wineries
The 6th Annual International Cabernet Franc Wine Competition Results – Dedicated Exclusively to Cabernet Franc Wines
Not all the bottles of competition shown (Photo ©Michael Kelly)
The 6th Annual Cabernet Franc Wine Competition was held yesterday on March 5th 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 happens, 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 Divsiion, International, Blend (must be 50% Cab Franc) and Specialty (Cab Franc Ice Wine, Rose, Appassimento, Blanc, etc.). In total 96 wines entered the competition. The event started at 8:30 am and went non-stop, concluding at 2:30 pm with a luncheon for the judges and volunteers.
One of the two tables of Professional Judges (L to R-Tom Bender, Debra Miller, Martha)
The Grand Sweepstakes winner from the Professional Judges was the 2021 Yates Family Vineyard in Mount Veeder AVA in Napa Valley, California. Here they have 35 acres of hillside estate vineyards. It is 100% Cabernet Franc from their estate. In addition, they won Double Gold Medals, Best of Category and Best of Show from the Professional Judges. The People’s Choice Judges awarded them a Silver Medal.
(Photo ©Michael Kelly)
The Grand Sweepstakes winner from the People’s Choice Judges was 2020 Creekside Cellars from Evergreen, Colorado. They are located at 7200 feet elevation. The grapes came from the Grand Valley AVA ranging from 4,000 to 5,000 elevation. They won Best of Category, Double Gold, Best of Show from the People’s Choice Judges and the Professional Judges awarded them a Silver Medal.
(Photo ©Michael Kelly)
Detail stories on the Grand Sweepstakes winners will be forthcoming in the coming weeks. Below are the listing for Best of Class and Medal Awards (just showing Gold & Silver) for the various Divisions.
PROFESSIONAL JUDGES RESULTS:
Eastern USA Division:
Best of Show: Boundary Breaks Vineyard from the Finger Lakes AVA in New York. They were also awarded Double Gold
Medal Awards:
Sheldrake Point – Gold (2022)
Philip Carter Winery – Gold (2022)
Wolffer Estate – Silver (2022)
Roanoke Vineyard “Poet” – Silver (2022)
Narmada Winery – Silver (2020)
Roanoke Vineyard “Gabby” – Silver (2022)
Quartz Rock Vineyard – Silver (2023)
Ducard Vineyards – Silver (2022)
Roanoke Vineyard “Merlot” – Silver (2022)
Chateau Niagara – Silver (2023)
Central Division:
Best of Show: Heineman Winery located in the Lake Erie AVA.
Northwest Division:
Best of Show: Spangler Vineyards located in Roseburg, Oregon. They also received Best of Class and a Gold Medal.
Medal Awards:
Quady North Winery – Gold (Applegate Vineyard) – 2020
Camaraderie – Silver (2021)
Terra Vina – Silver (2022)
Alexander Nicole (2021)
Southwest USA Division:
Best of Show: Vivac Winery located in Dixon, New Mexico from the New Mexico AVA with their 2022 vintage.
Creekside Cellars – Silver (2020)
California USA Division:
Best of California Division overall: Yates Family Vineyard
Best of Category 1 (up to $40):
Best of Category: Darcie Kent Vineyards (Lemmons Vineyard) – 2023
Medal Awards:
Eco Terreno – Silver (2022)
Quest – Silver (2022)
Lava Cap – Silver (2022)
Sierra Vista – Silver (2022)
Fenestra – Silver (2021)
Revolution Wines – Silver (2022)
Fenestra – Silver (2022)
Best of Category 2 ($41 to $55):
Best of Category: Mitchell Katz located in Livermore, California. They also won Double Gold for their 2020 vintage.
Medal Awards:
Cuda Ridge – Double Gold (2022)
3 Steves – Double Gold (2019)
Notre Vue – Double Gold (2021)
Kenefick Ranch – Double Gold (2022)
McGrail Vineyards – Gold (2021)
Shale Canyon – Gold (2019)
Rosa Fierro Cellars – Gold (2021)
Steven Kent Winery – Silver (2022)
McKenzie-Mueller – Silver (2020)
L & M Vineyard – Silver (2021)
Wood Family Vineyard – Silver (2022)
Dracaena Wines Reserve – Silver (2022)
Le Vigne Winery – Silver (2022)
Omega Road – Silver (2021)
Best of Category 3 ($56 to $70):
Best of Category: Donati Family Vineyard for their 2021 vintage and Double Gold.
Medal Awards:
Eco Terreno – Double Gold (2018)
J. Lohr Vineyards & Wines – Double Gold (2022)
Sequoia Grove – Gold (2021)
Titus Vineyards – Gold (2022)
Selin Cellars – Silver (2022)
Mid-Point Winery – Silver (2021)
Foxen Vineyard & Winery – Silver (2021)
Peltzer Winery – Silver (2020)
Best of Category 4 ($71 to $85):
Best of Category: Yates Family Vineyard for their 2021 from Mount Veeder AVA.
Medal Awards:
Smith-Madrone – Gold (2021)
Culmination – Gold (2022)
Brecon Estate – Silver (2022)
Bianchi Winery – Silver (2021)
Best of Category 5 ($85 to $105):
Best of Category: Middle Oak Wines for their 2021 vintage and Double Gold.
Medal Awards:
Ledson Winery & Vineyards – Double Gold (2021)
Brecon Estate Reserve – Gold (2022)
Canard Vineyard – Silver (2021)
International Division
Best of Show: Pillitteri Estate Vineyard & Winery for their 2022 “Cellar” Cabernet Franc from Canada.
Medal Awards:
Le Monde – Silver (2020) from Italy
Pillitteri Estate Vineyard & Winery – Silver (2020 – paper label) from Canada
Specialty Division:
Best of Show: Chateau Niagara for their “Appassimento style” Cabernet Franc from Niagara County.
Medal Awards:
Pillitteri – Gold for their Ice Wine (2019)
Steven Kent Winery – Silver – Cab Franc Blanc (2024)
3 Steves Winery – Silver – Cab Franc Rose (2024)
Blend Division (must be 50% Cabernet Franc grapes):
Best of Show: 3 Steves Winery for their 2022 Blend receiving also a Gold Medal.
Medal Awards:
Philip Carter (Ten Vines) – Gold (2023)
Foxen – Silver (2020)
Graveyard Vintage – Silver (2022)
Quady North – Silver (2022)
Toast Winery – Silver (2022)
Cuda Ridge – Silver (2022)
J. Lohr Vineyards & Wines – Silver (2022)
*******************************************************************
*******************************************************************
PEOPLE’S CHOICE JUDGES RESULTS:
Eastern USA Division:
Best of Show: Chateau Niagara for their 2023 from New York. Also Received Double Gold.
Medal Awards:
Sheldrake Point – Gold (2022)
Wolffer Estate – Gold (2020)
Boundary Breaks – Silver (2023)
Wolffer Estate – Silver (2022)
Philip Carter Winery – Silver (2023)
Quartz Rock – Silver (2023)
Roanoke Vineyards – Silver (2022)
Glendale Ridge Vineyard – Silver (2020)
Central USA Division:
Best of Show: Heineman Winery located in the Lake Erie AVA and won Gold.
Medal Awards:
Silver Crest – Silver (2019)
Northwest USA Division:
Best of Show: Alexander Nicole for their 2021 and won Gold.
Medal Awards:
Spangler Vineyards – Silver (2021)
Quady North Winery – Silver (2020)
Camaraderie – Silver (2021)
Southwest USA Division:
Best of Show: Creekside Cellars for their 2020 and won Double Gold
Medal Awards:
Vivac Winery – Gold (2022)
California USA Division:
Best of California Division overall was L’Autre Cote from Livermore and won Double Gold.
Best of Show for Category 1 (up to $40
Del Valle – Double Gold (2021)
Medal Awards:
Darcie Kent Vineyards – Double Gold (Strong Silent, 2021)
Fenestra – Double Gold (2022)
Eco Terreno – Silver (2022)
Quest – Silver (2023)
Lava Cap – Silver (2022)
Sierra Vista – Silver (2022)
Revolution Wines – Silver (2022)
Best of Category 2 ($41 to $55):
Best of Category: Wood Family Vineyards – Double Gold (2022)
Medal Awards:
Cuda Ridge Wines – Double Gold (2022)
McGrail Vineyards – Double Gold (2021)
Le Vigne – Gold (2022)
McKenzie-Mueller – Gold (2020)
Darcie Kent Vineyards – Gold (2022, Stone Patch)
Mitchell Katz – Gold (2020)
Kennefick Ranch – Gold (2022)
Rosa Fierro Cellars – Silver (2021)
Notre Vue – Silver (2021)
Omega Road – Silver (2021)
Steven Kent Winery – Silver (2022)
Cinnabar Winery – Silver (2022)
Dracaena Wines – Silver (2022)
L & M Vineyards – Silver (2021)
Dracaena Wines, Reserve – Silver (2022)
3 Steves – Silver (2019)
Schema – Silver (2023)
Ancient Peaks – Silver (2021)
Best of Category 2 ($56 to $70):
Best of Category: J. Lohr Vineyards and Wines and won Double Gold.
Medal Awards:
Peltzer Family – Double Gold (2020)
Titus Vineyards – Gold (2022)
Donati Family – Silver (2021)
Selin Cellars – Silver (2022)
Eco Terreno – Silver (2018)
Sequoia Grove – Silver (2021)
Best of Category 3 ($71 to $85):
Best of Category: Smith-Madrone Vineyards for their 2021 and won Gold.
Medal Awards:
Yates Family Wine – Silver (2021)
Culmination – Silver (2022)
Brecon Estate – Silver (2022)
Bianchi Winery – Silver (2021)
Best of Category 4 ($86 to $105):
Best of Category: Ledson Winery for their Moon Mountain 2021. They also won Double Gold.
Medal Awards:
Brecon Estate Reserve – Gold (2022)
Canard Vineyard – Silver (2021)
Middle Oak Wines – Silver (2021)
Best of Category 5 ($106 & up):
Best of Category: L’ Autre Cote for their 2022 from Livermore and winning Double Gold
Medal Awards:
LXV Wines – Double Gold (2022)
International Division:
Best of Show: Pillitteri (paper label) for their 2020 and a Silver Medal
Medal Awards:
Pillitteri – Silver “Cellar” (2020)
Specialty Category:
Best of Show: 3 Steves for their 2024 Rosé using one Cabernet Franc and 2 different Cabernet grapes. Also won a Gold Medal.
Medal Awards:
Pillitteri – Gold for Ice Wine (2019)
Quady North – Silver for sparkling (2021)
Chateau Niagara – Silver for Appassimento style (2023)
Steven Kent Winery – Silver for Blanc (2024)
Cabernet Franc Blends (being a minimum of 50% Cabernet Franc grapes)
Best of Show: 3 Steves for their 2022 and a Gold Medal.
Medal Awards:
Cuda Ridge Wines – Silver (2022)
J. Lohr Vineyards & Wines – Silver (2022)
Foxen – Silver (2020)
Graveyard Vineyards – Silver (2020)
Toast Winery – Silver (2023)
____________________________________________________________________
A very special thank you to both sets of judges and volunteers without which this event could not have happened!
Professional Judges were Tom Bender, Debi Miller and Martha Dunne picture at beginning of story. Unfortunately the second table did not get their picture taken consisting of Mike Dunne, Tana Cole and Michelle Becker.
People’s Choice Judges, left to right: Scott Behiel, Gary Miller and Peter Singh.
People’s Choice Judges, left to right: Chris Cox, Greg Pelican and Candy Strubbe.
No pictures of the volunteers who literally were on their feet all day running wine! A big hearty thanks!!
Susan Kelly
Ansuiya Singh
Suzanne McElroy
Mary Goulart
Darlene Besst
Patty Powers
Two special shout outs: First to Joe Goulart & Peter Singh who helped with the 6:30 am set up unloaded all the wines from cars! And the second to 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 in charge of Ordering.
Sláinte,
Michael Kelly
2019 Aridus Wine Company Graciano
The Winery
First thing right up front is most don’t think of Arizona as a “winery state”! Turns out Arizona has over 120 wineries scattered throughout the state. Aridus is located in southeastern Arizona in Willcox, about 85 miles east of Tucson in Cochise County. The town of Willcox has 14 different tasting rooms!
(Picture from City of Willcox)
Scott and Joan Dahmer founded Aridus Wine Company in 2012, just outside the city of Willcox. The name Aridus, come from the Latin word meaning “dry or arid”, most appropriate for most people’s idea of Arizona.
(Tasting room in Willcox. Picture from Aridus Wine Company)
The winery/crush facility and tasting room are located in two different locations in Willcox. They also have another tasting room in Scottsdale on Main Street. Their yearly production is approximately 2,500 cases. They have an amazing lineup of different varietals available including: whites including Malvasia Bianca, Viognier, Chardonnay, Fume Blanc and Muscat. Reds include Merlot, Mourvèdre, Graciano, Petite Sirah, Syrah, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Tempranillo, Petite Verdot and Montepulciano, as well as several Rosés.
(Tasting room in Scottsdale. Picture from Aridus Wine Company)
The winemaker, Lisa Strid has produced wine for the last seven years at the winery. During this time, she has produced 183 wines from five different growing regions in Arizona, New Mexico and California. Since 2020, Aridus is now making wine exclusively from its estate vineyard.
The Wine – “Wine is bottled poetry” – Robert Louis Stevenson
Photo ©Michael Kelly
Graciano is one of my favorite wines and is the third most popular grape behind Tempranillo and Granacha in Spain. Graciano typically has a very aromatic aroma and deep coloration. Often on the palate black peppery spice notes appear along with red fruits and noticeable herbaceous qualities. Another key trait is high acidity and strong tannins.
The Aridus Graciano on the eyes has a very deep and rich coloring. Predominately soft violet aromas waft into the nose. On the palate, peppery spices definitely appear with delight and flavoring along with blueberry notes. A beautiful and long finish.
The wine comes from Cochise County and comes in a 15.3% alcohol. Their website lists it at $65/bottle. Key recommendations for food pairings are red meat, charcuterie board snacks and cheese.
The Food and Wine Pairing – “Food without wine is a corpse; wine without food is a ghost. United and well matched, they are as body and soul: living partners” – Andre Simon
Photo ©Michael Kelly
The Friday night “Wine & Dine Group” met at Verona18 to enjoy another tasty meal. A special for the evening was a seared Alaskan Halibut with a Romesco sauce. While originally looking for a steak option, the fish looked interesting and decided to go with it. The Romesco sauce is an interesting story and asked for it on the side. The sauce is a tomato-based sauce that originated from Valls in Catalonia, Spain. The local fishermen made the sauce to be eaten with fish. It typically is made with a mix of roasted tomatoes, garlic, toasted almonds, pine nuts, olive oil and dried nyora peppers. The sauce was delicious and dipped every bite of the fish in it! Accompanied by sautéed vegetables and rice.
It may not have been the best food and wine pairing, but both were very good!
We also shared some other very solid wines during the evening.
Photo ©Michael Kelly
Sláinte,
Michael
https://californiawinesandwineries.com
https://www.coppervalleygolf.com/homepage/current-operations