This week The California State Fair announced the winners of its Commercial Wine Competition, the oldest and most prestigious wine competition in North America. This year, 2,890 wine entries were received from 688 participating wineries. Seventy-two judges on 18 panels awarded 2,156 medals, including 74 Double Gold, 268 Gold, 1,195 Silver and 734 Bronze.
Awards will be presented during California’s Grape & Gourmet event, which returns to Cal Expo on Aug. 18th. For Grape & Gourmet tickets and information, go to www.bigfun.org
Local wineries received some serious kudos: Acampo’s Macchia Winery won a gold medal and was named “Best of Lodi Red” for its 2010 Delicious Barbera; and Windwalker Vineyard and Winery’s2009 Mourvedre, crafted in the Sierra Foothills, garnered a gold medal and was proclaimed “Best of Sierra Foothills Red.” A double-gold was awarded to BellaGrace Vineyards in Plymouth for its 2011 Grenache Blanc, named “Best of Sierra Foothills White.” BellaGrace’s 2010 Barbera also won “Best Barbera” in California; and Lodi’s Maggio Family Vineyards garnered “Best Merlot” in California.
If you’re interested in seeing the full list of awards, the results of the wine competition will appear in California Wine magazine, a publication of the California State Fair. California Wine will be available at the Grape & Gourmet event in August.
The 2012 California State Fair runs from July 12th to July 29th at Cal Expo. For more information visit www.bigfun.org
