MADERA, CA — Each summer season the California wine world is abuzz with news from the prestigious Sunset International Wine Competition. More than 2,900 vintages vie for the annual accolades, and this year, two of Madera County’s most beloved wineries took home Double Gold!
To earn a Double Gold medal, the judges must award a score higher than 95 points. This is no easy feat amongst the distinguished applicants in this year’s field. Excitingly, San Joaquin Winery’s 2021 Toschi Vineyards Red Moscato did exactly that, earning the winery its highest award to date. In addition, Westbrook Wine Farm, located in the Sierra foothill hamlet of O’Neals, also took home Double Gold and Best of Class for the Westbrook Wine Farm NV Malmsey Dearest.
“To have a wine receive a medal here is no small achievement,” stated Debra DelFiorentino, CEO / Executive Director of the Sunset International Wine Competition. “Our competition is one of the most respected, recognized for consistently identifying the best wines produced internationally. This contest again drew top-level wines, and our hand-picked, top-quality judges determined which wines stood out as worthy of accolades.”
In addition to their first Double Gold Medal, San Joaquin Winery also earned silver medals for their Moody Press Cellars Brut Blanc de Blanc and Toschi Vineyards Family Blend at the 2022 Sunset International Wine Competition. Furthermore, the winery earned silver medals and 91 points each for the 2021 Toschi Vineyards Sauvignon Blanc, 2020 Moody Press Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon, and 2019 Toschi Vineyards Pinot Noir at the California State Fair.
“We are very proud and excited to receive our latest medals, especially the Double Gold for our Toschi Vineyards Red Moscato. The Moscato grapes come from our locally farmed vineyard, which we carefully evaluate for quality from bud break to harvest,” San Joaquin Winery, Winemaker Miguel Sanchez, shared. “The hours spent monitoring this vineyard have definitely paid off! We hope you will stop by our tasting room, open seven days a week, and try these latest award-winning wines.”
Westbrook Wine Farm winemaker Ray Krause, gives thanks to his clientele (the ultimate judges) for their continued support. Westbrook Wine Farm is open for wine tasting by appointment only. Cheers!
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About Visit Yosemite | Madera County
Formed in 1985, Visit Yosemite | Madera County’s mission is to draw the millions of Yosemite National Park visitors to its gateway’s many businesses and attractions. We invite visitors to take a journey from the Fossil Discovery Center to the Madera Wine Trail and onward into the High Sierra. Discover incredible dining, talented tradespersons, four seasons of water sports at Bass Lake, the Yosemite Mountain Sugar Pine Railroad, and mighty adventures right up to the massive Giant Sequoia trees. Madera County is the gateway to so much more.
Photo Credit: Jakob N. Layman
“The Toast of the Coast Competition is always a most worthwhile wine judging arena for the fruitful labors of our Temucula-based master winemakers Jon McPherson, Javier Flores and their dedicated team,” said Jeff Carter, president of Carter Hospitality. “South Coast Winery’s Double Gold placements for Meritage 2017 and Grenache Blanc 2020 and Carter Estate Winery’s Double Gold for its Daybreak with bottling in 2022 are accomplishments we are especially proud of achieving.”
This competition, hosted by parent company Tasting Alliance, is the oldest, biggest and most influential competition in North America. This year, approximately 5,000 spirits were evaluated over two weeks in April 2022 by a panel of 70 judges from around the world. This represented the largest number of entrants that the competition has ever received.
NYIWC Winners from CA in 2021
Kilinga is a boutique, family-owned Bacanora distiller and brand founded in 2018 by Rodrigo Bojorquez Bours in Álamos, Sonora, Mexico. Inspired by and named for his mother, Kilinga, La Señora Kilinga is the vibrant matriarch and heart of the family. The company’s first official bottling was in the fall of 2019 which was awarded silver at the San Francisco Spirits Competition. It is the first officially designated Bacanora by the Consejo Sonorense Regulador del Bacanora available in the United States, and the second brand in Mexico to have the authentic Bacanora designation.
The SFCWC is the largest competition in North America and over its 22 years has become one of the world’s most respected wine competitions. Its esteemed judges come from the worlds of winemaking, media, trade, education and restaurant/hospitality industries.
Entries from six countries and over 11 U.S. states were blind tasted and judged by panels of three or more industry qualified judges – master sommeliers, masters of wine, certified wine educators, enologists, wine writers, professors, beverage directors, buyers and other influencers – all chosen for their vast experience and well-trained palates.
Just a week later, St. Croix Chocolate Company won more accolades. At the prestigious Academy of Chocolate Awards, judged in London, SCCC further enhanced its reputation by winning two silver medals: One for Orange Cardamom caramel sauce in the Caramels and Spreads category, and one for Thai Peanut bon bon in the Filled Chocolates category. Additionally, the Black Forest bon bon won a bronze award for Filled Chocolates.