Three Best of Class Awards at the San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition

At the recent San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition, we were awarded three Best of Class awards.

This competition includes over sixty judges representing various North American wine regions, who evaluate 5,500 wines from nearly 1000 wineries.

"These are the best of the best wines within each category of the competition," stated Bob Fraser, Executive Director of the competition, states, "I was impressed that these wines represented a diversity of wine regions throughout the United states. To be selected as a Sweepstake or Best of Class wine from over 5,500 wines submitted to the San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition is truly an honor for these wineries."

Here are our award-winning wines, with tasting notes from longtime wine writer Mike Dunne:

2021 Vignoles

"...There's nothing uncertain in the swashbuckling stride of this rich, hefty, and off-dry white wine, a perfect cocktail wine for its straightforward fruit but alos with the build and acid to accompany a wide range of casseroles."

Learn more

2021 Winemaker Select Gewürztraminer

"...showcasing with authority the variety's characteristic floral, fruity, and spicy components...vivid acidity."

Learn more

2021 Humphreys Vineyard Riesling

Our semi dry, single vineyard Riesling.

This vintage is currently sold out.

Join us in celebrating these Best of Class wines

We've created a bundle, featuring two of each of these wines (free shipping!) to make it easy for you to enjoy them. You can order our Best in Class bundle below.

Order the Best of Class bundle

 

Eleven of our 2021 vintages rated 90+ on Jamessuckling.com

Eleven of our 2021 vintages recently received outstanding point ratings of over 90 points on jamessuckling.com.

James Suckling has four decades of experience as journalist and wine critic, and is one of today's leading wine critics whose reviews are read and respected by wine lovers, serious wine collectors, and the wine trade worldwide.  He and his tasting team of 22 around the world focus on the great wines of the world including Bordeaux, Champagne, Australia, New Zealand, California, Chile, and Argentina. In 2021, they rated over 25,000 wines. They taste thousands of wines each month. 

Wines are rated on a 100 point scale. A wine rated 90 points or more is considered outstanding.

Here are the wines reviewed recently, with tasting notes:

92 pts.
2021 Classic Chardonnay 

"Aromas of sliced lemons, rosemary stems, lilies and white peaches. Medium-bodied with bright acidity and sliky texture. Bright and fresh with a slightly more savory finish. Tasty. I like the length and phenolic grip here. Drink now."

Learn more

92 pts.
2021 Epic Reserve 

"A pretty nose of strawberries, rose petal and grated nutmeg. Medium-bodied with silky tannins. The nose follows through to the palate. Rather elegant and refined. Drink now."

Learn more

92 pts.
2021 Humphreys Vineyard Riesling

"Aromas of peaches, pears, beeswax and fresh herbs. Medium-bodied with a silky texture. Juicy and fresh with a crisp acidity and lovely drive. Stone fruits with orange peel undertones. Drink now."

Currently sold out

91 pts.
2021 Classic Gewürztraminer

"...you are greeted with aromas of rose, banana leaf and sliced peaches. Medium-bodied and rather concentrated. Intense stone fruit and orange fruit on the palate with a floral edge. Drink now."

Learn more

91 pts.
2021 Gewürztraminer, Winemaker Select

"Aromas of pears, apricots and jasmine. Medium-bodied and off-dry. Mineral and herbal on the palate with a sturdy core of stone fruit. Floral at the finish. Drink now."

Learn more

91 pts.
2021 Classic Riesling

"Aromas of peaches, apricots and honeysuckle. Medium-bodied and charmingly off-dry. Succulent and fresh with the subtle sweetness adding a bit more depth. Bright acidity too. Drink now."

Learn more

91 pts.
2021 Vignoles 

"Aromas of pears, dried herbs and chicory root. Medium-bodied and sweet. Juicy and fresh with a persistent finish. Drink now."

Learn more

90 pts.
Crooked Lake White

"Aromas of green apples, pears and savory spice. Medium-bodied with bright ...palate with a gentle finish. Drink now."

Learn more

90 pts.
2021 Dry Riesling

"Aromas of peaches, orange peel and lime zest. Medium-bodied with mineral undertones. Fresh and bright with a green apple character. Drink now."

Learn more

90 pts.
2021 Humphreys Vineyard Zweigelt (wine club exclusive)

"Aromas of plums, pitted red cherries and woody spice. Medium-bodied with soft tannins. Bright on the palate with steady balance and subtle notes of nutmeg and clove coming through. Drink now."

90 pts.
2021 Merlot  

"Aromas of plums, nutmeg, rosemary and a hint of white pepper. Medium-bodied tannins and a floral edge. Pretty and juicy on the palate with a straightforward feel. Drink now."

Learn more

We are so excited to share these outstanding wines with you! Make them a part of your every day enjoyment of life, or bring these to a special occasion. Up everyone's fullfillment a notch or two by sharing smiles and heartwarming conversation over one or two of these delicious bottles of wine.  Order them easily by clicking on the individual wines above, or using the button below. Cheers!

View all wines

Best in Class, Gold Medals, and 90+ ratings at the New York Wine Classic Competition

Today our medals arrived from the New York Wine Classic. Organized annually by the New York Wine & Grape Foundation, the New York Wine Classic celebrates a diverse selection of world-class wines from producers within the State. Judging was by the prestigious Beverage Testing Institute (BTI), comprised of beverage directors, sommeliers, top bartenders, retail buyers, and educators. This year’s competition included nearly 700 entries from 101 wineries from across the state. For more about how wine competitions work, read this interesting article.

We were thrilled to be awarded a Best in Class award--Best White Blend Non-Vinifera--for our Crooked Lake White. It also was rated 92 points and received a gold medal. 

Our 2021 Vignoles (93 points), 2021 Humphreys Vineyard Riesling (90 points), and 2021 Bubbly Zweigelt (90 points) were also awarded gold medals. We also received two silver medals for 2021 Bubbly Vignoles (89 points) and 2020 Epic Reserve (88 points), as well as a bronze medal for our 2021 Dry Rosé.

Learn more about 2021 Vignoles

Learn more about 2021 Humphreys Vineyard Riesling

Learn more about 2021 Dry Rosé

To celebrate, we've put together our "Winner's Circle" pack! Easy to order, we invite you to share in enjoying these wines now while the time is right!  All of these refreshing wines are perfect for passing these dog days of August and enjoying the rest of summer. Host a gathering and impress your friends!

You can learn more about each available wine by clicking the names above, and use the link below for more about the Winner's Circle pack.

Order the Winner's Circle Pack

We're happy to share these wines with you! Cheers!