Wine writers usually write about wineries and winemakers, tasting rooms and wines, but far too often don’t give full credit to the vineyards, winegrape caretakers, and the land the grapes grow on that shape the wines we enjoy.
The San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition is a pretty big deal in the world of wine competitions. This year, this largest wine competition of American wines saw over 5,000 wines entered into competition from 23 US states. Of course, most of the wines came from California, and many of the wines entered were made with grapes grown in Mendocino County grapes.
All of the wines awarded medals – Bronze, Silver, Gold, Double (unanimous) Gold, Best of Class (best of varietal, Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, etc.), and Sweepstakes (Best red, white, bubbly, dessert, etc. of Competition) – will be poured for the public at the SFCWC Public Tasting at the Festival Pavilion at the Fort Mason Center in San Francisco on Saturday, February 19, 2011 from 2:00pm – 5:00pm.
I have pulled the 170 wines being poured, made from Mendocino County grapes, by wineries in and out of Mendocino County, so that you can try a Terroir tasting. By planning ahead, preparing a tasting list of Mendocino County wines, there is the opportunity to taste unique varietal characteristics found in Mendocino County’s wines, what makes Chardonnay made from Manchester Ridge grapes so good or how Barbera, Sauvignon Blanc and Syrah each find a fullness of expression when grown in Mendocino County. The opportunity to explore and learn the profile of award winning Anderson Valley Pinot Noir or Mendocino Zinfandel by tasting several award winning examples in one place is rare, but well worth the effort – especially when the opportunity presents itself so richly.
I will visit wineries, mostly in Mendocino County, this year and write about the wines they make. I will have less opportunity to write about vineyards, although the sustainable, organic, and biodynamic green-ness of Mendocino County grape growing allows for compelling stories. The individual appellation promotional efforts for the Anderson Valley, Hopland, Redwood Valley, Ukiah, and the overarching Mendocino Winegrape and Wine Commission will focus their efforts on promotion of the county’s wineries, but not vineyards – it is a tougher story to tell effectively.
The results of the San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition, 170 award winning wines identified as being made from grapes harvested in Mendocino County – plus countless more wines improved by the addition of Mendocino County grapes in wines labelled as coming from North Coast or California – and having a tasting list of of those 170 medal winning Mendocino County wines, allows tasters to experience the land of the county, the area within the county, individual vineyards, as much or more than tasting the winemaker’s art or the winery style imprint.
Regularly, I would suggest folks throughout the San Francisco bay area come north up highway 101 to Mendocino County to visit our vineyards and wineries, taste our wines and olive oils, join our wine clubs, stay overnight in our lodgings, dine in our restaurants, visit more wineries, a farmer’s market, garden, museum, or hot springs, maybe ride on the Skunk Train, drive through redwood forests, visit our wild coast, and at the end of your visit, return home with a trunk full of delicious Mendocino County bounty.
Saturday, February 19, instead, I would urge you to visit San Francisco’s Fort Mason, and take part in your own exploration of Mendocino County wines at the Public Tasting of SFVWC medal winners.
This list is a celebration of Mendocino County’s Winegrape growers, congratulations on having your excellence recognized and awarded:
39 North Wine Company 2007 Cabernet Sauvignon Mendocino County $30 SILVER
39 North Wine Company 2007 Petite Sirah Mendocino County $30 SILVER
Albertina Wine Cellars 2007 Cabernet Sauvignon Mendocino Zamarzly Family Vineyards $20 GOLD
Amorosa Bella NV Dry Sparkling Brut Mendocino County Amorosa Balla $30 BRONZE
Artevino 2009 Chardonnay Yorkville Highlands Mendocino County $30 GOLD
Artezin Wines 2009 Zinfandel Mendocino County $18 SILVER
Artezin Wines 2007 Petite Sirah Mendocino County $25 BRONZE
Balance by Heath Dolan 2007 Red Field Blend Mendocino $24 SILVER
Barra of Mendocino 2007 Pinot Noir Mendocino $20 SILVER
Barra of Mendocino 2006 Sangiovese Mendocino $18 BRONZE
Baxter 2007 Pinot Noir Anderson Valley Run Dog Vineyard $45 SILVER
Baxter 2007 Pinot Noir Anderson Valley Toulouse Vineyard $45 SILVER
Baxter 2007 Pinot Noir Mendocino Oppenlander Vineyard $60 DOUBLE GOLD
Baxter 2006 Carignane Mendocino Caballo Blanco $32 SILVER
Black Goose Wines 2006 Zinfandel Mendocino County Bartoloma Vineyards $26 BRONZE
Bliss Family Vineyards 2009 Chardonnay Mendocino Estate Bottled $10 SILVER
Bliss Family Vineyards 2009 Merlot Mendocino Estate Bottled $10 SILVER
Bliss Family Vineyards 2009 Cabernet Sauvignon Mendocino Estate Bottled $10 SILVER
Blooms Winery on Whidbey 2007 Cabernet Sauvignon Mendocino County Blooms Vineyard $30 SILVER
Bonterra Vineyards 2009 Chardonnay Mendocino County Bonterra $14 SILVER
Bonterra Vineyards NV White Table Blend Mendocino County Bonterra $10 SILVER
Bonterra Vineyards 2009 Rosé Mendocino Bonterra $14 DOUBLE GOLD
Bonterra Vineyards 2009 Pinot Noir Mendocino County Bonterra $20 GOLD
Bonterra Vineyards 2008 Zinfandel Mendocino County Bonterra $16 GOLD
Bonterra Vineyards 2008 Merlot Mendocino County Bonterra $16 SILVER
Bonterra Vineyards 2008 Cabernet Sauvignon Mendocino Bonterra $16 SILVER
Bonterra Vineyards NV Red Table Blend Mendocino County Bonterra $10 GOLD
Brutocao 2009 Sauvignon Blanc Mendocino Feliz Vineyard Estate Bottled $14 BRONZE
Brutocao 2009 Chardonnay Mendocino Bliss Vineyard Estate Bottled $16 SILVER
Brutocao 2008 Pinot Noir Anderson Valley Estate Bottled $28 BRONZE
Brutocao 2007 Quadriga Mendocino Hopland Ranch Estate Bottled $24 SILVER
Brutocao 2007 Merlot Mendocino Bliss Vineyard Estate Bottled $20 SILVER
Brutocao 2007 Cabernet Sauvignon Mendocino Hopland Ranch Estate Bottled $22 GOLD
Cahill Winery 2007 Cabernet Sauvignon Cole Ranch $20 BRONZE
Calstar Cellars 2009 Chardonnay Mendocino Ridge Manchester Ridge $35 BEST OF CLASS
Calstar Cellars 2007 Pinot Noir Anderson Valley Londer Estate $50 BRONZE
Cameron Hughes Wine 2007 Syrah Mendocino County Yorkville Highlands $12 GOLD
Carol Shelton Wines 2007 Zinfandel Mendocino County Cox Vineyard $24 BRONZE
Castle Rock Winery 2009 Sauvignon Blanc Mendocino County $10 SILVER
Claudia Springs Winery 2009 Viognier Redwood Valley Lolonis Vineyard $24 SILVER
Claudia Springs Winery 2009 Pinot Gris Anderson Valley Klindt Vineyard $18 BRONZE
Claudia Springs Winery 2007 Zinfandel Mendocino $24 SILVER
DeLoach Vineyard 2007 Pinot Noir Redwood Valley Masut $45 BRONZE
Edmeades 2008 Zinfandel Mendocino County $18 BRONZE
Esterlina 2009 Riesling Cole Ranch $20 SILVER
Esterlina 2009 White Dessert Cole Ranch $28 BRONZE
Foursight Wines 2009 Sauvignon Blanc Anderson Valley Charles Vineyard $20 SILVER
Foursight Wines 2009 Gewurtztraminer Anderson Valley $20 GOLD
Foursight Wines 2008 Pinot Noir Anderson Valley Charles Vineyard Zero New Oak $25 BRONZE
Foursight Wines 2008 Pinot Noir Anderson Valley All In Charles Vineyard $35 BRONZE
Frey Vineyards Ltd 2009 Chardonnay Redwood Valley Biodynamic $14 BRONZE
Frey Vineyards Ltd 2009 Sangiovese Mendocino Organic $13 BRONZE
Frey Vineyards Ltd 2009 Cabernet Sauvignon Mendocino Organic $15 SILVER
Girasole Vineyards 2009 Merlot Mendocino $13 SILVER
Girasole Vineyards 2009 Hybrid Red Mendocino $13 GOLD
Greenwood Ridge Vineyards 2008 White riesling Mendocino Ridge Estate Bottled $18 SILVER
Handley Cellars 2009 Gewurtztraminer Anderson Valley $18 SILVER
Handley Cellars 2009 Pinot Gris Anderson Valley $18 SILVER
Handley Cellars 2008 Pinot Noir Mendocino County $25 SILVER
Handley Cellars 2007 Pinot Noir Mendocino $25 BRONZE
Handley Cellars 2007 Pinot Noir Anderson Valley $30 GOLD
Harmonique 2006 Pinot Noir Anderson Valley The Noble One $50 SILVER
Harmonique 2006 Pinot Noir Anderson Valley Elegance $53 SILVER
Harmonique 2006 Pinot Noir Anderson Valley Delicace $55 SILVER
Harmonique 2006 Pinot Noir Anderson Valley Oppenlander $55 SILVER
Heron Wines 2009 Cabernet sauvignon Mendocino $14 BRONZE
Husch Vineyards 2009 Sauvignon Blanc Mendocino $14 BRONZE
Husch Vineyards 2009 Sauvignon Blanc Mendocino Renegade $18 SILVER
Husch Vineyards 2009 Chardonnay Anderson Valley Vine One $18 BRONZE
Husch Vineyards 2009 Chardonnay Mendocino $15 BRONZE
Husch Vineyards 2008 Chardonnay Mendocino Special Reserve $25 SILVER
Husch Vineyards 2009 Gewurtztraminer Anderson Valley $14 SILVER
Husch Vineyards 2009 Muscat Canelli Mendocino $15 SILVER
Husch Vineyards 2007 Pinot Noir Anderson Valley Knoll $38 SILVER
Husch Vineyards 2007 Pinot Noir Anderson Valley Reserve $35 GOLD
Husch Vineyards 2009 Zinfandel Mendocino Old Vines $25 GOLD
Husch Vineyards 2007 Cabernet Sauvignon Mendocino $21 SILVER
Husch Vineyards 2006 Cabernet Sauvignon Mendocino Reserve $35 SILVER
Husch Vineyards 2009 Late Harvest Gewurtztraminer Anderson Valley $20 SILVER
J. Keverson 2007 Sangiovese Mendocino $20 GOLD
Jacuzzi Family Vineyards 2009 Barbera Mendocino County $17 BEST OF CLASS
Jaxon Keys Winery 2009 Sauvignon Blanc Mendocino $15 GOLD
Jazz Cellars 2007 Petite Sirah Mendocino Eaglepoint Ranch Vineyard $40 SILVER
JK Estates 2008 Pinot Noir Mendocino $13 SILVER
Kendall-Jackson 2009 Sauvignon Blanc Mendocino Grand Reserve $20 SILVER
Kimmel Vineyards 2008 Chardonnay Potter Valley Kimmel Vineyards $32 SILVER
Kimmel Vineyards 2007 Merlot Mendocino Kimmel Vineyards $38 SILVER
La Follette Wines 2008 Chardonnay Mendocino Ridge Manchester Ridge $48 SILVER
Le Vin Vineyards 2006 Cabernet Sauvignon Mendocino County Le Vin Vineyards $36 BRONZE
Ledson Winery & Vineyards 2009 Pinot Noir Anderson Valley $60 SILVER
Martella Wine 2007 Petite Sirah Mendocino Heart Arrow Ranch $35 SILVER
Martella Wine 2007 Cabernet sauvignon Mendocino Heart Arrow Ranch $55 BRONZE
Maysie Cellars Rosé of Sangiovese Mendocino County $13 SILVER
McFadden Vineyard NV Brut Potter Valley McFadden Vineyard $25 SILVER
McFadden Vineyard 2009 Gewurtztraminer Potter Valley McFadden Vineyard $15 BRONZE
McFadden Vineyard 2008 Pinot Gris Valley McFadden Vineyard $15 BRONZE
McFadden Vineyard 2007 Zinfandel Potter Valley McFadden Vineyard $19 SILVER
McNab Ridge Winery 2009 Roussanne Mendocino Shadow Brook Farms $15 SILVER
McNab Ridge Winery 2007 Petite Sirah Mendocino $18 BRONZE
McNab Ridge Winery 2009 Pinotage Mendocino Napoli Estate $20 SILVER
Mendielle Vertu 2007 Merlot Mendocino Destination Valley Vineyard $27 SILVER
Meyer Family Cellars 2009 Chardonnay Anderson Valley $22 BRONZE
Meyer Family Cellars 2006 Syrah Yorkville Highlands $28 BRONZE
Milano Family Winery 2005 Cabernet Sauvignon Mendocino Queirolo Vineyard $29 BRONZE
Milano Family Winery 2006 Echo Bordeaux Blend Mendocino Rells Echo Vineyard $37 SILVER
Muscardini Cellars 2009 Barbera Redway Valley Pauli Ranch $38 SILVER
Naughty Boy 2009 Chardonnay Potter Valley Thornton Ranch $13 GOLD
Naughty Boy 2007 Pinot Noir Potter Valley NB Vineyard $24 SILVER
Navarro Vineyards 2009 Sauvignon Blanc Mendocino Cuvee 128 $18 BEST OF CLASS
Navarro Vineyards 2009 Chardonnay Mendocino $13 BRONZE
Navarro Vineyards 2009 Chardonnay Anderson Valley Premiere Reserve $25 SILVER
Navarro Vineyards 2009 Gewurtztraminer Anderson Valley Estate Bottled $19 SILVER
Navarro Vineyards 2009 Muscat Blanc Anderson Valley $19 SILVER
Navarro Vineyards 2009 Pinot Gris Anderson Valley $19 GOLD
Navarro Vineyards 2009 Pinot Noir Mendocino $19 SILVER
Navarro Vineyards 2009 Pinot Noir Anderson Valley Methode a l’Ancienne $29 SILVER
Navarro Vineyards 2009 Zinfandel Mendocino $19 GOLD
Navarro Vineyards 2009 Zinfandel Mendocino Old Vine $25 SILVER
Navarro Vineyards 2009 Syrah Mendocino $25 BEST OF CLASS
Navarro Vineyards 2006 Cabernet Sauvignon Mendocino $35 SILVER
Navarro Vineyards 2009 Navarrouge Mendocino $14 BRONZE
Navarro Vineyards 2009 Late Harvest Gewurtztraminer Anderson Valley $35 SILVER
Oak Cliff Cellars 2007 Pinot Noir Mendocino County $35 SILVER
Oak Cliff Cellars 2008 Zinfandel Mendocino County Curtis Ranch $28 BRONZE
Parducci Wine Cellars 2009 Sauvignon Blanc Mendocino County $11 GOLD
Parducci Wine Cellars 2009 Chardonnay Mendocino County $11 GOLD
Parducci Wine Cellars 2009 Sauvignon Blanc Mendocino County $11 GOLD
Parducci Wine Cellars 2009 Sustainable White Mendocino County $11 BRONZE
Parducci Wine Cellars 2007 Petite Sirah Mendocino County $11 BRONZE
Parducci Wine Cellars 2007 Petite Sirah (True Grit) Mendocino $30 SILVER
Parducci Wine Cellars 2007 Cabernet Sauvignon Mendocino County $11 BRONZE
Patianna 2009 Sauvignon Blanc Mendocino Estate Grown Organic Grapes $16 GOLD
Patianna 2009 Chardonnay Mendocino Estate Grown Organic Grapes $16 BRONZE
Patianna 2007 Pinot Noir Mendocino Made With Organic Grapes $20 BRONZE
Paul Dolan Vineyards 2009 Sauvignon Blanc Mendocino County $18 GOLD
Paul Dolan Vineyards 2009 Chardonnay Mendocino County $18 BRONZE
Paul Dolan Vineyards 2007 Pinot Noir Mendocino County $30 SILVER
Paul Dolan Vineyards 2007 Cabernet Sauvignon Mendocino County $25 SILVER
Phillips Hill 2009 Pinot Noir Anderson Valley Wiley $40 BRONZE
Philo Ridge Vineyards 2009 Gewurtztraminer Anderson Valley Ferrington Vineyards $18 BRONZE
Philo Ridge Vineyards 2009 Pinot Gris Anderson Valley Klindt Vineyards $18 BRONZE
Philo Ridge Vineyards 2007 Pinot Noir Anderson Valley $24 GOLD
Rock Wall Wine Co 2009 Viognier Mendocino $18 SILVER
Rock Wall Wine Co 2008 Petite Sirah Mendocino $22 BRONZE
Rosa D’Oro Vineyards 2009 Tocai Friulano Mendocino County $16 BRONZE
Route 128 Winery 2007 Syrah Torkville Highlands Opatz Family $24 SILVER
Scharffenberger Cellars NV Brut Mendocino $19 SILVER
Stephen & Walker 2009 Late Harvest Chardonnay Mendocino Ridge $65 BRONZE
Stonehedge Winery 2007 Malbec Mendocino Terroir select $15 SILVER
Terra Savia 2009 Chardonnay Mendocino $14 DOUBLE GOLD
Terra Savia 2009 Chardonnay Mendocino Sanel Valley Vineyard Reserve $18 SILVER
Terra Savia 2009 Meritage Mendocino Sanel Valley Vineyards $18 BRONZE
Trinitas Cellars 2007 Zinfandel Mendocino JMR & Comrado Old Vine $25 GOLD
Trinitas Cellars 2007 Rhone Cuvee Mendocino JMR & Comrado Old Vine $20 GOLD
Truett Hurst Winery 2009 Rhone Blend Mendocino Dark Horse $40 SILVER
VJB Vineyards & Cellars 2009 Tocai Friulano Mendocino County $22 GOLD
Volante Vineyards 2006 Petite Sirah Redwood Valley Thompson Vineyards $18 BRONZE
Williamson Wines 2009 Viognier Mendocino County Frolic $34 SILVER
Willowbrook Cellars 2008 Chardonnay Mendocino Ridge Manchester Ridge $34 DOUBLE GOLD
Windsor Vineyards 2007 Petite Sirah Mendocino County $10 SILVER
Windsor Vineyards 2008 Cabernet Sauvignon Mendocino County $18 SILVER
Yorkville Cellars 2009 Sauvignon Blanc Yorkville Highlands Randle Hill $17 SILVER
Yorkville Cellars 2009 Eleanor of Aquitaine Yorkville Highlands Randle Hill $25 SILVER
Yorkville Cellars 2009 Semillon Yorkville Highlands Randle Hill $20 SILVER
Yorkville Cellars 2008 Cabernet Sauvignon Yorkville Highlands Rennie Vineyard $28 SILVER
Yorkville Cellars 2008 Cabernet Franc Yorkville Highlands Rennie Vineyard $25 SILVER
Yorkville Cellars 2008 Petit Perdot Yorkville Highlands Rennie Vineyard $28 SILVER
Yorkville Cellars 2008 Hi-Roller Red Mendocino County $18 SILVER
Zina Hyde Cunningham 2009 Pinot Noir Anderson Valley Reserve $60 SILVER
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