2010 Mendocino County Fair Wine Competition
On Friday night Joe and I went with some friends to the awards dinner for the 2010 Mendocino Co. Wine Competition. At Goldeneye winery, the dinner is a casual affair with self-serve wines from the brands that entered and lamb sliders, salads, cookies, etc. It was a beautiful evening behind the tasting room, overlooking the vineyard.
We entered three wines in the competition (the first time we've entered as last year we were on our New Zealand honeymoon and forgot!): the 2009 Gewurzt, the 2007 All-In Pinot and the 2008 Sauvignon Blanc.
All three wines are solid, delicious offerings that we're very proud of and we were equally as proud that all three received medals. The star of the night was the 2009 Gewurzt, which not only won a gold medal but also placed as runner-up to the sweepstakes white (second favorite white wine in the entire competition)!! That's pretty good. On top of that, two judges came in to purchase bottles the next day (for their own consumption). I take that as a HUGE compliment given their sharp palates.
I have to admit being slightly disappointed with the Sauvignon Blanc, which only received a silver medal. In our experience that SB rocks every competition that we enter it in -- except this one. Hmmm... We sent them five bottles, so it couldn't have been off or corked I would imagine, but I still wonder. Unusual for this wine, which always places gold or double gold, even among stiffer competition than this. But I guess that's the beauty of competitions - different years, different judges, different medals.
Either way, it was a fun evening. I enjoyed chatting with old friends and judges that I haven't seen in quite some time. Big thanks to all the wine judges who come all the way up to our small valley to cast their vote!
Here are some photos from the event:
We entered three wines in the competition (the first time we've entered as last year we were on our New Zealand honeymoon and forgot!): the 2009 Gewurzt, the 2007 All-In Pinot and the 2008 Sauvignon Blanc.
All three wines are solid, delicious offerings that we're very proud of and we were equally as proud that all three received medals. The star of the night was the 2009 Gewurzt, which not only won a gold medal but also placed as runner-up to the sweepstakes white (second favorite white wine in the entire competition)!! That's pretty good. On top of that, two judges came in to purchase bottles the next day (for their own consumption). I take that as a HUGE compliment given their sharp palates.
I have to admit being slightly disappointed with the Sauvignon Blanc, which only received a silver medal. In our experience that SB rocks every competition that we enter it in -- except this one. Hmmm... We sent them five bottles, so it couldn't have been off or corked I would imagine, but I still wonder. Unusual for this wine, which always places gold or double gold, even among stiffer competition than this. But I guess that's the beauty of competitions - different years, different judges, different medals.
Either way, it was a fun evening. I enjoyed chatting with old friends and judges that I haven't seen in quite some time. Big thanks to all the wine judges who come all the way up to our small valley to cast their vote!
Here are some photos from the event:
Joe watching me, taking photos of him. :)
A wine table and the gathered crowd beyond.
Journalist and Judge Chris Sawyer and MWWC President Dave Batt present awards (on the right).
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