JACKSONVILLE, Ore. – It’s appropriate that second-generation winemaker Eric Weisinger, president of the Oregon Tempranillo Alliance, used the Weisinger Family Winery 2014 Estate Tempranillo to capture the award for best red wine at the Oregon Wine Competition.
The Rogue Valley grower/winemaker was 9 years old when he and his younger sisters helped their father, John, plant 4 acres of Gewürztraminer near the Southern Oregon town of Ashland in 1979. The 2017 vintage marks the 20th crush since the son took over for his father at Weisinger Family Winery.
Awards from the eighth annual Oregon Wine Competition were announced Wednesday night at the Oregon Wine Experience Medal Celebration in Jacksonville. Best white wine went to Cliff Creek Cellars for its 2016 MRV, a blend of Marsanne, Roussanne and Viognier produced by Herb Quady and Brian Gruber of Barrel 42 in Medford.
For the second straight year, longtime winemaker Bryan Wilson won the specialty wine category – rosé, sparkling wines, sweet wines – for his Cuckoo’s Nest Cellars 2016 Fizzé, a sparkling Early Muscat.
Wilson also won gold medals for his own Cuckoo’s Nest Syrah and a double gold for the Foris 2016 Pinot Blanc he made prior to landing at DANCIN Vineyards this spring.
There were eight entries of Pinot Noir to earn a double gold medal, an award that identifies a wine as a unanimous selection for gold by one of the two judging panels. During the superlatives, judges opted to award an Oregon Tempranillo as the best red wine of the two-day competition. It is the largest judging of Oregon wine staged in the state of Oregon.
Among the other highlights were a pair of double golds by Carlton winemaker Ryan Huett, who produced not only the Huett Cellars 2015 Gold Lot Pinot Noir but also the Raylee Wines 2015 Pinot Noir — an astounding bargain at $15. Brigadoon Wine Co., in Junction City also earned double golds for its 2016 Pinot Blanc and 2016 Riesling.
Alloro Vineyard in the Chehalem Mountains near Newberg won gold medals for an already-decorated pair of Pinot Noirs from the 2014 vintage. Rex Hill in Newberg earned a double gold for its 2014 Pinot Noir and a gold medal for 2015 Chardonnay. Herb Quady of Quady North in Medford received gold medals for his 2016 Pistoleta, a white Rhône blend, and 2012 Arsenal red Bordeaux blend. Silvan Ridge Winery, led by Argentine winemaker Juan Pablo Valot, struck gold with a 2015 Malbec and 2013 Elizabeth’s Red Wine. Terry Brandborg of Brandborg Vineyard & Winery won gold medals for Pinot Noir and Riesling.
Record 351 entries for Oregon Wine Competition
More than 100 wineries combined to submit a record 351 entries, and the field represented 15 of Oregon’s 17 American Viticultural Area. The competition limits the number of wines entered by winery.
A unique feature to the competition each year is the high percentage of Masters of Wine serving as judges. This year’s panel features convened four MWs — Bree Boskov of Australia, D.C. Flynt of Lake Charles, La.; Tim Hanni of Bend, Ore., and Barbara Philip of Vancouver, British Columbia. (Boskov recently has been hired by the Oregon Wine Board as an industry consultant.) A pair of journalists, Tim McNally of New Orleans and Eric Degerman of Great Northwest Wine, rounded out the panel.
The Oregon Wine Competition serves as the centerpiece for Oregon Wine Experience, and all of the award-winning wines will be poured at the Grand Tasting on Sunday, Aug. 27 from 2 to 5 p.m. at historic Bigham Knoll, which once served as Jacksonville Schoolhouse.
Lee Mankin of Carpenter Hill Vineyard in Medford, Cal Schmidt of Schmidt Family Vineyards in Grants Pass and Joe Ginet of Plaisance Ranch Winery near Jacksonville created in 2003 the Southern Oregon World of Wine. That has grown into what now is known as the Oregon Wine Experience, a month-long celebration and fundraiser in the Rogue Valley.
Last year, Oregon Wine Experience raised more $700,000, and 100 percent of those proceeds went to Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals and other Asante healthcare programs.
Best of Show
Red – Weisinger Family Winery 2014 Estate Tempranillo, Rogue Valley, $32
Winemaker – Eric Weisinger
White – Cliff Creek Cellars 2016 MRV Rhône White Blend, $22
Winemakers – Herb Quady & Brian Gruber
Specialty – Cuckoo’s Nest Cellars 2016 Fizzé, Early Muscat, $13
Winemaker – Bryan Wilson
* Specialty wine includes the categories rosé, sparkling wines, sweet wines
Double gold
(requires unanimous gold medal scores by all judges on a panel)
Authentique Wine Cellars 2014 Pinot Noir – $55
Brandborg Vineyard & Winery 2014 Hundredth Valley Vineyard Pinot Noir – $30
Brigadoon Wine Company 2016 Pinot Blanc – $18
Brigadoon Wine Company 2016 Riesling – $18
DANCIN Vineyards 2015 Pas de Trois, Pinot Noir – $37
Foris 2016 Pinot Blanc – $15
Girardet 2014 Sangiovese – $48
Hellgate Cellars 2014 Reserve Malbec – $45
Huett Cellars 2015 Pinot Noir – $49
Lemelson Vineyards 2015 Thea’s Selection Pinot Noir – $30
Misty Oaks Vineyard 2016 Gewürztraminer – $18
Plaisance Ranch 2014 Syrah – $30
Raylee Wines 2015 Pinot Noir – $15
Reustle Prayer Rock Vineyards 2015 Malbec – $31
Rex Hill 2014 Willamette Valley Pinot Noir – $35
Schultz Wines 2012 Blessed Merlot – $23
Silvan Ridge Winery 2013 Elizabeth’s Red Bordeaux Red Blend – $40
Z’IVO Wines 2014 Whole Cluster Pinot Noir – $45
Gold
A to Z Wineworks 2015 Oregon Chardonnay – $15
Abacela 2016 Albariño – $21
Alloro Vineyard Estate 2014 Riservata Pinot Noir – $45
Alloro Vineyard Estate 2014 Pinot Noir – $35
Augustino Estate and Vineyard 2014 Pinot Noir – $28
Awen Winecraft 2016 Inspiration Blend Rhône White Blend – $22
Brandborg Vineyard and Winery 2015 Riesling – $16
Cathedral Ridge Winery 2014 Echo Vineyard Petit Verdot – $48
Cuckoo’s Nest Cellars 2014 Syrah – $15
Daisy Creek Vineyard 2014 Lyon Red Red Blend – $28
Del Rio Vineyards 2014 Claret Bordeaux Red Blend – $35
Dragonfly Time 2014 Tempranillo – $26
Grizzly Peak Winery 2014 Malbec – $35
Ledger David Cellars Estate Syrah – $42
Lemelson Vineyards 2015 Chestnut Hill Vineyard Pinot Noir – $54
Phelps Creek Vineyards 2014 Columbia Gorge Pinot Noir – $34
Quady North Winery 2016 Pistoleta Rhône White Blend – $20
Quady North Winery 2012 Arsenal Bordeaux Red Blend – $40
Rex Hill 2015 Seven Soils Chardonnay — $33
Schmidt Family Vineyards 2014 Syrah – $36
Silvan Ridge Winery 2015 Malbec – $26
Stave & Stone Winery 2016 Pinot Gris – $24
Valcan Cellars 2014 Syrah – $28
VIDON Vineyard 2014 3-Clones Pinot Noir – $40
Silver
2Hawk Vineyard & Winery 2016 Grenache Rosé – $22
30 Brix Winery 2015 Love and Be Loved Red Blend – Other – $19
A to Z Wineworks 2015 Oregon Pinot Gris – $15
Abacela 2014 Garnacha Grenache – $29
Abacela 2014 Reserve Malbec – $42
Abacela 2013 Barrel Select Tempranillo – $33
Abacela 2016 Grenache Rosé – $18
Abiqua Wind Vineyard 2015 Gloria Anne Gewürztraminer – $15
Abiqua Wind Vineyard NV Abiqua Cuvée White Blend – $15
Agate Ridge Vineyard 2016 Pinot Gris – $18
Agate Ridge Vineyard 2016 Sauvignon Blanc – $20
Alloro Vineyard 2014 Chardonnay – $34
Artem Wine Co. 2015 Muska Pinot Noir – $29
Augustino Estate and Vineyard 2014 Syrah – $32
Aurora Vines/Aguila Vineyard 2015 Pinot Noir – $29
Brandborg Vineyard and Winery 2013 Ferris Wheel Vineyard Pinot Noir – $38
Brigadoon Wine Co. 2015 Lylee Pinot Noir – $23
Brigadoon Wine Co. 2015 Taproot Pinot Noir – $40
Carlton Cellars 2013 Estate Pinot Noir – $35
Carlton Cellars 2015 Seven Devils Pinot Noir – $25
Cathedral Ridge Winery 2014 Syrah – $34
Cathedral Ridge Winery 2014 Bordheauxd Red Red Blend – $30
Catman Cellars 2015 Tempranillo – $36
Cliff Creek Cellars 2012 Sangiovese – $28
Cliff Creek Cellars 2011 Claret Bordeaux Red Blend – $25
Cubanisimo Vineyards 2015 Pinot Gris – $21
Cuckoo’s Nest Cellars 2016 Pinot Gris – $15
Cuckoo’s Nest Cellars 2015 Pinot Noir – $15
DANCIN Vineyards 2016 Chasse Chardonnay – $32
DANCIN Vineyards 2016 Capriccio Chardonnay – $32
DANCIN Vineyards 2015 Septette Pinot Noir – $37
Dauntless Wine Company 2015 No Man’s Land Pinot Noir – $30
Deer Creek Vineyards 2014 Pinot Noir – $50
Deer Creek Vineyards 2015 Pinot Noir – $35
Del Rio Vineyards 2016 Rosé – $13
EdenVale Winery 2011 Malbec – $85
Eliana Wines 2011 Reserve Bordeaux Red Blend – $28
Elizabeth Chambers Cellar 2016 Pinot Gris – $18
Fences Winery 2014 Cabernet Sauvignon – $25
Foris Vineyards Winery 2015 Chardonnay – $16
Foris Vineyards Winery 2016 Pinot Gris – $14
Foris Vineyards Winery 2013 Cabernet Sauvignon – $20
Girardet 2014 Barbera – $48
Guzzo Family Vineyard 2015 Cabernet Sauvignon – $28
Guzzo Family Vineyard 2014 Tempranillo – $28
Harry & David Vineyards 2015 Reserve Pinot Noir – $30
Hellgate Cellars 2014 Reserve Tempranillo – $40
Iris Vineyards 2014 Pinot Gris – $18
Irvine & Roberts Family Vineyards 2015 Chardonnay – $35
JAXON 2016 Viognier – $21
JAXON 2014 Syrah – $30
Ledger David Cellars 2016 Estate Viognier – $23
Ledger David Cellars 2014 Estate Cabernet Franc – $29
Ledger David Cellars 2014 Sublimus Red Blend – $38
Lenné 2014 Pinot Noir – $38
Lumos Wine Company 2014 Pinot Noir – $45
Oak Knoll Winery 2016 Chardonnay – $14
Pebblestone Cellars 2016 Albariño – $22
Pebblestone Cellars 2013 Tempranillo – $30
Pheasantbrook Vineyards Brook Horse 2014 Barbera – $26
Pheasantbrook Vineyards Brook Horse 2016 Rosé – $18
Plaisance Ranch 2014 Carménère – $30
Plaisance Ranch 2014 Tempranillo – $30
Platt Anderson Cellars 2014 Sangiovese – $20
Quady North Winery 2013 Syrah – $32
Rainstorm Winery 2014 Pinot Noir – $17
Raylee Wines 2014 Pinot Noir – $25
Red Lily Vineyards 2014 Ghost Lily Syrah/Tempranillo – $32
Red Lily Vineyards 2014 Red Blanket Tempranillo – $22
Red Lily Vineyards 2016 Lily Girl Tempranillo Rosé – $16
Reustle Prayer Rock Vineyards 2015 Winemaker’s Reserve Syrah – $39
Reustle Prayer Rock Vineyards 2015 Winemaker’s Reserve Tempranillo – $39
RoxyAnn Winery 2013 Malbec – $30
RoxyAnn Winery 2013 Claret Bordeaux Red Blend – $26
Schmidt Family Vineyards 2015 Albariño – $24
Schmidt Family Vineyards 2014 Reserve Chardonnay – $28
Schmidt Family Vineyards 2014 Cabernet Sauvignon – $40
Schmidt Family Vineyards 2014 Tempranillo – $36
Schultz Wines 2015 Homeward Chardonnay – $20
Schultz Wines 2014 Freedom Pinot Noir – $29
Schultz Wines 2012 Shepherd Syrah – $26
Simple Machine 2013 Grenache – $34
Simple Machine 2014 Grenache – $34
Sokol Blosser Winery 2015 Willamette Valley Pinot Gris – $19
Sokol Blosser Winery 2014 Dundee Hills Pinot Noir – $38
Soloro Vineyard 2012 Reserve Killdeer Syrah – $32
South Stage Cellars 2015 Early Muscat – $19
South Stage Cellars 2014 Romeo & Juliet Rhône White Blend – $26
Spangler Vineyards 2015 Dolcetto – $29
Stave & Stone Winery 2016 Riesling – $24
Stone Griffon Vineyard 2014 Tempranillo – $40
Terra Vina Wines 2016 Pinot Noir Blanc – $45
Troon Vineyard 2016 Vermentino White Blend – $20
Troon Vineyard 2014 M*T Red Blend – $50
Valcan Cellars 2014 Petite Sirah – $28
Valley View Winery 2014 Malbec – $26
Valley View Winery 2012 Anna Maria Late Harvest Sauvignon Blanc – $28
Weisinger Family Winery 2014 Malbec – $28
Weisinger Family Winery NV Barile – $39
Welsh Family Wines 2015 Armstrong Vineyards Pinot Noir – $40
Welsh Family Wines 2015 Bjornson Vineyards Pinot Noir – $38
Welsh Family Wines 2016 Dauenhauer Farms Blaufränkisch – $20
Willamette Valley Vineyards 2013 Griffin Creek Syrah – $45
Willamette Valley Vineyards 2014 Griffin Creek Griffin Red Blend – $60
Youngberg Hill Vineyards 2015 Aspen Chardonnay – $40
Youngberg Hill Vineyards 2014 Cuvée Pinot Noir – $35
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