Slope

Milbrandt Vineyards, The Estates Cabernet Sauvignon, 2012, Washington, Wahluke Slope

Monogamy, Truly Madly Deeply, Cabernet Sauvignon, 2013, North Coast

Montevina Winery, Independence Point Cabernet Sauvignon, 2013, California

Montevina Winery, Pinot Grigio, 2014, California

Mullan Road, Columbia Valley Red Wine, 2012, Columbia Valley

Narmada Winery, Reflection, 2011, Virginia

Newmans Own, Pinot Noir, 2013, California

Newmans Own, Common Good Red Blend, 2013, California

Nitty Gritty, Cabernet Sauvignon, 2012, Napa Valley

Noceto, Noceto Sangiovese, 2012, Estate Bottled & Produced, Amador County

Oak Mountain Winery, Chardonnay, 2014, Temecula Valley

Oak Mountain Winery, Fume Blanc, 2014, Temecula Valley

Obsidian Ridge, Estate Cabernet Sauvignon, 2012, Single Vineyard, Red Hills Lake County

Obsidian Ridge, “Half Mile” Proprietary Red Blend, 2011, Single Vineyard, Red Hills Lake County

Ogio, Prosecco, NV, Prosecco DOC

Owl Ridge, Syrah, 2012, Russian River

Owl Ridge, Sauvginon Blanc, 2014, Dry Creek Valley

Parkers Estate, Cabernet Sauvignon, 2013, California

Parkers Estate, Sauvignon Blanc, 2013, Sonoma County

Pearmund Cellars, Petit Verdot, 2013, Toll Gate Vineyard, Barrel Aged, Virginia, Fauquier County

Pearmund Cellars, Petit Manseng, 2014, South River Vineyard, Virginia

Pearmund Cellars, Cabernet Franc, 2013, Toll Gate Vineyard, Virginia, Fauquier County

Pedernales Cellars, Pedernales Cellars Texas GSM, 2013, Texas

Pedernales Cellars, Pedernales Cellars Texas Viognier, 2014, Texas

Pedroncelli, Sauvignon Blanc, 2014, East Side Vineyards, Dry Creek Valley

Pedroncelli, Chardonnay, 2014, F. Johnson Vineyard, Single Vineyard, Dry Creek Valley

Penman Springs Vineyard, Merlot, 2011, Paso Robles

Pico & Vine, Chardonnay, 2013, Sonoma County

Pico & Vine, Pinot Noir, 2013, California, Russian River Valley

Piledriver, Cabernet Sauvignon, 2013, Paso Robles

Piledriver, Red Blend, 2013, Paso Robles

Poseidon Vineyard, Estate Chardonnay, 2013, Single Vineyard, Carneros

Poseidon Vineyard, Estate Pinot Noir, 2013, Single Vineyard, Carneros

Postcards, Merlot, 2012, North Coast

Promisqous, Red, NV, California

Purple Cowboy, Trail Boss Cabernet Sauvignon, 2013, California, Paso Robles

Rampage, “Lodi” Zinfandel, 2012, Lodi

Rampage, Red Wine Blend, 2012, California

Randall Monroe, Sauvignon Blanc, 2013, California (State Appellation)

Randall Monroe, Zinfandel, 2012, California (State Appellation)

Ray’s Creek, Chardonnay, 2013, Central Coast

Rays Station Winery, Merlot, 2013, Mendocino County

Red Soles Winery, Monkeyshine – Aged Port Style, NV, Paso Robles, Willow Creek District

Reggae Wines, White, NV, Indiana

Rex Goliath, Chardonnay*, NV, American

Rideau Vineyard, Estate Syrah, 2013, Rideau Vineyard, Estate Grown, Produced & Bottled, California, Santa Ynez Valley

Rideau Vineyard, Siempre, 2013, Happy Canyon Vineyard, Estate Produced and Bottled, California, Santa Ynez Valley

Ringleader, Pinot Noir, 2013, California (State Appellation)

Ringleader, Chardonnay, 2013, California (State Appellation)

Ringleader, Red Wine, 2012, California (State Appellation)

Robert Hall, Sauvignon Blanc, 2014, Paso Robles (AVA)

Robert Hall, Cuvee de Robles, 2014, California, Paso Robles

Robert Hall, Cabernet Sauvignon, 2012, Paso Robles (AVA)

Rock Falls Vineyards, Chardonnay, 2014, California

Rodney Strong Vineyards, Knotty Vines, Estate Zinfandel, 2012, Knotty Vines, Estate Vineyards, Estate Vineyards, Sonoma County, Northern Sonoma

Rodney Strong Vineyards, Sonoma County Merlot, 2012, Sonoma County

Ron Rubin, Pinot Noir, 2013, Family Owned, Russian River

Roza Ridge, Syrah, 2010, Roza Ridge, Rattlesnake Hills

Roza Ridge, Malbec, 2011, Roza Ridge, Rattlesnake Hills

Roza Ridge, Cabernet Sauvignon, 2012, Roza Ridge, Rattlesnake Hills

Sage Hill, Syrah, Cabernet Sauvignon, 2012, Sage Hill, Malibu Coast

Santa Barbara Winery, Pinot Noir, 2013, Santa Rita Hills

Santa Barbara Winery, Cabernet Sauvignon, 2012, Happy Canyon of Santa Barbara

Santa Barbara Winery, Sauvignon Blanc, 2014, Santa Ynez Valley

Santa Barbara Winery, Gewurztraminer, 2014, Santa Barbara County

Santa Barbara Winery, Syrah, 2012, Santa Ynez Valley

Save Me San Francisco, Pinot Noir, 2013, Soul Sister Pinot Noir, California

Sea Monster, Chardonnay, 2013, Los Alamos Vineayrd, Single Vineyard, Santa Barbara County

Sea Monster, Octopussy, 2014, California, Central Coast

SeaGlass, Pinot Grigio, 2014, Santa Barbara County

Shadowland, Cabernet Sauvignon, 2013, Washington

Shiloh Road, Pinot Noir, 2013, Sonoma County

Sol Rio, White Sangria, NV, California

St. James Winery, Norton, 2013, Estate, Ozark Highlands

St. James Winery, Cynthiana Norton, 2013, Ozark Highlands

St. James Winery, 2013, Pioneer Red, Ozark Highlands

St. James Winery, 2013, Pioneer White, Ozark Highlands

St. James Winery, NV, Friendship School White, Ozark Highlands

St. James Winery, Riesling, NV, American

St. James Winery, Raspberry, NV, American

Stateland, Merlot, 2013, Paso Robles

Stateland, Chardonnay, 2012, Reserve, Santa Maria Valley

Stateland, Cabernet Sauvignon, 2012, Paso Robles

Stemilt Creek, Sweet Adelaide, NV, Signature Blend, Columbia Valley (AVA)

Stemilt Creek, Nettie Rose’, NV, Columbia Valley (AVA)

Stephen Vincent, Chardonnay, 2012, California, Sonoma County

Stephen Vincent, Crimson, 2012, California, Monterey County

Storyteller, Cabernet Sauvignon, 2013, Sonoma County

Storyteller, Sauvignon Blanc, 2014, Sonoma County

Storyteller, Red Blend, 2013, Sonoma County

Stray, Riesling, 2013, California

Sutter Home Family Vineyards, White Zinfandel, NV, California

Sutter Home Family Vineyards, Merlot, NV, California

Sutter Home Family Vineyards, Gewurztraminer, NV, California

Sutter Home Family Vineyards, Sauvignon Blanc, NV, California

Sutter Home Family Vineyards, Zinfandel, NV, California

Sutter Home Family Vineyards, Riesling, NV, California

Sutter Home Family Vineyards, Pinot Grigio, NV, California

Sutter Home Family Vineyards, Pinot Noir, NV, California

Sutter Home Family Vineyards, Red Blend, NV, California

Sutter Home Family Vineyards, Red Moscato, NV, California

Swedish Hill Winery, Riesling Cuvée, NV, Finger Lakes

Swedish Hill Winery, Chardonnay, Riesling, 2014, Blue Waters, Finger Lakes

Swedish Hill Winery, Dry Riesling, 2014, Finger Lakes

Swedish Hill Winery, Cynthia Marie Port, NV, Finger Lakes

Swedish Hill Winery, Maréchal Foch, 2014, Finger Lakes

Terra dOro, Chenin Blanc/Viognier, 2014, California, Clarksburg

The Show, Cabernet Sauvignon, 2013, California

Thirsty Owl Wine Company, Pinot Noir Rosé, 2014, Finger Lakes

Thirsty Owl Wine Company, Traminette, 2014, Finger Lakes

Thirsty Owl Wine Company, Riesling, 2014, Finger Lakes

Thirsty Owl Wine Company, Pinot Gris, 2014, Finger Lakes

Three Thieves, Cabernet Sauvignon, 2013, California

Three Thieves, Pinot Noir, 2013, California

Three Thieves, Pinot Grigio, 2014, California

Trecini, ZINFANDEL, 2013, BRANNAN, Single Vineyard, Rockpile

Trinity Oaks, Caberent Sauvignon, 2013, California

Trinity Oaks, Chardonnay, 2014, California

Trinity Oaks, Merlot, 2013, California

Trinity Oaks, Pinot Grigio, 2014, California

Trinity River Vineyards, Sauvignon Blanc, 2014, Grown, Produced and Bottled, Willow Creek (Humboldt)

Trinity River Vineyards, Cabernet Sauvignon, 2013, Willow Creek (Humboldt)

Trinity River Vineyards, Sangiovese, 2013, Unfined & Unfiltered, Willow Creek (Humboldt)

Trinity River Vineyards, Merlot, 2013, Unfined & Unfiltered, Willow Creek (Humboldt)

Trueblood, Chardonnay, 2011, Poseidon Vineyards, Carneros

Trueblood, Chardonnay, 2012, Poseidon Vineyards, Carneros

Twirl, Pinot Grigio, 2014, California

Twirl, Red Blend, 2012, California

Van Roekel Estate, Tempranillo, 2012, Temecula Valley

Van Roekel Estate, Viognier, 2014, Estate Produced and Bottled, Temecula Valley

Ventana Vineyards, Rubystone, 2014, Monterey County, Estate Grown & Bottled, Arroyo Seco (AVA)

Vina Sympatica Sparkling Wines, Sparkling Red, NV, Lodi

Wagner Vineyards, Riesling, 2013, Finger Lakes

Wakefield/Taylors, Wakefield/Taylors Cabernet Sauvignon, 2014, Australia, Clare Valley

Windsor Oaks Vineyards & Winery, Super Tuscan, 2013, Chalk Hill

Windsor Oaks Vineyards & Winery, Cabernet Franc, 2012, Reserve, Chalk Hill

Windsor Vineyards, Sauvignon Blanc, 2014, Private Reserve, Sonoma County

Windsor Vineyards, Pinot Grigio, 2014, Private Reserve, Sonoma County

Wine Sisterhood, Magical Moscato, NV, California

Wollersheim Winery, White Riesling, 2014, American

Wollersheim Winery, Prairie Blush, 2014, Wisconsin (State Appellation)

ZD, Cabernet Sauvignon, 2012, Napa Valley

ZD, Chardonnay, 2013, California

Zynthesis Cellars, Zinfandel, 2013, Lodi

Bronze Medal Winners

Carol Shelton, Rosé, 2014, Wild Thing Rosé, Mendocino County

Carolyn’s Sakonnet Vineyard, White Lotus, 2012, Estate Grown, Produced & Bottled, Rhode Island

Cartlidge & Browne, Pinot Noir, 2013, North Coast

Chalkboard, Malbec, 2014, Argentina

Clos Pegase Winery, Chardonnay, 2013, Mitsuko’s Vineyard, Carneros

Coastal Oak, Cabernet Sauvignon, 2012, California

Cobblestone Vineyards, Pinot Noir, 2010, New Zealand, Martinborough

Coopers Hawk Winery & Restaurants, Gewurztraminer, NV, American

Cougar Crest Estate Winery, Cabernet Franc, 2011, Cougar Hills Vineyard, Estate Grown, Produced & Bottled, Walla Walla Valley

Cougar Crest Estate Winery, Caberent Sauvignon, 2011, Cougar Hills Vineyard, Estate Grown, Produced and Bottled, Walla Walla Valley

Coyote Moon Vineyards, Chardonnay, 2013, New York

Coyote Moon Vineyards, Moscato, 2013, New York

Coyote Moon Vineyards, Casa Papa Red, 2013, New York

Coyote Moon Vineyards, Frontenac, 2012, New York

Coyote Moon Vineyards, Marquette, 2011, New York

Cryptic, Cryptic, 2012, California (State Appellation)

D & L Carinalli Vineyards, Pinot Grigio, 2013, D & L Carinalli Vineyards, Estate Grown, Produced & Bottled, Russian River Valley

Daniel Gehrs, Chardonnay, 2014, Central Coast

Darkhorse, Red Blend, NV, No Appellation

De Bortoli DB Family Selection, Shiraz, 2014, Heathcote

Deep Purple, Zinfandel, 2012, California, Lodi

Don Ernestos, Beret, 2014, Napa Valley, California, Napa Valley

Don Ernestos, COLLAGE White wine blend, 2014, California, Lodi

Dona Paula, Sauvignon Blanc Los Cardos, 2014, Tupungato

Draxton, Malbec, 2013, Dry Creek Valley

Dusk To Dawn, Pinot Noir, 2013, California, Russian River Valley

Eberle, Sangiovese, 2013, Wine-Bush & Hidden Valley Vineyard, Paso Robles

Eberle, Chardonnay, 2014, Eberle Estate, Paso Robles

Eberle, Viognier, 2014, Mill Road Vineyard, Paso Robles

Eberle, Cabernet Sauvignon, 2012, Eberle Estate, Paso Robles

Edenbrook, Pinot Grigio, 2013, California

Ektimo Vineyards, Sauvignon Blanc, 2014, Dry Creek Valley

Elder Rock, Petite Sirah, 2013, Monterey

Elder Rock, Red Blend, 2013, Estate Grown, Produced & Bottled, Monterey

Elmaro, Marquette Rose, 2014, Robyn, Estate, Upper Mississippi River Valley

Fancy Pants, Cabernet Sauvignon, 2013, California

Fancy Pants, Sauvignon Blanc, 2013, California

Fancy Pants, Pinot Grigio, 2014, California

Folie à Deux, Merlot Alexander Valley, 2012, Alexander Valley

Fre, Chardonnay, NV, California

Fre, Moscato, NV, California

Fresno State Winery, Cabernet Sauvignon, 2013, Duarte Vineyards, California

Fresno State Winery, Tempranillo, 2011, Duarte Vineyards, California

Frogtown Cellars, Disclosure Steel Chardonnay, 2012, American

Frogtown Cellars, Petit Manseng, 2013, Frogtown Cellars Estate, Estate Grown, Produced and Bottled, Georgia, Lumpkin County

Fulkerson Wine Cellars, Gruner Veltliner, 2014, William Vigne, Seneca Lake

Galleano winery, Grenache Rosé, NV, August Grenache, Cucamonga Valley

Galleano winery, Zinfandel, NV, Pioneer’s Legendary Zinfandel, Cucamonga Valley

Gallo Family Vineyards, Sweet Red, NV, California

Gallo Family Vineyards, Pink Moscato, NV, California (State Appellation)

Gallo Family Vineyards, Red Moscato, NV, California (State Appellation)

Gallo Family Vineyards, White Zinfandel, NV, California

Gloria Ferrer, Pinot Noir, 2012, Estate Grown, Carneros

Goyette, Chardonnay, 2012, Sonoma Coast

Grape Creek Vineyards, Serendipity, 2012, American

Graton Cellars, Cabernet Sauvignon, 2012, California

Gray Ghost, Vidal Blanc, 2014, Virginia

Greater Than One >1, 3 Red Blend, 2013, California

Hagafen, Chardonnay, 2014, Napa Valley, Oak Knoll District

Hagafen, Cabernet Sauvignon, 2012, Estate Grown & Bottled, California, Napa Valley

Havens, Syrah Blend, 2012, Black & Blue, Napa Valley

J. Lohr Estates, South Ridge Syrah, 2013, Paso Robles (AVA)

J. Lohr Estates, Riverstone Chardonnay, 2014, Arroyo Seco

J. Lohr Vineyard Series, Fog’s Reach Pinot Noir, 2012, Arroyo Seco

Judd’s Hill, Viognier, 2014, Napa

Kumbaya Wines, Red Wine, 2013, California (State Appellation)

L.A. Cetto, L. A. CETTO PETITE SIRAH, 2013, Estate Bottled & Produced, Baja California, Guadalupe Valley

Lafond Winery, Chardonnay, 2013, Musque Clone, Santa Rita Hills

Lafond Winery, Pinot Noir, 2012, Martin Ray Clone, Santa Rita Hills

Lawer Estates, Rose, 2014, Betsy’s Vineyard, California, Sonoma County, Knights Valley

Lawer Estates, Viognier, 2013, Betsy’s Vineyard, Sonoma County, Knights Valley

Le Vigne Winery, Cabernet Sauvignon, 2013, Paso Robles

Leopard Frog, Southern Sirens, 2013, Limited Release, South Africa, Stellenbosch

Light Horse, Cabernet Sauvignon, 2012, California

Long Valley Ranch, Cabernet Sauvignon, 2013, Monterey

Lopez Island Vineyards and Winery, Fireside Port, 2010, Columbia Valley AVA

Lucas & Lewellen, Pinot Noir GC H9, 2013, GOODCHILD HIGH 9 VINEYARD, Estate Vineyards, California, Santa Barbara County

Lucky Star, Petite Sirah, 2012, California (State Appellation)

Magistrate, Chardonnay, 2012, Napa Valley

Main & Geary, Pinot Grigio, 2014, California

Main & Geary, “Rose” Pinot Noir, 2014, California

Marc Cellars, Chardonnay, 2013, California (State Appellation)

Marc Cellars, Pinot Grigio, 2013, California (State Appellation)

Marlo, Cabernet Sauvignon, 2012, California

Marlo, Merlot, 2012, California

Mazza Chautauqua Cellars, Riesling, 2013, Nutt Road, Finger Lakes

Menage a Trois, Midnight Dark Red Blend, 2013, California

Menage a Trois, Sauvignon Blanc, 2013, California

Metz Road, Pinot Noir, 2012, Estate Grown, Produced & Bottled, Monterey

Metz Road, Chardonnay, 2012, Estate Grown, Produced & Bottled, Monterey

MillsReef, Sauvignon Blanc, 2014, Hawkes Bay

Montevina Winery, Amita Hills Merlot, 2013, California

Myles & Moore, Chardonnay, 2013, Monterey

Napa Cellars, Cabernet Sauvignon, 2013, Napa Valley

Narmada Winery, Tannat, 2010, Virginia

Newmans Own, Cabernet Sauvignon, 2013, California

Nitty Gritty, Sauvignon Blanc, 2013, Napa Valley

Noceto, Barbera, 2012, Linsteadt Vineyard, Shenandoah Valley, Amador County

Oak Mountain Winery, Cabernet Sauvignon, 2012, Temecula Valley

Ogio, Pinot Grigio, 2014, Puglia IGT

Our Daily Wines, Cabernet Sauvignon, 2013, California

Page Mill Winery, Angela’s Cuvee, 2014, Alameda County – Livermore Valley

Page Mill Winery, Sauvignon Blanc, 2014, California, Livermore Valley

Pamela’s, Un-Oaked Chardonnay, 2013, Sonoma County, Unoaked, California, Sonoma County

Parkers Estate, Chardonnay, 2013, California

Pedroncelli, Cabernet Sauvignon, 2013, Three Vineyards, Dry Creek Valley

Pico & Vine, Cabernet Sauvignon, 2013, Napa Valley

Postcards, Red Blend, 2012, Lodi

Postcards, Chardonnay, 2012, North Coast

Prix, Sauvignon Blanc, 2013, Moskowite Ranch Block 53, Estate Bottled, California, Napa Valley

Prix, Pinot Noir, 2013, Montington, Proprietor Grown, Napa Valley, Coombsville

Purple Cowboy, Tenacious Red, 2013, Paso Robles

Randall Monroe, Pinot Noir, 2013, California (State Appellation)

Rays Station Winery, Cabernet Sauvignon, 2013, Mendocino County

Reata, Chardonnay, 2012, California, Sonoma, Carneros

Reata, Three County Pinot Noir, 2013, San Benito, California, Monterey

Rex Goliath, Pinot Grigio*, NV, America

Rex Goliath, Sangria*, NV, American

Rex Goliath, Malbec*, NV, Argentina

Rideau Vineyard, “Daliet” Reserve Estate Syrah, 2013, Rideau Vineyard, Estate Grown, Produced and Bottled, California, Santa Ynez Valley

Rodney Strong Vineyards, Charlotte’s Home, Estate Sauvignon Blanc, 2014, Estate Vineyards, Northern Sonoma

Rodney Strong Vineyards, Russian River Valley, Estate Pinot Noir, 2013, Estate Vineyards, California

Rodney Strong Vineyards, Alexander Valley, Estate Cabernet Sauvignon, 2012, Alexander Valley, Estate Vineyards, Estate Vineyards, Alexander Valley

Rodney Strong Vineyards, Sonoma County Cabernet Sauvignon, 2012, Sonoma County

Ron Rubin, Pinot Noir, 2012, Green Valley of Russian River Valley

Sage Hill, Sauvignon Blanc, 2014, Sage Hill, Malibu Coast

Save Me San Francisco, Chardonnay, 2013, Calling All Angels, California

Save Me San Francisco, Red, 2013, Drops of Jupiter, California

Shiloh Road, Chardonnay, 2013, Sonoma County

Shiloh Road, Cabernet Sauvignon, 2013, Sonoma County

South Shore Wine Company, Gruner Veltliner, 2013, Rassie Farms, Lake Erie

St. James Winery, Rougeon, NV, Friendship School Red, Ozark Highlands

St. James Winery, Peach, NV, American

St. James Winery, Cherry, NV, American

Stateland, Pinot Noir, 2013, Santa Barbara County

Stateland, Pinot Noir, 2012, Reserve, Santa Maria Valley

Stemilt Creek, Boss Lady, 2011, Estate Grown and Produced, Columbia Valley (AVA)

Stephen Vincent, Sauvignon Blanc, 2013, California, Lake County

Stephen Vincent, Cabernet Sauvignon, 2012, California, North Coast

Stonehedge, Meritage, 2014, Napa Valley

Storyteller, Chardonnay, 2013, Sonoma County

Sutter Home Family Vineyards, Chardonnay, NV, California

Sutter Home Family Vineyards, White Merlot, NV, California

Sutter Home Family Vineyards, Chenin Blanc, NV, California

Sutter Home Family Vineyards, Pink Moscato Bubbly, NV, California

Sutter Home Family Vineyards, Bubbly Brut, NV, California

Swedish Hill Winery, Optimus, 2012, Finger Lakes

Swedish Hill Winery, Chardonnay, NV, Blue Waters, Finger Lakes

Swedish Hill Winery, Blanc de Blanc, NV, Finger Lakes

Swedish Hill Winery, Vidal Blanc, 2014, Finger Lakes

Swedish Hill Winery, Cabernet Franc, 2012, Finger Lakes

Swedish Hill Winery, Naturel, NV, Finger Lakes

Swizzle, Pomegranate Sangria, NV, California

Swizzle, Blackberry Sangria, NV, California

Terra dOro, Barbera, 2013, Amador County

Terra dOro, Zinfandel Port, NV, Amador County

The Specialyst, Red Blend, 2013, California

Thirsty Owl Wine Company, Cabernet Sauvignon, 2013, Cayuga Lake

Thirsty Owl Wine Company, Malbec, 2013, Cayuga Lake

Trecini, PINOT NOIR, 2013, VICINI VINEYARD, Single Vineyard, California, Russian River Valley

Trecini, SAUVIGNON BLANC, 2014, California, Russian River Valley

Trinity Oaks, Pinot Noir, 2013, California

Trueblood, Pinot Noir, 2012, Poseidon Vineyards, Carneros

Twirl, Cabernet Sauvignon, 2012, California

Van Roekel Estate, Grenache, 2011, Estate Grown & Bottled, Temecula Valley

Van Roekel Estate, Zinfandel, 2012, Maurice Carrie Vineyard, Estate Grown & Bottled, Temecula Valley

Viansa Winery, Sauvignon Blanc, 2014, Sonoma Valley

Viansa Winery, Chardonnay, 2013, Sonoma Valley

Vino Noceto, Rosso, NV, Amador County, Sierra Foothills

Vintners Path, Sauvignon Blanc, 2013, California

Wagner Vineyards, Riesling, 2012, Finger Lakes

Wakefield/Taylors, Wakefield/Taylors Shiraz, 2014, Australia, Clare Valley

Whiplash, Zinfandel, 2013, California, Lodi

Whispering Oaks Winery, Blueberry Dry, 2015, Florida

Windsor Oaks Vineyards & Winery, Pinot Noir, 2013, Russian River Valley

Wine Sisterhood, Courageous Cabernet Sauvignon, NV, California (State Appellation)

ZD, Chardonnay, 2013, Carneros

Eve Bushman has been reading, writing, taking coursework and tasting wine for over 20 years. She has obtained a Level Two Intermediate Certification from the Wine and Spirits Education Trust, has been the subject of a 60-minute Wine Immersion video, authored “Wine Etiquette for Everyone” and recently served as a judge for the Long Beach Grand Cru. You can email Eve@EveWine101.com to ask a question about wine or spirits that may be answered in a future column. You can also seek her marketing advice via Eve@EveBushmanConsulting.com

LA is Thirsty for the Upcoming Pinot Wine Festival

July 8, 2015 by evebushman Leave a Comment

Beverly Hills, Calif. – Los Angeles welcomes the best of Pinot wines as wineLA is set to host

their first annual STARS of Pinot Wine Festival on Wednesday, August 19, 2015

at Sofitel Hotel in Beverly Hills.

Attendees can expect to taste some of the top artisan Pinot based wines from around the world. Wineries have been invited to participate from Italy, New Zealand, Chile and Oregon and of course from our own backyard, California: Santa Rita Hills, Santa Maria, Central Coast, Carneros, and Sonoma Coast. Tickets for wineLA’s Stars of Pinot WineFestival will include an elegant assortment of hors d’oeuvres and a number of lofty auction items to bid on. Auction items will range from $100 to $2,000. One hundred percent of silent auction proceeds will benefit TJ Martell Foundation, charity 501c3 raising money for Children’s Cancer Research.

STARS of Pinot will begin at 7:00p.m (6pm for the VIP). Advanced tickets may be purchased for $95 per person online or at the door for $125. There are a limited number of VIP 6:00pm admission tickets (includes full dinner buffet and Pinot Noir Panel tasting with noted experts and Masters of Wine) available for $150 per person (advanced ticket sale) or $200 at the door.

For more information about STARS of Pinot or to purchase tickets, call wineLA at 310-451-7600 or visit www.winela.com or http://www.winela.com/starsofpinot

About Sofitel Los Angeles at Beverly Hills

“Sofitel Los Angeles at Beverly Hills is a stunning hotel in LA offering elegant luxury accommodations and dramatic decor with an ambiance that combines see-and-be-seen excitement and the calm of an urban resort. Ideally situated on the corner of La Cienega and Beverly Boulevard, this West Hollywood hotel is conveniently located near Cedar Sinai Medical Center, Rodeo Drive, Melrose Avenue and Sunset Boulevard. Discover a unique blend of French fashion mixed with Hollywood glamour at this elegant hotel. Choose from 295 rooms on 10 floors including 26 suites and two Imperial Suites all featuring Sofitel’s luxurious feather top and duvet sleep system – SoBed.” Sofitel is located at 8555 Beverly Blvd. in Beverly Hills, CA.

About wineLA

wineLA is about enhancing the wine culture of Los Angeles. To do so, wine must be in rhythm with fashion, music, food and other beverages. It must take advantage of the geography, the architecture and the centers of interest. Los Angeles is a giant playground with an amazing array of venues, spaces, wine bars, restaurants, beaches, rooftops, gardens, and magical views. We want to be a part of the LA lifestyle, the wine lifestyle, and celebrate the people, the place and the passion.

wineLA hosts significant events, occasional classes, and tastings of merit. This is phase two of what we started 20 years ago at LearnAboutWine.com – America’s first wine education website and first in wine event creation.

Don’t miss this week’s STARS of California 2015

May 18, 2015 by evebushman Leave a Comment

STARS of California will be here next Wednesday, May 20th, 2015 at The Peninsula Hotel located at 9882 South Santa Monica Blvd. in Beverly Hills, CA.

Top “Artisan” California Wineries Set to Participate in SoCal’s Exclusive Wine Event

Beverly Hills, Calif. – The Peninsula Hotel and wineLA join together again to host the annual STARS of California Wine Festival on Wednesday, May 20. With 35 notable wineries set to participate in the festivities, The Peninsula Hotel will expect to welcome hundreds of wine enthusiasts in celebration of California’s most coveted wines.

Tickets —> https://www.eventbrite.com/e/stars-of-california-2015-tickets-13859625513

Your LINEUP:
6:15 PM – 7:00 PM: VIP Winemaker Presentation with Kosta Browne Winery, 6:15 PM Entrance ($150 advanced, $200 at the door)

Includes… ROBUST DINNER BUFFET (ONLY UNTIL 7 PM), VIP GIFT BAG, Full Event Access and Unlimited Tasting, PLUS Exclusive 6:30 PM VIP Presentation with Kosta Browne with the following wines:
– One Sixteen Chardonnay, Russian RIver Valley 2013
– VIP Tasting Only: Cirq Treehouse Pinot Noir, Russian River Valley 2012
– Pinot Noir, Russian River Valley 2013
– Pinot Noir, Sonoma Coast 2013

7:00 PM – 9:30 PM: General Admission ($95 advanced, $125 after May 1, $150 at the door)

In addition to the wineries confirmed to attend wineLA’s annual Stars of California Wine Festival, tickets will include an elegant assortment of tray-passed hors d’oeuvres and a number of lofty auction items to bid on. Auction items will range from $100 to $2,000. One hundred percent of silent auction proceeds will benefit TJ Martell Foundation.

2015 Participants:

Keller Estates – Sonoma (Keller Winery Estate)
– Oro de Plata Chardonnay, Sonoma Coast, Petaluma Gap 2013
– La Cruz Chardonnay, Sonoma Coast, Petaluma Gap 2013
– La Cruz Pinot Noir, Sonoma Coast, Petaluma Gap 2012
– El Coro Pinot Noir, Sonoma Coast, Petaluma Gap 2012

Robert Biale – Napa/Sonoma (Robert Biale Vineyards)
– Black Chicken Zinfandel, Napa Valley 2013
– R.W. Moore Zinfandel, Napa Valley 2013
– Basic Black, Old World blend, Sonoma 2012
– Royal Pinshers Petite Syrah, Napa Valley 2013

Beekeeper Cellars – Sonoma (Beekeeper Cellars)
– Zinfandel, Black Sears Vineyard, Howell Mountain 2012
– Zinfandel, Madrone Springs Vineyard, Rockpile 2011

Sonoma-Loeb – Sonoma (Sonoma Loeb)
– Chardonnay, Sangiacomo 2013
– Chardonnay, Envoy 2013
– Pinot Noir, Sonoma Coast 2013
– Pinot Noir, Dutton Ranch 2013

Argot Cellars – Sonoma (Argot Wines)
– Chardonnay, Simpatico Ranch, Bennett Valley, Sonoma 2012
– Pinot Noir, Hawk Hill Vineyard, Sonoma Coast 2012

Clos Solene – Paso Robles (Clos Solene)
– Hommage Blanc, Roussanne Viognier, Paso Robles 2014
– Harmonie, 62% Grenache, 28% Syrah, 6% Mourvedre, Paso Robles 2013
– Hommage a Nos Pairs 94% Syrah, 4% Grenache, 2% Roussanne, Paso Robles 2013

L’ Aventure Winery – Paso Robles (L’Aventure Winery)
– Estate Cuvee (57% Syrah, 31% Cab Sauv, 12% Petit Verdot), Paso Robles 2012
– Cabernet Sauvignon (91% Cab Suav, 9% Petit Verdot), Paso Robles 2012

RN Estate – Paso Robles
– Pinot Noir (Whole Cluster Fermentation), Fiddlestix Vineyard, Sta. Rita Hills 2012
– Pinot Noir, Solomon Hills, Santa Maria Valley 2012
– Cuvee des Trois Depages, RN Estate Vineyard 2011
– Chardonnay, Solomon Hills Vineyard 2013

LAW Estate – Paso Robles (Law Estate Winery)
– Intrepid, Syrah, Law Vineyard, Paso Robles 2011
– Sagacious (38% Syrah, 34% Mourvedre, 28% Grenache), Law Vineyard, Paso Robles 201

Westerly Wine – Santa Barbara (Westerly Wines)
– Cote Blonde, Syrah Blend, Happy Canyon of Santa Barbara 2012
– Fletcher’s Red, Red Blend, Happy Canyon of Santa Barbara 2010
– Fletcher’s White, White Blend, Happy Canyon of Santa Barbara 2013
– Sauvignon Blend, Santa Ynez Valley 2013

Alma Rosa – Santa Barbara (Alma Rosa Winery and Vineyards)
– Vin Gris, 2014
– Pinot Noir, Santa Rita Hills 2013
– Chardonnay, Santa Barbara County 2013
– Pinot Gris, Santa Barbara County 2013

Gainey – Santa Barbara (Gainey Vineyard)
– Limited selection Sauvignon Blanc, Santa Ynez Valley 2013
– Limited selection Chardonnay, Sta. Rita Hills 2012
– Limited selection Pinot Noir, Sta. Rita Hills 2012
– Limited selection Cabernet Sauvignon, Santa Ynez Valley 2012

Gentleman Farmer – Napa/Valley (Gentleman Farmer)
– Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley 2012

St. Supery – Napa Valley (St. Supéry Estate Vineyards and Winery – Napa Valley)
– Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley Estate 2012
– ELU, (Red Meritage) Napa Valley Estate 2012
– Cabernet Sauvignon, Dollarhide Estate Vineyard 2012
– Merlot, Rutherford Estate Vineyard 2012

Ahnfeldt – Napa Valley
– Estate Chardonnay 2013
– Special Reserve Merlot 2010
– Special reserve Cabernet 2012
– Quid Pro Quo Red Blend 2012

Oakville Ranch – Napa Valley (Oakville Ranch Vineyards)
– Chardonnay, ORV 2013
– Field Blend, ORV 2012
– Robert’s Cabernet Franc 2011
– Cabernet Sauvignon, Oakville Ranch 2012

Amici Cellars – Napa Valley (Amici Cellars)
– Sauvignon Blanc, Napa Valley 2013
– Pinot Noir, Russian River Valley 2013
– Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley 2012
– Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve, Napa Valley 2012

Refugio Ranch Vineyards – Santa Barbara (Refugio Ranch)
– RR Sauvignon Blanc/Semillon Blend, Santa Ynez Valley 2013
– Roussanne/Viognier Blend, Santa Ynez Valley 2011
– Syrah, Grenache, Petite Syrah, Santa Ynez Valley 2012
– Petite Syrah, Santa Ynez Valley 2012

Saxon Brown – Sonoma County (Saxon Brown Wines)
– Fighting Brothers, Semillon, Sonoma Valley 2012
– Sangiacomo “Green Acres Hill”, Chardonnay, Sonoma Carneros 2012
– Sangiacomo “Robert’s Road”, Pinot Noir, Sonoma Coast 2012
– Stonewall, Zinfandel, Sonoma Valley 2011
– Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley 2007

Foxen – Santa Barbara (Foxen Winery)
– Chenin Blanc, Ernesto Wickenden Vineyard 2013
– Chardonnay, Bien Nacido Block UU 2013
– Pinot Noir, Santa Maria Valley 2013
– Pinot Noir, John Sebastiano Vineyard 2012

Epoch Estate – Paso Robles (Epoch Estate Wines)
– White, Grenache Blanc (blend), Catapult and Paderewski Vineyards 2013
– Ingenuity, Syrah (blend), Paderewski Vineyard 2011
– Veracity, Grenache (blend), Paderewski Vineyard 2012

Lucas & Lewellen – Santa Barbara (Lucas & Lewellen Vineyards)
– High 9, Pinot Noir, Santa Ynez Valley, Santa Barbara 2013
– Cote Del Sol, Cabernet Sauvignon, Santa Ynez Valley, Santa Barbara 2011
– Syrah, Santa Ynez Valley, Santa Barbara 2012
– Cabernet Franc, Santa Ynez Valley, Santa Barbara 2011

Chesebro – Arroyo Seco (Chesebro Wines)
– Pinot Noir, Cedar Lane Vineyard, Arroyo Seco 2010
– La Montagne Sauvage, CM Ranch Vineyard, Carmel Valley 2009

Cole Bailey – Redwood Valley
– “Sesquipedalian” Cabernet Sauvignon, Cole Bailey Vineyards, Redwood Valley 2007

Cordon – Santa Barbara
– “L’Inox” Sauvignon Blanc, Happy Canyon 2014
– “Les Jumeaux” Pinot Noir, Sta. Rita Hills 2012
– Syrah, White Hawk Vineyard, Los Alamos 2011

Graef – Lake County
– Rose of Syrah, Lake County 2013
– Viognier, Solano County Suisun Valley 2012
– Syrah, Lake County 2012

Random Ridge – Napa/Sonoma (Random Ridge)
– “Old Wave” Zinfandel, Moon Mountain, Sonoma Valley 2012
– Cabernet Franc, Random Ridge Vineyards, Mt. Veeder 2009
– Cabernet Sauvignon, Random Ridge Vineyards, Mt. Veeder 2012

Hawk & Horse Vineyards – Lake County Red Hills (Hawk and Horse Vineyards)
– Cabernet Sauvignon, Red Hills 2009
– Cabernet Sauvignon, Red Hills 2010
– Latigo- Port style dessert wine, Red Hills 2010
– Petite Syrah, Red Hills 2011

– Forgotten Barrel/Sika Wine – San Diego (Forgotten Barrel Tasting Room)
– SiKa Chardonnay, Atlas Peak 2013
– SiKa Pinot Noir, Sonoma Coast 2012
– SiKa Cabernet Franc, Atlas Peak 2013
– SiKa Cabernet Sauvignon, Alexander Valley 2013

Metaphora Wines – Napa Valley (Metaphora Wines)
– Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley 2010
– Pinot Noir, Napa Valley 2010
– Sauvignon Blanc, Napa Valley 2014

Cellars 33 – Sonoma County (Cellars 33)
– Grenache Blanc, Clay Satation Vineyard – Lodi 2014
– Chardonnay, Keefer Ranch, Russion River Valley 2013
– ‘Katie’s Cuvee’ Pinot Noir, Russian River Valley 2013

Jeff Cohn – Paso Robles/Sonoma (Jeff Cohn Cellars)
– The Impostor Zinfindel Blend, California 2012
– Rockpile Syrah, Rockpile 2012
– Botticelli Zinfandel, Rockpile 2012
– Misc Stuff GSM Blend, California 2012

Bougetz Cellars – Napa Valley (Bougetz Cellars)
– Sauvignon Blanc, Rutherford 2013
– Amaryllis Cabernet Sauvignon, Spring Mountain District 2012
– Eminence, Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley 2012
– The Cairn, Pinot Noir, Sonoma Coast 2012

La Rochelle – Pinot Noir Specialist (La Rochelle Wine)
– Chardonnay, Ferrington Vineyard 2012
– Pinot Meunier Saralee’s Vineyard 2012
– Pinot Noir, Tondre Grapefield 2011
– Pinot Noir, Dutton Freestone Hill Vineyard 2011

Truchard – Napa Valley (Truchard Vineyards)
– Chardonnay, Napa Valley Carneros Estate 2013
– Pinot Noir, Napa Valley Carneros Estate 2013
– Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley Carneros Estate 2012
– Roussanne, Napa Valley Carneros Estate 2013
– Syrah, Napa Valley Carneros Estate 2013

Aloft – Napa Valley
– Cabernet Sauvignon, Howell Mountain 2010

Valdez – Sonoma (Valdez Family Winery)
– Chardonnay, Sonoma Coast 2012
– Valdez Vineyards, Pinot Noir, Russian River Valley 2011
– St. Peter’s Church, Zinfandel, Alexander Valley 2011
– Silver Eagle Syrah, Russian River Valley 2009

Cairdean Estate – St. Helena (Cairdean Vineyards)
– Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley 2010
– Sauvignon Blanc, Napa Valley 2012
– Haley Margaret White Wine (Blend of Roussanne, Viognier, and Pinot Gris) 2012
– Pinot Noir, Carneros 2011

Miura Vineyards (MIURA Vineyards)
– Pinot Noir, Santa Lucia Highlands 2013
– Pinot Noir, Williams Ranch, Anderson Valley 2011
– Pinot Noir, Pisoni Vineyard, Santa Lucia Highlands 2011
– Antiqv2s, Syrah, Garys’ Vineyard, Santa Lucia Highlands 2008

…with MANY more to come!

Special guest DJ of KCRW: Dan Wilcox

About wineLA:
wineLA is about enhancing the wine culture of Los Angeles. To do so, wine must be in rhythm with fashion, music, food and other beverages. It must take advantage of the geography, the architecture and the centers of interest. Los Angeles is a giant playground with an amazing array of venues, spaces, wine bars, restaurants, beaches, roof tops, gardens, and magical views. We want to be a part of the LA lifestyle, the wine lifestyle, and celebrate the people, the place and the passion.

2015 Partners:
– Los Angeles Magazine
– Learnaboutwine
– wineLA
– The TJ Martell Foundation
– The Peninsula Beverly Hills
– RIEDEL The Wine Glass Company
– Beverly Hills Chamber of Commerce

2015 Sponsors:
– IPPA-MAX.com/Cellgevity
– Alcoholgsh.com
– Ideal 55 Wine Lockers

Tickets —> https://www.eventbrite.com/e/stars-of-california-2015-tickets-13859625513

2015 San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition, by Rick Fraga

February 14, 2015 by evebushman Leave a Comment

Happy 2015, Eve’s Wine 101 fans! I hope your New Year is off to a great start like mine is, hitting the ground at a gallop. It didn’t hurt to start the year almost 100 pounds thinner than last year to begin with, but that is another story (one that includes not limiting my access to wine to lose the weight!) The best part of 2015 is starting it as I have for the last five years now, as a Wine Judge for the San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition. This is an event that I anticipate at the beginning of every year, this year it took place from January 7^th through the 10^th at the Cloverdale Citrus Fair grounds in Cloverdale, California.

Yes, the competition has been completed and has started another stellar year for the wine industry across the United States. After last year’s competition amassed over 5,800 entries for states all across the nation, it was anticipated that participation would drop for 2015, but at the start of judging the Chronicle Competition began with over 6,400 entries from 28 states. You would think this to be a daunting task for the 60+ judges to complete their evaluations in 3 ½ days. But, as usual the panels were up for the job and joyfully sipped and savored their way, finishing the Sweepstakes judging before noon on Friday the 10^th.

This year’s San Francisco Chronicle Sweepstakes winners came from three different states, California, New York and Ohio (yes Ohio!). The Sweepstakes winners are:

Sparkling Wine – Gloria Ferrer – 2010 Blanc De Blancs, Carneros, $42.00

Pink Wine – Robert Hall Winery – 2014 Rose de Robles, Paso Robles, $14.00

White Wine – ZD Wines – 2013 Chardonnay, California $38.00

Dr. Konstantin Frank – 2013 Riesling, Semi Dry, Finger Lakes, New York $14.99

Red Wine – Sonoma -Cutrer – 2012 Pinot Noir, Founders Reserve, Russian River Valley $65.00

Pezzi King – 2012 Estate Zinfandel, Dry Creek Valley, Row 14 Reserve, $50.00

Dessert Wine – Debonne Vineyards – 2013 Vidal Blanc Ice Wine, Grand River Valley, Ohio $29.99

Label – Inizi – 2012 Charbono, Calistoga, $32.00

This competition is one of my favorites every year, as I am exposed to such a huge diverse range of newly released wine, I have the opportunity to catch up with a number of friends that I only see a few times a year and it kicks my New Year off on a great start. The competition is great in its own right, as it breaks many wines down in price range categories, this makes it so $20 Cabernet Sauvignon is not competing with the same wine at $60. It benefits the wineries as far as medal competition, but also the consumer, who can now look for wines that are medal winners in a specific price range. Everybody wines when this happens. If you are curious about the medal winning wines from this year’s San Francisco Chronicle Competition go to the following address, http://winejudging.com/medal-winners/.

During this week of judging, I have the opportunity to meet wine people (educators, critics, media people, wine makers and more) from all corners of the United States and share stories, wines and experiences. It is a wonderful 3 ½ days of intense tasting, camaraderie, entertainment and of course…some great food mixed in! What’s not to like when you have wine industry icons such as Wilfred Wong (formerly of Bev-Mo and now with Wine.com), Kent Roseblum (formerly Rosenblum Cellars and now with RockWall Wine Company), Dr. Barry Gump (Wine educator from Florida International University) and many more noteworthy wine industry professionals together to evaluate wine from across the United States.

The competition started every morning with breakfast, except for the meet and greet event on Tuesday. This is where the judges are introduced and the panel selections for the week are announced. From that point on it is off to take the annual Judges Picture and then time to start our judging. My panel was comprised of three judges, Kathleen Arnink (Educator from Cornell University), Chris Sawyer (Wine Writer and Sommelier) and myself. This year we tasted Petite Sirah $20+, Syrah $40+, Syrah $30-$39, Cabernet Sauvignons $25-$29, Zinfandel $25-$29, Pinot Gris/Pinot Grigio $15+, Verdelho, Gruener Veltliner and a varietal called Blanc du Bois (which none of us had ever heard of prior to this event). We were quite pleased with the variety and overall quality of what we judged this year, finding some exceptional wine throughout the week.

Now sitting down and tasting 120 to 150 wines a day may sound like a challenge, which it is, but being able to gather with all of the judges both Tuesday and Wednesday evenings for the Judge’s dinners makes the day all worthwhile. The Tuesday dinner is always catered at the home of the Chronicle Competition’s Executive Director, Bob Fraser. Bob and his lovely wife Carrie welcome us every year into their backyard, providing us the opportunity to reconnect with old friends, meet and get to know the new judges and generally have a fun night with wine, food and friends. The evening concluded with most of the judges heading back to the motel where they were staying and gathering to visit and sip wines in a couple select rooms.

The Wednesday night dinner was a bit more formal, as it is hosted by a winery from either Napa or Sonoma County. This year we were invited to the Francis Ford Coppola Winery near Geyserville. It is a beautiful facility, laden with artwork and memorabilia from Coppola movies. Thanks to the amazing effort by our hosts, the dinner experience was fabulous. Prior to the start of dinner, we all were greeted with wine, a tour of the facility and then led into their large barrel room for the meal portion of the visit. It was well lit and beautifully decorated, with three long tables set up for family style seating and dining. What added to the experience was that the Coppola wait-staff were all dressed up as Italian characters that you may find in a New Jersey or New York neighborhood. These folks were hilarious, acting the part as they brought out copious amounts of food and wine all evening for the very appreciative guests. Topping the evening off was the presence of the man himself, Francis Ford Coppola and his lovely wife Eleanor. He spoke and welcomed everyone to his winery, leading into what I think was the best Judge’s dinner I have ever attended. The staff was amazing, keeping wine and food flowing, there was music playing and the ambiance was electric. It definitely was a memorable evening.

The remainder of the competition flowed on into Friday, with the Sweepstakes portion of the judging being performed in a large room in front of an audience. The final judging segment included recognition for the staff and volunteers that are always so critical to the success of the competition, then the Sweepstakes judging. It all wrapped up after the Sweepstakes winners were announced, with closing remarks from Bob Fraser and the final portion of the 2015 San Francisco Chronicle Competition, the Public Tasting Event, being announced as taking place on February 14^th at Fort Mason in San Francisco. This is a portion of the competition I highly recommend you consider if you are in San Francisco on Valentine’s Day Weekend. It is 3-4 hours of tasting award winning and other wines from across the United States, with the opportunity to meet the owners and winemakers of these great wines. It is a great event, a wonderful opportunity, plus it is a nice way to spend a special Valentine’s Day weekend.

I wish all of you a great 2015! This will be a wonderful and busy year here for me, as I will be judging a new wine competition specifically for Rose wines in March, traveling to the Walla Walla, Washington area for wine tasting in April and judging one or possibly two wine competitions in June. I look forward to providing insights to these and other events that I will have the opportunity to participate in. Have a great Spring and enjoy every day. Please drink responsibly and, as always, remember that “Life is Too Short to Drink Bad Wine”