Foothills wineries win big in State Fair wine tasting competition

Sierra Foothills wineries, from Auburn to Lincoln to Grass Valley and Nevada City, won big in this year’s wine tasting competition for the California State Fair.

“Best of Class” winners included Lone Buffalo, Viña Castellano and Wise Villa – which won 12 medals. Viña Castellano won a “Double Gold,” “Best of California and Best of Class of Region” for its Abuelito (Tempranillo 70%, Mourvedre 15% and Grenache 15%).

Sierra Starr won four silver medals and Smith Vineyards won three silver medals. Clavey won a gold for its estate-grown Cabernet Sauvignon. Coufous’ Roussanne won a “best of class” award for the region.

Avanguardia
Tre ‘T’, Bronze

Ciotti
Cabernet Sauvignon, Silver
Zinfandel, Old Vine, Bronze

Clavey
Cabernet Sauvignon, Gold
Chardonnay, Silver

Coufos Cellers
Roussanne, Silver, Best of Class in Region

Dono dal Cielo
Sauvignon Blanc, Bronze

Lone Buffalo
Tempranillo, Tatonka, Gold, Best of Class in Region
“Where the Buffalo Roam” red blend, Silver

Montoliva
Nebbiolo, Bronze
Montoliva also won “Best of Class of Region” with “2 Monsters Petite Sirah,” a private label for Basement Wines in Colfax.

Mount Vernon
Petite Sirah, Silver
Zinfandel, Silver
Cabernet-Shiraz, Silver
Cabernet Franc, Silver
Pinot Noir, Silver

Nevada City Winery
Syrah/Shiraz, Silver
Merlot, Silver
Barbera, Bronze
Sonata, Bronze

Popie
Red, Silver
Varietal Rose, Silver
Barbera, Silver
Micro Winery all other wines,
Bronze
Zinfandel, Bronze

Secret Ravine
Cabernet Franc, Silver
Montepulciano, Bronze
Merlot, Bronze

Sierra Starr
Zinfandel, Phils Selection, Silver
Sauvignon Blanc, Solstice, Silver
Zinfandel, Old Clone, Silver
Zinfandel, Sun Spot, Silver

Smith Vineyards
Primitivo, Silver
Cabernet Sauvignon, Silver
Syrah/Shiraz, Silver

Viña Castellano
Abuelito Double Gold, Best of California, Best of Class in Region
Tempranillo, Bronze
Cabernet Franc, Bronze

Wise Villa
Petite Sirah, Gold, Best of Class of Region
Torrontes, Gold, Best of Region, White
Syrah, Gold, Best of Class of Region
Cabernet Sauvignon, Gold, Best of Class of Region
Syrah, Silver, Best of Class of Region
Touriga Nacional, Silver
“Wisdom of Wise,” Silver
Sangiovese, Silver
Zinfandel, Bronze
Zinfandel, Bronze
Pinot Noir, Bronze
Tempranillo, Bronze

The results are HERE.

(Photo: Dan Senkbeil)