LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – Four Lake County wineries brought home best of class awards in the 2016 San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition.
Winners were 2013 Shooting Star Barbera, 2014 Gregory Graham Wedge Block Chardonnay, 2013 Smiling Dogs Ranch Eutenir Ranch Cabernet Sauvignon and 2010 Hawk and Horse Latigo red dessert wine.
“Lake County wineries have again been recognized for great wines! Congratulations to our four Best of Class winners,” said Lake County Winery Association Director Terry Dereniuk.
Local wineries have been anxiously awaiting the announcement of results.
Steele Wine’s Tasting Room Manager Raven Sprague said she had been checking the www.winejudging.com Web site all day.
Smiling Dogs Ranch owner Scott Simkover was more laid back about the results, but smiled broadly at the news that his 2013 Cabernet Sauvignon scored a big win.
“This is our second year entering wines in the competition. I am excited to have my wine recognized as Best of Class,” he said.
Two of the 67 judges this year were from Lake County.
Winemaker Eric Stine and Sommelier Stephanie Green spent three days swirling, sipping, spitting and judging.
“It was a phenomenal experience,” said Green. “The work involved of making difficult choices during the judging for us is a very hard task but each wine is judged individually on its own merit. Amazing! I'm proud to be a part of the American wine industry and Lake County.”
Results of the San Francisco Chronicle 2016 Wine Competition were posted late Friday afternoon on www.winejudging.com following the three days of judging of the record breaking 7,162 entries.
Billed as the largest wine competition in North America, awards from this event are coveted by the winners. Full results are available at www.winejudging.com .
Lake County wineries take home four best of class awards in San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition
- Lake County News reports
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