LAKE COUNTY – Wines produced by Wildhurst Vineyards of Kelseyville received top honors in the 2008 California State Fair commercial wine competition.
Awards were announced earlier this summer during the annual Grape and Gourmet gala scholarship benefit at Cal Expo in Sacramento.
The winning wines will be showcased at the State Fair, Aug. 15 through Sept. 1.
The Wildhurst 2007 Reserve Sauvignon Blanc received a Gold Medal and was named “Best of California” and “Best of Class North Coast Appellation.”
Their 2006 Reserve Chardonnay was awarded 98 points, a Double Gold medal, and recognized as “Best of Class North Coast Appellation.”
The professional judges for the competition sipped their way through over 2900 wines submitted by commercial wineries from throughout California. The California State Fair competition is the oldest and most prestigious wine competition in North America.
Other awards garnered by Wildhurst include Silver medals for the 2006 Reserve Zinfandel and the 2006 Plunkett Creek Series Chardonnay.
Myron Holdenried, winegrape grower and owner of Wildhurst Vineyards, noted that his winery has received numerous awards in major wine competitions every year under the leadership of winemaker Mark Burch.
Holdenried expressed his delight in Burch’s winemaking skills, saying, “Mark has done it again!” by claiming significant awards at this year’s state fair.
Winemaker Burch describes the winning 2006 Chardonnay as “nice and ripe in fruit, with pear, green apple and a touch of citrus. Oak aging provides a complex layering of toast and vanilla, while the crisp acidity balances a soft, lingering finish.”
The 2007 Sauvignon Blanc is characterized by Burch as being “very typical of Wildhurst-style Sauvignon Blanc: crisp, fresh, clean with tropical notes across the middle, carrying the wine to a rich but steely finish.”
The Wildhurst Vineyards tasting room is located at 3855 Main Street, Kelseyville, and is open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily. Wines may be purchased online at www.wildhurst.com. Call 279-4302 for more information.
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