LAKE COUNTY — Judges from across the country blind tasted and evaluated Lake County wines to determine who would be named the best at the Lake County Wine Awards.
Professional wine judges awarded medals, selected top finalists for each category and determined the best overall at Brassfield Estate Winery July 10 through 12.
Judges included John Buechenstein, Culinary Institute of America and UC Davis Extension Wine Educator; Catherine Fallis, Master Sommelier and writers Mike Dunne, Sacramento Bee and Martha Dunne, Winegigs.com.
The Lake County Winery Association announced the winners at the Lake County Wine Awards dinner on July 17 at Twin Pine Casino and Hotel. Author, wine writer and wine educator Ray Johnson presided as director of the wine awards and announced best of class awards in 17 different categories,as well as “Best in Show” and “Best Winery,” according to Heather Conlin, Lake County Winery Association executive director.
The award for Best Winery was presented to Langtry Estate and Vineyards and Wildhurst Vineyards.
Langtry Estate and Vineyard also received awards for best of class categories ? Best Cabernet Sauvignon with its 2010 Cabernet Sauvignon, Tephra Ridge Vineyard and Best Sauvignon Blanc (with a cost of less than $17) for its 2012 Sauvignon Blanc, Lillie Vineyard, Conlin stated.
Wildhurst Vineyards took home additional awards for best of class categories ? Best Chardonnay for its 2011 Chardonnay, Best Zinfandel with its 2010 Zinfandel and 2010 Zinfandel, Home Ranch Vineyard and Best Merlot with 2010 Merlot, Plunkett Creek Series.
Chacewater Winery took home three awards that include:best of show category Best White Wine with its 2012 Organic Sauvignon Blanc and Best Red Wine for 2010 Petite Sirah, which also won best of class for Best Petite Sirah, Conlin stated. The winery also receive best of class for Best Sauvignon Blanc (with a cost of more than $17) with its 2012 Sauvignon Blanc and 2012 Organic Sauvignon Blanc.
Steele Wines” 2012 Cabernet Franc Ros? received awards for best of show ? Best Ros? Wine and Best of Class ? Best Ros?. It was also awarded best of class for Best Pinot Noir for its 2010 Shooting Star Pinot Noir, Best Petite Sirah for 2010 Writer”s Block Petite Sirah and Best Cabernet Sauvignon for 2010 Cabernet Sauvignon.
Best of show for Best Dessert Wine and best of class Best Sweet White Wine went to Robledo Family Winery for its 2009 Limited Edition White Riesling.
The award for best of class Best Riesling went to Gregory Graham Wines for their 2009 Riesling, Roumiguiere Vineyard. It also won Best Bordeaux Red for its 2010 Magma Red, Snows Lake Vineyard.
Additional awards were given to Brassfield Estate Winery, Rosa d” Oro Vineyards, Six Sigma Ranch and Winery, Sol Rouge, Cougar”s Leap and Vigilance Winery, Conlin stated.
The top two scoring wines in each category will advance to the People”s Choice Wine Competition held on Aug. 31 at the Lake County Fair in Academy Park, where community members will blind taste and select the People”s Choice winners. For a full list of medal winners, visit lakecountywineries.org.
For information or to purchase tickets for People”s Choice Wine Competition, visit www.facebook.com/LakeCountyWineryAssociation.
