2016 Best of California

PROUD SPONSOR OF THE CALIFORNIA STATE FAIR

Please enjoy our wines responsibly. © 2016 Tom Gore Vineyards, Geyserville, CA

TOM GROWS GRAPES SO YOU CAN GROW HAPPY.

CONTENTS 4 Welcome

6 Best of California Commercial Wine 7 Commercial Wine Judges 8 Behind the Scenes 9 California State Fair Gala Awards 10 California Vineyard of the Year 12 California Facts 14 Best of the Best California Wine 16 Golden State Winery of the Year 18 Best of Show – Red Wine 19 Best of Show – White Wine 20 Best of Region Wine Winners 25 Best Varietals of California 30 Best of California Micro Wineries 33 Wine Lifetime Achievement Award 34 Capitol Steps Best of California Event 36 Double Gold and Gold Wine Winners

48 Best of California Commercial Cheese 48 Commercial Cheese Judges 49 Best of Show & Best of Division Cheese 50 Best of Show – Cow 52 Best of Show – Other Milk Type

54 Best of California Extra Virgin Olive Oil 54 Commercial Olive Oil Judges 55 Best of Show & Best of Division Extra Virgin Olive Oil 56 Gold Extra Virgin & Flavored Olive Oil Winners 58 Best of Show Extra Virgin Olive Oil 59 Best of Show Flavored Olive Oil

60 Best of California Commercial Craft Beer 60 Commercial Craft Beer Judges 61 Best of Show Craft Beer Winners 62 Brewery of the Year 63 Best of Show Craft Beer

WELCOME

I

f it’s made, raised or grown in California, you’ll likely find it competing for recognition at the California State Fair.

From cows to Cabernet, the State Fair is a place to celebrate the best of the Golden State, and the competitions we have hosted for more than 160 years seek to find and reward the Best of the Best in talent and taste.

THE OFFICIAL MAGAZINE OF THE 2016 CALIFORNIA STATE FAIR COMMERCIAL COMPETITIONS

GOVERNOR Edmund G. Brown Jr. CALIFORNIA EXPOSITION & STATE FAIR Rick K. Pickering Chief Executive Officer BOARD OF DIRECTORS Patrick O’Brien, Chair Mark Nelson, Vice-Chair Rima Barkett Sonney Chong Rina V. DiMare Jess Durfee Cornelius Gallagher Rex S. Hime David Mallel Hallie Ochoa Tony Ortiz EX OFFICIO MEMBERS Governor Edmund G. Brown Jr. Senator Anthony Canella Assemblymember Susan Eggman Assemblymember Kevin McCarty Senator Dr. Richard Pan PUBLISHER California State Fair MAGAZINE DESIGN AND PRODUCTION Larry Hausen RuffHaus Design Studio CALIFORNIA STATE FAIR 1600 Exposition Boulevard Sacramento, CA 95815 (916) 263-FAIR (877) CAL-EXPO www.CAStateFair.org

This year, the California State Fair received more than 21,400 competitive entries that expert judges sorted, sniffed and sipped their way through to award the Blue Ribbons, Gold Medals and Golden Bears that have become coveted symbols of excellence in California.

Four of the key competitions focused on California’s top commercial agricultural products – wine, cheese, beer and extra virgin olive oil. The top award-winners of those competitions are highlighted on the pages that follow, and many other award winners can be found on our website, CAStateFair.org, using our new searchable database system.

This searchable system means that you can find your favorite wine by region or price point or search for the best cheese by type or award. This is just one way we are working to make better connections between the people who enjoy these products and the artisans that bring them to life.

We believe the more information you have about a specific style of beer or the more you know about the qualities that make California extra virgin olive oil some of the best in the world, the more pleasure you will get from these products and the more you will appreciate the artistry that goes into making California’s best.

Enjoy!

- Rick K. Pickering CEO, California State Fair

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2016 BEST OF CALIFORNIA MAGAZINE

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COMPLETE COMPETITION RESULTS AT CAStateFair.org 5

First held in 1854, the California State Fair Commercial Wine Competition is the nation’s oldest competition for wines made solely from vitis vinifera (common grape vine) grapes.

Open only to wines made with fruit grown in California, entries are evaluated by class, varietal, style and region based upon the American Viticultural Area (AVA) where the grapes were grown.

The 115 Double Gold medals and 230 Gold medals awarded in this year’s competition are a testament to the quest for quality by wineries of all sizes and a wide range of wine styles produced in eleven growing regions across the state.

Top honors in the ever-popular sparkling, rosé and dessert categories were awarded to wines made with fruit grown in the diverse regions of Los Carneros, Mendocino and the Central Coast AVA of Paso Robles. A crisp NV Blanc de Noirs from the Gloria Ferrer Winery in the cool Los Carneros region took 2016 Best of Show Sparkling. A Syrah-blend 2015 Rosé de Robles from Robert Hall Winery from Paso Robles was awarded Best of Show Pink. Mendocino’s beautiful Anderson Valley produced the Navarro Vineyards 2014 Riesling, Cluster Select which was awarded this year’s Best of Show Dessert.

REMINDER: 2017 Commercial Wine Competition moves to March 29-31, 2017.

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CALIFORNIA WINE JUDGES Mark Chandler Chief Judge California Exposition & State Fair Chandler & Company Consulting Lodi, California

Patrick Dodd, CSS, CS, CWE Senior Director, Corporate Workforce Development, Gallo University, E. & J. Gallo Winery Modesto, California David Akiyoshi Martha Dunne Winemaker, LangeTwins Winery, Author, Acampo, California Wait, What Do You Mean?

Bradley Alderson Asperger’s Tell & Show Consultant, Wine and Winery Sacramento, California Advice Mike Dunne Acampo, California Contributing Wine Columnist Hope Alexander The Sacramento Bee Consultant/Educator, Sacramento, California Independent Stephen Eliot Chicago, Illinois Writer/Editor, Jessica Altieri, CWAS Connoisseurs’ Guide CEO/Certified Sommelier, to California Wine Wine Channel TV Network Pinole, California Buffalo Grove, Illinois Bob Foster Lynae Anderson Hiley Assistant Editor, Sales & Marketing Coordinator, California Grapevine Wine Seguin Moreau Napa Cooperage Newsletter Vallejo, California Carlsbad, California Lyle Bagatti Orietta Gianjorio Wine Judge Sommelier/Educator, Sacramento, California Orietta LLC Thomas Bender Carmichael, California Wine Buyer/Educator/Jounalist, Todd Hafner O’Brien’s Market/Columbia Wine Educator/Consultant College/Sonora Union Democrat/ Stockton, California Modesto Bee/Lodestar Magazine Scott Harvey Sonora, California Winemaker, Donna Bettencourt Scott Harvey Wines Home Winemaker St. Helena, California Sacramento, California Peter Hirschfeld Greg Burns Consultant Winemaker/Owner, Sonoma, California Jessie’s Grove Winery Julie Holme Woodbridge, California Winemaker, Amy Butler Ponte Winery Owner/Winemaker, Temecula, California Ranchero Cellars Maynard Johnston, M.D. Paso Robles, California Winemaker Laura Chadwell Folsom, California Assistant Winemaker, Woodbridge by Robert Mondavi Mike Kerrigan Owner, Past President, Acampo, California Coming Attractions, Amador Kimberly Charles, DWS Winemakers Association Founder, Charles Sutter Creek, California Communications Associates Ellen Landis, CS, CSW San Francisco, California Wine Writer/Certified Sommelier, Mari Coyle EllenOnWine Winemaker, Vancouver, Washington Wells Wines/ Ken Landis The Winemaker’s Table Consulting Chef & Wine Judge Placerville, California Vancouver, Washington Debra Del Fiorentino Roxanne Langer Sommelier, CWP, CSW, Sommelier, Director of Wine Competitions, WineFUNdamentals Wine Competitions Productions Rocklin, California & Managment

Elizabeth-Rose Mandalou Assistant Sommelier Ella Dining Room & Bar Sacramento, California Dennis Martin Retired Winemaker Fetzer Vineyards Hopland, California Martin Maxwell Consultant, Looking Glass Research Lodi, California Brian Miller Owner/Organizer, Amador 360/Barbera Festival Fiddletown, California Brian Moore Judge Sacramento, California Markus Niggli Winemaker, Borra Vineyards Lodi, California M. Eleni Papadakis Assistant Winemaker, Archery Summit Portland, Oregon Deborah Parker Wong Northern California Editor, The SOMM Journal, The Tasting Panel, Clever Root San Francisco, California Montgomery Paulsen Owner/Winemaker, Pat Paulsen Vineyards Oakland, California Elyse Perry Winemaker, Bokisch Vineyards Lodi, California Susan Reiner-Lyon, MS, OTR/L Proprietor/Lead Therapist TeamWalk/Team Fit San Francisco, California Michaela Rodeno Owner/Author, Villa Ragazzi/Bubbles to Boardrooms Napa, California David Rogers Senior Wine Consultant, Vintage Wine Estates Forestville, California Meredith Saboraria Winemaker, Consulting Winemaker, Stony Ridge/ Crooked Vine Winery, Barrel Down Wine Services Livermore, California

Chris Sawyer Sommelier/Journalist, SawyerSomm.com Petaluma, California Carol Shelton Winemaker, Carol Shelton Wines Santa Rosa, California Andria Shirk Owner/Winemaker, Competition Consultant D.O.G. Wines, Enofile Online Portland, Oregon Jeff Slankard Wine Director, Barons Market Carlsbad, California Clark Smith Owner/Winemaking Consultant, WineSmith Wines & Consulting Santa Rosa, California Betsy Spann Owner/Winemaker, Spann Vineyards Bodega Bay, California Jackson Starr Winemaker, Grape Grower, Sommelier, Sierra Starr Vineyards Grass Valley, California Michael Taylor, CWE Wine Steward, Nugget Markets Davis, California Timothy Teichgraeber Freelance Wine & Spirits Writer Wine & Spirits Writer Oakland, California Jim Twiford Consultant, Educator, Acton Mickelson Environmental, Inc. Fair Oaks, California Anne Vercelli Assistant Director, San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition Healdsburg, California Ernie Weir Winemaker, Hagafen Cellars Napa, California Evan Williams Proprietor, Buyer, Evan’s American Gourmet Cafe South Lake Tahoe, California

Petaluma, California

COMPLETE COMPETITION RESULTS AT CAStateFair.org 7

BEHIND THE SCENES Well Worth the Task to Find the Best

By Deborah Parker Wong

THE MEDAL STAND

2,854 749 2,521 115 230 1,008 1,168 20

wines entered by wine companies were awarded medals

J

udging a wine competition, particularly one as large as the California State Fair Commercial Wine Competition can mean evaluating 150 wines or more in a single day. Passing on that many wines can be considered the Olympic weight lifting of wine tasting. It’s not something that can be done well without having gradually worked your way up the scale to achieve a level of training and experience that approaches mastery.

Beyond training, what makes this Herculean task humanly possible is our physiology and the fact that 80 percent of the way a wine tastes is derived from what we smell. The average person’s nose or, more specifically, olfactory epithelium, can detect as many as one trillion different odors – and that number is believed to be on the low side. Our companions, the canines, have four times as many olfactory receptors as we do but, given what we’re endowed with, smell is one of our super powers.

Even when blindfolded an average person can detect and follow a trail of chocolate that has been laid down in an open field.

Double Gold medals Gold medals

Silver medals

Bronze medals

For a wine judge, sensory training develops an acute sense of perception that enables us to tease apart a wine at the molecular level. In turn, being able to differentiate among molecules makes us highly susceptible to distracting odors like perfume, scented soaps, cigarettes and in some cases even coffee.

It’s safe to say that when it comes down to the last few flights of the day, a wine judges’ nose is doing most of the heavy lifting.

medals won by the Golden State Winery of the Year

But there’s far more than aroma in a glass of award-winning wine and in tasting each wine twice, as most judges do, we double the amount of physical effort that’s required to get the job done. When we’re gauging a wine’s flavor which is the combination of aroma, taste, texture and temperature, we’re looking for indicators of quality and for anything that might not be quite right.

Best of Show awards

A study conducted at Cornell University validates this type of sensory work. A group of expert tasters, all determined to be equal to the task, evaluated flights of wine in which there were two glasses of the same wine. The tasters were asked to record the attributes of each wine and the results were compiled and analyzed by a data scientist.

The judges prevailed. The California State Fair sensory data showed that they could consistently identify the intensities of the repeated wine – its aromas, structural elements like acid, tannin and fruit, the persistence of its length and many other descriptors - within a small margin of error more than 95 percent of the time. And, they could repeat that high level of accuracy for as long as they could focus their attention to the task which turned out to be all day. This metric established that expert tasters work far more objectively and with far greater accuracy than previously thought.

The highly professional wine judges who evaluated the 2,854 wines that were entered in the competition this year brought that same level of professionalism and dedication to their table every day. While there’s no question that over a rigorous day of tasting a judge may overlook the redeeming qualities of a wine, working in panels of three insures a level of scrutiny and a consensus that each wine has received its due.

The next time you select an award winning wine from among the many that have distinguished themselves this year, do so with confidence in the professionals who have deemed it worthy of recognition. 1

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2016 BEST OF CALIFORNIA MAGAZINE

5 22 24 1 3 350

Best of Region awards Best of California awards Best Value award Best Micro Winery awards Best of Class of Region Awards 2017 Commercial Wine Competition moves to March 29-31, 2017

CALIFORNIA STATE FAIR GALA AWARDS Thank you to all the amazing men and women that generously supported the California State Fair Gala and helped raise funds for the Friends of the California State Fair student scholarships and youth programming in the California State Fair Kaiser Permanente Farm. And, congratulations to all of the honorees who represent the best of California.

Champion of Technology Award Individual Award Recipient

Agriculturalist of the Year

Champion of Technology Award Project or Organization Award Recipient

Emergency Call and Tracking System (ECaTS)

Sarbjit “Sarb” Johl

Eric Brown

Agriculture Progress Award

Golden Bear Award

President and CEO of Founding partner of the Sacramento Valley Walnut Growers LLC. California Telehealth Network Chairman of the Cling Peach Board

Judy Culbertson

Executive Director of the California Foundation for Agriculture in the Classroom

Gail Kautz

John Kautz Farms, in Lodi, California Ironstone Concours Foundation

Special thanks to our top sponsors A S S O C I AT I O N MANAGEMENT SERVICES , INC

HILBERS I N C O R P O R AT E D CONTRACTORS & ENGINEERS

CALIFORNIA VINEYARD OF THE YEAR

Photo by Connie Schlelein

Vineyard 1869/Original Grandpere

By Deborah Parker Wong

A

mador County’s Vineyard 1869, a cherished heritage vineyard in the Shenandoah Valley about five miles northeast of the town of Plymouth, has been honored as the Cal Expo 2016 Vineyard of the Year. Among California’s oldest vineyards, the site which has also been known as the Original Grandpere, was documented in 1869 as part of a U.S. geological survey and is currently owned and farmed by Terri Harvey.

The vineyard’s history is well documented as part of a 600-acre mining claim settled by the Upton family who planted a zinfandel vineyard that spanned their property and that of the neighboring Rouff family.

According to Amador County author and historian Eric Costa who researched the region’s winegrowing history in his book “Old vines: A history of winegrowing in Amador County,” an 1870 agricultural census showed 250 gallons of Zinfandel in the possession of George Rouff, which further supports the presence of Zinfandel on the property in the 19th-century.

The vineyard sits at 1,300 feet elevation where dry-farmed Zinfandel vines have buried their roots deep in sandy loam soils of decomposed Sierra Nevada granite. That combination of factors spared the headpruned vines planted on their own rootstock from the threat phylloxera which ravaged California vineyards in the 1880s. And, thanks to the demand by home winemakers on the East Coast for sturdy Zinfandel grapes, the vineyard survived Prohibition in the 1920s and 30s.

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Vineyard 1869’s modern history began in earnest with winemaker Scott Harvey who was its fourth caretaker. “For all old vine vineyards, the thing that makes them special is the depth of their roots,” said Harvey. “Dry farming has driven the roots down 25 to 30 feet in their search for water with each layer of soil adding complexity to the wines.”

The bonsai-like vines that yield just two tons of fruit to the acre are resilient; when it’s wet they aren’t waterlogged and when it’s dry they can find water. “Great, old-vine vineyards produce wine that has multidimensional characteristics we associate with first-growth quality,” said Harvey who first bottled wine from the site at Renwood Winery using the name “Grandpere Vineyard” after he and then wife Terri purchased the vineyard in 1984. Harvey renamed the site Vineyard 1869 after Renwood trademarked the name in the 1990s.

The Vineyard typically produces well-structured, medium-bodied wines that reflect vintage conditions and show markers of deep spiceforward aromas, good acid balance and medium color. Of the five wineries that bottle wine made from Vineyard 1869, the 2013 Vino Noceto OGP ($29) and 2014 Macchia Prestigious ($30) were awarded silver and bronze medals respectively in this year’s commercial wine competition. 1

2016 BEST OF CALIFORNIA MAGAZINE

Arial view of the compettion in progress

Deborah Parker Wong

Susan Reiner-Lyon

Dr Andrew Waterhouse, U C Davis

Elizabeth Rose Mandalou

Greg Burns, Amy Butler

COMPLETE COMPETITION RESULTS AT CAStateFair.org 11

1st

California is in DAIRY PRODUCTION nationwide

44% of all California cow milk goes toward cheese production

2.4 BILLION POUNDS California produced of cheese in 2015

CHEESE Source: California Milk Advisory Board

WINE

90%

of U.S. wine exports come from California

276

MILLION

$31.9 BILLION

cases of California in California wine revenue wine sold in 2015 in 2015 Source: The Wine Institute

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$6.9 BILLION

in California in 2015

3.8 MILLION barrels of beer produced in 2015

CRAFT

680 craft breweries

BEER

contributed to the California economy by craft breweries in 2014

Sources: Brewers Association and California Craft Beer Brewers Association

EXTRA VIRGIN

OLIVE

OIL

4 MILLION

gallons of EVOO produced in California in 2015

35,000+ ACRES devoted to EVOO production in California Source: The International Olive Council

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BEST OF SHOW

BEST OF SHOW

Dessert

BEST OF SHOW

DOUBLE GOLD 98

DOUBLE GOLD 98

DOUBLE GOLD 98

Navarro Vineyards

St. Amant Winery

Robert Hall Winery

2014 Riesling Cluster Select Late Harvest, Mendocino

The Road Less Traveled 2014 Tempranillo, Amador County

2015 Rosé de Robles Rosé Wine, Paso Robles

Red

BEST OF SHOW

Sparkling

DOUBLE GOLD 98

Gloria Ferrer NV Blanc de Noirs Sparkling Wine Carneros (Sonoma)

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Pink

BEST OF SHOW

White

DOUBLE GOLD 98

J. Lohr Gesture 2015 Viognier, Paso Robles

2016 BEST OF CALIFORNIA MAGAZINE

Best Value WINE

DOUBLE GOLD 98

Smoking Loon 2014 The Original Chardonnay, California

BEST OF CALIFORNIA Awarded to the best varietals in California.

BEST BARBERA Amador Cellars

BEST OTHER FORTIFIED DESSERT WINE Galleano Winery DOUBLE GOLD 98

BEST RED GENERIC Three Thieves DOUBLE GOLD 98

2013, Amador County

NV, Cucamonga Valley, Old Vine Port

BEST BORDEAUX RED VARIETAL BLEND Windwalker Vineyard DOUBLE GOLD 98

BEST OTHER RED VARIETAL Acorn DOUBLE GOLD 98

2014, Callifornia Republic, California Red Blend

2011, El Dorado

2013, Alegría Vineyards, Russian River Valley Dolcetto

DOUBLE GOLD 98

BEST CABERNET FRANC Bent Creek Wines DOUBLE GOLD 98 BEST OTHER RED VARIETAL BLEND 2013, Alameda County - Livermore Valley Obscurity Cellars DOUBLE GOLD 98 2014, 100th Anniversary 1916 Murrill Vineyard, BEST CABERNET SAUVIGNON Amador County, 1916 Old Vine Carígnane Concannon Vineyard Reserve Zinfandel Field Blend 2013, Alameda County DOUBLE GOLD 98 - Livermore Valley BEST OTHER WHITE VARIETAL Lewis Grace DOUBLE GOLD 98 BEST CHARDONNAY Belle Ambiance Family Vineyards 2015, Alta Mesa, Torrontés 2014, California DOUBLE GOLD 98 BEST PETITE SIRAH Wolff Vineyards DOUBLE GOLD 98 BEST GRENACHE 2014, Edna Valley Villa Vallecito Vineyards 2013, Estate Grown, DOUBLE GOLD 98 BEST PINOT GRIGIO Sierra Foothills Ménage à Trois DOUBLE GOLD 98 2015, California BEST MALBEC Martin Ranch Winery DOUBLE GOLD 98 BEST PINOT NOIR DOUBLE GOLD 98 2013, Thérèse Vineyards, Santa Clara Valley, Rodney Strong Estate Vineyards Dos Niñas Vineyard

2013, Sonoma County, Sonoma Coast

BEST MERLOT BEST PRIMITIVO Francis Coppola Diamond Collection Smith Vineyard Blue Label DOUBLE GOLD 98 2013, Sierra Foothills 2014, California

BEST RIESLING Fetzer Vineyards

DOUBLE GOLD 98

2014, Monterey County, Goosefoot Road

BEST SANGIOVESE Windwalker Vineyard DOUBLE GOLD 98 2012, Sierra Foothills

BEST SAUVIGNON BLANC South Coast Winery DOUBLE GOLD 98 2015, Carter Estate Vineyard Temecula Valley

BEST SHIRAZ Barefoot

DOUBLE GOLD 98

NV, California

BEST TEMPRANILLO Peirano Estate Vineyards 2013, Lodi, DOUBLE GOLD 98 The Heritage Collection

BEST VIOGNIER Acquiesce Winery & Vineyards 2015, Lodi, DOUBLE GOLD 98 Premium White Wine

DOUBLE GOLD 98 BEST ZINFANDEL Sobon Estate ReZerve 2014, Paul’s Vineyard, DOUBLE GOLD 98 Amador County

BEST OF REGION Awarded to the best red wine and the best white wine from each of the eleven judging regions.

Check our website, CAStateFair.org for the designated regions for the winners listed below.

BEST OF NORTH COAST RED Shed Horn Cellars DOUBLE GOLD 98 Non Typical Red Wine 2014 Lake County

BEST OF NORTH COAST WHITE Bliss Family Vineyards DOUBLE GOLD 98 Sauvignon Blanc Estate Bottled 2015 Mendocino BEST OF SONOMA RED Sean Minor DOUBLE GOLD 98 Pinot Noir 2013 Sonoma Coast BEST OF SONOMA WHITE J Vineyards DOUBLE GOLD 98 Chardonnay Estate Grown 2014 Russian River Valley BEST OF NAPA RED Double T Red Wine 2013 Napa Valley

DOUBLE GOLD 98

BEST OF NAPA WHITE Black Stallion Estate Winery Sauvignon Blanc DOUBLE GOLD 98 2015 Napa Valley BEST OF GREATER BAY RED Concannon Reserve DOUBLE GOLD 98 Cabernet Sauvignon 2013 Alameda County - Livermore Valley

BEST OF NORTH-CENTRAL COAST RED Stephen & Walker DOUBLE GOLD 98 Pinot Nior 2013 Monterey County

BEST OF SIERRA FOOTHILLS WHITE Oakstone Winery DOUBLE GOLD 98 Pinot Grigio 2015 Fair Play

BEST OF NORTH-CENTRAL COAST WHITE Fetzer Vineyards DOUBLE GOLD 98 Riesling 2014 Monterey County

BEST OF LODI RED Loma Prieta Winery DOUBLE GOLD 98 Bodo’s Pinotage Blend

BEST OF SOUTH-CENTRAL COAST RED Le Vigne Winery DOUBLE GOLD 98 Cabernet Sauvignon 2013 Paso Robles BEST OF SOUTH-CENTRAL COAST WHITE J. Lohr Gesture DOUBLE GOLD 98 Viognier 2015 Paso Robles BEST OF SOUTH COAST RED Shadow Mountain Vineyards Nebbiolo DOUBLE GOLD 98 2013 San Diego County BEST OF SOUTH COAST WHITE South Coast Winery DOUBLE GOLD 98 Sauvignon Blanc 2015 Temecula Valley

BEST OF SIERRA FOOTHILLS RED St. Amant Winery DOUBLE GOLD 98 The Road Less Traveled BEST OF GREATER BAY WHITE Bloomfield Vineyards DOUBLE GOLD 98 Tempranillo 2014 Amador County Viognier

2013 Lodi

BEST OF LODI WHITE Lewis Grace DOUBLE GOLD 98 Torrontes 2015 Alta Mesa BEST OF OTHER CALIFORNIA RED Cardella Winery DOUBLE GOLD 98 Malbec 2014 Fresno County BEST OF OTHER CALIFORNIA WHITE Rendez-vous DOUBLE GOLD 98 Chenin Blanc 2014 CLARKSBURG (YOLO) BEST OF CALIFORNIA STATE RED H. Mynors DOUBLE GOLD 98 Zinfandel, Old Vine Cuvee 2013 California BEST OF CALIFORNIA STATE WHITE Smoking Loon DOUBLE GOLD 98 The Original Chardonnay 2014 California

2015 Contra Costa County

COMPLETE COMPETITION RESULTS AT CAStateFair.org 15

GOLDEN STATE WINERY OF THE YEAR

GOLDEN STATE WINERY OF THE YEAR - South Coast Winery Recognizing the winery that has the greatest number of wines winning the most and the highest awards.

2015 SAUVIGNON BLANC

DOUBLE GOLD 98

Temecula Valley Best of California, Best of Region - White, Best of Class of Region 2015 CABERNET SAUVIGNON ROSÉ DOUBLE GOLD 98

Monterey Best of Class of Region 2014 LATE HARVEST MUSCAT OF ALEXANDRIA Temecula Valley 2015 VERDELHO

GOLD 95 GOLD 95

California Best of Class of Region 2015 TEMPRANILLO ROSÉ Temecula Valley Best of Class of Region 2015 MUSCAT CANELLI

GOLD 95

GOLD 95

SILVER 93 SILVER 93

South Coast Best of Class of Region NV SPARKLING PINOT GRIGIO Temecula Valley

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SILVER 91 SILVER 88 SILVER 88 SILVER 88

SILVER 88

Temecula Valley Best of Class of Region

Temecula Valley Best of Class of Region NV RUBY CUVÉE SPARKLING SYRAH Temecula Valley 2014 MOURVÈDRE

NV SPARKLING GEWÜRZTRAMINER Temecula Valley 2014 LATE HARVEST GEWÜRZTRAMINER Temecula Valley NV BRUT SPARKLING WINE Temecula Valley 2013 ZINFANDEL South Coast Best of Class of Region 2013 GRENACHE

SILVER 91

2012 TOURIGA NACIONAL - TEMPRANILLO South Coast NV SPUMANTE DIAMANTE SPARKLING WINE Temecula Valley 2015 VIOGNIER Temecula Valley 2012 BOULDER RED South Coast NV ROMANZA South Coast 2012 BIG RED SUNSHINE Solar South Coast

2016 BEST OF CALIFORNIA MAGAZINE

BRONZE 87 BRONZE 87 BRONZE 87 BRONZE 86 BRONZE 86 BRONZE 85

Photo by Bob Torrez (bobtorrezphotography.com)

South Coast Winery Resort & Spa

By Deborah Parker Wong

T

o be the fourth-time winner of the Golden State Winery of the Year puts South Coast Winery in a class by itself. Having been in good company with Geyser Peak Winery and V. Sattui Winery as three-time recipients of the award, South Coast Winery founder and proprietor Jim Carter and the winemaking team of Master Winemaker Jon McPherson and Winemaker Javier Flores have once again been acknowledged for their commitment to excellence.

Celebrating its thirteenth year, this world class winery-resort has helped make the Temecula winegrowing region a destination for wine lifestyle enthusiasts. With more than 200,000 visitors to its tasting room annually, South Coast Winery’s popularity rests not only with the 40 different wines that are crafted by McPherson and Flores but with the wine country lifestyle that offers guests hotel suites, private villas, a spa and restaurant.

South Coast takes full advantage of the rural beauty of Temecula Valley which boasts no development beyond the city limits of Temecula and attracts guests from a 90-mile radius that includes Los Angeles, Palm Springs and San Diego.

“It’s an exciting win for us,” said McPherson who shares Jim Carter’s appreciation of the State Fair as being the oldest wine competition around. “Wine competitions are one of the best ways for us to highlight the region and show people what we’re doing. We know consumers see the published results because they come looking for award-winning wines.”

A second generation winemaker who got his start making wine at the family’s Estacado Winery in Lubbock, Texas, McPherson has followed in his father’s trailblazing footsteps by working to establish an emerging winegrowing region. He came to California in 1985 to make sparkling wine, (South Coast Winery is the only charmat producer in the Valley), and found his calling in a region that is becoming a premium area for Portuguese and Rhone varieties. Like McPherson, Flores too came from a winemaking family in the heart of Baja California, Mexico’s Valle de Guadalupe, and together they’ve made award-winning wines since South Coast Winery was founded in 2003.

With 240 estate acres under vine in Temecula, and another 160 acres in Monterey, South Coast Winery has a wine for every consumer and attracts a consumer for every wine in their portfolio. “We’re excited about the quality of Verdelho, a white variety from Portugal, that’s performing well, and with the Portuguese red varieties like Touriga National and Tinta Roriz which is better known as Tempranillo,” said McPherson. “Our Rhone red blend of Grenache, Syrah, Mourvedre (GSM) is another example of a popular style that showcases what the region can do.”

South Coast Winery was envisioned by Carter not only as a destination for wine enthusiasts but as a place that approaches the appreciation of wine as a lifestyle and gives visitors a host of reasons to stay a few days and explore Temecula wine country at large. 1

COMPLETE COMPETITION RESULTS AT CAStateFair.org 17

SHOW RED

2014 Tempranillo The Road Less Traveled St. Amant Winery

By Deborah Parker Wong Terroir, the French word that describes the expression of place in a wine, includes the elements that are controlled by the winemaker. In the case of the Best of Show Red, Stuart Spencer, second-generation winemaker and owner with his mother Barbara of St. Amant Winery based in Lodi, California, played a significant role. Spencer crafted the 2014 Tempranillo “The Road Less Traveled” which captivated the judges and won an overwhelming majority vote during the Sweepstakes Round of the Commercial Wine Competition to take the top honor awarded to a red wine.

Verdelho. Nestled in the Jackson Valley at the western edge of Amador County, this distinct vineyard site is moderated by cool nighttime air from the Sierras and the five lakes that encompass the region.

Tempranillo was planted in the fine, sandy loam Sierra series soils there in 1998 and the Spencer family produced their first vintage in 2001.

“The variety seems to have found a natural affinity in our vineyard,” said Spencer who produces a well-structured, concentrated wine with good acidity levels and delicious dark berry fruits.

Hailing from the winery’s namesake St. Amant Vineyard in Amador County’s Jackson Valley, The Road Less Traveled honors winery founder Tim Spencer. “The wine’s name and the label are a tribute to my dad who passed away in 2006. The image on the label is a picture of his old work boots, and the tag line “The Road Less Traveled” reflects his path in life. He always charted his own course, from establishing our winery to planting five traditional Douro Valley Portuguese varieties in our vineyard in 1980.”

As one of California’s first winegrowing regions, Amador County is home to hundreds of acres of old, dry-farmed vines. After being silenced by Prohibition, the region experienced a renaissance in the 1960s and in the decades that followed became recognized for producing high-octane, late-harvest wines that found a ready appeal with lovers of the style. St. Amant The Road Less Traveled Tempranillo is a shining example of the Spencer family’s intention to produce a moderate wine style that is balanced, varietally correct and a true expression of their vineyard’s terroir.

Recognized as one of California’s best expressions of Tempranillo, the St. Amant Vineyard, after Barbara St. Amant Spencer’s maiden name, is 43 acres planted to nine grape varieties that in addition to Tempranillo include Bastardo (Trousseau), Cabernet Sauvignon, Souzao, Syrah, Tinta Cao, Touriga Franca, Touriga Nacional and

Spencer who has long been a champion of the Lodi AVA where the St. Amant Winery is located is currently serving as the President of the Tempranillo Advocates, Producers and Amigos Society known as TAPAS said, “Given our commitment to growing Iberian varieties in California, this is a fitting and well-appreciated recognition.” 1

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2016 BEST OF CALIFORNIA MAGAZINE

SHOW WHITE

Gesture 2015 Viognier J. Lohr

By Deborah Parker Wong Enjoyment may be the first objective of appreciating an awardwinning Viognier (vee on yay) but the mystery surrounding its origin adds some cache to this variety that in 1965 was almost lost to extinction. In North America, California’s Central Coast is the leading producer of Viognier with more than 2,000 acres under vine. At J. Lohr Vineyards & Wines, producer of California State Fair’s Best of Show White, you’ll find nine acres of Viognier growing in the Adelaida District AVA of western Paso Robles from which their Gesture 2015 Viognier was made.

According to award-winning winemaker Kristen Barnhisel, who is celebrating her first year making white wines at the winery, the Jean Vineyard is a cooler site that was planted to Viognier in 2010, “In crafting this wine we blend fruit from two different blocks that are on two different soils – one that’s predominately limestone and gives us linalool and lychee fruit and the other that is sandstone and produces more tropical and ripe stone fruit flavors. We create a blend from the two sites for a happy medium-style that’s balanced, crisp and on the leaner side.”

Lauded for its floral aromas, Viognier is a natural for lovers of Muscat and Riesling because it’s chock full of same flavors are also found in those varieties. Barnhisel treats her Viognier carefully, it’s hand-picked and the juice is tasted from the press pan to insure that it’s not getting bitter or too phenolic in texture. Her preference for using Acacia barrels exclusively

for Viognier and white Rhone varieties helps her control the amount of oxygen that comes in contact with the wine but still lets it “breathe.”

“We make about 300 cases of Gesture Viognier from vines that have been in production for a couple of years,” said Barnhisel herself, a Sonoma native who grew up around the wine industry but discovered her passion for wine when studying Italian literature in Italy. Her tasting note describes the Gesture 2015 as, “Pale yellow in color with aromas of orange blossom, honeysuckle, nectarine and baking spices complemented by a rich, balanced palate of ripe peaches, cara cara orange, mineral notes and a long, textured finish.”

The J. Lohr Gesture wines were created in 2009 for wine club members and visitors to the winery tasting room to showcase limited production wines from distinct vineyards in western Paso Robles. With the popularity of these small lots of Rhone varieties and blends, Lohr has made the wines available to consumers online and offers them at a significant discount to members of its wine clubs.

Founded by vintner and owner Jerry Lohr in 1972, today J. Lohr Vineyards & Wines spans over 3,633 acres in the Central Coast, Monterey and Napa counties. Second generation Lohr family members include CEO Steve Lohr, Vice President of Marketing Cynthia Lohr and Director of Education Lawrence Lohr who navigate and insure the success of the company. 1

COMPLETE COMPETITION RESULTS AT CAStateFair.org 19

REGION OF CALIFORNIA BEST OF NORTH COAST RED DOUBLE GOLD 98

Shed Horn Cellars Non Typical Red Wine 2014 Lake County www.shedhorncellars.com 707-291-3629 “If blending is the art of winemaking – and it is – then this masterpiece deserves to be in the Louvre.

Mike Kerrigan

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BEST OF NORTH COAST WHITE DOUBLE GOLD 98

Bliss Family Vineyards Sauvignon Blanc 2015 Mendocino www.brutocaocellars.com 707-744-1066 “This aromatic Sauvignon Blanc is spot on.

The perfumed grass and herbaceous nose tells you the varietal and the delicious ribbon of acidity that continues through to the finish is mouthwatering and begs to be paired with food – great job!”

Andria Shirk

BEST OF SONOMA RED DOUBLE GOLD 98

BEST OF SONOMA WHITE DOUBLE GOLD 98

Sean Minor Pinot Noir 2013 Sonoma Coast

J Vineyards Chardonnay 2014 Russian River Valley

www.seanminorwines.com 707-226-1414

www.ejgallo.com 707-265-3037

“Complex Pinot Noir bouquet of baked cherry turnover, dried orange peel, clove, nutmeg & cinnamon. Juicy, full bodied red fruits on palate, with a balanced structure and lingering finish.”

Meredith Sarboraria

“Butter, butterscotch, enticing aroma, oak overtones, nice balance.”

Maynard Johnston

BEST OF NAPA RED DOUBLE GOLD 98

BEST OF NAPA WHITE DOUBLE GOLD 98

Double T Bordeaux Blend 2013 Napa Valley

Black Stallion Estate Winery Sauvignon Blanc 2015 Napa Valley

www.trefethen.com 707-251-2473

www.delicato.com 707-265-1795

“Complex nose has both red and dark berry components with some cedar undertones. Nice depth of fruit on the palate. Excellent acid backbone, long finish.”

Jeff Slankard

“Pale yellow white peach and fresh herbs in aroma, rich and round mouthfeel, stone fruit and light herbs build a long, lingering finish. Excellent acidity.”

Patrick Dodd

2016 BEST OF CALIFORNIA MAGAZINE

REGION OF CALIFORNIA BEST OF GREATER BAY RED BEST CABERNET SAUVIGNON DOUBLE GOLD 98

Concannon Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon 2013 Alameda County - Livermore Valley www.thewinegroup.com 925-456-2500 “Classic cassis varietal fruit with undertones of toasty oak. Nice varietal fruit with well integrated oak.

Very good acid structure leads to a long, lingering finish.”

Jeff Slankard

BEST OF NORTH CENTRAL COAST RED DOUBLE GOLD 98

Stephen & Walker Pinot Noir 2013 Monterey County www.trustwine.com 707-331-8480 “California’s top Pinot Noir displays supreme elegance, a seductive bouquet of roses, cocoa & grenadine, a silky texture with focused intensity, and a long, lingering finish full of Asian spice and dried flowers. Three cheers for the return of classic elegance.”

Clark Smith

Bloomfield Vineyards Viognier 2015 Contra Costa County www.bloomfieldvineyards.com 925-783-0050 A lush aromatic profile of bright stone fruit and hints of honeysuckle and orange blossom, smooth, yet with a fresh and vibrant mouthfeel.

BEST OF NORTH CENTRAL COAST WHITE BEST RIESLING DOUBLE GOLD 98

Fetzer Vineyards Goosefoot Road Riesling 2014 Monterey County www.fetzer.com 707-670-0153 “Bright floral nose with stone fruit undertones. Nice depth of fruit on the palate with peach and apricot notes. Excellent acidity with an extremely long finish.”

Jeff Slankard

BEST OF SOUTH CENTRAL COAST RED DOUBLE GOLD 98

BEST OF SOUTH CENTRAL COAST WHITE DOUBLE GOLD 98

Le Vigne Winery Cabernet Sauvignon 2013 Paso Robles

J. Lohr Gesture Viognier 2015 Paso Robles

www.levignewinery.com 805-227-4000 “Lush ripe Cherry & Cassis with a touch of Cigarbox, balanced with generous oak.

Juicy core and lengthy finish – beautifully crafted Cabernet, ready to enjoy now.”

Evan Williams

BEST OF GREATER BAY WHITE DOUBLE GOLD 98

www.jlohr.com 408-288-5057 “A triggering Viognier, prompting thoughts of an arbor hung with honeysuckle and an orchard of peaches prime to pick.”

Mike Dunne

COMPLETE COMPETITION RESULTS AT CAStateFair.org 21

THE SUN MAY RISE IN THE EAST, BUT IT GETS BOTTLED IN THE WEST. BRIGHTEN UP YOUR NEXT OCCASION.

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C E L E B R AT E R E S P O N S I B L Y.

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2016 BEST OF CALIFORNIA MAGAZINE

korbel.com | responsibility.org ©2015 F. Korbel & Bros., Guerneville, Sonoma County, CA. Producers of fine California méthode champenoise champagnes for 133 years. KORBEL is a registered trademark. All rights reserved.

BEST OFOF REGION REGION CALIFORNIA BEST OF SOUTH COAST RED DOUBLE GOLD 98

Shadow Mountain Vineyards Nebbiolo 2013 San Diego County www.shadowmountainvineyards.com 760-782-0778 “This Nebbiolo is deep, dark and dense – just what one expects from the variety. Remarkably smooth, and well-knit.”

Michaela Rodeno

BEST OF SIERRA FOOTHILLS RED DOUBLE GOLD 98

St. Amant Winery The Road Less Traveled Tempranillo 2014 Amador County

South Coast Winery Sauvignon Blanc 2015 Temecula Valley www.southcoastwinery.com 951-587-9463 “Sunshine in a glass! Bright lemon & grapefruit aromas with a crisp yet lingering finish that’s screaming for some green-lipped mussels!”

Jessica Altieri

BEST OF SIERRA FOOTHILLS WHITE DOUBLE GOLD 98

Oakstone Winery Pinot Grigio 2015 Fair Play

www.stamantwine.com 209-367-0646

www.oakstone-winery.com 530-620-5303

“Black cherry & walnuts, touch of earthiness and brown spices. Mouthfeel is soft and creamy with rice stuffing in the middle, long cherry finish. Would be amazing with many foods, from pulled pork to ratatouille, a real food charmer!”

Carol Shelton

“Lemon, lime and a flash of gooseberry – the crisp acidity here will enliven anything on your plate and the tropical flavors of passion fruit will please your palate.”

Deborah Parker Wong

BEST OF LODI RED DOUBLE GOLD 98

BEST OF LODI WHITE BEST OTHER WHITE VARIETAL DOUBLE GOLD 98

Loma Prieta Winery Bodo’s Blend Pinotage 2013 Lodi

BEST OF SOUTH COAST WHITE BEST SAUVIGNON BLANC DOUBLE GOLD 98

Lewis Grace Torrontés 2015 Alta Mesa

www.lomaprietawinery.com 408-241-1941

www.gracepatriotwines.com 530-642-8424

“Perfume from the oak forest– Complete briar-laden mid palate. Food friendly; tannins & astringency textbook for this awesome varietal!”

Betsy Spann

“Engaging aroma of white roses!

Flavors of peach & nectarine backed by fresh citrus notes flood the palate; Wow. More, please!”

Ellen Landis

COMPLETE COMPETITION RESULTS AT CAStateFair.org 23

REGION OF CALIFORNIA BEST OF OTHER CALIFORNIA RED DOUBLE GOLD 98

BEST OF OTHER CALIFORNIA WHITE DOUBLE GOLD 98

Cardella Winery Malbec 2014 Fresno County

Rendez-vous Chenin Blanc 2014 Clarksburg (Yolo)

www.cardellawinery.com 559-630-4994

www.rendez-vouswinery.com 916-744-1991

“MMM, luscious and delicious.

Dark fruits and melted caramel.

Tannins are smooth, and this wine invites another taste, another glass.”

Lynae Anderson Hiley

“Seductively faint aroma of mellons and flowers. Nice mineral flavors with a very slight bitter note on the finish make for a tasty and food friendly wine.”

Todd Hafner

BEST OF CALIFORNIA STATE RED DOUBLE GOLD 98

BEST OF CALIFORNIA STATE WHITE DOUBLE GOLD 98

H. Mynors Zinfandel 2013 California

Smoking Loon The Original Chardonnay 2014 California

www.seanminorwines.com 707-226-1414

www.donsebastianiandsons.com 707-931-2980

“Rich & spicy, all the elements of a good Zin.” Bob Foster

“Forward weight punctuated by citrus cream, polenta, and a touch of toast.”

M. Eleni Papadakis

Check our website, CAStateFair.org for the designated regions for the winners of Best of Region

FOR THE

OF

THE JOURNEY

7

“Every single day, we strive to be better than the day before. That's what my family instilled in me. For five generations, we've worked relentlessly to grow and

produce great California Chardonnays. We don't do it because we have to, we do it because we love to.”

KARL D. WENTE FIFTH GENERATION WINEGROWER

FAMILY OWNED. ESTATE GROWN. CERTIFIED SUSTAINABLE.

VARIETALS OF CALIFORNIA BEST BARBERA DOUBLE GOLD 98

Amador Cellars Barbera 2013 Amador County www.amadorcellars.com 209-245-6150 “Beautiful red berry fruit with balanced acidity. Great dark red rose color. Sweet oak toast provides soft experience.

Food friendly wine with pasta primavera or chicken marsala” David Rogers

Windwalker Vineyard Red Table Wine 2011 El Dorado www.windwalkervineyard.com 530-409-4488 “Dark fruit, incredibly subtle oak to complement lush, velvety palate, gentle tannins” Laura Chadwell

BEST CABERNET FRANC DOUBLE GOLD 98

BEST GRENACHE DOUBLE GOLD 98

Bent Creek Wines Cabernet Franc 2013 Alameda County Livermore Valley

Villa Vallecito Vineyards Grenache Estate Grown 2013 Sierra Foothills Estate Grown

www.bentcreekwinery.com 925-455-6320

www.villavallecitovineyards.com 209-743-9384

“Pretty varietal Cab Franc.

Lots of violets, good balanced wine to go with red meat.”

Scott Harvey

Lovely dark plum and restrained tannins, with a long, smooth finish.

BEST CHARDONNAY DOUBLE GOLD 98

BEST MALBEC DOUBLE GOLD 98

Belle Ambiance Family Vineyards Chardonnay 2014 California

Martin Ranch Winery Malbec 2013 Santa Clara Valley Dos Niñas Vineyard Thérèse Vineyards

www.delicato.com 707-265-1795 “Beautiful Chardonnay with richness and a touch of minerality.”

Mari Coyle

BEST BORDEAUX RED VARIETAL BLEND DOUBLE GOLD 98

www.martinranchwinery.com 408-842-9197 “Beautiful bright purple color. Big fresh crushed grape aromas with underlying blueberry accents, medium bodied, nice plush texture, well balanced wine.”

Michael Taylor

COMPLETE COMPETITION RESULTS AT CAStateFair.org 25

J. LOHR W IN ES TA K E

CENTER STAGE AT T H E

2 0 1 6 C A L I FOR N I A S TAT E FA I R

DOUBLE GOLD – BEST OF CLASS OF REGION 98 PTS – 2013 J. Lohr Tower Road Petite Sirah, Paso Robles 98 PTS – 2012 J. Lohr Cuvée St. E, Paso Robles

DOUBLE GOLD 98 PTS – 2014 J. Lohr Late Harvest White Riesling, Arroyo Seco, Monterey

GOLD – BEST OF CLASS OF REGION 95 PTS – 2014 J. Lohr Estates Los Osos Merlot, Paso Robles 95 PTS – 2014 J. Lohr Estates South Ridge Syrah, Paso Robles

See complete results at: www.castatefair.org/california-commercial-wine-competition-results/ 26

© 2016 J. Lohr Vineyards & Wines, San Jose, CA 95126

2016 BEST OF CALIFORNIA MAGAZINE

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VARIETALS OF CALIFORNIA BEST MERLOT DOUBLE GOLD 98

BEST OF PINOT NOIR DOUBLE GOLD 98

Francis Coppola Diamond Collection Blue Label Merlot 2014 California

Rodney Strong Estate Vineyards Pinot Noir 2013 Sonoma County

www.francisfordcoppolawinery.com 707-251-3224 “Lovely & elegant flavor of ripe berries, velvety texture and long smooth finish.

A true California gem.”

Chris Sawyer

BEST OTHER FORTIFIED DESSERT WINE DOUBLE GOLD 98 Galleano Winery

NV Cucamonga Valley Old Vine Port www.galleanowinery.com 951-685-5376 “Loaded with maple & brown sugar, this wine is full of charm. Notes of cinnamon roll & tobacco makes me want to sit around a winter fire and enjoy.”

Jackson Starr

BEST OTHER RED VARIETAL BLEND DOUBLE GOLD 98 Obscurity Cellars 100th Anniversary 1916 Old Vine Carígnane Zinfandel Field Blend 2014 Amador County www.oakstone-winery.com 530-620-5303 “The aromas of the wine are worth the purchase alone. A beautiful mix of crushed red berry, plum & savory notes of sagebrush.

The velvet texture & long finish on the wine make it a sheer pleasure to drink.”

Michael Taylor

www.rodneystrong.com 707-433-0925 “A bright garnet color greets the eye.

This wine has elegant notes of rose petals and mint and hints of eucalyptus from the terrior. Overall this is a deliciously enjoyable Pinot Noir to have on its own or slightly chlled with a cold salmon salad or grilled chicken.”

Susan Reiner-Lyon

BEST OTHER RED VARIETAL DOUBLE GOLD 98

Acorn 2013 Russian River Valley Dolcetto, Alegría Vineyards www.acornwinery.com 707-433-6440 “Black fruit, rich, light spicy, good color, flavor & sweet oak spice!”

Dennis Martin

BEST PETITE SIRAH DOUBLE GOLD 98

Wolff Vineyards Petite Sirah 2014 Edna Valley www.wolffvineyards.com 805-234-7196 “Complex aromas, a depth of nicely extracted fruit, well integrated oak, lingering finish.”

Brian Miller

COMPLETE COMPETITION RESULTS AT CAStateFair.org 27

VARIETALS OF CALIFORNIA BEST PINOT GRIGIO DOUBLE GOLD 98

BEST PRIMITIVO DOUBLE GOLD 98

Ménage à Trois Pinot Grigio 2015 California

Smith Vineyard Primitivo Estate Bottled 2013 Sierra Foothills

www.tfewines.com 707-302-3294

www.smithvineyard.com 530-273-7032

“Engaging aroma, lime zest & melon, white pepper, gorgeous acidity!

Pair with fresh crab or just sip all day!”

Ellen Landis

“Strong varietal character, blackberry aroma, blackberry flavors, balanced, long finish.”

Maynard Johnston

BEST RED GENERIC DOUBLE GOLD 98

BEST SANGIOVESE DOUBLE GOLD 98

Three Thieves 2014 California Republic Red Blend

Windwalker Vineyard Sangiovese 2012 Sierra Foothills

www.tfewines.com 707-302-3294

www.windwalkervineyard.com 530-409-4488

“Fruit, spice, well balanced, a party wine.”

Bradley Alderson

“Great viscosity and very drinkable now.

Perfectly balanced.”

Debra Del Fiorentino

BEST SHIRAZ DOUBLE GOLD 98

BEST TEMPRANILLO DOUBLE GOLD 98

Barefoot Shiraz NV California

Peirano Estate Vineyards Tempranillo The Heritage Collection 2013 Lodi

www.ejgallo.com 707-265-3037 “A rich, sturdy Shiraz with hints of red berry, black currant and dark choclate.

Full bodied, a tart acidity, and medium hard tannins.”

Martin Maxwell

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www.peirano.com 209-367-1305 “Good color, long aftertaste, good middle palate, dark berries, solid!”

Markus Niggli

2016 BEST OF CALIFORNIA MAGAZINE

Š2016 Rodney Strong Vineyards, Healdsburg, CA

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Discover the Secret For over 50 years, we’ve been growing wine grapes on the great wine sites and soils of Alexander Valley. With our vineyards and our never-ending dedication to quality, we craft artisan wines that will exceed your expectations.

Place Matters. Discover authentic wines from Sonoma County.

VARIETALS OF CALIFORNIA BEST ZINFANDEL DOUBLE GOLD 98

BEST VIOGNIER DOUBLE GOLD 98

Sobon Estate ReZerve Zinfandel 2014 Amador County

Acquiesce Winery & Vineyards Viognier Premium White Wine 2015 Lodi

www.sobonwine.com 209-245-4455 “Brilliant cherry fruit bathed in sweet oak, followed by a full mid-palate with baking spice & cedar. Beautiful, long finish leaves you wanting more.”

Evan Williams

www.whitewinewinery.com 209-333-6102 “Full of honey-suckle, jasmine and orange blossom. Hints of peach, apricot and nectarine with full bodied palate.

Very food friendly, but also very nice to sip on its own.”

Martin Maxwell

CALIFORNIA MICRO WINERIES The California State Fair understands that there are many small or micro wineries in California producing incredible wines that are unable to reach the larger marketplace because of the small amount of wine they make. The Micro Winery category was created to include them in the competition. Wines entered in the Micro Winery classes are eligible for Double Gold, Gold, Silver and Bronze medals and for Best Micro Winery Red, White and Other.

BEST MICRO WINERY

Red

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BEST MICRO WINERY BEST MICRO WINERY

White

Other

DOUBLE GOLD 98

DOUBLE GOLD 98

DOUBLE GOLD 98

Michael Gill Cellars

Turkovich Family Wines

Renegade Winery

2015 Counoise Paso Robles

2015 Albariño Yolo County

OMG NV Port Style Dessert Wine California

2016 BEST OF CALIFORNIA MAGAZINE

CALIFORNIA STATE FAIR

Proud purveyors of California’s Finest Wine, Spirits, and Beer CELEBRATES THE 2016 CALIFORNIA STATE FAIR 46

www.winewarehouse.com

WINE LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD

G.M. “POOCH” PUCILOWSKI The Lifetime Achievement Award recognizes a person, family or institutions who are pioneers in the wine industry based on their lifetime contributions to the California wine industry.

A nationally-known wine educator and consultant, Pooch has devoted 44 years to educating consumers and trade members alike in all aspects of the wine industry. He served as chief judge and consultant to the California State Fair’s annual Commercial Wine Competition for 26 years, and re-established the Home Winemaking Competition. And, Pooch has judged several of the most prestigious wine competitions throughout the country.

Pooch is widely regarded as a wine industry expert and has given lectures and seminars throughout North America. He is also president/owner of the Wine Educators Inc. of California University of Wine training, in which capacity he trains restaurateurs, wholesalers/distributors, retailers, and winery personnel. 1

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© 2016 Bonterra organic Vineyards, Hopland, ca.

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COMPLETE COMPETITION RESULTS AT CAStateFair.org 33

CALIFORNIA CAPITOL AWARDS EVENT

Honoring the Best Wines, Cheese, Craft Beer & Extra Virgin Olive Oils in California.

For the fourth year in a row, the California State Fair hosted the top award winners at the State Capitol in Sacramento for a special awards and press ceremony. Best of Show winners in the commercial wine, cheese, extra virgin olive oil and beer were honored, and distinguished guests demonstrated the support of the importance of competition.

Master of Ceremonies, Rob Stewart, Executive Producer & Host, Rob on the Road

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Golden State Winery of the Year, Dawn and Jim Carter of South Coast Winery

2016 BEST OF CALIFORNIA MAGAZINE

California Exposition and State Fair CEO, Rick Pickering, Bleating Heart Cheese representatives, Dave Dalton and Seana Doughty, Point Reyes Farmstead Cheese Company, Bob Giacomini and daughter, Jill Giacomini-Basch, and Commercial Cheese judge Mary Dedrick

Craft Beer Award winners Simon Olney and Jim Harte from ol’ Republic Brewery

Albert and Kim Katz from Katz and Company (Olive Oil) and Ann Fiorello Sievers and Mark Sievers of Il Fiorello Olive Oil Company

COMPLETE COMPETITION RESULTS AT CAStateFair.org 35

DOUBLE GOLD & GOLD WINE WINNERS

Dry White Wines

CHARDONNAY, 2014 Best of Class of Region

CHARDONNAY, 2014 Albariño ALBARIÑO, 2015

GOLD 95

Irony, Monterey County Small Lot Reserve

DOUBLE GOLD 98

GOLD 95

Jed Steele's Shooting Star, Mendocino

Turkovich Family Wines, Yolo County

Best of Class of Region

Best Micro White, Best of Class of Region

CHARDONNAY, 2013

GOLD 95

CHARDONNAY, 2014

GOLD 95

GOLD 95 CHARDONNAY, 2015

GOLD 95

Light Horse, California

ALVARINHO, ALBARIÑO, 2015

Cante Ao Vinho, Yuba County Best of Class of Region

DOUBLE GOLD 98

ALBARIÑO, 2015

McManis Family Vineyards, River Junction

Imagery Estate Winery, Sonoma Valley

Best of Class of Region

Best of Class of Region

GOLD 95 SMARTY PANTS CHARDONNAY

ALBARIÑO, 2015

Middle Sister Wine, California

Oak Farm Vineyards, Lodi

Chardonnay Belle Ambiance, California

DOUBLE GOLD 98

CHARDONNAY, 2014

Muirwood, Arroyo Seco

GOLD 95

Best of Class of Region

Best of California, Best of Class of Region

DOUBLE GOLD 98

Rendez-vous, Clarksburg (Yolo)

Best of Region - White, Best of Class of Region CHENIN BLANC, 2014

Rippey, Clarksburg (Yolo)

GOLD 95

Best of Class of Region

Muscat WILLOW SPRINGS MOSCATO, 2015 GOLD 95

CK Mondavi, California

Pinot Blanc PINOT BLANC, 2015

GOLD 95

Best of Class of Region DOUBLE GOLD 98

Pinot Grigio/Pinot Gris

CHARDONNAY, 2014

PINOT GRIGIO, 2015 DOUBLE GOLD 98 GOLD 95 Dancing Coyote, Clarksburg (Sacramento)

Oak Farm Vineyards, Lodi

GOLD 95 Best of Class of Region PINOT GRIGIO, 2015 DOUBLE GOLD 98

VINTNERS COLLECTION RESERVE Newmans Own, California CHARDONNAY, 2015 DOUBLE GOLD 98 CHARDONNAY, 2015 Carmenet, California CHARDONNAY, 2014

GOLD 95

CHENIN BLANC, 2014

Las Positas Vineyards, Alameda County CHARDONNAY, 2014 GOLD 95 Livermore Valley Buttner Vineyard Muddy Boot, California Best of Class of Region

Best of Class of Region

CHARDONNAY, 2014

Marc Cellars, California

Chenin Blanc

Estate Grown

Menage a Trois, California

Best of Class of Region

GOLD 95 Best of California, Best of Class of Region Santa Barbara Winery, Santa Barbara County PINOT GRIGIO, 2015 DOUBLE GOLD 98 Best of Class of Region CALLING ALL ANGELS CHARDONNAY, 2014 Oakstone Winery, Fair Play CHARDONNAY, 2015 DOUBLE GOLD 98 Save Me, San Francisco Wine Co., GOLD 95 Estate Mother Vine Ranch Grayson Cellars, California Lot 11 Best of Region - White, Best of Class of Region California Best of Class of Region DOUBLE GOLD 98 CHARDONNAY, 2014 GOLD 95 PINOT GRIGIO, 2015 CHARDONNAY, 2014 DOUBLE GOLD 98 Sean Minor, Sonoma Coast Villa Toscano, California J Vineyards, Russian River Valley Best of Class of Region CHARDONNAY, 2014 GOLD 95 Estate Grown PINOT GRIGIO, 2014 GOLD 95 Sierra Starr Vineyard, Clarksburg (Yolo) Best of Region - White Craftwork, Monterey, Estate Grown Reserve Cosmic Best of Class of Region Best of Class of Region Best of Class of Region THE ORIGINAL, CHARDONNAY, 2014 GOLD 95 EMERALD LABEL PINOT GRIGIO, 2015 GOLD 95 Smoking Loon, California DOUBLE GOLD 98 CHARDONNAY, 2014

Gen 7, Central Coast

Silverstone, California Barrel Aged

Best of Region - White, Best Value, Best of Class of Region CHARDONNAY, 2014

B.R. Cohn Winery, Carneros Sangiacomo Vineyard

CHARDONNAY, 2014 GOLD 95

Best of Class of Region CHARDONNAY, 2014

California Republic, California CHARDONNAY, 2014

Caricature, Lodi

GOLD 95 GOLD 95

CHARDONNAY, 2014

GOLD 95

CHARDONNAY, 2013

GOLD 95

CHARDONNAY , 2015

GOLD 95

Cholame Vineyard, Santa Barbara County DeLoach Vineyards, California Heritage Reserve

COMPLICATED CHARDONNAY, 2014 GOLD 95

Taken Wine Co., Sonoma Coast

CHARDONNAY, 2014

GOLD 95

Sauvignon Blanc

IBARRA CHARDONNAY, 2013

GOLD 95

SAUVIGNON BLANC, 2015 DOUBLE GOLD 98

CHARDONNAY, 2014

GOLD 95 SAUVIGNON BLANC, 2015 DOUBLE GOLD 98

ROUSSANNE, 2015 GOLD 95 Best of Class of Region Cass Winery, Paso Robles, Estate Grown

Three Thieves, California Tierra y Vino, Santa Ynez Valley La Presa Vineyards Vigilance, Red Hills

GOLD 95 CHARDONNAY, 2014

CHARDONNAY, 2014

GOLD 95

Hughes Family Vineyards, Sonoma Mountain

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Bliss Family Vineyards, Mendocino Estate Bottled

Best of Class of Region GOLD 95

RIVA RANCH CHARDONNAY, 2014 GOLD 95 GOLD 95

Gnarly Head, California

Wente Vineyards, Arroyo Seco Single Vineyard Best of Class of Region

Black Stallion Estate Winery, Napa Valley

Best of Region - White, Best of Class of Region

Virginia Dare Winery, Russian River Valley

CHARDONNAY, 2014

Roussanne

GOLD 95

CHARDONNAY, 2014 Best of Class of Region

Best of Class of Region

KALI HART CHARDONNAY, 2014

GOLD 95

Gen5, Lodi

Francis Coppola Diamond Collection, California

Seaglass, Santa Barbara County

Sangiacomo Vineyards

CHARDONNAY, 2014

Fat Cat, California

GOLD 95

PINOT GRIS, 2014 GOLD 95 Best of Class of Region J Vineyards, Alexander Valley Best of Class of Region CHARDONNAY, 2014 GOLD 95 PINOT GRIGIO, 2015 GOLD 95 Story Winery, Carneros (Sonoma)

Storrs, Santa Cruz Mountains

Talbott, Monterey, Estate Grown

Best of Class of Region

Challis Lane, California

CHARDONNAY, 2014

Best of Region - White, Best of Class of Region SAUVIGNON BLANC, 2015 DOUBLE GOLD 98

Shannon Ridge, Lake County High Elevation Collection Best of Class of Region

SAUVIGNON BLANC, 2015 DOUBLE GOLD 98

South Coast Winery, Temecula Valley Winemaker's Signature Collections

Best of Region - White, Best of California, Best of Class of Region

2016 BEST OF CALIFORNIA MAGAZINE

32

Š2015 Trinchero Family Estates, St. Helena, CA

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Enjoy Award Winning Wine and Spirits from www.TFEwines.com

DOUBLE GOLD & GOLD WINE WINNERS SAUVIGNON BLANC, 2014 DOUBLE GOLD 98

William Hill Estate, North Coast

VERDELHO, 2015

Best of Class of Region

Las Positas Vineyards, Alta Mesa GOLD 95

SAUVIGNON BLANC, 2014

Benziger Family Winery, North Coast SAUVIGNON BLANC, 2015

Castle Rock, Mendocino County

GOLD 95

Best of Class of Region

Cabernet Sauvignon CABERNET SAUVIGNON, 2012 Archimedes,

DOUBLE GOLD 98

Alexander Valley

OSO BLANCO VERMENTINO, 2015 GOLD 95 Best of Class of Region

GOLD 95 Michael Gill Cellars, Paso Robles Best of Class of Region

CABERNET SAUVIGNON, 2013 Concannon Vineyard, DOUBLE GOLD 98

SILVER SPUR SAUVIGNON BLANC, 2014 VERDELHO, 2015 Jamieson Ranch Vineyards, GOLD 95 South Coast Winery, California Napa Valley Limited Production Best of Class of Region SAUVIGNON BLANC, 2014 GOLD 95

GOLD 95 Alameda County - Livermore Valley Reserve Best of Region - Red, Best of California, Best of Class of Region

Best of Class of Region

GOLD 95 Lodi Estate

Rhone White Varietal Blend

Picket Fence, Alexander Valley

COQUILLE BLANC, 2014

SAUVIGNON BLANC , 2014

Raymond Vineyards, Napa Valley Reserve Selection

GOLD 95

Carol Shelton Wines, Paso Robles

GOLD 95

GOLD 95 J. Lohr Gesture, Paso Robles Best of Class of Region

SAUVIGNON BLANC, 2015

Renegade, Lodi

Best of Class of Region

GOLD 95

SAUVIGNON BLANC, 2014

Santa Barbara Winery, Santa Ynez Valley Great Oaks Vineyard

Markus Wine Co, Lodi

LOUIS MEL SAUVIGNON BLANC, 2014 Wente Vineyards, GOLD 95

Alameda County - Livermore Valley Estate Grown

GOLD 95 Best of Class of Region

Shale Oak, Paso Robles

DI DOMENICO CABERNET SAUVIGNON, 2013 Paso Robles DOUBLE GOLD 98

Best of Class of Region

Le Vigne Winery

Red Table Wines

Best of Region - Red, Best of Class of Region CABERNET SAUVIGNON, 2013 Lewis Grace, El Dorado DOUBLE GOLD 98 Best of Class of Region

BARBERA, 2013 DOUBLE GOLD 98 GOLD 95 Amador Cellars, Amador County Wildhurst Vineyards, Lake County Reserve Best of California, Best of Class of Region SAUVIGNON BLANC , 2015

BARBERA, 2014

Semillon DOUBLE GOLD 98

Andis Wines, Amador County Bill Dillian Vineyard

Best of Class of Region

GOLD 95

VIOGNIER, 2014

San Simeon, Paso Robles Estate Reserve Best of Class of Region

DOUBLE GOLD 98

Bloomfield Vineyards, Contra Costa County

BARBERA, 2014

GOLD 95

Eberle, Paso Robles 32% Steinbeck Vineyard 34 % Partridge Vineyard 34% Kokopelli Vineyard

J. Lohr Gesture, Paso Robles

Feist, Fair Play Reserve

Best of Show - White, Best of Region - White

BARBERA, 2014

Helwig Vineyards & Winery, Amador County

DOUBLE GOLD 98

BARBERA, 2012

Naggiar Vineyards, Amador County

Best of Class of Region DOUBLE GOLD 98

Cabernet Franc

MARSANNE, 2015

Helwig Vineyards & Winery, Shenandoah Valley, Amador County TORRONTÉS, 2015

Lewis Grace, Alta Mesa

DOUBLE GOLD 98

GRENACHE BLANC, 2015

Acquiesce Winery & Vineyards, Lodi Premium White Wine

38

GOLD 95

Best of Class of Region

Alameda County - Livermore Valley Estate Grown

CABERNET SAUVIGNON, 2013 GOLD 95 Four Vines, Paso Robles

GOLD 95

CABERNET SAUVIGNON, 2013

GOLD 95

CABERNET SAUVIGNON, 2012

GOLD 95

GOLD 95

GOLD 95

Hess Select, North Coast

Hindsight, Calistoga Estate Grown

SEVEN OAKS CABERNET SAUVIGNON, 2014 J. Lohr Estates, Paso Robles GOLD 95 JMC CABERNET SAUVIGNON, 2012 GOLD 95

Best of California, Best of Class of Region

Acorn, Russian River Valley Alegría Vineyards

Best of Region - White, Best of California, Best of Class of Region

FREE RUN CABERNET SAUVIGNON, 2012 Crooked Vine GOLD 95

GOLD 95

CABERNET FRANC, 2013 DOUBLE GOLD 98

CABERNET FRANC, 2013

Best of Class of Region

CABERNET SAUVIGNON, 2014

Bent Creek Wines, Alameda County Livermore Valley

Best of Class of Region

Carnivor, California

Cycles Gladiator, Central Coast

Batia Vineyards, El Dorado County

MARSANNE, 2014

Best of Class of Region

GOLD 95

Best of Region - White Best of Class of Region VIOGNIER, 2015 DOUBLE GOLD 98 BARBERA, 2013

Other White Varietals

Alexander Valley

BARBERA, 2012

Driven Cellars, Shenandoah Valley, Amador County

Best of California, Best of Class of Region

CABERNET SAUVIGNON, 2014 Picket Fence, DOUBLE GOLD 98

Andis Wines, Amador County

BARBERA, 2014 DOUBLE GOLD 98

CABERNET SAUVIGNON, 2013 Noble Ranch, Fair Play DOUBLE GOLD 98 Best of Class of Region

CABERNET SAUVIGNON, 2013 DOUBLE GOLD 98 GOLD 95 Tulocay, Coombsville Best of Class of Region GOLD 95 CABERNET SAUVIGNON, 2014 GOLD 95

Alma de la Vina, Amador County

Acquiesce Winery & Vineyards, Lodi Premium White Wine

VIOGNIER, 2015

Prospect Cellars, DOUBLE GOLD 98 Amador County Cooper Ranch BARBERA, 2012

Viognier VIOGNIER, 2015

BUNKHOUSE CABERNET SAUVIGNON, 2014 Hearst Ranch Winery, DOUBLE GOLD 98

Barbera

Best of Class of Region

SEMILLON, 2014

Best of Class of Region

Paso Robles

SUI, 2014

GOLD FEVER SAUVIGNON BLANC, 2015 Secret Ravine, Placer County GOLD 95 Best of Class of Region

CABERNET SAUVIGNON, 2013 Girl & Dragon,

DOUBLE GOLD 98

North Coast

NIMMO WHITE WINE BLEND, 2014 GOLD 95 Best of Class of Region

Best of Class of Region

d'Art Hand Crafted Wines,

DOUBLE GOLD 98 Select Barrel Reserve Best of Class of Region

Best of Class of Region RHONE WHITE BLEND, 2015

CABERNET SAUVIGNON, 2013

GOLD 95

J. McClelland, Napa Valley

CABERNET SAUVIGNON, 2014

GOLD 95

Line Shack Winery, San Antonio Valley Reserve Best of Class of Region CABERNET SAUVIGNON, 2014

Matchbook, Dunnigan Hills

GOLD 95

Best of Class of Region BACKBONE CABERNET SAUVIGNON, 2013 Motto, California GOLD 95 Best of Class of Region

2016 BEST OF CALIFORNIA MAGAZINE

Award Winning Wines From California’s Central Coast

91

94

Gold Medal, Tastings.com (Beverage Testing Institute)

Gold Medal & Best Buy, Tastings.com (Beverage Testing Institute)

Pinot Noir

Chardonnay

POINTS

POINTS

PROUDLY MADE BY

4

DOUBLE GOLD & GOLD WINE WINNERS CABERNET SAUVIGNON, 2014

Newmans Own, California

GOLD 95

Best of Class of Region CABERNET SAUVIGNON, 2013

Powder Keg Wine, California Best of Class of Region

CABERNET SAUVIGNON, 2013

Smith Vineyard, Sierra Foothills, Estate Bottled CABERNET SAUVIGNON, 2013

The Divining Rod, Alexander Valley CABERNET SAUVIGNON, 2013

Van Ruiten Family Vineyards, Lodi CHARLES WETMORE CABERNET SAUVIGNON, 2013

BLUE LABEL MERLOT, 2014 DOUBLE GOLD 98

Best of Class of Region

Francis Coppola Diamond Collection,

GOLD 95 GOLD 95

MERLOT, 2012

Jessies Grove Winery, Lodi

DOUBLE GOLD 98

GOLD 95 GOLD 95

MERLOT, 2014

GOLD 95

LOS OSOS MERLOT, 2014

GOLD 95

J. Lohr Estates, Paso Robles

GOLD 95

181 MERLOT, 2013 MERLOT, 2014

Ryder Estate, Central Coast Best of Class of Region

DOUBLE GOLD 98

GOLD 95

CARIGNANE, 2013

GOLD 95

PETITE SIRAH, 2012

SUPER NOVA PETITE SIRAH , 2013 GOLD 95

Sierra Starr Vineyards, Nevada County Best of Class of Region PETITE SIRAH, 2013

GOLD 95

Pinot Noir

PINOT NOIR, 2013 DOUBLE GOLD 98 GOLD 95 Bogle Vineyards, California Best of Class of Region

Best of Class of Region MERLOT, 2013

Taft Street, Alexander Valley

Best of Class of Region

Best of Class of Region

DOUBLE GOLD 98

Meadow View Winery, Russian River Valley, Cattell Vineyard

Steele, Lake County

Shenandoah Vineyards, Amador County

Petite Petit, Lodi

GOLD 95 PINOT NOIR, 2014

MERLOT, 2012

Carignane

GOLD 95

PETITE SIRAH, 2014

Storrs, Santa Cruz Mountains

Best of Class of Region

Noble Vines, Lodi GOLD 95

GOLD 95

Perry Creek Winery Altitude 2401', El Dorado

Shale Oak, Paso Robles

Best of Class of Region

Challis Lane, California

Wente Vineyards, Alameda County Livermore Valley, Estate Grown

CARIGNANE, 2013

PETITE SIRAH, 2011

GOLD 95 California Best of California, Best of Class of Region

Rodney Strong Vineyards, Sonoma County CABERNET SAUVIGNON, 2013

Merlot

GOLD 95

Best of Class of Region

Best of Class of Region SONOMA COAST PINOT NOIR, 2013 Rodney Strong DOUBLE GOLD 98

Estate Vineyards, Sonoma County

Abundance Vineyards Mencarini Family Winery, Lodi, Mencarini Vineyards

MERLOT, NV

GOLD 95 Best of California, Best of Class of Region

Best of Class of Region

SANDSTONE MERLOT, 2012

GOLD 95

OLD VINE CARIGNANE, 2013

The Naked Grape, California

GOLD 95

Carol Shelton Wines, Alexander Valley, Sonoma County, Oat Valley Vineyard Best of Class of Region

Grenache GRENACHE, 2013

Jeff Runquist, Alta Mesa GRENACHE, 2013

Vina Moda, Sierra Foothills

GOLD 95

MALBEC, 2014

Cardella Winery, Fresno County, Lorenzo's Vineyard, District 13 Best of Region - Red, Best of Class of Region MALBEC, 2013

DOUBLE GOLD 98

Martin Ranch, Santa Clara Valley, Dos Ninas Vineyard, Thérèse Vineyards

GOLD 95

Fenestra, Lodi, Silvaspoons Vineyards

GOLD 95

Frog's Tooth Vineyards, Sierra Foothills

GOLD 95

Gold Hill Vineyard, El Dorado, Estate Bottled Best of Class of Region MALBEC, 2014

Oak Farm Vineyards, Lodi

GOLD 95

Best of Class of Region MALBEC, 2013

GOLD 95

Viaggio On The River Estate and Winery, Lodi Estate Best of Class of Region

40

PINOT NOIR, 2014

GOLD 95

DOUBLE GOLD 98

GOLD 95

Baileyana, Edna Valley, Firepeak Vineyard Best of Class of Region DE COELO PINOT NOIR, 2013

GOLD 95

PINOT NOIR, 2014

GOLD 95

PINOT NOIR, 2013

GOLD 95

PINOT NOIR, 2014

GOLD 95

PINOT NOIR, 2014

GOLD 95

Benziger Family Winery, Sonoma Coast, Terra Neuma

Petite Sirah

Carneros Highway, Carneros (Sonoma)

Best of Class of Region

Castle Rock, California, California Cuvée

PRIVATE RESERVE PETITE SIRAH, 2011 Eagle Ridge Vineyard, DOUBLE GOLD 98

District 7, Monterey, Estate Grown

Alameda County - Livermore Valley, Estate Grown

Four Bears, Central Coast

Best of Class of Region

Paso Robles

FALCON'S PERCH PINOT NOIR, 2014 GOLD 95

J. Lohr Estates, Monterey County

FOG'S REACH PINOT NOIR, 2013

GOLD 95

J. Lohr Vineyard Series, Arroyo Seco

Best of Class of Region DOUBLE GOLD 98

Wolff Vineyards, Edna Valley

Best of California, Best of Class of Region REPOSADO PETITE SIRAH, 2014

Best of Class of Region MALBEC, 2013

Best of Class of Region

PETITE SIRAH, 2014

Best of Class of Region MALBEC, 2013

PINOT NOIR, 2014 DOUBLE GOLD 98 Avalon, Edna Valley Best of Class of Region

J. Lohr Gesture, Paso Robles

TOWER ROAD PETITE SIRAH, 2013 J. Lohr Vineyard Series, DOUBLE GOLD 98

Best of California, Best of Class of Region MALBEC, 2012

Best of Region - Red, Best of Class of Region

Concannon Vineyard, Alameda County Livermore Valley, Polo Field Vineyard DOUBLE GOLD 98

DOUBLE GOLD 98

Mourvèdre

PETITE SIRAH, 2012

Malbec

Best of Region - Red, Best of Class of Region

Stephen & Walker, Monterey County

GOLD 95 Shenandoah Valley, Amador County Best of Class of Region

Best of Class of Region

DOUBLE GOLD 98

PINOT NOIR, 2013

MONASTRELL MOURVÈDRE, 2013 Los Portales, DOUBLE GOLD 98

Best of California, Best of Class of Region

Sean Minor, Sonoma Coast

Best of Class of Region

MOURVÈDRE, 2014 DOUBLE GOLD 98

Villa Vallecito Vineyards, Sierra Foothills, Estate Grown GRENACHE , 2015

Wente Vineyards, Alameda County Livermore Valley, Estate Grown

PINOT NOIR, 2013

Borjon, Amador County

GOLD 95

LOT 458 PETITE SIRAH, 2012

GOLD 95

PETITE SIRAH, 2013

GOLD 95

En Garde, Alameda County - Livermore Valley Ghielmetti Vineyard

DARK PHANTOM PETITE SIRAH, 2014 GOLD 95

Graveyard Vineyards, Paso Robles

Santa Maria Valley

Best of Class of Region 667 PINOT NOIR, 2014

GOLD 95

PINOT NOIR, 2014

GOLD 95

Noble Vines, Monterey

Best of Class of Region

Cameron Hughes, Paso Robles

SANTA MARIA CUVÉE PINOT NOIR, 2013 Kenneth Volk Vineyards, GOLD 95

Peacock Cellars, Central Coast Best of Class of Region

LAGUNA DE SANTA ROSA PINOT NOIR, 2013 Pech Merle Winery, GOLD 95

Russian River Valley PINOT NOIR, 2014

GOLD 95

Red Rock Winery, California, Reserve

2016 BEST OF CALIFORNIA MAGAZINE

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OU’RE D R

IN K I N G T O

©2016 Kendall-Jackson Winery, Santa Rosa, CA #KJ16_35498

IT’S WHO YOU’RE DRINKING WITH.

No matter who’s on your guest list, WE’VE GOT A WINE THEY’LL LOVE.

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DOUBLE GOLD & GOLD WINE WINNERS GOLD 95 SIN ZIN ZINFANDEL, 2013

PINOT NOIR, 2013

GOLD 95 SOUTH RIDGE SYRAH, 2014

Best of Class of Region

Best of Class of Region GOLD 95 EMPRESS LA PETITE DREW SYRAH, 2014 Karmere, Shenandoah Valley, GOLD 95

Ryder Estate, Central Coast PINOT NOIR, 2014

Seaglass, Santa Barbara County

J. Lohr Estates, Paso Robles

Amador County

Best of Class of Region PINOT NOIR, 2013

Storrs, Santa Cruz Mountains

GOLD 95

Best of Class of Region GOLD 95

PINOT NOIR, 2013

White Oak Vineyards & Winery, Russian River Valley, Estate Grown PINOT NOIR, 2013

Willowbrook, Russian River Valley, Estate Grown

GOLD 95

Milliaire Vineyard Selections, Amador County Best of Class of Region PRIMITIVO, 2013

Best of Class of Region SYRAH, 2014

Picchetti Winery, Arroyo Seco, Cedar Lane Vineyard Best of Class of Region SAXY SYRAH, 2011

R & B Cellars, Sierra Foothills

DOUBLE GOLD 98

Smith Vineyard, Sierra Foothills, Estate Bottled

GOLD 95

TEMPRANILLO, 2013

GOLD 95

DOUBLE GOLD 98

Lewis Grace, El Dorado, Estate

Sangiovese Windwalker Vineyard, Sierra Foothills

Best of California, Best of Class of Region

Best of Class of Region

Best of Show - Red, Best of Region - Red, Best of Class of Region TEMPRANILLO, 2013 DOUBLE GOLD 98

Barefoot, California

Karmere, Shenandoah Valley, Amador County

Hughes Family Vineyards, L.L.C, Sonoma Valley, Signature Reserve, Savannah Vineyard

Best of Class of Region ZINFANDEL, 2013

Best of Class of Region DOUBLE GOLD 98

Steele-Stymie, Lake County, Founder's Reserve, Limited Production

GOLD 95

Acorn, Russian River Valley, Alegría Vineyards

GOLD 95

Santa Cruz Mountains, Finley Vineyard

Drytown Cellars, Sierra Foothills Best of Class of Region

42

DOUBLE GOLD 98

Best of Class of Region ZINFANDEL, 2013

GOLD 95

OLD VINE ZINFANDEL, 2014

GOLD 95

Harney Lane, Lodi Ironstone, Lodi

Macchia, Lodi

ZINFANDEL, 2014

GOLD 95

ZINFANDEL, 2013

GOLD 95

McManis Family Vineyards, Lodi

Vines

ZINFANDEL, 2013

Owl Ridge, Dry Creek Valley

GOLD 95

Best of Class of Region WESTSIDE ZINFANDEL, 2014

GOLD 95

GRAND WREN ZINFANDEL, 2013

GOLD 95

OLD VINE ZINFANDEL, 2013

GOLD 95

ZINFANDEL, 2014

GOLD95

ZINFANDEL, 2014

GOLD 95

ZINFANDEL, 2014

GOLD 95

ZINFANDEL, NV

GOLD 95

OLD VINE ZINFANDEL, 2012

GOLD 95

SECTION 29 ZINFANDEL, 2014

GOLD 95

Renwood, Amador County

Renwood, Amador County

Sobon Estate, Fiddletown, Lubenko Vineyard

Story Winery, Amador County, Picnic Hill Vineyard, Estate Bottled

Story Winery, Shenandoah Valley, Amador County, Quartz Vineyard, Estate Bottled Sutter Home Family Vineyards, California

DOUBLE GOLD 98

Mitchell Katz, Alameda County - Livermore Valley, Kestral Ridge

Thorn Hill Vineyards, Red Hills

Best of Class of Region OLD VINE ZINFANDEL, 2014 DOUBLE GOLD 98

Woodbridge by Robert Mondavi, Lodi

Best of Class of Region ZINFANDEL, 2012

DOLCETTO, 2013

OZV, Lodi

SYRAH, 2012 GOLD 95 COOPER-GARROD ESTATE VINEYARDS,

SYRAH, 2014

LangeTwins Family Winery and Vineyards, Lodi Best of Class of Region ZINFANDEL, 2013

Best of Class of Region

Best of Class of Region

GOLD 95

Harmony Cellars, Paso Robles

Best of Class of Region

DOUBLE GOLD 98 Harney Lane, Alta Mesa, Lizzy James Vineyard Best of Class of Region Best of California, Best of Class of Region DOUBLE GOLD 98

ZINFANDEL, 2013 SYRAH, 2013 DOUBLE GOLD 98 H. Mynors, California, Old Vine Cuvée Bottle Jack Cellars, Santa Cruz Mountains Best of Region - Red, Best of Class of Region Best of Class of Region EMPRESS LA PETITE SYRAH, 2012 DOUBLE GOLD 98 ANGIE ZINFANDEL, 2014 DOUBLE GOLD 98 SHIRAZ, NV

Bottle Jack Cellars, Santa Cruz Mountains Reserve

ZINFANDEL, 2013

Peachy Canyon Winery, Paso Robles

OLD VINE ZINFANDEL, 2013 DOUBLE GOLD 98

SYRAH, 2013

GOLD 95

Napa Cellars, Napa Valley

Zinfandel

AXIOM ® SYRAH, 2013

OLD VINE ZINFANDEL, 2010

SERIOUS OLD VINE ZINFANDEL, 2014 GOLD 95

Turkovich Family Wines, Yolo County,

Syrah/Shiraz

SYRAH, 2012

GOLD 95

Dillian Wines, Shenandoah Valley, Amador County

Karmere, Shenandoah Valley, Amador County

GOLD 95 Barrel Select Best of Class of Region

Illuminare, Placer County

HANGTREE ZINFANDEL, 2013

Best of Class of Region TEMPRANILLO, 2013

St. Amant Winery, Amador County DOUBLE GOLD 98

SANGIOVESE, 2013

GOLD 95

Concrete Wine Co, Lodi

Best of California, Best of Class of Region Best of Class of Region THE ROAD LESS TRAVELED OLD MAN MURRILL ZINFANDEL, 2014 GOLD 95 TEMPRANILLO, 2014 DOUBLE GOLD 98 Obscurity Cellars, Amador County, 1916

Best of Class of Region

SANGIOVESE, 2012

OLD VINE ZINFANDEL, 2012

DOUBLE GOLD 98 EMPRESS HAYLEY ZINFANDEL, 2014 GOLD 95

The Heritage Collection

Philo Ridge Vineyards, Mendocino, Vittorio's Vineyard

GOLD 95

Best of Class of Region TEMPRANILLO, 2014

DOUBLE GOLD 98 DOUBLE GOLD 98 Mariposa, Paso Robles Uphill Vineyards, Amador County Best of Class of Region Best of Class of Region TEMPRANILLO, 2013 DOUBLE GOLD 98 PRIMITIVO, 2013 GOLD 95 Peirano Estate Vineyards, Lodi, PRIMITIVO, 2012

OLD VINE ZINFANDEL, 2013

Driven Cellars, Amador County

Tempranillo

Mariposa, Paso Robles

Best of California, Best of Class of Region

GOLD 95

Best of Class of Region

Spicy Vines, Dry Creek Valley

JEUNESSE PRIMITIVO, 2014 DOUBLE GOLD 98

Best of Class of Region

BellaGrace, Amador County

DRAGON'S KISS SYRAH, 2013

Primitivo

GOLD 95

Alexander Valley Vineyards, Alexander Valley, Sonoma County

DOUBLE GOLD 98

Philo Ridge Vineyards, Mendocino, Firebrick Vineyard

Best of Class of Region GOLD 95 ZINFANDEL, 2014

DOUBLE GOLD 98

Sobon Estate ReZerve, Amador County, Paul's Vineyard

Other Red Varietals DOUBLE GOLD 98

Acorn, Russian River Valley, Alegría Vineyards

Best of California, Best of Class of Region CORVINA, 2013

DOUBLE GOLD 98

Avanguardia, Nevada County Best of Class of Region

Best of California, Best of Class of Region

2016 BEST OF CALIFORNIA MAGAZINE

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INTRODUCING Z. ALEXANDER BROWN A full bodied, bold, North Coast wine with uncommon finesse that offers a boundless, “uncaged” style and image rooted in a pure connection to the land.

John Killebrew, winemaker

Zac Brown, proprietor

2

X ©2016 Z. ALEXANDER BROWN WINES, NAPA, CA 94558 ALC. 13.5-14.5% BY VOL.

in your own backyard.

LODI, CA - 2015 WINE ENTHUSIAST WINE REGION OF THE YEAR

2

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2016 BEST OF CALIFORNIA MAGAZINE

10

DOUBLE GOLD & GOLD WINE WINNERS GRACIANO, 2012

Fenestra, Lodi

DOUBLE GOLD 98

Best of Class of Region PETIT VERDOT, 2012

DOUBLE GOLD 98

Heringer Estates Family Winery, Clarksburg (Yolo), Estate Bottled Best of Class of Region TEROLDEGO, 2013

DOUBLE GOLD 98

Benziger Family Winery, Sonoma Valley, Estate Grown Best of Class of Region

TEST PILOT RED WINE BLEND, 2010 GOLD 95

Cooper-Garrod Estate Vineyards, Santa Cruz Mountains CHANTANT, 2013

Best of Class of Region

Best of Class of Region

DI DOMENICO TANNAT, 2013 DOUBLE GOLD 98

RED WINE, 2013

Engelmann Cellars, Fresno County

GOLD 95

GOLD 95

Gray Pine, Sierra Foothills

100TH ANNIVERSARY 1916 OLD VINE CARIGNANE ZINFANDEL FIELD BLEND, 2014 Obscurity Cellars, DOUBLE GOLD 98

Amador County, Murrill Vineyard

Best of California, Best of Class of Region NON TYPICAL RED WINE, 2014

Best of Class of Region

Heringer Estates Family Winery, Clarksburg (Yolo), Estate Bottled

Le Vigne Winery, Paso Robles

GOLD 95

TRIBUTE, 2013

DOUBLE GOLD 98

Shed Horn Cellars, Lake County Best of Region - Red, Best of Class of Region COCCINEOUS RED WINE, 2013

GOLD 95

MIDNIGHT RED BLEND, NV

GOLD 95

WISDOM OF WISE, 2014

GOLD 95

Las Positas Vineyards, Alameda County RANCHO SALINA RED BLEND, 2013 GOLD 95 Livermore Valley Estate BODO'S BLEND PINOTAGE, 2013 Muscardini Cellars, Moon Mountain District Best of Class of Region Loma Prieta Winery, Lodi DOUBLE GOLD 98 Best of Class of Region GUNG HO RED BLEND, 2013 GOLD 95 Best of Region - Red, Best of Class of Region CELLAR SELECT MERITAGE, 2013 GOLD 95 Motto, California

Rancho Sisquoc, Santa Barbara County, Best of Class of Region COUNOISE, 2015 DOUBLE GOLD 98 Flood Family Vineyards Michael Gill Cellars, Paso Robles TULUK'A, 2012 GOLD 95 Best Micro Red, Best of Class of Region Seka Hills, Capay Valley Best of Class of Region

NEBBIOLO, 2013

DOUBLE GOLD 98

Shadow Mountain Vineyards, San Diego County

Best of Region - Red, Best of Class of Region GOLD 95

CINSAULT, 2013

Black Sheep Winery, Calaveras County Dusty Lane

Rhone Red Varietal Blend

GSM THE CROSSING, 2012 DOUBLE GOLD 98

Pomar Junction Vineyard & Winery, Paso Robles

Wise Villa Winery, Sierra Foothills

Best of Class of Region GSM, 2013

DOUBLE GOLD 98

Shadow Ranch Vineyard, Sierra Foothills,

Best of Class of Region GOLD 95 GSM GRENACHE SYRAH MOURVÈDRE, 2014 Bottle Jack Cellars, Santa Clara Valley J. Lohr Gesture, Paso Robles GOLD 95 RUBY CABERNET, 2012 GOLD 95 KADE'S GSM RED BLEND, 2014 GOLD 95

TEROLDEGO, 2013

Cardella Winery, Fresno County, Fattoria Cardella - Vineyard 22, District 13 CINSAULT, 2013

GOLD 95

MONTEPULCIANO, 2012

GOLD 95

Estate Crush, Lodi Bechthold Vineyard Giovinazzo, California Best of Class of Region

Karmere, Shenandoah Valley, Amador County

LA BETE NOIRE BOLD RED WINE, 2013 GOLD 95

GOLD 95

Imagery Estate Winery, Pine MountainCloverdale Peak (Sonoma), Upper Ridge Vineyard St. Jorge, Lodi, Vierra Estate

Double T , Napa Valley

DOUBLE GOLD 98

Best of Region - Red, Best of Class of Region ARTISTRY RED WINE, 2013 DOUBLE GOLD 98

Girard Winery, Napa Valley

CUVÉE ST. E RED WINE, 2012 DOUBLE GOLD 98

J. Lohr Cuvee Series, Paso Robles Best of Class of Region SERENADE, 2012

DOUBLE GOLD 98

Opolo Vineyards, Paso Robles

DOUBLE GOLD 98

Best of California, Best of Class of Region DEEP RED BLEND, 2013

DOUBLE GOLD 98

Witching Hour, California, Reserve Best of Class of Region

GOLD 95

CAVERN SELECT PAPE DE ROBLES RED WINE, 2013 GOLD 95

THE COUNT, FOUNDERS RED WINE, 2014

GOLD 95

RED BLEND, 2013

GOLD 95

PAYASO, 2013

GOLD 95

Ursa Vineyards, Sierra Foothills

Buena Vista Winery, Sonoma County Best of Class of Region

THREE CROWNS RED BLEND, 2013 GOLD 95

Diora, San Bernabe

Best of Class of Region RANDOLPH, 2014

Hearst Ranch Winery, Paso Robles RADIANT RED, 2014

GOLD 95

RED WINE, NV

GOLD 95

It's A Headsnapper, California

Best of Class of Region

Kiara Bella, Paso Robles

THE ITALIAN JOB RED WINE, 2014 GOLD 95

Best of Class of Region

RED WINE, 2013

Los Portales, Shenandoah Valley, Amador County TOSCANELLO, 2013

Nello Olivo, El Dorado County

GOLD 95

RED BLEND, 2014

GOLD 95

GOLD DIGGER, 2014

GOLD 95

Melodramatic, California Prospect Cellars, California

GOLD 95

GOLD 95

Best of Class of Region

Naggiar Vineyards, Amador County, Estate Grown

Convergence Vineyards, Amador County

Best of Class of Region

Three Thieves, California

Ancient Roots, California

Red Varietal Blend Bordeaux Red Varietal Blend Italian MISTERO, 2013 DOUBLE GOLD 98 RED WINE, 2013

RED WINE, 2014

RED BLEND, 2014

Villa Vallecito Vineyards, GOLD 95 Sierra Foothills, Estate Grown

ALICANTE BOUSCHET, 2013

Red Generic

Naggiar Vineyards, Sierra Foothills Estate Bottled Robert Hall, Paso Robles

TEROLDEGO, 2013

Windwalker Vineyard, Sierra Foothills

Best of Class of Region GRANDMERE, 2013

Renwood, Amador County

GOLD 95

Best of Class of Region

Other Red Varietal Blend

BOURDEAUX BLEND, 2011 DOUBLE GOLD 98

ERUPTION, 2013

DOUBLE GOLD 98

DARK RED WINE, 2014

GOLD 95

TINTO REY, 2012

DOUBLE GOLD 98

Villa Ragazzi, Napa Valley

FARAONA, 2013

GOLD 95

Windwalker Vineyard, El Dorado

Best of California, Best of Class of Region CYRUS 2012

GOLD 95

Alexander Valley Vineyards, Alexander Valley, Sonoma County Best of Class of Region

Brassfield Estate Winery, High Valley Best of Class of Region Matchbook, Dunnigan Hills Best of Class of Region

Best of Class of Region

Unruly, California

Best of Class of Region

THE SMUGGLER'S SON RED WINE, 2013

Virgil's Vineyard, California

GOLD 95

Best of Class of Region

COMPLETE COMPETITION RESULTS AT CAStateFair.org 45

DOUBLE GOLD & GOLD WINE WINNERS

Rosé, Pink and Blush Wines

Varietal Rosé PINK MOSCATO, NV

Barefoot, California

DOUBLE GOLD 98

Bottle Fermented Sparkling Wine Rose, Pink, and Sparkling Red

Riesling, Medium Sweet

GOLD 95

Folktale Winery & Vineyards, California DOUBLE GOLD 98

Seebass Family Wines, Mendocino Best of Class of Region CABERNET SAUVIGNON ROSÉ, 2015

Sweet White Wines

ROSÉ SPARKLING WINE , NV

Best of Class of Region FANTASIE GRENACHE ROSÉ, 2015

Sparkling Wines

DOUBLE GOLD 98

South Coast Winery, Monterey Wine Makers Signature Selection SYRAH ROSÉ, 2015

Eberle, Paso Robles

ROSÉ OF PINOT NOIR, 2015

Main & Geary, Sonoma County

Gloria Ferrer, Carneros (Sonoma), Méthode Champenoise

GOLD 95

Gloria Ferrer, Carneros (Sonoma)

Best of Class of Region TEMPRANILLO ROSÉ, 2015

GOLD 95

South Coast Winery, Temecula Valley Wine Makers Signature Selection Best of Class of Region ROSATO DI SANGIOVESE, 2015

Villa Ragazzi, Napa Valley

DOUBLE GOLD 98

GOLD 95

Best of Class of Region

GOLD 95

Best of Class of Region

Varietal Rosé Blend

DOUBLE GOLD 98

Fetzer Vineyards, Monterey County

Best of Region - White, Best of California, Best of Class of Region

Bottle Fermented Sparkling Riesling, Sweet/Late-Harvest WHITE RIESLING, 2014 DOUBLE GOLD 98 Wine Blanc de Blancs, J. Lohr Vineyard Series, Blanc de Noirs - Natural, Arroyo Seco, Late Harvest no dosage RIESLING, 2014 DOUBLE GOLD 98 BLANC DE NOIRS SPARKLING WINE, NV

Best of Class of Region

GOOSEFOOT ROAD RIESLING, 2014

Best of Show Sparkling, Best of Class of Region CARNEROS CUVÉE SPARKLING WINE, 2004 GOLD 95 BLANC DE BLANCS SPARKLING WINE, NV

GOLD 95

Gloria Ferrer, Carneros (Sonoma), Méthode Champenoise CUVÉE BRUT SPARKLING WINE, NV

GOLD 95

Navarro Vineyards, Mendocino, Cluster Select Late Harvest Best of Show Dessert

Muscat, Medium Sweet MUSCAT CANELLI, 2015

Chacewater, Lake County, Bartolucci Vineyard

DOUBLE GOLD 98

Best of Class of Region GOLD 95

MOSCATO, 2012

Fat Cat, California Best of Class of Region

GOLD 95

MUSCAT, 2015

McFadden, Potter Valley, Méthode Champenoise, Made with Organically Grown Grapes

LangeTwins Family Winery and Vineyards, Clarksburg (Sacramento)

Best of Class of Region

SWEET & SASSY MOSCATO, NV

Best of Class of Region

Middle Sister Wine, California

GOLD 95

ROSÉ DE ROBLESROSÉ WINE, 2015 DOUBLE GOLD 98

Fortified Dessert Wines

Best of Show - Pink, Best of Class of Region

Traditional - Vintage Dated

South Coast Winery, Temecula Valley

Generic Rosé

OMG PORT STYLE DESSERT WINE, NV Renegade, California DOUBLE GOLD 98

Muscat, Sweet/Late-Harvest

ROSÉ DE SHENANDOAH, 2014 DOUBLE GOLD 98

Best Micro Other, Best of Class of Region

MUSCAT OF ALEXANDRIA, 2014

GOLD 95

MUSCAT HAMBURG, 2015

GOLD 95

Robert Hall, Paso Robles

Helwig Vineyards & Winery, Shenandoah Valley, Amador County ROSÉ, 2015

Seaglass, Monterey County

Robert Hall, Paso Robles

DOUBLE GOLD 98

Best of Class of Region ROSÉ, 2015

GOLD 95

ROSÉ, 2015

GOLD 95

Sofia, Monterey County

Best of Class of Region

White Zinfandel DOUBLE GOLD 98

Sutter Home Family Vineyards, California VALLEY OAKS WHITE ZINFANDEL, 2014

Sherry

Fetzer Vineyards, California

Rancho de Philo, Cucamonga Valley

GOLD 95

Other Miscellaneous Fortified Dessert Wine OLD VINE ZINFANDEL PORT, NV Best of California

GOLD 95

Best of Class of Region

South Coast Winery, South Coast, Late Harvest

Other White Varietals, Sherry - Sweet Medium Sweet

DOUBLE GOLD 98

Galleano, Cucamonga Valley

Best of Class of Region

GOLD 95

MUSCAT CANELLI, 2015

Woodbridge by Robert Mondavi, California, Winemaker's Selection

TRIPLE CREAM SHERRY, NV

Taft Street, North Coast

WHITE ZINFANDEL, NV

GOLD 95

VINTAGE PORT, 2013

Best of Class of Region

Best of Class of Region

GOLD 95

LOUREIRO, 2015

Dancing Coyote, Clarksburg (Sacramento), Estate Grown

Other White Varietals, Sweet/Late-Harvest LATE HARVEST CHARDONNAY, 2006 GOLD 95

Charles Heintz, Sonoma Coast Best of Class of Region LATE HARVEST BOTRYTIS CHARDONNAY, 2012

Stephen & Walker, Mendocino Ridge

GOLD 95

Fruit and Berry Wines BLACKBERRY WINE, NV

DOUBLE GOLD 98

Chaucer's Cellars, California, 100% Pure Fruit

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2016 BEST OF CALIFORNIA MAGAZINE

My dad always believed in working hard and following your dream.

His name was Josh and he was my hero. I made this wine in his honor.

It’s big and vibrant but always approachable, like him.

—Joseph Carr, Son & Founder joshcellars.com ©2015 Deutsch Family Wine & Spirits, White Plains, NY 10604. Please Enjoy Responsibly.

10

2015 BEST OF CALIFORNIA

The 26 cheese companies who entered the California State Fair Commercial Cheese Competition range from small artisan producers, to international distributors with large-scale production, but for this competition, it’s all about the product.

“We are trying to judge the cheese on its own merit,” says Les Wood, Retired CDFA Dairy Foods Specialist and State Dairy Inspector, and State Fair Commercial Cheese Judge since 1994.

“The main feature for the cheese is the flavor. If you don't have good flavor, even if you have a lot of other good characteristics, it’s not a very good product.”

“This is the first competition I've been part of that I am leaving wanting more cheese!” says Orietta Gianjorio, Sommelier and Sensory Analysis Expert of wine, olive oil, chocolate, honey, vegetables, and first-time Cheese Judge.

A panel of twelve qualified judges tasted and evaluated 169 California cheeses at Cal Expo on May 11, 2016. They awarded 50 Gold, 64 Silver and 33 Bronze ribbons as well as eleven Best of Division plaques. Two Best of Show trophies are awarded each year; one for the cow milk category and one for the other milk type category which was a sheep/goat milk cheese this year.

Cheese Judges are selected from respected cheese merchants, writers, promoters, and educators. The cheeses are each evaluated for Appearance, Aroma, Texture and Taste.

CALIFORNIA COMMERCIAL CHEESE COMPETITION JUDGES Kristi Bachman, Program Director and Cheese Buyer, The Cheese School Rebekah Baker, Corporate Cheese Buyer, Nugget Markets Christian Coffey, Dairy Buyer, Amy's Kitchen, Inc. Mary Dedrick, Owner Dedrick's Main Street Cheese, Placerville Lynne Devereux, Marketing Director, Marin French Cheese, Laura Chenel Chèvre Orietta Gianjorio, Sommelier/Educator, Orietta LLC Noreen Guizar, General Manager, Cheese and Beer Buyer, The Cheese School of San Francisco Louella Hill, Cheese Educator/Cheese Writer/Cheese Maker, San Francisco Milk Maid Sacha Laurin, Head Cheesemaker, Educator, Winters Cheese Company Jane Lyon, Cheese Manager, The Pasta Shop Christina Strategos, Specialty Cheese Manager, Nugget Market Jana Werner, Assistant Buyer, The Pasta Shop Les Wood, Retired Inspector, Department of Food & Agriculture

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SHOW CALIFORNIA COMMERCIAL CHEESE

BEST OF SHOW - GOLD COW MILK

Point Reyes Farmstead Cheese Company Bay Blue pointreyescheese.com 415-663-8880 Best of Division Semi-Soft Cheese

BEST OF DIVISION - GOLD COW MILK CULTURED CHEESE

Sierra Nevada Cheese Company Cultured Classics Organic Créme Fraiche sierranevadacheese.com 530-934-8660 BEST OF DIVISION COW MILK SOFT CHEESE

California Dairies Real Cream Cheese californiadairies.com (209) 202-4781 BEST OF DIVISION COW MILK HARD CHEESE

Valley Ford Cheese Company Estero Gold Reserve - Montasio valleyfordcheeseco.com 707-293-5636

Bleating Heart Cheese Funky Bleats bleatingheart.com 866-433-7834 Best of Division California Originals

BEST OF DIVISION - GOLD OTHER MILK TYPE SOFT CHEESE

Cypress Grove Chevre Fromage Blanc Goat Milk cypressgrovechevre.com 707-825-1100 BEST OF DIVISION OTHER MILK TYPE SEMI-SOFT CHEESE

Cypress Grove Chevre Truffle Tremor Goat Milk cypressgrovechevre.com 707-825-1100 BEST OF DIVISION OTHER MILK TYPE SEMI-HARD CHEESE

Bleating Heart Cheese Fat Bottom Girl Sheep Milk 866-433-7834

BEST OF DIVISION COW MILK SEMI-HARD CHEESE

BEST OF DIVISION COW MILK CALIFORNIA ORIGINALS

Fiscalini Cheese Company Bandage Wrapped Cheddar

Fiscalini Cheese Company Lionza

fiscalinicheese.com 209-545-5495

BEST OF SHOW - GOLD OTHER MILK TYPE

fiscalinicheese.com 209-545-5495

COMPLETE COMPETITION RESULTS AT CAStateFair.org 49

SHOW CHEESE - COW

Bay Blue

Point Reyes Farmstead Cheese Company

By Mary Dedrick Bay Blue, a bright and brilliant name, easy to remember with a taste experience you will never forget. A six pound round of Bay Blue cheese is aged 90 days on the Giacomini Family’s Northern California seaside farm, using pasteurized Holstein milk. Bay Blue is one of the few gluten-free blues available.

Reminiscent of an English Stilton, Bay Blue has a rustic looking, but edible natural rind. This handcrafted beauty offers an abundance of layers of complexity in your mouth. With your first morsel, your taste buds will start off with its fudgy texture, mellowing out with a savory middle profile, leaving you with a hint of salted caramel on the finish.

Blue connoisseurs are in love with Bay Blue’s nuance of flavor and cheesemongers delight in the concept of what daughter Jill Basch calls “a gateway blue.” Easy to enjoy by itself, it also pairs deliciously with Port, whiskey and craft beer! You can’t call yourself a proper cheese store if this delicious blue is not in your cooler.

There are many reasons why Point Reyes Farmstead Cheese Company cheeses are so widely adored. But the main reason, it has been the Giacomini family’s passion for excellence and its way of life on the farm.

It took years starting with a herd of 150 cows and selling the milk to help it grow to 500, so that by the year 2000, the now classic cheese called Original Blue was perfected.

Bob and Dean Giacomini raised their four daughters on the farm, so who better to understand the needs of what it takes to run the family farm and all its complexities? Yes, this is a true family farmstead farm.

That means the working team starts with the herdsmen, calf raisers, 50

milkers, and includes the very skilled hands of longtime cheese maker Kuba Hemmerling. The packaging and sales teams are the ones making sure you have easy access to their all of their products at your local cheese stores nationwide.

The cows are California Holsteins which feed on the farm’s verdant green, fog moistened pasture grasses. That combination is key to ensuring consistency in the high quality artisan cheese they make. The other cheeses that are also made on the farm are Original Blue, Fresh Mozzarella and Toma. Original Blue is the only cheese made from raw cow’s milk. All of the cheeses are award winning in their own right. But as if that wasn’t enough of a good thing, they have put in place cutting edge technology with regards to waste management, water purification, land stewardship and animal husbandry and they are even recycling the bio mass for energy!

When visiting the farm alongside Tomales Bay, just north of Point Reyes Station, be sure to make a reservation at The Fork. This onsite, custom built Culinary & Educational Center is used as a hub for farm tours, cooking classes and focused tastings. The beautiful state of the art kitchen is meant to fill the need to educate and entertain in a setting style that befits the view of the farm it sits on.

The next time your eyes see the distinctive “Bay Blue” label in your local cheesemongers cooler, you’ll know that your taste buds are about to have a marvelous, savory and sweet experience! 1

2016 BEST OF CALIFORNIA MAGAZINE

2015

PLEASE ENJOY OUR CIDERS RESPONSIBLY. ©2016 CRISPIN CIDER COMPANY, COLFAX, CA

COMPLETE COMPETITION RESULTS AT CAStateFair.org 51

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6/30/16 12:15 PM

SHOW OTHER MILK TYPE

Funky Bleats Bleating Heart Cheese

By Mary Dedrick Let’s give a well earned congratulations to The Bleating Heart Cheese Company’s Funky Bleats! Voted Best of Show at the 2016 California State Fair, Funky Bleats is another unique creation by the Bleating Heart folks. Handcrafted by Seana Doughty and Dave Dalton, Funky Bleats gets them a standing ovation for this excellent example of an edible washed rind cheese. This completely unplanned addition to their stable of American Original Cheeses sets the bar high for taste and shear creativeness with what they call a “Funktacular Blend!” The story of this beautiful cheese begins with an unexpected gift of excess goat’s milk from a local neighbor’s farm. A wheel of Funky Bleats cheese is made from 70 percent raw sheep’s milk & 30 percent raw goat’s milk. It is faithfully washed weekly in lightly salted brine, and then aged two to three months on wooden shelves in their cheese cellars.

The Bleating Heart Creamery and open pastures where their sheep graze are at Thornton Ranch in Tomales, California. Bleating Heart make small batches with seasonal productions as sheep only produce milk six months out of the year.

Happily this is not a first time win for this newish California cheese company. They have made some surprising twists of flavor in the cheese world since their beginning in 2009. With their mission to produce unique flavors they have made a permanent hit with their flagship 52

cheese made of raw sheep’s milk, Fat Bottom Girl. Yes, the name is inspired by the song by Queen. Seana and Dave love to say “we like a cheese with curves” and this one with its rotund bottom fits the bill.

They have made cheesemongers and customers smile big with cheese names like Moolicious, and its other udder twin called Ewelicious.

But let’s not stop there, have you tried Buff Blue? For this beauty, did you know that Bleating Heart Creamery is the only cheese maker in the US to make a blue cheese from water buffalo milk? They call themselves lucky again to have another neighbor who has a herd nine miles away where they get their supply of milk. Four Square is a cheese made of cow, goat, sheep, and water buffalo. Double Down Blue and Shepherdista are staples in their growing selection. And last, but not least, is another called Goldette Tommette made with raw cows milk.

Goldette Tommette’s perfect fit on a Girolle machine aka cheese curling machine will make edible cheese flowers at your next party!

So, the addition of Funky Bleats to the Bleating Heart growing herd of new cheese creations comes as no surprise. It’s supple and smooth texture paired with its aromatic but slightly sticky rind makes it a perfect pairing with a Belgium Ale or a California Sparkling Wine. Now you know what to look for at your local cheese shop. 1

2016 BEST OF CALIFORNIA MAGAZINE

68

With more than 38,000 acres of olive groves in California, producing a forecasted 4 million gallons of olive oil in 2016, our state’s olive oil industry continues to emerge as a leader in the global arena. California’s variety of climates and soil allow for the cultivation of over 75 varieties of olives.

(Source: California Olive Oil Council)

The California Commercial Olive Oil competition has two shows. The Extra Virgin Olive Oil Show has divisions for varying intensities of single varieties and blends of olive oil, and classes in varieties of olives. The Flavored Olive Oil Show has divisions in co-milled and infused olive oil, and classes for flavor varieties. This year, three new awards honor olive oil producers of all production levels: Best of California Extra Virgin Olive Oil by a Large Producer (over 5,000 gallons), an Artisan Producer (500-5,000 gallons) and a Microproducer (less than 500 gallons).

This year, 16 judges awarded 45 Gold, 61 Silver and 39 Bronze ribbons and 9 Best of California plaques. Two Best of Show Golden Bear Trophies are awarded each year. One for Best of Show Extra Virgin Olive Oil and one for Best of Show Flavored Olive Oil.

COMMERCIAL EXTRA VIRGIN OLIVE OIL JUDGES Head Judge: Alexandra Devarenne David Garci-Aguirre Paul Vossen Lawrence Jacobs Maria Farr Amy Bridge-Day John Hadley Nancy Ash

54

Ioannis Toutounzis Thom Curry Deborah Rogers Julie Menge Laurie Schuler-Flynn Glenn Weddel Astrid Lorig Etienne Ossun

SHOW CALIFORNIA VIRGIN OLIVE OIL CALIFORNIA EXTRA COMMERCIAL VIRGIN OLIVEEXTRA OIL

BEST OF SHOW EXTRA VIRGIN OLIVE OIL

BEST

OF SHOW FLAVORED OLIVE OIL

KATZ - Organic Chef’s Pick

IL Fiorello Olive Oil Company - Diavolo

BEST OF EACH DIVISION

BEST OF EACH DIVISION FLAVORED OLIVE OIL

SINGLE VARIETY DELICATE

CO-MILLED FLAVORED OLIVE OIL

The Olive Press - Mission

IL Fiorello Olive Oil Company - Diavolo

SINGLE VARIETY MEDIUM

Best of Each Class F lavored Olive Oil

Grumpy Goats Farm - Picual

CO-MILLED HERBAL OLIVE OIL

Calivirgin - Oh! Oregano Flavor Crush

SINGLE VARIETY ROBUST

MoonShadow Grove - Manzanillo

CO-MILLED CHILI-BASED OLIVE OIL

IL Fiorello Olive Oil Company - Diavolo

BLEND MEDIUM

Cobram Estate - California Select BLEND ROBUST

KATZ - Organic Chef’s Pick

BEST OF EACH CLASS SINGLE VARIETY DELICATE MISSION

The Olive Press - Mission

BEST OF CALIFORNIA EXTRA VIRGIN OLIVE OIL BY A MICROPRODUCER

Olive Fantastic - Robust Blend EXTRA VIRGIN OLIVE OIL BY AN ARTISAN PRODUCER

Grumpy Goats Farm - Picual EXTRA VIRGIN OLIVE OIL BY A LARGE PRODUCER

SINGLE VARIETY MEDIUM ARBEQUINA

ENZO Olive Oil - Organic Bold - Ranch 11

California Olive Ranch - Arbequina SINGLE VARIETY MEDIUM ANY OTHER CULTIVAR

Grumpy Goats Farm - Picual SINGLE VARIETY MEDIUM ASCOLANO

Lucero Olive Oil - Ascolano SINGLE VARIETY MEDIUM MISSION

MoonShadow Grove - Mission SINGLE VARIETY ROBUST ARBEQUINA

Hillstone Olive Oil - Arbequina SINGLE VARIETY ROBUST MANZANILLO

MoonShadow Grove - Manzanillo BLEND MEDIUM ANY OTHER CULTIVAR

Cobram Estate - California Select BLEND ROBUST ANY OTHER CULTIVAR

KATZ - Organic Chef’s Pick

COMPLETE COMPETITION RESULTS AT CAStateFair.org 55

SHOW CALIFORNIA COMMERCIAL EXTRA VIRGIN OLIVE OIL

BEST OF SHOW EXTRA VIRGIN OLIVE OIL

BEST OF SHOW FLAVORED OLIVE OIL

KATZ Organic Chef’s Pick

IL FIORELLO OLIVE OIL COMPANY Diavolo

katzandco.com 800-676-7176

ilfiorello.com 707-864-1529

BEST OF CALIFORNIA EXTRA VIRGIN OLIVE OIL

BY AN ARTISAN PRODUCER

BEST OF CALIFORNIA EXTRA VIRGIN OLIVE OIL

BY A LARGE PRODUCER

BEST OF CALIFORNIA EXTRA VIRGIN OLIVE OIL BY A MICROPRODUCER

GRUMPY GOATS FARM Picual

ENZO OLIVE OIL Organic Bold Ranch 11

OLIVE FANTASTIC Olive Fantastic Robust Blend

grumpygoatsfarm.com 530-796-0000

enzooliveoil.com 559-299-7278

olivefantastic.com 530-514-4006

BEST OF CALIFORNIA BLEND MEDIUM

BEST OF CALIFORNIA SINGLE VARIETY DELICATE

BEST OF CALIFORNIA SINGLE VARIETY ROBUST

THE OLIVE PRESS Mission

MOONSHADOW GROVE Manzanillo

COBRAM ESTATE California Select cobramestate.com 844-6-cobram

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theolivepress.com 707-939-8900

2016 BEST OF CALIFORNIA MAGAZINE

moonshadowgrove.com 805-635-5177

GOLD EXTRA VIRGIN OLIVE OIL WINNERS DELICATE BLEND - ANY OTHER CULTIVAR 43 Ranch - Helen's Blend

ROBUST BLEND - ANY OTHER CULTIVAR Old Chatham Ranch - Extra Virgin Olive Oil

DELICATE SINGLE VARIETY - MISSION Bari Olive Oil - Traditional Exra Virgin Olive Oil

DELICATE SINGLE VARIETY - ASCOLANO Olica - Ascolano California

MEDIUM SINGLE VARIETY - ARBEQUINA California Olive Ranch - Arbequina

MEDIUM SINGLE VARIETY - ANY OTHER CULTIVAR Olica - Picual California

ROBUST BLEND - MISSION Calolea - Mission Blend

MEDIUM SINGLE VARIETY - ASCOLANO Olive Fantastic - Ascolano

DELICATE BLEND - ANY OTHER CULTIVAR Cobram Estate - California Select

ROBUST BLEND - ANY OTHER CULTIVAR Olive Fantastic - Robust Blend

DELICATE SINGLE VARIETY - MANZANILLO Coppetti Estate Olive Oil - Fall Harvest

DELICATE BLEND - MISSION Rancho Azul y Oro - Estate Blend

DELICATE SINGLE VARIETY - ARBEQUINA ENZO Olive Oil - Organic Delicate - Ranch 11

DELICATE BLEND - ARBEQUINA Renfree Farms - Triple Play

MEDIUM SINGLE VARIETY - ARBOSANA ENZO Olive Oil - Organic Medium - Ranch 20

ROBUST SINGLE VARIETY - MISSION Ternero Olive Oil - Mission

MEDIUM SINGLE VARIETY - KORONEIKI ENZO Olive Oil - Organic Bold - Ranch 11

ROBUST SINGLE VARIETY - ANY OTHER CULTIVAR Ternero Olive Oil - Picual

DELICATE BLEND - ARBEQUINA Fandango Olive Oil - Fiesta Organic Arbequina/Koroneiki

DELICATE BLEND - ANY OTHER CULTIVAR The Napa Valley Reserve - Organic Extra Virgin Olive Oil

ROBUST SINGLE VARIETY - ANY OTHER CULTIVAR Frantoio Grove - Extra Virgin Olive Oil

DELICATE SINGLE VARIETY - MISSION The Olive Press - Mission

MEDIUM SINGLE VARIETY - ANY OTHER CULTIVAR Grumpy Goats Farm - Picual

DELICATE SINGLE VARIETY - ARBOSANA The Olive Press - Arbosana

DELICATE BLEND - ANY OTHER CULTIVAR Halter Ranch - Mediterranean Blend

ROBUST BLEND - ANY OTHER CULTIVAR The Olive Press - Italian Blend

ROBUST SINGLE VARIETY - ARBEQUINA Hillstone Olive Oil - Arbequina

MEDIUM SINGLE VARIETY - MANZANILLO Tozier Ranch - Manzanillo

ROBUST BLEND - ANY OTHER CULTIVAR IL Fiorello Olive Oil Company - Green Valley Italian Blend

CO-MILLED - CITRUS FLAVORED OIL Calivirgin - Lusty Lemon Flavor Crush

ROBUST BLEND - ANY OTHER CULTIVAR KATZ - Organic Chef's Pick MEDIUM SINGLE VARIETY - ASCOLANO Lucero Olive Oil - Ascolano ROBUST BLEND - ANY OTHER CULTIVAR Lucero Olive Oil - Woodson Estate Blend ROBUST BLEND - ANY OTHER CULTIVAR McEvoy Ranch - Certified Organic Estate MEDIUM SINGLE VARIETY - MISSION MoonShadow Grove - Mission

CO-MILLED - HERBAL FLAVORED OIL Calivirgin - Oh! Oregano Flavor Crush CO-MILLED - HERBAL FLAVORED OIL Calivirgin - Bountiful Basil Flavor Crush CO-MILLED - CHILI-BASED FLAVORED OIL ~ Calivirgin - Jalapeno Garlic Flavor Crush CO-MILLED - GARLIC FLAVORED OIL Calivirgin - Guilty Garlic Flavor Crush CO-MILLED - CHILI-BASED FLAVORED OIL IL Fiorello Olive Oil Company - Diavolo

ROBUST SINGLE VARIETY - MANZANILLO MoonShadow Grove - Manzanillo

CO-MILLED - CHILI-BASED FLAVORED OIL ~ IL Fiorello Olive Oil Company - Jalapeno Lime Co-Milled Oil

ROBUST BLEND - MISSION MoonShadow Grove - Miscela

CO-MILLED - HERBAL FLAVORED OIL Sciabica's - Basil

ROBUST BLEND - ANY OTHER CULTIVAR Ojai Olive Oil Company - Andalucian Organic

COMPLETE COMPETITION RESULTS AT CAStateFair.org 57

SHOW EXTRA VIRGIN OLIVE OIL

KATZ

Organic Chef’s Pick

By Alexandra Kicenik Devarenne

Albert Katz

“It starts with the farming,” declares Albert Katz of Katz Farm in Suisun Valley. What starts with the farming, ends with this beautifully complex and vibrant extra virgin olive oil that took Best of Show at this year’s California State Fair Olive Oil Competition: Katz Farm Organic Chef’s Pick. “Food friendly” is one of the first things that comes to mind when tasting this olive oil, followed by, “When’s dinner?”

The aroma is primarily grassy and spicy green, but there are also floral and ripe olive notes. On the palate the oil exhibits excellent balance: plenty of fruity flavors, mostly green but also ripe, with good structure from the peppery and flavor-enhancing bitter elements that characterize this “California Tuscan Blend” style of olive oil. Chef’s Pick is made with four Italian olive varieties – Frantoio, Leccino, Pendolino, Maurino and Taggiasca—all grown on Albert and Kim Katz’s 14-acre farm.

The farm has been Certified Organic by CCOF for twelve years, and for the past three years they have been implementing a “no till” farming policy as well. All the prunings from the grove are shredded and used as mulch. The improvement to soil structure in no-till farming is well documented, but one of the consequences can be an increase in the population of critters. Katz Farm has fought back with owl boxes to 58

bring the denizens of the grove under control.

Albert calls himself an “accidental farmer.” His professional path began in restaurant kitchens as a chef, then led to work as an olive oil merchant, and now he finds himself in the olive groves on two ranches in Suisin Valley. In addition to growing olives, he also makes artisan vinegar. His ability to grow great olives and correctly choose the right moment to harvest each year – something that is crucial to optimizing olive oil quality – is illustrated by the 35 gold medals won by Katz Farm over the years. They harvest by hand and by shaking, at a rate of 4-6 tons per day.

What is created in the grove is expressed in the mill, and Albert’s attention to quality continues there. He uses a disc mill to grind the olives, and uses no heat and a short period of time in the malaxation (paste kneading) step. “The yields are lower, but I find the aromatics are superior, as is the shelf life of the oil,” says Katz.

When asked for his favorite “olive oil showcase” recipe, Albert did not hesitate. “A nice slice of good quality rustic bread, toasted or better yet grilled, generously drizzled with our extra virgin olive oil and sprinkled with some fleur de sel,” he said, “There is no better way to show off the Chef’s Pick.” I’ll eat to that. 1

2016 BEST OF CALIFORNIA MAGAZINE

SHOW FLAVORED OLIVE OIL

Diavolo Il Fiorello

By Orietta Gianjorio A couple of years ago, Sue Langstaff (the panel leader for the U. C. Davis Olive Oil Taste Panel) decided to continue this beautiful adventure of tasting oils for research and certification purposes started by Dan Flynn and his staff at the Universtity of California in Davis. Sue took with her some trained tasters and created the Applied Sensory Olive Oil Taste Panel. Our meeting location was going to be Il Fiorello. I had no idea were this olive oil company was. I had heard about Ann Fiorello and Mark Sievers as long time members of the California Olive Oil Council but I had not had the opportunity to visit their facility. So, armed with my GPS I took I-80 West from Sacramento.

After about 50 minutes my GPS voice with a British accent tells me to take the exit “Waterman Blvd”. I was immediately amazed by the beauty of the panorama. I was immersed in olive orchards, vineyards and flowers. Colors, aromas and a surreal serenity invaded me. All of a sudden it did not feel like going to work (although my job never feels like work), I was on holiday.

As soon as I arrived at Il Fiorello, I noticed such a love for details and a care for consumers. Everything at Il Fiorello is targeted to make sure that people who visit learn more about olive varietals, grapes, wines of France, Italy and so much more.

“They are our guests, when they enter in the door, they are our guests as if they were in our home” Ann Fiorello (owner of the company with her husband Mark Sievers) tells me during our phone interview months later, when Michelle Johnson of the California State Fair asked me to write this article. “We do not consider them consumers. We look at them as our gusts. They enter into our home and we try to give them the best experience that we possibly can. As soon as our guests enter, you can see them visibly relaxing! And when they leave, the biggest compliment for us it is that they had a good time”. And because there is no home without a kitchen, Il Fiorello’s Kitchen in the Grove hosts a variety of culinary classes. “At Il Fiorello we eat together, laugh together,

and enjoy food and wine pairings together”, and of course olive oil.

“Olive oil is an ancient food that has a place on the modern table” Mark tells me while talking about their love and dedication to the land stretching back three generations.

Ann Fiorello Sievers is a third generation descendant of Dominic Fiorello, who immigrated to America in the 1860’s, has a profound respect for traditional agriculture and enjoys the great pleasures of living close to the land. In 2007, with her husband Mark she started a new adventure: olive oil production. Together, they went to Italy to research, took a milling class at U.C. Davis and planted 200 trees. It was the beginning of a journey. “We probably underestimated the work that we had to do!” Mark tells me over the phone while smiling.

From their first harvest of 6 pounds all processed in a small hand press, Ann and Mark have dedicated their effort to their company that today produce award-winning olive oils. In 2016, Il Fiorello oils have won, among other medals, Best of Class at the Yolo Fair Olive Oil Competition and at the California State Fair Competition and Gold at the New York International Olive Oil Competition and at the Los Angeles International Olive Oil Competition.

Today, they have over 2,000 trees with Italian (Taggiasca, Cerigonola, Frantoio, Moraiolo, Leccino and Pendolino), Spanish (Arbequina), Franch (Angladau, Bouteillan), and Greek cultivars (Koroneiki), and a mill with the capacity to process olives for themselves as well as for other private growers. “At Il Fiorello we use a state-of-the-art continuous system mill produced to our specification by Gruppo Pieralisi. With this machine we are able to mill 6000 lbs. an hour. The entire system has built-in cleaning systems which enable us to clean between batches, ensuring the quality of each batch. We mill olives for over 200 other growers and we have so much fun during our community milling day!”

Ann, her husband Mark, along with daughters, Elisabeth and Katherine, have definitely added their own chapter to the Fiorello family saga. 1

COMPLETE COMPETITION RESULTS AT CAStateFair.org 59

In California, 554 breweries produce approximately 3.5 million barrels of craft beer, more than any other state.

California also has 12 of the top 50 largest craft breweries by volume in the country. (Source: California Craft Brewers Association).

In early June, 92 judges and 34 stewards presided over the California Commercial Craft Brew Competition. 309 California breweries submitted 1,204 entries that were judged in 39 specific categories of craft beer.

CALIFORNIA COMMERCIAL CRAFT BEER JUDGES Lisa Agoitia Elan Alford Benjamin Allgood JJ Anderson Ken Anthony Dan Bailey Tom Baldwin Jeff Barber Donna Bettencourt Liza Bodistow Mitchell Bosler John Boyd Dwight Bradish Bartley Bullington Craig Cauwels Jesus Ceja Scott Chaffee Steve Christian Brian Cofresi James Costa Bryan Crass Calvin Crawford Amber Dalske Tim Dozier Nicole Erny Glen Franke Zack Frasher Michael Frenn Kenny Gowan Ryan Graham Jim Harte

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Emily Heard JC Hill Robert Horst Paul Hsi Michael Johnson Arne Johnson Tom Karvonen Paul Keefer Chris Keeton Andy Klein Nick Kvaal Chris LaRocca Cynthia Lee Rick Lee Roger Lind Dan Littlefield Beverly Lockhart Chuck Lockhart Alex Luther Jerry Mankoski Scott Marks Dylan Mauro Rob McGormley Mark Mecord Dean Mench Jim Merkel Ray Montgomery Michael Moore Jon Morales Jeremy Moynier Michael Mraz

Rylan Ortiz Scott Owens Mike Peasley Richard Perry Daniel Petrie Jess Poshepny Jim Price Will Pritchard Steve Robello Ernest Sanders David Sapsis Jose Savedra Ellen Sherrill James Shevlin Gary Sleppy Mason Starbird William Tarchala David Teckam Victoria Tonini Bud Tourville Laura Ulrich John Watson Roger Watson Jack Weldon Scott Williams Jason Williamson Peter Wisham Richard Wong Peter York Mark Zahn

SHOW CALIFORNIA COMMERCIAL CRAFT BEER BEST IN SHOW CALIFORNIA CRAFT BEER

FIRST IN CATEGORY CRAFT BEER LIGHT LAGER

DEAD CANARY

OL' REPUBLIC BREWERY

PILSNER

SEACOAST PILSNER

CORONADO BREWING COMPANY

BEST OF SHOW DEAD CANARY OL’ REPUBLIC BREWERY

EUROPEAN AMBER LAGER DANISH RED LAGER

FIGUEROA MOUNTAIN BREWING CO.

DARK LAGER

LIGHTER THAN I LOOK

Dortmunder Export

FIGUEROA MOUNTAIN BREWING CO.

olrepublicbrewery.com (530) 264-7263

THE LARK

BOCK

SMOKE FLAVORED AND WOODAGED BEER BALLAST POINT SMOKED MARZEN

BALLAST POINT BREWING - LITTLE ITALY

SPECIALTY BEER CAMPFIRE STOUT

HIGH WATER BREWING

LIGHT HYBRID BEER

COMMON CIDER COMPANY

APPLE SAISON

AMBER HYBRID BEER

SPECIALTY CIDER AND PERRY

WELCOME TO THE TERRORDOME

BLACKBERRY SANGRIA

TEMBLOR BREWING CO.

COMMON CIDER COMPANY

ENGLISH PALE ALE

CHILI BEER

BANKSY

PRIMO DIABLO

BURNING BEARD BREWING

HERETIC BREWING COMPANY

SCOTTISH AND IRISH ALE SAMMY'S 60

SESSION BEER LESSTHAN 5 PERCENT

AMERICAN ALE

BALLAST POINT BREWING - LITTLE ITALY

AMERICAN RIVER BREWING COMPANY

SPECIALTY IPA

ENGLISH BROWN ALE

GREEN FLASH BREWING COMPANY

HAMILTON FAMILY BREWERY

COLOMA BROWN NUTTY BROWN

BALLAST POINT KURTBUSSER

TANGERINE SOUL STYLE

YOLO BREWING COMPANY

BARREL AGED

PORTER

UNPLUGGED TRACE KOPI LUWAK

PITTVILLE PORTER

FALL RIVER BREWING COMPANY

STOUT

BEAVERS MILK STOUT

BELCHING BEAVER BREWERY

INDIA PALE ALE (IPA) SAN FRANCISCO IPA ALMANAC BEER CO.

GERMAN WHEAT AND RYE BEER WINDANSEA WHEAT

KARL STRAUSS BREWING COMPANY

BELGIAN AND FRENCH ALE FARMHOUSE

NEW GLORY CRAFT BREWERY

SOUR ALE

SOUR CHERRY SOUR

HERMITAGE BREWING COMPANY

(IN BARREL LESS THAN EQUAL 20% ABV) ACOUSTIC ALES BREWING EXPERIMENT

BARREL AGED

(IN BARREL GREATER THAN 20% ABV)

DOUBLE OAK DOUBLE DOUBLE BARREL ALE FIRESTONE WALKER BREWING CO.

IMPERIAL IPA

DYNAMITE DOUBLE IPA

THREE FORKS BAKERY & BREWING CO.

AMERICAN PALE ALE FIG MTN MOSAIC

FIGUEROA MOUNTAIN BREWING CO.

BLONDE ALE

MISS CONDUCT

MOONRAKER BREWING COMPANY

RUSSIAN IMPERIAL STOUT

BELGIAN STRONG ALE

MIDNIGHT LIGHTNING IMPERIAL STOUT

RIP CURRENT BREWING COMPANY

BRETT BEER

WHAT WOULD DAVE DRINK?

HIGH WATER BREWING

STANDARD CIDER AND PERRY

LODI BEER COMPANY

figmtnbrew.com (805) 694-2252

CUCUMBER KOLSCH

DISCRETION BREWING

BATCH #328

BREWERY OF THE YEAR FIGUEROA MOUNTAIN BREWING CO.

SPICE/HERB/ VEGETABLE BEER

TIOGA SEQUOIA BREWING COMPANY

STRONG ALE

THE GRAPE ESCAPE

FIRESTONE WALKER BREWING CO.

MIXED-FERMENTATION BEER

SUCABA

FRUIT BEER

KEY LIME GOSE

MOYLAN'S BREWING COMPANY

FUNKE HOP FARM SUDWERK

NEW GLORY CRAFT BREWERY

COMPLETE COMPETITION RESULTS AT CAStateFair.org 61

BREWERY OF THE YEAR

Father and son founders, Jim and Jaime Dietenhofer.

Figueroa Mountain Brewing Co.

By Kady Fleckenstein

Figueroa Mountain Brewing Co. was founded by father and son team, Jim and Jaime Dietenhofer. With a passion for craft beer, they set out to pay homage to the beautiful Santa Ynez Valley with handcrafted beer and hand-drawn artwork depicting the local landscape on their labels.

Jim Dietenhofer raised his family in the Santa Ynez Valley along with wife Judie, and has enjoyed its natural beauty and the character of its inhabitants for years. Starting this business has been a dream of son Jaime Dietenhofer and his wife Meighan for some time, and together with his parents, Jaime’s dream was finally realized in November 2010. What started out as a production brewery quickly became a production and taproom model due to local demand for quality craft beer. Their flagship brewery in Buellton, California became a taproom overnight.

There are currently six FigMtnBrew taprooms, four of which are breweries, along the Central Coast of California starting with the main production brewery in Buellton. In 2012 their Santa Barbara taproom opened in the arts district dubbed the “Funk Zone” and a Los Olivos taproom opened two years later. During the last year, the fastest growing craft brewery on the Inc. 5000 list added three more taprooms in Santa Maria, Arroyo Grande and Westlake Village; all providing a full food menu for patrons.

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“Our taprooms are a great place to test out new beers before they go to market,” explains President, Jaime Dietenhofer. “Lizard’s Mouth Imperial IPA started out as a single batch specialty beer in our taprooms and quickly became a top-seller. Now we sell it wholesale in 22-ounce bombers and 12-ounce 4-packs.” Many of Figueroa Mountain’s year-round and specialty beers have won top awards. The brewery has brought home 3 medals from World Beer Cup including a 2016 Gold for I Dunkeled in My Pants, 13 medals from the Great American Beer Festival (GABF), and over 125 awards from National and International Beer Competitions including “Best in Show” for You’re Such a Dort at the 2016 San Diego International Beer Competition and Brewery of the Year at the California Commercial Craft Brew Competition. In addition to their award-winning core and specialty beers, customers can also purchase beer cocktails, floats, cask ale and nitro beer at any of the taprooms.

Figueroa Mountain Brewing Co. beer can be found in their taprooms or at select retailers and restaurants throughout California and Arizona with an anticipated release in five new states later this year. Learn more about @FigMtnBrew or where to find their beer at www.figmtnbrew.com. 1

2016 BEST OF CALIFORNIA MAGAZINE

SHOW CRAFT BEER

Dead Canary

Co-owners Simon Olney and Jim Harte

Ol’ Republic Brewery

By Simon Olney Ol’ Republic Brewery was opened in 2012, in the historic mining town of Nevada City, California by brewers Jim Harte and Simon Olney.

With an extensive culinary background and a 15-year career in the wine industry, Harte’s knack for creating flavor profiles is amazing. His wineto-beer metamorphosis is central to the brewery’s success. But great beers are just part of the story. British-born Olney imported English pub culture to the mix. The Ol’ Republic tasting room has become Nevada City’s town parlor.

Inspired by old-world-renowned styles, Harte and Olney handcraft lagers like Dead Canary, a Dortmunder Export, which won the 2016 California State Fair Commercial Beer Competition Best of Show.

They brew a Munich-style Helles lager called Hell Beer, a Bavarian-style Schwartzbier called Bläk, and their version of a California Common named Frontier Amber among other classic German styles. Their ales include an English-style IPA Lucky Joe, the Irish-style Celtic Red and Resolute, the blackest Export Stout you will ever encounter.

To date, the brewery has not been able to meet demand from fervent followers, but it is expanding rapidly and is on-track to produce 3,000 barrels in 2016 and expects to brew 9,000 barrels per year by the end of 2017. Their draft and packaged beers are available from the Tahoe Basin, down the I-80 and Hwy-50 corridors through Sacramento, to the Bay Area.

Lead State Fair judge, Mike Moore sums it up nicely, “Ol’ Republic really is a gold nugget in the northern California area and Nevada City.

They are literally brewing a lager using the same methods and achieving the high quality of the pre-prohibition era. Back ten years ago there were only four breweries in California making lagers. There are now 65 breweries just in the Greater Sacramento area. Ol’ Republic is winning these awards because of their commitment to not take any shortcuts, and that results in great beer. You won’t find a nicer, more passionate group of people anywhere.” 1

COMPLETE COMPETITION RESULTS AT CAStateFair.org 63

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2016 BEST OF CALIFORNIA MAGAZINE

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