 The 2006 professional judging took place in
Cloverdale at the Citrus Fairgrounds from January
10-13. 55 judges from around the country
participated in evaluating over 3300 entries. This
judging which began over twenty years ago with a few
entries from local wineries is now the largest
competition of American wine in the world.
Entries were submitted from across the United
States, though the overwhelming majority originated
with wineries in California. The competition is
tough and not everyone walks away with a medal. But
those that do, especially the coveted Best of Class
and Sweepstake awards, have a year’s worth of
bragging rights and a valuable promotional story.
Here is a recap of the big winners.
- Sparkling Sweepstakes Winner:
1996 Gloria Ferrer Carneros Cuvée.
- White Sweepstakes Winner:
2005 Windsor Vineyards Mendocino County Private
Reserve Sauvignon Blanc.
- Red Sweepstakes Winner:
2004 Patz & Hall Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir.
The consistent quality of the fruit and
winemaking in the sweepstakes winners is
verified by their repeated garnering of awards.
Gloria Ferrer won top honors for another of
their bubblies during the most recent Harvest
Fair in Sonoma County. Windsor Vineyards has
been one of the winningest wineries in the
country and that tradition seems set to continue
in 2006. And lastly Patz & Hall took the top red
wine honor two years ago and came back to win it
again.
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