San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition Public Tasting Raises the Bar; Wine Lovers Raise Their Glasses

The 2010 Public Tasting Welcomes Sold-Out Crowd

On Saturday, February 20th, the San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition celebrated another banner year with a full house at the 2010 Public Tasting. Held at Fort Mason Center’s Festival Pavilion, the event brought in rave reviews from an astonishing 6,000 patrons, ranging from newcomers and recreational wine lovers to expert tasters. "It was hard to imagine improving on the 2009 Tasting, but 2010 surpassed every expectation," says executive director Bob Fraser.

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Cal Poly Girls enjoy the 2010 SFCWC:

Cal Poly Senior Agriculture students Alexandra Fraser (far left) and Audrey Collar (far right) join Cal Poly alumni (middle left to right) Erin Thompson, Erica Thompson, and Brooke Fraser at the 2010 SFCWC Tasting.

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And the Winners Are…

The 2010 San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition Sweepstake Winners are:

On January 8th, 2010, the San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition concluded the annual week of judging at the Cloverdale Citrus Fairgrounds in Sonoma County, California. Over five days, 63 professional wine experts within the media, restaurant and hospitality, education, winemaking and retail wine industries tasted and evaluated a world-record breaking 4,913 entries, a number that maintains the competition's status as the largest competition of American wines in the world.

Consumers can look forward to tasting the Sweepstake Award Winners, along with hundreds of additional wines, at the 2010 San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition Public Tasting, February 20th held at Fort Mason Center's Festival Pavilion in San Francisco. The Public Tasting is an annual celebration allowing wine lovers to compare their favorites to the top picks announced at the judging while enjoying great food and breathtaking views.

A comprehensive list of the wines and their awards is available online »
 

2010 SFCWC Judges Celebrated In Style at Trione Vineyards and Winery

Thank you to the Trione family for allowing the largest competition of American wines in the world the privilege of celebrating at Trione Vineyards and Winery. They graciously offered their stunning estate to host the Annual Judges Dinner on Wednesday, January 6th. Located in the heart of Sonoma County, our judges had the opportunity to reflect on the week's events while paying tribute to the numerous individuals who have made the San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition possible every year...

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KGO Dining Around With Gene Burns
Airing Live at 2010 Chronicle Tasting

"The best wine and culinary show on the West Coast, Dining Around with Gene Burns KGO AM 810, will air live immediately before the public tasting Saturday 10:00 AM to 1:00 PM on Saturday, February 20, 2010" reports Bob Fraser. "We have been honored to have Gene onboard as well as the over ten year sponsorship with the #1 radio station in the Bay Area, KGO AM 810". Please go to kgo.com for further San Francisco Chronicle articles and opportunities.

The First and Largest Competition of American Wines Boasts Over 4,900 Entries in 2010

The most complex process of the San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition has begun. This comprehensive annual judging is officially underway at Cloverdale Citrus Fairgrounds. On Monday, January 5th, more than 60 professional wine experts from across the country came together for one week in Sonoma County, California to evaluate 4,913 entries, a number that far surpasses expectations from the previous years. With ten new panelists contributing their unique expertise to the judging, each wine will be carefully evaluated by a series of teams that include Wilfred Wong, cellarmaster for Beverages & More!; Jon Bonne, wine writer for the San Francisco Chronicle; Dan Berger, syndicated journalist; and Paul Lukacs, wine writer and educator out of Baltimore, MD, and many more.

meet the judges »

Judging Snapshots

2010 San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition Offers A Taste of Indulgence
Largest Competition of American Wines in the World Announces Annual Public Tasting

After the chaos of the holiday season, what better way is there to relax than with good wine and great friends?  The San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition (SFCWC) is the ideal opportunity to celebrate both at the Annual Public Tasting, held February 20, 2010 at Fort Mason Center’s Festival Pavilion in San Francisco.  Featuring thousands of the country’s finest wines and a truly exceptional spread of gourmet fare, this popular event encourages everyone to come together, toast to a New Year and enjoy a bit of the best life has to offer.

An experience that surpasses glamour and sophistication, the San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition Public Tasting offers tickets for $60 when purchased in advance, and has historically sold out weeks in advance.  However, admittance, if still available the day of the Tasting, is $80 at the door.

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Notes from the Back Room
San Francisco Chronicle’s 2010 Wine Competition

By: Michael Haran

The 27th annual San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition in Cloverdale, California had some new features this year. Not only were there 4,913 entries this year (a 4% increase over ’09) but another panel of judges was added and several new categories of wine were also added including Red Varietals and the Judge’s Choice Awards.

Monday morning came early the week of the competition. I’d like to say that all the volunteers drag themselves into the first morning breakfast but that wasn’t it. The truth was that everyone was excited to back working the competition. Some of the volunteers have been working the competition for years like Kay and Rae Swanson who have been there for 16 years and Mike Linstrom who was Bob Fraser’s college roommate and got "recruited" early on. Last year’s caterers were here again and again the breakfast and lunches for all participants was excellent. Old acquaintances were renewed and new friendships were starting.

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2010 San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition Presenting Sponsor

"We are extremely honored for Target to collaborate with the San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition and the wine industry throughout America as its official presenting sponsor for 2010", states Bob Fraser, Executive Director. "Target has demonstrated excellence in the marketplace and has sustained an outstanding record in giving back to their communities. We feel excited that Target and the San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition will be working collaboratively in educating and informing consumers of excellent wines grown and produced in America.

San Francisco's KGO Media Sponsor

KGO NEWSTALK AM 810 has been the exclusive radio sponsor for the San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition since its inception", reports Bob Fraser. "The media support of promotional spots on KGO and the recognition of the Sweepstake Winemakers on the "Dining Around with Gene Burns Show" has been tremendous for the consumers of not only the Bay Area but throughout California and into some areas of the Pacific Northwest. They add special excitement to the San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition...

NBC Bay Area is the television partner of the San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition. NBC Bay Areas' In Wine Country is the premier wine lifestyle show and your inside guide to enjoying wine in your own home. In Wine Country is all about where to go, what to do and how to share the passion for wine country no matter where you live.

Wine & Spirits Magazine is the official magazine of the 2010 competition.
Live well. Drink well. Join more than 200,000 readers who enjoy the wines Wine & Spirits critics preselect for them. Published eight times a year, Wine & Spirits presents the best of more than 10,000 wines screened by panels and critics, along with top destinations for wine and food, perspectives on distinctive wine regions and news. Plus the best writing in wine: Wine & Spirits is the only wine magazine to have earned five James Beard Awards.

Subscribe today and gain immediate access to their online database of ratings and reviews. SPECIAL OFFER for the San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition! Visit www.wineandspiritsmagazine.com/subscriptions and enter PSFC9 code for discount subscription rate $19.95 (Regular price $29.95)

Please see more of our Sponsors...

Watch a video overview of the wine judging!