Results of the 7th Annual International Cabernet Franc Wine Competition – Dedicated Exclusively to Cabernet Franc Wines
Not all the bottles of competition shown (Photo ©Michael Kelly)
The 7th Annual International Cabernet Franc Wine Competition was held yesterday on March 3rd, at the Copperopolis Armory. It was constructed in 1864 and is now a California designated Historical Site. The format for the blind competition utilizes the Danish system, where the wines are “bagged and tagged and marked with coded numbers”. There were four tables of wine judges (2 tables of Professional Judges and 2 tables People’s Choice Judges each with 3 judges at each table) voting on medal designation, Best of Category, Best of Show and Grand Sweepstakes Winner. If all could not agree on the medal, which does happen, then a lively discussion going over the key characteristics of the specific wine is debated to reach a consensus award by each group of judges.
In total there were eight Divisions this year. They were the Eastern Division, Central Division, Northwest Division, Southwest Division, California Division, International, Blend (must be 50% Cab Franc) and Specialty (Cab Franc Ice Wine, Rose, Appassimento, Blanc, etc.). For the California Division it was further broken down by price categories. In total 94 wines entered the competition. The event started at 9:00 am and went non-stop, concluding around 2:30 pm with a luncheon for the judges and volunteers.
The two Professional Judge’s tables are shown below:
Professional Judges (L to R-Fran Cunniffe, Martha Dunne, Tom Bender)
Professional Judges (L to R- Mike Dunne, Debi Miller, Tana Cole)
Scrolling further down will be shown all the awards given by both the Professional Judges and People’s Choice Judges.
The Grand Sweepstakes winner from the Professional Judges was the 2023 Steven Kent Winery, L’Autre Côte Cabernet Franc from Livermore, California. In addition, they won Best of Category in the $111 and up grouping, a Gold Medal and Best of Show in the California Division.
(Photo ©Michael Kelly)
The Grand Sweepstakes winner from the People’s Choice Judges was the 2022 Donati Family Vineyards, from Templeton, California (just south of Paso Robles). They won Best of Category, Double Gold Medals and Best of Show California Division.
(Photo ©Michael Kelly)
Details on both Grand Sweepstakes winners will be forthcoming in the coming weeks. Below is the list for Best of Class and Medal Awards (just showing Double Gold, Gold, & Bronze) for the various Divisions. No awards and/or disqualification are not listed.
PROFESSIONAL JUDGES RESULTS:
Specialty Division: Best of Show: Pillitteri Estates 2022 Ice Wine
2024 Silver Crest Rosé – Silver (Ohio)
2023 Silver Crest Rosé – Silver (Ohio)
2024 Concannon Vineyards Rosé – Silver (Livermore)
2025 3 Steves Rosé – Gold (Livermore)
2022 Pillitteri Estates Appassimento – Gold (Canada)
2021 Pillitteri Estates Ice Wine – Double Gold (Canada)
Woo Girl Cellars Rosé – Bronze (Woodbridge)
International Division: Best of Show Pillitteri Estates
2022 Corazon del Sol from Argentina – Silver
2022 Pillitteri Estates from Canada – Gold
Eastern Division: Best of Show 2023 Pollak Vineyards, Virginia
Pearmund Cellars – 2022 Silver (Virginia)
DuCard Vineyards – 2023 Silver (Virginia)
Pollak Vineyards – 2022 Reserve Gold (Virginia)
Boundary Breaks – 2024 Gold (Finger Lakes)
Pollak Vineyards – 2023 Gold (Virginia)
DuCard Vineyards – 2023 Silver (Virginia)
Stony Run Winery – 2020 Gold (Pennsylvania)
Central Division: 2021 Best of Show Silver Crest (Ohio)
Silver Crest Cellars – 2021 Silver (Ohio)
Northwest Division: Best of Show 2022 Camaraderie Cellars
Bitner Vineyards – 2021 Silver (Idaho)
Barrage Cellars – 2023 Silver (Washington)
Hard Row to Hoe – 2023 Silver (Washington)
Alexandria Nicole Cellars – 2022 Silver (Washington)
Barrage Cellars – 2019 Silver (Washington)
Camaraderie Cellars – 2022 Double Gold (Washington)
Pend d’ Oreillo Winery – 2022 Gold (Idaho)
Van Arum Vineyards – 2023 Bronze (Washington)
Roghani Vineyards – 2020 Gold (Idaho)
Spangler Vineyards – 2022 Double Gold (Southern Oregon)
Southwest Division: Best of Show Vivac Winery (New Mexico)
High Lonesome Vineyard – 2020 Bronze (Arizona)
Vivac Winery – 2023 Bronze (New Mexico)
California Division Overall: Best of Show 2023 Steven Kent Winery for L’Autre Côte
California Best of Category: $40 and less Cielo Sulla Terra Estate (Fairplay)
Almost Famous Wine -2023 Gold Loyal to the Soil (Livermore)
Soquel Vineyards – 2022 Silver (Santa Cruz Mtns)
Omega Road Winery – 2021 Bronze (Livermore)
Cielo Sulla Terra Estate – Gold (Fairplay)
Concannon Vineyard – 2023 Reserve Silver (Livermore)
Frog’s Tooth Winery – 2024 Bronze (grapes from Sonoma)
Del Valle Winery – 2022 Gold (Livermore)
Almost Famous Wine – 2023 Gold / Firepit Society (Livermore)
Steven Kent Winery – 2023 Silver (Livermore)
Almost Famous Wine – 2023 Silver / Strong Silent (Livermore)
Domenico Winery – 2021 Bronze (California)
Jeff Runquist Wines – 2024 Gold (grapes from Clarksburg)
Val du Vino Winery – 2022 Bronze (grapes from Clement Hills)
Prie Winery – 2023 Bronze (Lodi)
California Category $41 to $50: Best of Category Garre Winery (Livermore)
Darcie Kent Winery – 2023 Gold Stone Patch (Livermore)
Rosa Fierro Cellars – 2021 Gold (Livermore)
Dracaena Wines – 2023 Gold (Paso Robles)
Darcie Kent Winery – 2023 Double Gold Lemmons (Livermore)
Garre Winery – 2022 Double Gold (Livermore)
Concannon – 2023 Silver (Livermore)
Shale Canyon Wines – 2021 Silver (Monterey)
Cuda Ridge Wines – 2023 Silver (Livermore)
Concannon – 2023 Estate Silver (Livermore)
Arroyo Cellars – 2023 Gold (Livermore)
San Pasquel Winery – 2023 Silver (San Diego County)
Wood Family Vineyards – 2023 Gold (Livermore)
Occasio Winery – 2021 Double Gold (Livermore)
McKenzie-Mueller Winery – 2021 Silver (Napa Valley)
3 Steves Winery – 2020 Silver (Livermore)
Sea Shell Cellars – 2022 Silver (Paso Robles)
California Category $51 to $60: Best of Category Donati Family Vineyards (Templeton)
Le Vigne Winery – 2022 Silver (Paso Robles)
Rosa Fierro Cellars – 2022 Double Gold (Livermore)
J. Lohr Vineyards and Wines -2023 Gold (Paso Robles)
Donati Family Vineyards – 2022 Double Gold (Templeton)
California Category $61 to $70: Best of Category Selin Cellars (Windsor/Sonoma)
Steven Kent Winery – 2023 Silver Ghielmetti (Livermore)
Titus Vineyards – 2023 Silver (St. Helena)
McGrail Vineyards – 2022 Silver (Livermore)
Selin Cellars – 2022 Double Gold (Windsor/Sonoma)
Steven Kent Winery – 2023 Silver Sachau (Livermore)
Hawk & Horse Vineyards – 2022 Silver (Lower Lake)
Burtech Family – 2023 Gold (San Diego/grapes from Alexander Valley)
Hawk & Horse Vineyards -2023 Silver (Lower Lake)
California Category $71 to $90: Best of Category Yates Family Vineyards (Mt Veeder)
Smith-Madrone Vineyards – 2023 Gold (Spring Mtn)
Wood Family Vineyards – 2023 Gold Culmination (Livermore)
Los Positas Vineyards – 2023 Silver (Livermore)
Wood Family Vineyards – 2022 Silver Culmination (Livermore)
Yates Family Vineyards – Double Gold (Mt Veeder/Napa Valley)
California Category $91 to $110: Best of Category LXV Wines (Paso Robles)
LXV Wines – 2023 Gold (Paso Robles)
Middle Oaks Wine – 2022 Gold (grapes from Coombsville)
Ledson Winery & Vineyards – 2022 Gold (Kenwood)
California Category $111 and up: Best of Category Steven Kent Winery (Livermore)
Steven Kent Winery – 2023 L’Autre Côte Gold (Livermore)
Mountain Terraces Winery & Vineyard – 2019 Gold (Moon Mtn/Glen Ellen)
Blend Division: Best of Show 2023 Cuda Ridge Melange d’ Amis (Livermore)
Justin Vineyards – 2022 Silver (Paso Robles)
Wood Family Vineyards – 2023 Silver “Takeoff” (Livermore)
Scenic Valley Ranch – 2022 Silver (Ramona Valley)
DuCard Vineyards – 2023 Bronze (Virginia)
J. Lohr Vineyards & Wines – 2023 Silver Cuvee St E (Paso Robles)
Del Valle Winery – 2021 Silver “RJM” (Livermore)
Cuda Ridge Wines – 2023 Gold “Mélange d’ Amis” (Livermore)
PEOPLE’S CHOICE JUDGES RESULTS:
The two Professional Judge’s tables are shown below:
People’s Choice Judges (L to R- Steve Besst, Joanne Miller, Gary Miller)
People’s Choice Judges (L to R-Holger Hornisch, Charles Luke, Chris Cox)
The Grand Sweepstakes winner from the People’s Choice Judges was the 2022 Donati Family Vineyards from Templeton, California. They also won Best of their Category ($51-$60), Double Gold Medals and Best of Show in the California Division!
Specialty Division: Best of Show: Pillitteri Estates 2022 Ice Wine
2024 Silver Crest Rosé – Bronze (Ohio)
2023 Silver Crest Rosé – Bronze (Ohio)
2024 Concannon Vineyards Rosé – Silver (Livermore)
2025 3 Steves Rosé – Silver (Livermore)
2022 Pillitteri Estates Appassimento – Gold (Canada)
2021 Pillitteri Estates Ice Wine – Double Gold (Canada)
Woo Girl Cellars Rosé – Bronze (Woodbridge)
International Division: Best of Show Corazon del Sol
2022 Corazon del Sol from Argentina – Double Gold
2022 Pillitteri Estates from Canada – Gold
Eastern Division: Best of Show 2022 Pollak Vineyards, Virginia
Pearmund Cellars – 2022 Silver (Virginia)
DuCard Vineyards – 2023 Silver (Virginia)
Pollak Vineyards – 2022 Reserve Gold (Virginia)
Boundary Breaks – 2024 Silver (Finger Lakes)
Pollak Vineyards – 2023 Silver (Virginia)
DuCard Vineyards – 2023 Silver (Virginia)
Stony Run Winery – 2020 Silver (Pennsylvania)
Central Division: 2021 Best of Show Silver Crest (Ohio)
Silver Crest Cellars – 2021 Gold (Ohio)
Northwest Division: Best of Show Spangler Cellars
Bitner Vineyards – 2021 Bronze (Idaho)
Barrage Cellars – 2023 Silver (Washington)
Hard Row to Hoe – 2023 Silver (Washington)
Alexandria Nicole Cellars – 2022 Silver (Washington)
Barrage Cellars – 2019 Silver (Washington)
Camaraderie Cellars – 2022 Silver Washington)
Pend d’ Oreillo Winery – 2022 Silver (Idaho)
Van Arum Vineyards – 2023 Bronze (Washington)
Roghani Vineyards – 2020 Gold (Idaho)
Spangler Vineyards – 2022 Double Gold (Southern Oregon)
Southwest Division: Best of Show Vivac Winery (New Mexico)
High Lonesome Vineyard – 2020 Silver (Arizona)
Vivac Winery – 2023 Gold (New Mexico)
California Division Overall: Best of Show 2023 Steven Kent Winery for L’Autre Côte
California Best of Category: $40 and less Almost Famous Wine 2023 “Loyal to the Soil” (Livermore)
Almost Famous Wine -2023 Double Gold Loyal to the Soil (Livermore)
Soquel Vineyards – 2022 Silver (Santa Cruz Mtns)
Omega Road Winery – 2021 Bronze (Livermore)
Cielo Sulla Terra Estate – Silver (Fairplay)
Concannon Vineyard – 2023 Reserve Silver (Livermore)
Frog’s Tooth Winery – 2024 Gold (grapes from Sonoma)
Del Valle Winery – 2022 Bronze (Livermore)
Almost Famous Wine – 2023 Silver/ Firepit Society (Livermore)
Steven Kent Winery – 2023 Silver (Livermore)
Almost Famous Wine – 2023 Gold / Strong Silent (Livermore)
Domenico Winery – 2021 Bronze (California)
Jeff Runquist Wines – 2024 Silver (grapes from Clarksburg)
Val du Vino Winery – 2022 Double Gold (grapes from Clement Hills)
Aloria Vineyards – 2023 Silver (Vallecito)
Prie Winery – 2023 Silver (Lodi)
California Category $41 to $50: Best of Category Garre Winery (Livermore)
Darcie Kent Winery – 2023 Gold Stone Patch (Livermore)
Rosa Fierro Cellars – 2021 Silver (Livermore)
Dracaena Wines – 2023 Silver (Paso Robles)
Darcie Kent Winery – 2023 Silver Lemmons (Livermore)
Garre Winery – 2022 Double Gold (Livermore)
Concannon – 2023 Silver (Livermore)
Shale Canyon Wines – 2021 Silver (Monterey)
Cuda Ridge Wines – 2023 Silver (Livermore)
Concannon – 2023 Estate Gold (Livermore)
Arroyo Cellars – 2023 Silver (Livermore)
San Pasquel Winery – 2023 Gold (San Diego County)
Wood Family Vineyards – 2023 Gold (Livermore)
Occasio Winery – 2021 Gold (Livermore)
McKenzie-Mueller Winery – 2021 Gold (Napa Valley)
3 Steves Winery – 2020 Gold (Livermore)
Sea Shell Cellars – 2022 Double Gold (Paso Robles)
California Category $51 to $60: Best of Category Donati Family Vineyards (Templeton)
Le Vigne Winery – 2022 Silver (Paso Robles)
Rosa Fierro Cellars – 2022 Silver (Livermore)
J. Lohr Vineyards and Wines -2023 Gold (Paso Robles)
Donati Family Vineyards – 2022 Double Gold (Templeton)
California Category $61 to $70: Best of Category McGrail Vineyards (Livermore)
Steven Kent Winery – 2023 Gold Ghielmetti (Livermore)
Titus Vineyards – 2023 Silver (St. Helena)
McGrail Vineyards – 2022 Double Gold (Livermore)
Selin Cellars – 2022 Gold (Windsor/Sonoma)
Steven Kent Winery – 2023 Silver Sachau (Livermore)
Hawk & Horse Vineyards – 2022 Silver (Lower Lake)
Burtech Family – 2023 Silver (San Diego/grapes from Alexander Valley)
Hawk & Horse Vineyards -2023 Silver (Lower Lake)
California Category $71 to $90: Best of Category Smith-Madrone Vineyards (Spring Mtn)
Smith-Madrone Vineyards – 2023 Gold (Spring Mtn)
Wood Family Vineyards – 2023 Silver Culmination (Livermore)
Los Positas Vineyards – 2023 Gold (Livermore)
Wood Family Vineyards – 2022 Silver Culmination (Livermore)
Yates Family Vineyards – Silver (Mt Veeder/Napa Valley)
California Category $91 to $110: Best of Category Ledson Winery & Vineyards (Kenwood)
LXV Wines – 2023 Gold (Paso Robles)
Middle Oaks Wine – 2022 Gold (grapes from Coombsville)
Ledson Winery & Vineyards – 2022 Double Gold (Kenwood)
California Category $111 and up: Best of Category Mountain Terraces Winery & Vineyard (Moon Mtn/Glen Ellen)
Steven Kent Winery – 2023 Silver L’Autre Côte (Livermore)
Mountain Terraces Winery & Vineyard – 2019 Double Gold (Moon Mtn/Glen Ellen)
Blend Division: Best of Show 2023 Cuda Ridge “Mélange d’ Amis” (Livermore)
Justin Vineyards – 2022 Gold (Paso Robles)
Wood Family Vineyards – 2023 Silver “Takeoff” (Livermore)
Scenic Valley Ranch – 2022 Silver (Ramona Valley)
DuCard Vineyards – 2023 Silver (Virginia)
J. Lohr Vineyards & Wines – 2023 Gold Cuvee St E (Paso Robles)
Del Valle Winery – 2021 Silver “RJM” (Livermore)
Cuda Ridge Wines – 2023 Gold “Mélange d’ Amis” (Livermore)
A big shout out of appreciation to the 100 submitted wines to be evaluated and judged.
A very special thank you to both the judges and volunteers without which this event could not have happened!
No pictures of the volunteers who literally were on their feet all day running wine! A big hearty thanks!!
Susan Kelly
Celia Miller
Wendy Bendeer
Darlene Besst
Patty Powers
Two special shout outs: Due to a family emergency, Steve Besst stepped in and helped with the setup on both Monday and Tuesday. He also acted as the “clean up dump run & custodian”. Very much appreciated his assistance. The second is for Susan Kelly who took on gathering and securing all the food, non-alcoholic beverages and serving materials as she was acting for the group as CEO, Catering Executive for Ordering, in charge of obtaining food. Doing all this while occupied with family issue.
Sláinte,
Michael Kelly