San Francisco International Wine Competition Winners

A record number of wines were judged during the San Francisco International Wine Competition held at Hotel Nikko this June by judges from across the country.  Tasting 4556 wines from over 13OO wineries, 49 wine industry professionals convened for the 32nd year of the competition to evaluate wines from 26 states and 29 countries.  The medal count included 2O2 Double Gold awards (a wine is elevated to Double Gold status when all judges on a particular panel agree that a wine deserves a Gold medal), 363 Gold medals, 1358 Silver medals and 1613 Bronze medals.  The competition saw a nine percent increase in wine entries from last year.  Big gains were seen in the Cabernet Sauvignon submissions, as well as in Viognier, Rose, and Sangiovese Blend categories.  Vincor International Inc. was recognized with “Portfolio of the Year” for excellence across a spectrum of brands.  Winemaker Corey Beck, Francis Ford Coppola Winery, Geyserville, California, won the coveted Andre Tchelistcheff “Winemaker of the Year” award.  The tasting panel magazine “Winery of the Year” award went to Ste. Michelle Wine Estates of Woodinville, Washington.  For a complete list of winners go to sfwinecomp.com.

BEST IN SHOW WHITE WINE
Maryhill Winery 2O11
Riesling
Columbia Valley $1O

BEST IN SHOW RED WINE
Kestrel Vintners 2OO8
Raptor Red Premium Bordeaux Blend
Yakima Valley $6O

BEST IN SHOW SPARKLING WINE
Champagne Nicolas Feuillatte 2OO4
Vintage Brut
Champagne $46
 
BEST IN SHOW DESSERT WINE
Barboursville Vineyards 2OO7
Malvaxia
Virginia $3O