The 2014 Southern Oregon World of Wine Festival recently concluded its wine competition, which featured 207 wines from 49 wineries. A total of 11 gold medals were awarded this year, including 2 “double” gold medals, meaning that all three judges unanimously agreed on the award. A total of 40 silver medals were also awarded. Best of Show honors went to Abacela Winery for its 2013 Albariño and to Agate Ridge Vineyards for its 2011 Malbec. Abacela also won Best of Show – Other Wine for its 2013 Grenache Rosé. Local winemaker Bryan Wilson earned a total of 4 gold medals and 5 silver medals for the wines he crafted for Cuckoo’s Nest Cellars, Foris Vineyards, and Pebblestone Cellars.
The awards were announced at a special Medal Dinner and Live Auction held at the conclusion of the judging on Friday, August 22nd. The dinner, which was held at Bigham Knoll in Jacksonville, featured a gourmet 7-course meal with each course specifically paired with one of the top medal-winning wines, including all three Best of Show wines.
“The wine industry in Southern Oregon continues to rapidly grow, as reflected in the record number of entries in the wine competition this year. The judges were clearly impressed by both the variety and overall quality of the wines they tasted which, given the caliber of these judges, certainly bodes well for the future” noted Bruce Nicholson, Chairman of the Wine Competition.
The wine competition was judged by three acclaimed wine experts, including two Masters of Wine. The prestigious Master of Wine (MW) title is bestowed by the Institute of Masters of Wine in London, and is considered the highest level of achievement for the wine industry. This year’s judges included Dilek Caner, MW, and founder of Tasting World; Amy Christine, MW, and owner/operator of artisanal winery Black Sheep Finds; and Mike Dunne, freelance wine writer/consultant and frequent contributor to the Sacramento Bee. The annual wine competition has repeatedly succeeded in attracting high profile wine judges, including 12 Masters of Wine over the past five years.
The 2014 World of Wine featured multiple events including five wine sensory classes, the aforementioned Medal Dinner and Live Auction, and culminated with the Grand Tasting, which took place on Saturday, August 23rd. All of the proceeds from this year’s festival went to the charitable Asante Foundation, which supports various health care initiatives in Southern Oregon, including the Children’s Miracle Network. The Asante Foundation is a World of Wine partner.
2014 World of Wine
Judging Competition Results
Judges
Dilek Caner, MW
Amy Christine, MW
Mike Dunne
Best of Show
White – Abacela 2013 Albariño
Red – Agate Ridge Vineyard 2011 Malbec
Other* – Abacela 2013 Grenache Rosé
*Other includes the categories Rosé, Sparkling wines, White Dessert wines, and Red Dessert Wines
Double Gold Medal
Requires unanimous gold medal scores by all three judges
Abacela 2013 Albariño
Agate Ridge Vineyard 2011 Malbec
Gold Medal
Brandborg Vineyard & Winery 2012 Ferris Wheel Estate Pinot Noir
Brandborg Vineyard & Winery 2013 Gewürztraminer
Cliff Creek Cellars 2008 Claret
Foris 2010 Cabernet Sauvignon
Foris 2012 Maple Ranch Pinot Noir
Pebblestone Cellars 2013 Pinot Gris
Pebblestone Cellars 2010 Cabernet Franc
Season Cellars 2013 Viognier
Weisinger Family Winery 2011 Tempranillo
Silver Medal
Abacela 2013 Grenache Rosé
Black Beauty 2011 Syrah
Brandborg Vineyard & Winery 2012 Riesling
Cuckoo’s Nest Cellars 2013 Pinot Gris
DANCIN Vineyards 2013 Chaine Chardonnay
DANCIN Vineyards 2013 Chaustinelle Reserve Chardonnay
DANCIN Vineyards 2012 Danseur Syrah
Del Rio Vineyards 2013 Pinot Gris
EdenVale Winery 2007 Pearhouse Reserve Collection Merlot
Foris 2013 Pinot Blanc
God King Slave Wines 2012 The Initiative
Grizzly Peak Winery 2011 Malbec
J. Scott Cellars 2012 Siren’s Song
Jaxon Vineyards 2011 Mistral
Kriselle Cellars 2013 Sauvignon Blanc
Kriselle Cellars 2011 Di’tani
Ledger David Cellars 2011 Malbec
Misty Oaks Vineyard 2012 BN1 Baco Noir
Paschal Winery & Vineyard 2011 Cabernet Sauvignon
Pebblestone Cellars 2010 Merlot
Pebblestone Cellars 2013 Viognier
Pebblestone Cellars 2009 Mélange
Plaisance Ranch 2011 Tempranillo
Plaisance Ranch 2011 Rouge Prestige
Quady North 2011 Cabernet Franc
Quady North 2013 Pistoleta
Red Lily Vineyards 2011 Red Lily Tempranillo
Rocky Knoll Vineyard 2007 Claret
RoxyAnn Winery 2013 Sauvignon Blanc
RoxyAnn Winery 2011 Merlot
Schmidt Family Vineyards 2013 Pinot Gris
Schmidt Family Vineyards 2013 Reserve Chardonnay
Serra Vineyards 2011 Cabernet Sauvignon
Serra Vineyards 2011 Cabernet Franc
Simple Machine 2011 Grenache
TeSoAria 2012 Pinot Noir
TeSoAria 2012 Primitivo
TeSoAria 2013 Bull’s Blood
TeSoAria 2010 Vindetta
Trium 2010 Grower’s Cuvee