Spell Weir Vineyard Pinot Noir 2014 – GOLD MEDAL
We are pleased to announce that the Spell Weir Vineyard Pinot Noir was among the winners at the Mendocino County Fair this Month.
Congratulations to Andrew Berge, winemaker, on another fantastic wine from the Weir Vineyard!
“The Mendocino wine community gathered this past Friday to celebrate the results of the 38th Annual Mendocino County Fair Wine Competition. The competition was dedicated to a very special friend and frequent competition judge, Ben Pearson, wine buyer for Bottle Barn in Santa Rosa, who passed away suddenly last month. Ben was beloved by all, for his warmth, wit, wisdom and kindness, and will be missed by all who knew him.
This year, there were 240 wine entries from 45 wineries. An unprecedented number of medals were awarded, with 60 Gold Medals and 100 Silver Medals. New this year were three new Best of Show Awards: Sparkling, Rose’ and Dessert wines in addition to Best of Show Red and White wines.
Special emcee for the evening’s awards ceremony at Mendocino College was Senator Mike McGuire with Assemblyman Jim Wood handing out the Best of Show award plaques. Senator Mike McGuire led a spirited impromptu fund-raising effort for the Mendocino College Foundation and over $3000 was raised to support scholarships in viticulture from the generous winegrowing community in attendance.
Best of Show Awards, chosen from Best of Class winners are: Best of Show Sparkling – 2007 Scharffenberger Cellars Blanc de Blanc, Best of Show White – 2015 Handley Cellars Pinot Gris, Best of Show Rose’ – 2015 Seebass Family Wines Rose’ of Grenache, “Fantasie”, Best of Show Red – 2013 Graziano Carignane, and Best of Show Dessert – 2011 McFadden Farm Late Harvest Riesling.
This year’s distinguished judges were: Randy Caparoso, Deborah Parker Wong, Mark Bowery, John Sverko, Laurie Daniel, Mike Dunne, Chris Sawyer, Ziggy Eschliman, Laura Ness, Greg Richtarek, Madeleine de Jean, Debra Del Fiorentino, Ron Washam and Ellen Landis.
Returning wine judge Laura Ness had this to say about the competition: “Every year, the quality of the wines continues to impress, and the diversity of expression never ceases to delight! Both the Best of Show White and Red were clear standouts, despite the stiff competition. Intensely juicy, peachy and mouthwatering, the Handley Pinot Gris is like drinking summer, and the Carignane’s forthright spice and powerful fruit make it an all-around crowd pleaser. How fun to have both Anderson Valley and Redwood Valley so well and justly represented!”
Special thanks go to Competition Chair, Allan Green, who has been orchestrating this great competition since day one, and the crew of volunteers who work so hard to make this happen!”
A complete list of 2016 Mendocino County Fair Wine Competition Awards are available here.
– 2016 Mendocino Wine Growers, Inc.
