This weekend as I write this and last weekend as you read this, The Press Democrat will host/hosted a trade and public tasting at The Barlow in Sebastopol, California featuring the highest scoring Gold Medal winners from this year’s wine challenge. Mendocino County’s winners were:
2012 Handley Cellars Pinot Noir Mendocino County — 98 Points and Best of Mendocino County
2013 Artezin Zinfandel Mendocino County — 97 Points
2013 Campovida Campo di Rossa Mendocino County — 96 Points
2013 Frey Biodynamic Merlot Redwood Valley — 96 Points
2013 Campovida Arneis Mendocino County — 94 Points
2013 Husch Pinot Noir Anderson Valley — 93 Points
2012 La Follette Chardonnay Mendocino Ridge — 93 Points
2013 Masut Pinot Noir Mendocino County — 93 Points
2014 Navarro Vineyards Pinot Blanc Mendocino County — 93 Points
2013 Navarro Vineyards Pinot Noir Anderson Valley — 93 Points
2012 MacPhail Family Wines Toulouse Vineyard Pinot Noir Anderson Valley — 92 Points
2014 Navarro Vineyards Riesling Deep End Blend Anderson Valley — 92 Points
2013 Paul Dolan Vineyards Pinot Noir Potter Valley — 92 Points
2012 Handley Cellars Pinot Noir RSM Vineyard Anderson Valley — 91 Points
2014 Handley Cellars Pinot Gris Anderson Valley — 91 Points
2014 Handley Cellars Rose of Pinot Noir Anderson Valley — 91 Points
2012 Truscott Zinfandel Mendocino County — 91 Points
2012 Handley Cellars Pinot Noir reserve Anderson Valley — 90 Points
After attending the tasting for John On Wine and The Ukiah Daily Journal, with an intent to taste and write notes on each poured Mendocino County grown wine, next week’s column will be a review of these Gold Medal winners. Congratulations to each vineyard and winery involved. __________
Each year for the last 13 years, Lake County’s amateur wine makers and home brewers have gathered in June to offer the public tastes of their best efforts in the Home Wine and Beer Festival, and they’ll do it again this year on Saturday, June 27. Along with the amateurs, many of Lake County’s leading commercial wineries and brewers will also sample their products, giving visitors the chance to taste and test some of the best beverages Lake County has to offer, all in one place at one time.
The event takes place from 1 to 5 p.m. at Lakeport’s Library Park, and also includes dozens of vendors offering arts, crafts, agricultural products and food.
The event is sponsored by the nonprofit Lake County Symphony Association as a fundraiser, and all proceeds go to support the group’s music activities, including the acclaimed Lake County Symphony and Youth Orchestras, as well as music teaching and scholarship programs.
Admission to The Winefest — the new and shorter name going forward — is $20 per person. Advance tickets are $20 at Cache Creek Winery Tasting Room, Don Angel Winery Tasting Room, EJ Video, Lake County and available at Wine Studio, Lakeport Chamber of Commerce at Vista Point, Lower Lake Coffee Company, Middletown Florist, Laujor Winery Tasting Room, Rosa d”Oro Winery Tasting Room, Steele Winery Tasting Room, Thornhill Tasting Room, Watershed Books, and Wildhurst Winery Tasting Room. Tickets will also be available at the event for $25. Each ticket includes a commemorative wine glass.
Most of the amateurs will have entered their wines and beers in advance for professional judging — I can disclose that I’m a judge this year — and results will be announced during the Festival. In addition ticket holders will get the chance to vote for their favorites in the popular People’s Choice awards.
Since The Winefest is sponsored by a music organization, there will be music throughout the Festival provided by the David Neft Duo, as well as a performance by the Konocti Fiddle Club, and noted classical guitarist Travis Rinker. Winefest goers will also enjoy a major raffle and Silent Auction, produced by volunteers from the Symphony Association.
Children and leashed pets are welcome, although tastings are of course restricted to those 21 years and older.
Wine Submissions will need to be delivered the day of the event. A 750-milliliter bottle of each varietal to be judged must be delivered to the drop-off location at the tasting room of Bell Hill Vineyards at 125 Park St., across from Library Park and next to Biggs 155 restaurant. Please deliver your entries between 8:30 and 9:30 a.m. the day of the event. Visit HomeWinemakersFestival.com to download an entry form to bring with your submission.
Visit the same website to download a booth application if you would like to be a vendor at the event, and mail your completed application to Home Winemakers Festival at CLPA, P.O. Box 974, Lakeport, CA 95453.
For more information about Lake County’s The Winefest 2015, contact Ed Bublitz at edandcharb1@att.net.
John on Wine - a wine blog 