California Wines & Wineries

5th Annual International Cabernet Franc Wine Competition – Early Bird Registration until Dec 15th

Posted on October 31, 2023 Updated on November 2, 2023

Who is this event for? For the 5^th Annual Cabernet Franc Celebration, we have opened it up to both domestic and international producers of Cabernet Franc. Last year we had seven states and four countries participating in the event representing some 78 wines. Also it is for both those producing a Cabernet Franc varietal wine and for Cabernet Franc blends being 50% Cabernet Franc or higher.

Why hold this event? It is to show the uniqueness and versatility of Cabernet Franc and to celebrate the wine as so much more than a blending grape. As Steven Kent Mirassou stated “Cabernet Franc, in its purest form, is all about sex. From the silkiness of its texture, to the exoticism of its aromas; from the raciness of its acidity to its emotion-prodding “it-ness”, Cabernet Franc is terrifyingly and wonderfully naughty”. Cabernet Franc has adapted and transformed its personality from Chile, France, Canada, the east coast of the US, the Michigan peninsula, the Midwest and the west coast of the US.

How will the competition be judged? The event will be a blind tasting using the “Danish System”, sometimes called the group method. Unique to this event, two separate judging stations will be set up. The first will comprise of Professional Judges and the second being the People’s Choice Judges (serious consumers). Each set of Judges will award medals and award Best of Class and Best of Show based on geographic regions. Last year we had Divisions of Northwest (Oregon/Washington), Eastern United States (Virginia, NY, Michigan, etc.), International and California (by price categories).

Who are the judges? Tom Bender has agreed once again to head up the Professional Judging Panel(s). Tom has headed up the California Sierra Foothill Competition for over 35 years, served on California State Fair Judges, is a well-known writer for various wine magazines and teaches at a local college. Other judges include Mike Dunne retired food editor, wine columnist for the Sacramento Bee, distinguished judge at San Francisco Chronicle and other events, Fran Cunniffe a DipWSET and certified Sommelier, Tana Cole winemaker from Sonoma Valley, Napa & Lodi AVA’s, Dr. Elizabeth Smith award-winning wine writer, a judge at various judging events and Winelovers Wine Awards in Budapest and the 2023 Open Balkan Wine Trophy in Belgrade and and others with WSET I, II and III qualifications. People Choice’s Judges are astute individuals with years of experienc. All judges are prepared with extensive documentation and profiles on Cabernet Franc’s characteristics from various geographic areas in advance. Each wine is judged on its own terroir characteristics.

Benefits for wineries participating? National exposure from California Wines and Wineries website which will run a full feature article on those receiving Best of Class and Best of Show (domestic and international). The story will also be sent to eighty blogs for reposting and all social media for a readership reach of over 500,000. Additionally it will be submitted to two magazines with a reach of an additional 500,000 readership if reprinted. The Best of Show winners will also be featured on the Cabernet Franc Day site, a Facebook blog and a podcast featured by Exploring the Wine Glass. And California Wines and Wineries will do a feature article on each Grand Sweepstakes winners. Last year we had two newspapers (both hard copy and electronically) cover the event. Klearcut Media (Texas) has been invited to be on site to video graph the event for public relations for Copper Valley GC and the Town Center.

Where is the event being held? It is being held at the recently remodeled Copper Valley Clubhouse in Copperopolis, California (Sierra foothills) April 3rd, 2024 in the Grandview Room.

2024 registration can be found at: https://californiawinesandwineries.com at the top of the page by clicking on 2024 Cabernet Franc Celebration, Wine Competition Registration. Make sure you select Domestic. If you are an International winery, please contact me at mkellywine@gmail.com for a different Registration form to meet all the Federal requirements, COLA Waiver, customs, etc.

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Last Year’s Annual Cabernet Franc Winners of Best of Class and Best of Show include:

Eastern Division – Professional & People’s Choice – Granite Heights Winery, Virginia

Northwest Division –

Professional – Camaraderie Cellars, WA.

People’s Choice – Terra Vina Wines, OR.

Domestic Blend (Min 50% Cabernet Franc)

            Professional – J. Lohr, Paso Robles

            People’s Choice – Cuda Ridge Wines, Livermore Valley

California Division

            <$30 Professional & People’s Choice Both – Ironstone, Sierra Foothills

  $31-$50: Professional – Shale Canyon, Arroyo Seco 

  People’s Choice- Rivino Estate, Mendocino

   $51- $75: Professional & People’s Choice – Selin Cellars, Fountain Grove

   $76 – $100: Professional – LXV Wines, Paso Robles

      People’s Choice – Ledson Cellars, Kenwood

    $100 and up: Professional – Diamond Mountain, Diamond Mtn, Napa Valley

                           People’s Choice – Middle Oak Wines, Coombsville

International Division

            Corti Brothers – Italy

We also have a Specialty Division for Cabernet Franc Blanc, Sparkling, Rose, etc.

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Two Additional Events will be open to the public after the competition:

The first event is scheduled for past Best of Class and Best of Show winners or runner ups (from 2023) to pour at a Cabernet Franc Wine Stroll on Saturday April 13^th, 2024. This will include an exquisite 30 foot charcuterie board. There will be one session, noon to 3:30 pm. Details and ticket information will be available mid-February. The wineries will be pouring their Cabernet Franc wine and have the option to pour their many other wines also.

The second event is a gourmet dinner featuring 4 or 5 invited Cabernet Franc wine producers on Saturday April 13th, 2024 in the evening starting at 6 pm. This will be limited seating for first 120 people. A gourmet dinner will be provided by Executive Chef Jaime Alderete paired with the selected Cabernet Franc wines. Details and ticket information will be available mid-February.