Mother Lode Wineries Medal In National Competition
Mother Lode wineries garnered 54 medals this year in the largest annual competition of American wines in the world, the San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition.
Held annually in January, this year’s competition counted 6,417 entries from more than 28 states. The local results, which notably include one Best of Show and two Double Golds are listed below.
Hauling home the most metal and the highest award for a Mother Lode wine, Villa Vallecito Vineyards earned an impressive eight medals, including Best Of Class for its 2010 Sierra Foothills Barbera and Double Gold for its 2011 Sierra Foothills Estate Syrah. Two more Golds were given to its 2012 Sierra Foothills Estate Grenache and Payaso; two Silver medals for its 2011 Sierra Foothills Reserve Barbera and 2012 Sierra Foothills Estate Syrah; two Bronzes for its 2013 Sierra Foothills Estate Sabor-A-Mi, a white blend, and 2012 Sierra Foothills Estate Cabernet Sauvignon.
Murphys’ Chatom Vineyards garnered seven medals for its estate-grown wines, including Gold for its 2010 Sierra Foothills Merlot; three Silver medals for its 2013 Sierra Foothills Sauvignon Blanc, 2011 Sierra Foothills Zinfandel, and 2012 Sierra Foothills Sangiovese; and three Bronzes for its 2013 Sierra Foothills Semillon, 2010 Cabernet Sauvignon, and a 2011 Sierra Foothills red blend.
Jamestown’s Gianelli Vineyards scored a total of five medals, including two Golds for its 2013 Gianelli Estate Fiano, a white blend, and 2013 estate Bella Rosato; Silvers were for the winery’s 2011 estate Montepulciano and Nino, an Italian red blend, and it earned a Bronze for its 2011 estate Primitivo.
Also making off with five medals was Murphys-based Millaire Winery, which earned Double Gold for its 2013 Amador County Jennesse Primitivio. It additionally scored three Silvers for its 2013 Mokelumne River Pinot Noir, 2011 Calaveras County Ghirardelli Zinfandel and 2011 Amador County Clockspring Zinfandel; Bronze for its 2010 Calaveras Triumph Cabernet Sauvignon.
Vina Moda, which earned a total of four medals brought home three Golds; two of these were for its 2012 and 2011 Sierra Foothills Barberas. The third Gold medal was given for its 2012 Vinas, a red blend; Silver was awarded for its 2011 Sierra Foothills Cabernet Sauvignon.
Black Sheep Winery won four medals, including Gold for its 2010 Calaveras County Zinfandel; Silver for its 2011 Amador County Zin; and two Bronzes for its 2012 California Merlot and 2011 Calaveras County Cabernet Sauvignon.
Frog’s Tooth Vineyards also garnered four medals; two Silver medals for its 2012 Sierra Foothills Collaboration, a white blend, and 2013 Calaveras County Fume Blanc; and Bronzes for its 2013 Calaveras County Fume Blanc and 2013 Pinot Grigio.
Likewise, Inner Sanctum Cellars took away four medals from the competition; two Silvers, for its 2012 Tuolumne County Tempranillo and 2012 Calaveras County Cinsault; two Bronzes for its 2013 Clements Hills-Lodi-sourced Albarino and 2012 Tuolumne County Barbera.
Zucca Mountain Vineyards earned four medals; Silver for its 2012 Calaveras County Syrah and three Bronzes for its 2013 Amador County Grenache Rose, 2012 Amador County Sangiovese, and 2012 Amador County Barbera.
Three-medal winner Renwood Winery took home Double Gold for its 2013 Sierra Foothills Vermentino/Sauvignon, Gold for its Amador County Premier Old Vine Zinfandel, and Silver for its 2012 Fiddletown Zinfandel.
Murphys landmark winery Ironstone Vineyards also earned three medals; Gold for its 2013 Obsession Symphony, a white blend, along with Silver for its 2013 Lodi-sourced Old Vines Zinfandel, and Bronze for its 2010 Sierra Foothills Reserve Cabernet Franc.
Another winery earning three medals was Renner Winery. Two Silver medals were awarded for its 201a Sierra Foothills Syrah and 2010 Sierra Foothills Malbec, and Bronze for its 2011 Sierra Foothills Late Harvest Syrah.
