V. Sattui Winery named “Domestic Winery of the Year”

June 27, 2020 by evebushman

V. Sattui was named 2020 “Domestic Winery of the Year” after earning a remarkable 26 medals, including 10 that were awarded Platinum and 12 awarded Gold at the 38^th annual San Diego International Wine & Spirits Challenge. The Napa Valley winery, specializing in vineyard-designate bottlings, produced a tie for “Wine of the Year” with their 2016 Mt. Veeder Cabernet Sauvignon ($92) and 2016 Vangone Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon ($140), each dazzled with a score of 98 points out of 100. V. Sattui’s Bordeaux-style blend, the 2016 Paradiso ($95), narrowly missed a three-way tie with a score of 97 points.

Seven more V. Sattui wines scored Platinum, including their 2017 Napa Valley Malbec ($46) with 95 points and 2015 Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon ($52) with 96 points. Their Estate Vittorio’s Vineyard produced two more Platinum winners: 2017 Petit Verdot ($47) and Cabernet Sauvignon ($78), both earning 94 points. Additional 94 point wines included V. Sattui’s 2018 Anderson Valley Pinot Noir ($48), 2018 Los Carneros Pinot Noir ($39), and 2017 Napa Valley Syrah ($42) – further displaying the winery’s broad range of quality wine varietals.

The venerable San Diego International is one of the oldest and most revered competitions in the United States. Founded by award-winning wine columnist Dan Berger and Bob Foster and wine rep Dick Colangelo in 1982, the competition has been under the guidance of nationally syndicated wine columnist Robert Whitley for the past 17 years.

Whitley has assembled a remarkable team of dedicated wine enthusiasts, including Director Rich Cook and Chief Judges Michael Franz (Wine) and Maurice DiMarino (Spirits), to oversee planning and production of this important annual deep dive into wine & spirits evaluation. The San Diego International chooses its judges carefully, always with an eye toward giving each wine and spirit entered a fair shot on a level playing field. This year’s panel of judges included a prestigious list of winemakers, wine writers, and sommeliers.

“American and foreign wine competitions can be, and often are, unpredictable. It’s not unusual for an unknown to show up and claim a top award. But some things never change. One of those would be the inevitability of V. Sattui Winery, one of Napa Valley’s finest,” stated Whitley. Speaking to V. Sattui’s richly flavored 2018 Anderson Valley Pinot Noir, “Notes of black cherry, ripe strawberry, fall spice and gentle oak toast entice on the nose and please on the palate, with a supple texture and a long, fully integrated finish keep you coming back for more. Wines like this are why Pinot Noir is so popular.” he added.

“I am very proud and happy for our vineyard and winemaking teams; they work so hard and deserve all the credit for this amazing recognition of our wines. To be Voted Best Winery and tie with ourselves for Best Wine of the competition is a tremendous feat,” says Winery President, Tom Davies.

Pusser’s Rum Aged 15 Years wins Double Gold at the 2020 San Francisco World Spirits Competition

May 31, 2020 by evebushman

CHARLESTON, S.C. (PRWEB) – Pusser’s Rum is proud to announce that its 15 Year Old rum just earned the coveted Double Gold Medal at the 2020 San Francisco World Spirits Competition in the aged rum category. “This distinctive award endorses our own claim that it’s the ‘Crown Jewel’ of aged rums and unequivocally the best in the world,” says President and CEO, Gary Rogalski.

The SFWSC consists of four days of controlled blind tastings. Judges do not receive any information on producer or price point, ensuring each spirit is judged fairly, equally and without bias. While tasting, judges evaluate each product on an individual basis and determine which entries are worthy of a Gold, Silver, or Bronze medal. Double Gold Medals are only awarded to the entries that receive a Gold medal rating by all members of the judging panel.

The Pusser’s Aged 15 adds the SFWSC Double Gold Medal to a long list of other accolades, including the World’s Best Pot and Column Still Rum which it earned at the 2019 World Rum Awards sponsored by the Spirits Business in London.

Deemed “The Single Malt of Rum” by Forbes Magazine, Pusser’s Aged 15 is produced in small batches. The rum originates from stills located in Guyana’s Demerara Valley. The blend is heavily influenced by rum from vintage wooden pot stills – the signature of the Royal Navy. Constructed in the early 1700s, these historic “vat” stills produce flavors unmatched by modern metal column stills. The rum is then Caribbean aged for 15 years in once used charred bourbon barrels. Most other major rum brands add flavoring and sugar to make their products smoother and to give them body. By contrast, Pusser’s uses no flavoring agents or sugar. It is all natural.

Domaine Carneros’ Retiring CEO Eileen Crane Leaves a Legacy of Growth and Sustainability

May 24, 2020 by evebushman

Carneros, CA – CEO of Domaine Carneros and sparkling winemaker Eileen Crane is retiring this June after 33 years spent crafting wine with attention to detail in the cellar and vineyards with a dedication to sustainability. Her introduction of innovations such as the winery’s new electrical micro-grid, renewable energy systems, and packaging reuse programs garnered the winery and its team a host of accolades, most notably in 2019 when Domaine Carneros was honored with the California Green Medal Business Award. Crane will continue as lead sparkling winemaker through the 2020 harvest and cuvee blending, and leaves the company well-positioned to prosper in the coming years.

“Eileen has broken new ground with her approach to environmental and regenerative land use,” says Zak Miller, who will step into the role of sparkling winemaker at Domaine Carneros after a decade spent working side-by-side with Crane on the production of the winery’s luxury sparkling wines and alongside Pinot Noir winemaker TJ Evans. “She pioneered smart and sustainable initiatives at the winery—I can think of no better legacy to leave, especially now that climate change is challenging all wineries to become more self-reliant.”

Under Crane, Domaine Carneros emerged as one of the industry’s most forward-thinking brands. When Crane introduced solar power to the winery in 2003, it positioned Domaine Carneros as a pioneer in renewable energy production in the wine industry at large. Today, the new micro-grid allows the winery to continue production should California’s notorious seasonal fires force the statewide electrical grid to go dark. With fires often occurring during the harvest months, the system helps ensure smooth operations at a critical time. Miller stated, “Domaine Carneros will keep disruptions to a minimum thanks to Eileen’s foresight and anticipation of our energy needs.”

Such environmental planning and sustainable efforts paid off under Crane. Her packaging reuse plan saw employees reclaiming both inserts and cases for in-house purposes. And like many green initiatives, it ultimately helped add more “green” to the winery’s bottom line. With an annual reuse rate of 20-25%, Domaine Carneros employees helped save the company an average of $75,000 per year since the program’s inception in 2011.

Such employee involvement in sustainability programs is vital. Once again Crane was ahead of the curve by instituting an open-book management plan that all workers could see. The plan set measurable goals every three years, reevaluated annually, that encouraged employee involvement in managing the winery’s sustainability efforts. These include installing skylights to reduce electricity use, recycling bottles, corks, and foil, and introducing owl boxes in the vineyards.

“To tend to the vine is to do the right thing. I have a responsibility to my winery, my employees and the planet,” Crane says, summarizing her dedication and passion for winemaking. “It was an honor and a privilege to work with the Taittinger family for these past 33 years. I know Domaine Carneros will continue to be a leader in winemaking and regenerative practices.”

ABOUT DOMAINE CARNEROS

Founded in 1987, Domaine Carneros reflects the hallmark of its founder, Champagne Taittinger, in creating a vision of terroir-driven sparkling wine and preserving the quality tenets of the traditional method production. Located entirely within the Carneros AVA, between Napa and Sonoma counties, the six estate vineyards total approximately 400 acres with 125 acres planted to Chardonnay, 225 acres planted to Pinot Noir, with the remaining acres currently in development. The winery focuses on making ultra-premium Carneros sparkling wines largely estate grown and limited production Pinot Noirs.

Domaine Carneros’ château has become a landmark and symbol of the region. The architecture and interior design were inspired by the 18^th century Château de la Marquetterie, the historic Taittinger family residence in the Champagne region.

JEFF RUNQUIST WINS “WINERY OF THE YEAR” IN 2019 FOUR TIMES OVER

February 27, 2020 by evebushman

PLYMOUTH, CA – Jeff Runquist Wines has been awarded 2019 “Winery of the Year” at Dan Berger’s International Wine Competition, the California State Fair, Critics Challenge International Wine & Spirits Competition and by Robert Whitley’s “Wine Talk.”

This was Runquist’s third year in a row winning “Winery of the Year” at Berger’s competition and the fourth time in the last five years he has received this distinction. Runquist earned the David Stevens Memorial Trophy at the competition, awarded to him for the feat of earning 10 awards of gold or above from his 35 entries. Jeff Runquist Wines was also their Red Sweepstakes Winner, with the 2017 “R” Petite Sirah, Enver Salman Vineyard, Clarksburg garnering Best of Class Triple Gold.

“Jeff Runquist Wines has almost single-handedly added luster to the red wines of the Sierra Foothills and mid-eastern California,” states Berger.

Robert Whitley also recognized Jeff Runquist Wines as “Winery of the Year” in his syndicated “Wine Talk” column.

“Over the course of the past year, I have tasted thousands of wines, judged multiple wine competitions and traveled thousands of miles to evaluate wines from Bordeaux to the Napa Valley… [Jeff Runquist Wines] rose up and smacked me between the eyes in 2019,” said Whitley.

Jeff Runquist Wines was named “Winery of the Year—Domestic” at the Critics Challenge International Wine & Spirits Competition in San Diego. He entered 29 wines there and medaled with 28. That total included four platinum and 15 gold awards, with 19 of their 29 wines earning gold or better.

In addition, he was Winery of the Year for the second year in a row at the 2019 California State Fair, from this year’s field of 2,811 entrants.

Jeff Runquist is a small producer of single vineyard designated red table wines with the motto, “Come taste the diversity and drink the glass less traveled.” His winery and tasting room are located in the heart of the Sierra Foothills, in Amador County’s Shenandoah Valley.

Runquist produces 25 different red varietals in small lots, each from a single vineyard. His wines are fruit forward with emphasis on the terroir of the vineyard of origin and smooth, elegant tannins. The four principle wines that his winery tries to have on hand year round are Petite Sirah, Zinfandel, Barbera, and Petit Verdot. Beyond that, anything goes – as long as the grape comes from California and has the ideal match of soil climate to personality. Sometimes this leads Runquist to varietals many may not have heard of, such as Tannat, Carignane and Charbono.

This insatiable curiosity combined with his four decades of experience helps take Runquist’s wines to the next level, but he also attributes his success to his unique partnerships with his growers. Depending upon the varietal, Runquist teams with sixteen different growers from different parts of Northern and Central California, pairing the particular grape varietal with a specific vineyard site. The growers share his passion and know the value of harvesting grapes at their peak of flavor, color and character. All but four of his wines carry a vineyard designation and the name of the grower and a close relationship with growers and a respect for their fruit is revealed in every bottle of Runquist wine.

One great way to get to know Runquist’s wines is at his elegant Tasting Room in quaint Plymouth, California, open seven days a week from 11:00am to 5:00pm. No two (or three, or four) tasting room experiences are ever the same, as Jeff Runquist Wines produces more than two dozen exciting and different varietals. The staff is savvy about the geography and history of each grape, curating a voyage through Runquist’s universe of wines.

Oenophiles who stop by the Tasting Room on March 7 or 8 can enjoy the “Behind the Cellar Door” event, when 43 Amador County wineries, including Jeff Runquist Wines, will be opening their cellar doors for a weekend of education, food, and award-winning wine. For details about this event, visit BCDAmador.com.

Learn more about Jeff Runquist Wines at www.jeffrunquistwines.com.

The Wineries of Santa Clara Valley Association announces a full-year Wine Trail Pass

February 9, 2020 by evebushman

Santa Clara Valley – The Santa Clara Valley association that represents the winery members of the Wineries of Santa Clara Valley, announced they discontinued their Spring and Fall Passport and have replaced it with a year-long Wine Trail Pass.

Young woman is drinking a glass of wine on a wine tasting together with friends

“Introducing a full-year Wine Trail Pass is something we’ve been wanting to do for some time.” said Stacy Giannini, Director of Marketing for the association. “We started with single weekend Passports when we had 20+ wineries. When we grew to 30+, we introduced the month-long Spring and Fall Passports. Both months were successful, but expecting visitors to wine taste 3-4 wineries every weekend including a few weekdays for a full month is a bit overwhelming for any wine lover. With a full year Wine Trail Pass, you’ll now have time to plan out your visits that work for your schedule.”

Whether you’re an avid wine lover, need a gift for friends, family, a high-end client or an employee is deserving recognition, the annual Wine Trail Pass is perfect purchase. Come out and discover new wines in a wine region that is older than the more popular California regions – and just came home with 106 medals from the San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition including 3 awarded Best of Class!

For more details, click “take a peek” in the link below to view the Trail Pass, list of participating wineries and the region map: http://www.santaclarawines.com/wine_trail_pass.html

Here’s a run-down of how the year-long Wine Trail Pass works:

Wine taste in 34 tasting rooms any day of the week/weekend that the wineries are open
One Pass per person, one visit per Pass for three 1 oz. tastings
One full year to visit
Sold online $75 (+$4 fee) or can be in any of the participating wineries listed on santaclarawines.com
Wineries located in Saratoga, Morgan Hill, San Martin, Gilroy and Hollister
Three Trail Days (Feb 1, Aug 1, Nov 7^th) celebrated in each territory shown in Wine Trail Pass .

To learn more about the winery members of the Wineries of Santa Clara Valley, visit www.santaclarawines.com.

About the Wineries of Santa Clara Valley An association representing member wineries that grow and produce wines in one of the oldest wine producing regions of California. With the first plantings at the Santa Clara Mission in 1798, the region of Santa Clara Valley represents one of the oldest growing traditions in the country. The Santa Clara Valley is home to 100 year-old wineries to long-established family operations and those that are in relatively smaller tasting rooms. On March 28, 1989, the Santa Clara Valley received AVA status; prior to this the region’s wines were typically labeled ‘Central Coast’ or ‘Santa Clara County’.

Crittenden Estate of Australia Wins Top Honors in 2020 BRIT/FIVS International Sustainable Winegrowing Competition

December 23, 2019 by evebushman

FORT WORTH, TEXAS (PRWEB) – The Botanical Research Institute of Texas (BRIT) in partnership with FIVS, a global public policy federation serving the wine, spirits, and beer sectors, are pleased to announce the winners of their 2020 International Sustainable Winegrowing Competition. Topping this year’s competition is Crittenden Estate of Mornington Peninsula, Victoria, Australia, based on the winery’s on-going programs addressing the three elements of sustainability – environmental, economic, and social – as well as its wine’s flavor.

Founded in 1982 by Garry Crittenden, Crittenden Estate farms 27 acres in Dromana and is proud of its multi-generational family farm commitment to preserving the land while producing high-quality wine.

Among Crittenden’s many sustainable accolades are abandoning the use of chemicals in the vineyard for an innovative program of inter-row cover crops and soil cultivation; a twelve-month composting program to maintain soil health; introducing bees to the property to fertilize desirable fruit trees and supporting a diverse agricultural population of plants and insects while combating wasp species; reducing energy costs by sixty percent cost with the installation of solar panels; and reclaiming and reusing water through Crittenden’s water treatment plant.

The awarded wine was Crittenden Estate’s Cri De Coeur 2017 Pinot Noir, a new, premium wine that showcases Crittenden’s viticulture and winemaking efforts.

“The Crittenden family has taken great pride in working their land for two generations and in that time their wines have won the accolades of Australia’s food and wine critics,” said Dr. Ed Schneider, BRIT’s president and executive director. “The combination of sustainable programs with the family’s love of the land has produced a wine that’s truly outstanding.”

“To win such a prestigious international award, particularly given the caliber of our fellow entrants is very humbling for us,” said Rollo Crittenden, second generation winemaker at Crittenden Estate. “We’re passionate about our sustainability and regenerative programmes and delighted that they have been recognised in this way by BRIT/FIVS. There is no doubt these efforts contribute directly to an increase in the quality of wine we produce, and we will continue to strive further on both our land care and wine advances over the generations to come.”

Additional BRIT/FIVS sustainable awards went to:

Gold Medals

Vina Cono Sur, Santiago, Chile. Submitted Cono Sur Organic Red Blend.
C. A. Henschke & Co., Keyneton, South Australia. Submitted Henschke Mount Edelstone 2015.

Silver Medals

Herdade dos Grous, Albernoa, Portugal. Submitted Herdade dos Grous Red.
Valdivieso, Santiago, Chile. Submitted Valdivieso Eclat Vigno 2010.

Bronze Medals

Aresti Chile Wine, Talca, Chile. Submitted Family Collection Red
Casa Relvas, Evora, Portugal. Submitted Herdade Sao Miguel Reserve 2015
Luis Felipe Edwards, Vitacura, Chile. Submitted LFE 900 Shiraz

Platinum Multi-brand Award

Jackson Family Wines, Santa Rosa, California. Submitted Kendall-Jackson Grand Reserve Chardonnay

“A big round of applause goes to all of our 2020 winners,” says Greg Hodson, President, FIVS. “From their sustainable programs in the field to their progressive workforce and community programs, to being good leaders and stewards within the global wine industry, we congratulate their achievements.”

When entering the competition, wineries provide a self-assessment of their organization’s accomplishments in sustainable winegrowing, winemaking, and ecopreneurial/social responsibility practices. They describe their organization’s conservation efforts in the field and in their operations; how they have sought to minimize waste, how water is reclaimed, and how the winery extends conservation efforts to its customers and communities. They also are asked to submit a wine sample that best represents their sustainable efforts for a tasting by the judging committee.

Because the BRIT/FIVS award is the only international award of its kind, it is of primary interest to wineries who are taking a leading role in their community/region/country by embracing sustainable practices. Sustainable winegrowing programs are by nature ongoing, so a key component of each program involves its continual improvement process.

Presentation of the BRIT/FIVS glass sculpture award to Crittenden Wines will be made in Fort Worth on Wednesday, January 15, 2020, during BRIT’s Vine to Table award dinner and fundraising event.

The 2021 BRIT/FIVS International Sustainable Winegrowing Competition begins in the summer of 2020. Details of the 2021 competition will be posted on the BRIT web site, http://www.BRIT.org/wineaward and on the FIVS web site, https://www.fivs.org.

GOfermentor® wins innovation award for the Wine Industry

December 18, 2019 by evebushman

FAR HILLS, N.J. /PRNewswire/ — The GOfermentor is an example of an industry outsider bringing a new perspective and expertise to winemaking and challenging how things are being done. Vijay Singh is a biotech engineer, who revolutionized the way pharmaceutical fermentations are done by introducing a single use sterile bag to replace stainless steel. Now he’s bringing the same concept to winemaking and is harvesting medals for his winery as well as significant production advantages.

“The wine industry can be slow to change, so it is invigorating to have experts like Vijay Singh come into the industry and bring their fresh approach and knowledge from another industry to winemaking. It is not often that you see new solutions that are at once cost saving and quality enhancing. The GOfermentor has the potential to cause a paradigm shift for small lot winemaking.” – George Christie, President Wine Industry Network

When grapes are crushed, they are placed into a one ton GOfermentor single use bag and the unit is programmed to automatically perform punchdowns at regular intervals. The automation reduces labor, and the frequent mixing action also eliminates temperature gradients within the fermentation, with the result that sulfides from yeast retooling are not observed. The plastic bag protects the wine from unwanted exposures from yeast, oxygen, smoke, and bacteria from the outside environment.

At the end of fermentation, the GOfermentor presses the grapes, leaving behind the pomace in the biodegradable plastic bag for easy disposal. The disposal of the bag means savings on labor and time spend cleaning as well as a 90% reduction in water usage. The GOfermentor is a paradigm shift in winemaking that many winemakers will likely be hesitant to accept, but the low cost and barebones infrastructure required to use the GOfermentor makes it easy to try with a very low investment.

“Traditional wineries are 90% janitorial and 10% winemaking. With the GOfermentor and SmartBarrel racking system, we changed that to 90% winemaking and 10% cleaning.” – Dr Vijay Singh, Inventor

About GOfermentor

The GOfermentor is an advanced winemaking system for artisanal and small batch (< 1 ton) production. Many units are in use worldwide. Automated punch and built-in press reduces cost and labor. Single-use technology minimizes water usage. US patents 9260682, 9611452, 9802805, France 14 61410, Australia 2014268161. Others pending.

For more information, visit www.gofermentor.com

Highest Rated Wine in a Can

October 27, 2019 by evebushman

NAPA, Calif. (PRWEB) – California’s WineSociety premium canned wine stands up to bottles at the 2019 International Wine & Spirits Competition, Sommelier Challenge, with its TEMPT red blend scoring a 94 Point Rating and Platinum Medal. To date, this is the highest ranking for a canned wine in any wine competition.

“For the first time in Challenge Series history canned wines have taken a spot in the top tier.”* Says Rich Cook, columnist for Wine Review Online, Director of the San Diego County Fair Wine Competitions and the Director of Robert Whitley’s Challenge Wine Competitions.

WineSociety launched in January of 2018 with three flagship blends, TEMPT (red), FATE (white) and CHANCE (rosé). Although the concept of wine in cans may not be new, top quality wine that rivals a bottle is, a message CEO and founder Angela Allison has worked hard to convey.

“Wine lovers shouldn’t have to sacrifice quality for convenience and consumers are seeking an alternative option to bottles. So many people still don’t know wine is available in cans, let alone good wine. We have found that education is key and ratings reinforce that. The Platinum Medal and 94 rating is an exciting achievement for WineSociety and an equally exciting moment for the canned wine industry. To score this high in a blind taste judged by distinguished sommeliers, speaks volumes. We hope this gets more cans in hands!”

From day one it has been WineSociety’s mission to change the way American’s purchase and consume wine by offering quality, approachable and affordable alternatives to traditional wine. Unlike typical single serve canned wines, WineSociety is packaged in sleek, matte, and minimalistic 500ML cans (just shy of a full bottle!), these wines strike the perfect balance of elegant and casual and are meant to be shared. Each of their blends are designed for maximum enjoyment and canned to be environmentally-friendly and convenient for any experience.

On WineSociety’s TEMPT blend Cook continues, “This Syrah-dominant blend shows black and blueberry fruit, a touch of tar and a touch of smoky oak on the nose, and the promise translates in the mouth with a plush midpalate and a nice supple grip in the finish. Well done!“ *

WineSociety can be purchased online starting at $49 for a 3pk or $149 for Subscription at http://www.winesociety.com with shipping to almost 40 states, as well as select National and local retailers in CA, TX, OH and KY where you can purchase by the can for about $9/can.

Buzz Pop Cocktails Wins Gold Medal

August 29, 2019 by evebushman

TAMPA BAY, Fla. (PRWEB) – More than 30 spirit industry leaders and upwards of 500 spirits brands participated in the inaugural PR%F Awards and PR%F Awards Design Distinction during a two-day blind-tasting point-rating competition in Las Vegas June 16-18, 2019.

Our brand Buzz Pop Cocktails was awarded a GOLD medal by achieving an overall 90 out of 100 points, at the 2019 PR%F Awards, a spirits competition designed to crown the leading spirits with accolades, recognition and an entryway into the marketplace. The event was held at Tivoli Village in Las Vegas.

The awards competition was open to spirits brands, domestic and international, with nearly 100 categories to enter. All entries were rated on a proprietary 100-point system crowning medals to those who scored 70 points or above. (Bronze: 70 – 79 (Daily Drinker); Silver: 80-89 (Praise); Gold: 90-95 (Highly Recommended); Double Gold: 96-99 (Superlative) and Century Award: 100 Points-A Perfect Score (Highest Honor, Unparalleled, Peerless.)

“It was a remarkable two days of introducing new spirits brands to buyers and collectively discussing the current trends of the beverage industry with the most talented minds in the industry,” said Michele D. Tell, Executive Director of the PR%F Awards. “We are honored to have crowned so many brands with medals and accolades, and to honor the top five rated as ‘perfect’ with a Century Award,” she said. “We look forward to continuing our PR%F Awards program in the Summer of 2020.”

The idea behind the PR%F Awards was to create an avenue to introduce spirits brands to key decision makers in the liquor industry, and therefore, all PR%F judges were mainstream liquor buyers, distributors, and industry leaders with buying decision capability. Our judges hailed from 11 different states and hospitality arenas – Delta Sky Clubs/Delta Airlines, Young’s Market Company, The Sugar Factory, Hard Rock International, Southern Glazer’s Wine & Spirits, Spec’s, Breakthru Beverage Group, Good Spirits Distribution, BevStrat, Inc., Liquid Distributors-GA, Burke Distribution, RLED, LLC, Caesars Palace, Boyd Gaming, Sheraton, ARK 1521, The Strat Casino Hotel & Tower, Downtown Project-DTP, Alicart Restaurant Group (Carmine’s Italian, Virgil’s BBQ), Giordano’s Pizza-Corporate and Marque Media.

“The beverage industry is ever-changing and we saw those trends firsthand with the amount of flavored whiskeys, ready-serve cocktails, gins and organic/kosher and health-based products that entered the PR%F Awards 2019,” said Michael S. Politz, publisher of Food and Beverage Magazine, title sponsor of the PR%F Awards. “I was especially pleased to see how many women-owned brands entered this year. It’s an exciting time to be a part of the beverage industry,” he said.

Buzz Pop Cocktails is proud to be the world’s only all-natural Adult Push-Pop focusing on being Vegan, Gluten free, fat free and certified Kosher.

“It is an honor and we are very humbled to take home the gold for our #1 flavor Buzz Pop,” said Joseph Isaacs, founder & CEO of Buzz Pop Cocktails. “This is the 2nd award this month. Earlier we were rated #1 alcoholic popsicle by the Huffington Post,” he adds.

About Buzz Pop Cocktails
Beginning its journey in March 2016 and re-launching in Tampa, Florida in September 2018, Buzz Pop Cocktails is the only ready-to-serve, all natural 100% fruit, authentic Italian sorbet with top shelf liquors. Buzz Pops only serves their customers a high-quality, all-natural frozen specialty sorbet. It’s an “Indulgent premium cocktail with a healthy twist” delivered in an old-fashioned, see through push pop. Buzz Pops are not sold in liquor stores but instead through a food service model which includes such iconic customer brands such as Caesar’s Entertainment, Aramark, Levy Restaurants, TAO Group, Waldorf Astoria, 4 Seasons, Ritz Carlton, Marriot and Disney Springs. Buzz Pops are also available in convention centers, sporting arenas, corporate events and event planners. http://www.buzzpopcocktails.com

About The PR%F Awards and PR%F Design Distinctions
The PR%F Awards is the premiere spirits awards program and PR%F Awards Design Distinctions is headquartered at 3900 Hualapai Avenue, Las Vegas, Nev. 89123. The competition will be held annually. http://www.proofawards.com

WINERIES OF SANTA CLARA VALLEY MEDAL RECOGNITIONS

August 1, 2019 by evebushman

MORGAN HILL — The Wineries of Santa Clara Valley is pleased to announce medal winners in state and international competitions.

Santa Clara Wineries were recognized for their collection of quality wines in recent international and state competitions, participating in the Orange County Fair Commercial Wine Competition, The Central Coast Wine Competition and the Sunset International Wine Competition.

The highlights for the recent competitions include Solis Winery, awarded Best of Show, Best White Wine, for their 2018 Fiano at the Central Coast Wine Competition. Church Creek Cellars received at Double Gold and a 92 point rating for their 2014 Merlot at the Orange County Fair Commercial Wine Competition. La Vie Dansante took Best of Class Double Gold at the Sunset International Wine Competition with their 2015 Nocturne.

“With the bar set high for 2019 after a winning 2018 competition year, all of our 34 wineries, big or small, continue to prove to other wine regions statewide and internationally that the Santa Clara Valley is one to watch..” says Stacy Giannini, Director of Marketing for the Wineries of Santa Clara Valley. “Collectively, the wineries racked up 7 Double Gold Medal, 13 Gold Medals, 42 Silver Medals and 17 Bronze Medals as well as 2 Best in Class and 1 Best in Show. Many of these award-winning wines will be shared during our Fall Passport VIP Kick Off party on September 6t h.”

The Wineries of Santa Clara Valley is an association representing member wineries that grow and produce wines in one of the oldest wine producing regions of California.

With the first plantings at the Santa Clara Mission in 1798, the region of Santa Clara Valley represents one of the oldest growing traditions in the country. The Santa Clara Valley is now home to over three dozen wineries, of every size and shape, from long-established family operations to relatively small newcomers. On March 28, 1989, the Santa Clara Valley received AVA status; prior to this the region’s wines were typically labeled ‘Central Coast’ or ‘Santa Clara County’.

Wineries of Santa Clara Valley