2017 Best of California

THE OFFICIAL MAGAZINE OF THE

WINE

CRAFT BEER

CHEESE

OLIVE OIL

2017 COMMERCIAL COMPETITIONS

Guide to the Best of

THE OFFICIAL MAGAZINE OF THE

2017 COMMERCIAL COMPETITIONS

GOVERNOR

Edmund G. Brown Jr. BOARD OF DIRECTORS

K. Mark Nelson, Chair Rima Barkett, Vice Chair Sonney Chong Rina V. DiMare Jess Durfee Corny L. Gallagher Rex S. Hime David Mallel Tony Ortiz EX OFFICIO MEMBERS

Governor Edmund G. Brown, Jr. Senator Richard Pan M.D. Senator Cathleen Galgiani Assembly member Kevin McCarty Assembly member Anna Caballero CALIFORNIA EXPOSITION & STATE FAIR

Rick K. Pickering Chief Executive Officer PUBLISHER

California State Fair

1600 Exposition Boulevard Sacramento, CA 95815

(916) 263-FA I R (877) CAL-EXPO CAStateFair.org

For more than 160 years the California State Fair has been the one constant setting for showcasing, celebrating and inspiring the “Best of California.”

Benchmark of Success - California is the nation’s #1 Agriculture State, with more than $47 billion in annual agricultural production. California is home to nine of the ten most productive agriculture counties in America. Since the high level of competition at the State Fair establishes benchmarks for consumers and inspires competitors to further enhance their products, if it’s made, raised or grown in California, you’ll likely find it competing for recognition at the State Fair. When competing alongside of quality food and beverage products of the largest agricultural producing State in America, it’s a tremendous honor to be selected as the “Best of California.”

Judging - Thousands of professional companies vie annually to be recognized by the State Fair. To help insure our prestige and credibility, hundreds of esteemed expert judges came together to preside over the State Fair’s competitions this year in four key commercial product categories: Wines, Cheeses, Craft Beers, and Extra Virgin Olive Oils. With more than 20,000 competitive entries, respected judges sorted, sniffed, sipped and tasted top products, with an eye toward awarding the State Fair Golden Bears, Gold Medals and Blue Ribbons - coveted symbols of excellence in California.

Feed Your Tastes - As the State Fair, we take pride in helping to make connections between the people who enjoy these uniquely California products and the creative artisans that bring them to life. Our top award-winners are highlighted on the following pages, and many other winners can be found at our website, CAStateFair.org. Our new searchable data base system helps consumers find their favorite Wine by region or price point or search for the best Cheese by type. 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.

Uniquely California - As you savor these award winning products, remember that you are enjoying the richness of the Golden State, its pristine water, fertile soils, abundant sunshine, rich technology, creative spirit, and the collective work of those who call California home!

Enjoy! - Rick K. Pickering CEO, California State Fair

2 Guide to the Best of California Magazine

91 P OIN T S 2 0 1 5 7 M O O N S O T H E R R E D VA R I E TA L B L E N D

MADE FOR T HE MO ONL IGH T ™ A SMOOTH, FRUIT Y, EASY-TO-DRINK RED BLEND OF

DIFFERENT GRAPE VARIE TALS

Please enjoy our wines responsibly. © 2017 7 Moons Wine Co., Oakville, CA | WST-7MN18001

3

98 points 2015 Clos du Bois Chardonnay

BEST OF REGION WHITE, BEST OF CLASS OF REGION

91 points 2014 Clos du Bois Cabernet Sauvignon

Discover more at Meiomi.com

COMPLETE COMPETITION RESULTS AT CAStateFair.org

Please enjoy our wines responsibly.

5

© 2017 Clos du Bois, Geyserville, CA | WST-CDB18001

Contents

BEST of CALIFORNIA

8

BEST of CALIFORNIA

50

BEST of CALIFORNIA

56

BEST of CALIFORNIA

62

WINE

CRAFT BEER

OLIVE OIL

CHEESE

6 Competition Facts 8 Best of California Commercial Wine 9 Behind the Scenes 10 California Vineyard of the Year 12 Best of Show Wine 13 Best of Region & California 14 Golden State Winery of the Year 16 Best of Show – Red Wine 17 Best of Show – White Wine 18 Best Value Wine 20 Best of California Region 25 Best of California Varietals 33 Best of California Micro Wineries 34 Commercial Wine Double Gold

and Gold Winners 48 Commercial Wine Judges/Volunteers 50 Best of California Craft Beer 51 Commercial Craft Beer Winners 52 Best of Show Craft Beer 54 Brewery of The Year 55 Commercial Craft Beer Judges/Volunteers 56 Best of California Olive Oil 57 Commercial Olive Oil Judges/Volunteers 58 Best of Show and Best of Class Olive Oil 59 Commercial Olive Oil Double Gold

and Gold Winners 60 Best of Show Extra Virgin Olive Oil 61 Best of Show Flavored Olive Oil 62 Best of California Commercial Cheese 63 Best of California Cheese Winners 64 Best of Show Cheese Cow Milk 65 Commercial Cheese Judges 66 Best of Show – Other Milk Type 67 California State Fair Gala Award Winners

Please enjoy our wines responsibly. © 2017 Meiomi Wines, Acampo, CA | WST-MEM18003

95

Best of Class of Region

points

2015 Meiomi Chardonnay

1

Discover more at Meiomi.com

2017 California State Fair Competition Facts

6 Guide to the Best of California Magazine

Commercial Wine 2,663 Wines entered 711 Wine companies awarded 2,256 Medals 137 Double Gold Medals 295 Gold Medals 1,051 Silver Medals 773 Bronze Medals Craft Beer 1481 Craft Beers entered 214 Breweries awarded 128 Medals 42 Gold Medals

42 Silver Medals 42 Bronze Medals Commercial Olive Oil 141 Olive Oils entered 65 Olive Oil producers awarded 141 Medals 33 Gold Medals

59 Silver Medals 39 Bronze Medals Commercial Cheese 127 Cheeses entered 19 Cheese producers awarded 106 Medals 34 Gold Medals

47 Silver Medals 25 Bronze Medals

10

PLACE MATTERS. SONOMA COUNTY

Owned SONOMA grown

WWW.RODNEYSTRONG.COM

Summer 2017 / CAStateFair.org 7

©2017 Rodney Strong Vineyards, Healdsburg, CA

Family

Best of

Commercial Wine

The California State Fair has a long history of showcasing agricultural excellence and innovative technology in winemaking. Dating back to 1854, the State Fair Commercial Wine Competition is America’s oldest wine judging. Only wines made with fruit grown and produced in the 11 growing regions across the state may be judged in the competition.

State Fair wine judges are committed to the integrity of the results and the competition coordinators take special care to ensure the wines are judged fairly. Wines are evaluated by class, varietal, style and region based upon the source of the grapes. These wines continue to impress the judges with their diversity and quality.

This year the Best of Show Red and White wine awards were won by a Cabernet Franc from Sonoma County and a Viognier from Clarksburg.

STATISTICS: The U.S. has been the world’s

largest wine market since 2010 with California currently responsible for 90% of U.S. wine exports. Total California wine sales to the U.S. and exports amounted to 285 million cases. Retail value of 2016 California wine sales in U.S. was $34.1 billion.

8

Behind the Scenes

By Rick Kushman

Maybe the best way to grasp the complex effort of running something as large and significant as the California State Fair Commercial Wine Competition is to think of a small, busy airport.

At most times during the three days of judging, 54 judges - divided into 18 panels of three and filling an entire exhibition hall - were each tasting flights of 12 wines.

When you do the numbers, it’s a bit mind boggling:

flights, washed glasses - 5,000 glasses were in the rotation - refilled plates of palate-cleansing foods, crunched numbers, reorganized the backroom for championship rounds and, of course, avoided cart crashes.

At any moment, 648 glasses of wine are poured and sitting in front of judges (give or take a larger or smaller flight) and volunteer stewards have another 648 glasses of different wines for the next flight on carts waiting nearby.

In another full hall, backroom pourers are readying yet another 648 glasses of wine.

“The most impressive part to me,” Chandler says, “is the dozens and dozens of volunteers, some who work six to eight weeks for us, for free. Some people donate their vacation time. Everyone stays helpful and cheerful. It’s all because they’re passionate about wine. That’s what drives the whole competition.”

To make the judging fair, every bottle is open the same That passion was required months before the length of time, and every wine is served at the same competition when volunteers began receiving the entries in another marvel of organization - they moved temperature - for more than 2,600 wines. wines from shippers to wine boxes, checked entry forms Through three days of competition in March, nearly 20,000 against actual bottles, verified vintage, appellation, glasses of wine were poured, including the top wines that were alcohol level and sugar. They numbered and organized re-sorted, re-poured and re-tasted through championship the wines for pouring, entered them into computers, rounds. Tracking all this requires everything short of radar. then rechecked everything.

“It sounds like a logistical nightmare,” says Chief Judge “It goes on and on,” Chandler says. “After the competition, Mark Chandler. “Sometimes I think it’s a wonder we don’t they work for more than a week just organizing and have any cart collisions.” closing down.”

That’s another thing. The wines travel to the judges on a The reason for all this, besides the love of wine? river of rolling carts. The flow is constant as volunteers push carts - slowly, carefully-up a short hill, through “This is for consumers, regular wine drinkers,” says Chandler. “We’re absolute consumer advocates when doorways, around tables and between other carts. we judge. I am clear about this, if a wine gets a gold “It really is something to see,” Chandler says. medal, that wine better taste good and show good That was just part of the complex matrix of running one of value. The medals represent not just our judgment America’s most important wine competitions. More than but the hard work of the winemakers and the trust of 100 volunteers poured wines, cleared flights, stacked new consumers that we’re looking out for them.” 1

Summer 2017 / CAStateFair.org 9

California Vineyard of the Year

Dutton Ranch Vineyards

By Deborah Parker Wong

Best of

The list of wineries that produce wines with a Dutton Ranch vineyard designation or source grapes from Dutton Ranch reads like a who’s who of Napa and Sonoma counties. That impressive lineup represents the unrelenting pursuit of quality behind the sibling team of Steve and Joe Dutton, second-generation viticulturists who are the recipients of the 2017 Vineyard of the Year award.

“Dutton Ranch is celebrating our 53rd year in business,” said Steve Dutton. “We’re proud of the work that we do, we love doing it and we’re equally proud to be recognized by the California State Fair Wine Advisory Task Force with this award.”

quality results their winery clients expect. That said, every last grape is harvested by hand.

In total, Dutton Ranch has 1,100 acres of vines under their care all of which are within the Sonoma Coast AVA. While Chardonnay and Pinot Noir make up the lion’s share of the 860 acres they own and lease, they also manage Zinfandel, Syrah, Viognier, Pinot Gris, Pinot Blanc, Gewurztraminer, Sauvignon Blanc, Grenache Blanc and Malvasia vineyards on an additional 240 acres.

year’s late, wet spring. While growing grapes is their focus, both brothers also have wine brands. Steve collaborates with winemaker Dan Goldfield to produce the Dutton-Goldfield label and Joe owns the Dutton Estate label.

Hand harvesting is a hallmark for Dutton Ranch and the merits of a gentle, whole cluster harvest can be found in the quality and expression of the finished wines made from their fruit. Dutton With the majority of their vineyards located points to the H2-A visa program and the worker in Sonoma’s Russian River Valley AVA, housing provided on their ranch as being key to Dutton Ranch Vineyards farms 74 different maintaining their high-touch farming practices. sites that range in size from under one acre The orderly rows of vines and the bucolic scenery to almost 100 acres using the California that defines California wine country may give Sustainable Winegrowing Alliance Sustainable some the impression that growing ultra-premium Winegrowing Program (SWP). “We’ve been wine grapes is a romantic lifestyle. “Our lives farming sustainably for decades, long before follow the growing cycle of the vine and during the term sustainability entered our vocabulary,” harvest that means mornings that start at 2:00 said Dutton. “And we’re constantly striving to AM,” said Dutton who said his crews were be more sustainable with each passing year.” working feverishly to stay one step ahead of this

Faced with the impact of climate shift, Dutton is quick to affirm that no two years in the vineyard are the same. “We’re encountering something different every year,” he said. In the field, the Duttons rely on “tried and true” technology including the use of electrostatic sprayers, mechanized leaf pullers and probes to measure ground water to achieve the high10 Guide to the Best of California Magazine

With more than 50 wineries producing wines from Dutton Ranch grapes and in excess of 30 bottling Dutton Ranch vineyard designate wines, Steve and Joe Dutton have proudly continued their parent’s legacy of growing grapes that become award-winning wines. Said Justin Seidenfeld, winemaker at Rodney Strong Wine Estates, “The Dutton’s farm amazing vineyard sites in Green Valley that produce world class Pinot Noir. The expressive and balanced fruit we get from them forms the core of our Rodney Strong Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir program.” 1

Summer 2017 / CAStateFair.org 11

Best of

BEST of the BEST

Best of Show

Best of Show

Double Gold 98

Double Gold 98

Pink

Sparkling

Gifft By Kathie Lee Gifford

2016 Pinot Noir Rose Monterey County

Sutter Home Family Vineyards

Nv Bubbly Pink Moscato California

Dessert Navarro Vineyards

2016 Riesling Sweet\Late Harvest Anderson Valley

Best of Show Double Gold 98

Best of Show

Best of Show

Best of Show

Double Gold 98

Double Gold 98

Double Gold 98

White

Rendez-Vous Winery

2016 Viognier Clarksburg (Yolo)

12 Guide to the Best of California Magazine

Red

Imagery Estate Winery

2014 Cabernet Franc Sonoma County

Value

Sutter Home Family Vineyards

NV Red Generic Blend California

Best of California & Best of Region BEST of REGION Awarded to the best wines of each of the 11 regions.

Best of North Coast Red Sean Minor Nicole Marie 2014 - North Coast

Best of North Coast White High Valley Vineyard Sauvignon Blanc 2016 - High Valley

Best of Sonoma Red

Imagery Estate Winery Cabernet Franc 2014 - Sonoma County

Double Gold 98

Double Gold 98

Best of Greater Bay White

Storrs Double Gold 98 Chardonnay, Mountain Vineyard Collection 2015 - Santa Cruz Mountains

Bella Grace Double Gold 98 Vermentino 2016 - Shenandoah Valley (Amador)

Best of Lodi Red Best of North-Central Coast Red Reserve Lot Series Double Gold 98 Klinker Brick Winery Reserve Lot 25 - 2013 Monterey County

Best of North-Central Coast White Double Gold 98

Best of Sierra Foothills White

Francis Coppola Diamond Collection Chardonnay Double Gold 98 2015 - Monterey County

Carignane 2014 - Lodi (San Joaquin)

Double Gold 98

Best of Lodi White

Peirano Estate Vineyards Double Gold 98 Viognier, The Heritage Collection 2015 - San Joaquin County

Best of Sonoma White

Best of South-Central Coast Red Halter Ranch Double Gold 98 Best of Other California Red

Best of Napa Red

Best of South-Central Coast White Cass Winery Double Gold 98 Best of Other California White Rendez-Vous Winery Double Gold 98 Mr Blanc

Imagery Estate Winery Double Gold 98 Riesling, Upper Ridge Vineyard 2015 - Pine Mountain-Cloverdale Peak (Sonoma) Soquel Vineyards Double Gold 98 Consonante, Cabernet Sauvignon, Reverence Vineyards 2014 - Napa Valley

Best of Napa White

Trefethen Family Vineyards Dry Riesling 2016 - Oak Knoll District

Best of Greater Bay Red Concannon Reserve Nina’s Cuvee, Petite Sirah 2014 - Livermore Valley

Double Gold 98

Double Gold 98

Fäsi Crest Syrah 2014 - Madera (Fresno)

Ancestor 2014 - Paso Robles

Viognier 2016 - Clarksburg (Yolo)

2016 - Paso Robles

Best of South Coast Red Baily Vineyard & Winery Cabernet Franc 2013 - Temecula Valley

Best of South Coast White South Coast Winery Gewurztraminer 2016 - Temecula Valley

Best of Sierra Foothills Red Mellowood Vineyard Syrah 2014 - Fair Play

Double Gold 98

Double Gold 98

Best of California State Red Bogle Vineyards Essential Red Blend 2014 - California

Double Gold 98

Double Gold 98 Best of California State White Clos Du Bois Double Gold 98 Chardonnay 2015 - California

Double Gold 98

Double Gold = Award, 98 = Score

BEST of CALIFORNIA Awarded to the best varietals in California.

Best Barbera Double Gold 98 Perry Creek Winery Altitude 2401 2013 - Fair Play Best Bordeaux Red Varietal Blend Andis Winespainted Fields Double Gold 98 2013 - Amador County Painted Fields

Best Cabernet Franc

Imagery Estate Winery 2014 - Sonoma County

Double Gold 98

Best Other Fortified Dessert Wine Macchia Double Gold 98 2015 - California Flirtatious, Late Harvest Zinfandel

Best Other Red Varietal

Imagery Estate Winery Double Gold 98 2014 - Pine Mountain-Cloverdale Peak (Sonoma) Lagrein, Upper Ridge Vineyard

Best Other Red Varietal Blend Sean Minor Double Gold 98

Best Red Generic

Sutter Home Family Vineyards NV - California Double Gold 98

Best Rhone Red Varietal Blend Vigilance Winery & Vineyards Double Gold 98 2014 - Lake County Cimarron

Best Riesling Trefethen Family Vineyards 2016 - Oak Knoll District

Best Sangiovese

Soquel Vineyards 2014, Napa Valley Consonante

Double Gold 98

2014 - North Coast Nicole Marie

Best Sauvignon Blanc

Best Chardonnay

Double Gold 98

Bella Grace Vineyards Double Gold 98 2016 - Shenandoah Valley (Amador) Vermentino

Best Petite Sirah

Best Syrah

Best Cabernet Sauvignon

Francis Coppola Diamond Collection 2015 - Monterey County

Best Grenache Lewis Grace

2015 - Sierra Foothills

Best Malbec

Chacewater Winery 2013 - Red Hills

Best Merlot

Robert Hall Winery 2014, Paso Robles

Best Muscat

Navarro Vineyards 2016 - Anderson Valley Cluster Select, Late Harvest

Double Gold 98

Double Gold 98 Double Gold 98

Stanton Vineyards 2014 - St. Helena

Best Pinot Grigio Montevina 2015 - California Glass Falls

Best Pinot Noir Francis Coppola Director’s

2015 - Sonoma Coast (Sonoma)

Best Primitivo Double Gold 98

Windwalker Vineyard 2013 - Sierra Foothills

Best Other White Varietal

Deaver Vineyards 2015 - Amador County

Double Gold 98

Double Gold 98

High Valley Vineyard 2016 - High Valley

Mellowood Vineyard 2014 - Fair Play

Best Tempranillo

Convergence Vineyards 2015 - El Dorado County

Best Viognier Double Gold 98 Double Gold 98

Peirano Estate Vineyards 2015 - San Joaquin County The Heritage Collection

Best Zinfandel

Stony Ridge 2014 - Livermore Valley Del Arroyo Vineyards

Double Gold 98 Double Gold 98 Double Gold 98 Double Gold 98 Double Gold 98 Double Gold 98

Double Gold 98

Summer 2017 / CAStateFair.org 13

Golden State Winery of the Year

Imagery Estate Winery

By Deborah Parker Wong

Best of

Located in the heart of Sonoma Valley just outside the hamlet of Glen Ellen, Imagery Winery founded by Joe Benziger in 1985 is the admirable recipient of the California State Fair’s 2017 Golden State Winery of the Year. Now in its 32nd year, Imagery represents Benziger’s lifelong pursuit of artisanal wine production and the award-winning wines grown on its biodynamic and organic estate vineyards, his commitment to sustainable farming.

“Competition in our industry is stiff and we’re very excited to be acknowledged by the Fair with this award,” he said. As Imagery’s winemaker, Benziger and his team which includes his daughter Katie as assistant winemaker and Mark Burningham as general manager of North Coast Operations produce as many as 30 small-lot wines, every vintage with lesser-known varieties that are sure to catch many wine lovers by surprise.

“That’s certainly the case for Lagrein which is fantastic,” said Benziger. “It’s historically thought of as a blending grape but when it’s farmed correctly, it produces a very complete wine.” He describes Lagrein which is a tannic variety that originated in Italy’s northern Alto Adige region as having plenty of color and a melting quality to its tannins.

Keeping Imagery’s 6,000 wine club members engaged means experimenting and Benziger is producing an orange wine that’s a blend of Albariño, Sauvignon Blanc and Muscat that will be left on the skins for over six months. “It’s an interesting wine and one that consumers will be able to discover at our Imagery tasting room,” he said. There’s also a Dolcetto and a Sagrantino, a notoriously tannic black variety from Umbria, in the cellar.

Of the winery’s 14 entries in the 2017 competition were monovarietal Barbera, Lagrein, Malbec, Sangiovese, Tempranillo and Riesling from the winery’s high-elevation Upper Ridge vineyard that sits atop the Pine Mountain-Cloverdale Peak AVA. “This is a signature vineyard that supplies us with 40 percent of our fruit and as many as 11 unique wines,” said Benziger. “The diversity and When asked what lies on the horizon for quality we have there is incredible.”

Imagery, the winery was purchased by The Benziger was among those who pioneered the Wine Group in 2015, Benziger said he and AVA by planting thin-skinned, low-tannin daughter Katie are developing Twist, a brand varieties. “When they’re grown at altitude, crafted with blends of Chardonnay-Viognier the tannin levels increase resulting in wines and Cabernet Sauvignon-Tannat that will with mature tannins that fill out the center of retail for $15.99 - $20 and are destined for the mouth.” In winemaking and in farming, national distribution.

Benziger’s goal is balance. By producing In addition to being named Winery of the balanced, aromatic wines that have a rich Year, Imagery also took the “Best of Show middle and memorable finish, his wines have Red” award with its 2014 Sonoma Valley tremendous consumer appeal and serve as Cabernet Franc, a variety that is gaining in fitting ambassadors for these varieties. popularity. 1 14 Guide to the Best of California Magazine

Golden State Winery Of The Year - Imagery Estate Winery

Recognizing the winery that has the greatest number of wines winning the most and the highest awards.

2014 Cabernet Franc

Double Gold 98

2014 Malbec

Silver 93

2015 Riesling

Double Gold 98

2015 White Burgundy

Silver 91

2014 Lagrein

2014 Sangiovese

Silver 91

Double Gold 98

2014 Barbera

2014 Tusca Brava

Silver 91

Double Gold 98

2014 Cabernet Sauvignon

Silver 91

2014 Petite Sirah

Silver 88

2014 Pallas

Silver 93

Sonoma County Best of Show - Red, Best of Region - Red, Best of California, Best of Class Of Region Pine Mountain-Cloverdale Peak (Sonoma) Upper Ridge Vineyard Best of Region - White Pine Mountain-Cloverdale Peak (Sonoma) Upper Ridge Vineyard Best of California, Best of Class Of Region Pine Mountain-Cloverdale Peak (Sonoma) Upper Ridge Vineyard Best of Class Of Region

2015 Viognier

Russian River Valley, Pratt Vineyard Best of Class Of Region

2015 Primitivo

North Coast Best of Class of Region Pine Mountain-Cloverdale Peak (Sonoma) Upper Ridge Vineyard Best Of Class of Region

Sonoma County Best Of Class of Region

Sonoma Valley Gold 95

Paso Robles, Shell Creek Vineyard Gold 95

Sonoma County Best of Class Of Region

Pine Mountain-Cloverdale Peak (Sonoma) Upper Ridge Vineyard Best of Class of Region

Sonoma Valley

2014 Tempranillo

Pine Mountain-Cloverdale Peak (Sonoma) Upper Ridge Vineyard

Bronze 86

Summer 2017 / CAStateFair.org 15

Imagery Estate Winery Best of Show

Red Wine

2014 Cabernet Franc Sonoma County

By Deborah Parker Wong

No stranger to accolades for Cabernet Franc, winemaker Joe Benziger sourced 75 percent of the fruit for his 2014 Cabernet Franc from the Los Chamizal Vineyard, a steeply-sloped site on the western hillsides of the Mayacamas that sits 800 feet above the town of Sonoma. The well drained sandy clay loam and fractured basalt soils there are farmed sustainably by owner Greg Gauthier using compost, organic fertilizers and a permanent cover crop. The remaining fruit came from Imagery Estate’s own Sunny Slope Vineyard, a rocky site that naturally limits vigor and yield with a southwestern exposure that insures ripeness.

“We always seem to be running out of Cabernet Franc,” said Benziger whose 2010 vintage also rose to the challenge winning Best of Show Red in 2013. “2014 is turning out to be quite good.” Despite vintage conditions that reflected a third consecutive year of drought, farming practices at Imagery worked in Benziger’s favor. “We’ve been Demeter Biodynamic certified here since 2001 and our 40-acre Sunny Slope Vineyard has been biodynamic since 2006,” he said.

In terms of wine quality, Benziger points to upgrades at the winery that include the addition of an optical sorter. “It makes a gigantic difference giving us the best quality fruit to ferment.”

Giving credit where it’s due, he can’t speak highly enough of his partner Mark Burningham and their great vineyard crew, “He’s an incredible guy who sources wonderful vineyard sites.

Between us, we’ve figured it out. We’re using quality fruit and the best technical approach to winemaking.”

Cabernet Franc’s popularity which has been on the rise points to awareness by Millennial consumers who aren’t, as Benziger puts it, “stuck on the traditional stuff.” But for fans of the variety, there’s really no escaping tradition. Cabernet Franc is one of the six red Bordeaux classics and the patriarch of all but Malbec. It was famously crossed with Sauvignon Blanc to create Cabernet Sauvignon and it buds and ripens earlier than its progeny. Although often viewed as a blending grape, Cabernet Franc produces a complete and complex wine when it’s physiologically mature.

No description of an Imagery wine would be complete without noting the original artwork that is the focal point of every label. Artist Bob Nugent has created or commissioned the label art since the winery’s inception in 1985. The only artistic requirement is that each label include the winery’s trademark “Parthenon” image something that inspires a “Where’s Waldo” moment for many consumers.

Described as richly textured with signature black fruit, dried black cherries, and juicy plum with well-integrated tannins, the 2014 Imagery Cabernet Franc ($45) can be enjoyed upon opening and will benefit from six to ten years of aging. 1

16 Guide to the Best of California Magazine

Rendez-vous Winery Best of Show

2016 Clarksburg Viognier

By Deborah Parker Wong

White Wine

In a repeat performance that came 32 years after his first win for “Best of Show White,” retired psychiatrist and winemaker Larry Dizmang has done it again. Dizmang’s Rendez­Vous Winery 2016 Clarksburg Viognier eclipsed 48 Viogniers and hundreds of other white wines for the 2017 honor.

Dizmang who began his winemaking adventure in 1981 as the owner of Folie à Deux winery in Oakville credits the win to three years of meticulous attention to detail both in the vineyard and during harvest. “Viognier can be tricky because it’s easily bitter if not handled properly,” he said. “It took us three years to get it right which meant favorable vintage conditions and hand harvesting the grapes at the precise moment of ripeness.”

As a variety, this is the second year running that Viognier has prevailed as the top white wine of the competition. The 2016 winner hailed from the limestone-rich Adelaida AVA in Paso Robles. Dizmang’s Rendez­Vous Winery is located in the historic Old Sugar Mill in Clarksburg, a region that he settled on in 2011.

“I discovered Clarksburg when I was hunting for Chenin Blanc,” he said. And, in a strange twist of fate, Clarksburg had been the source of a Chenin Blanc made by Pine Ridge Winery he had admired some thirty years earlier. Dizmang recalls, “In the 80s, the Wine Spectator didn’t score Chenin Blanc but both Folie à Deux and Pine Ridge were consistently noted as top producers.”

A psychiatrist by training, Dizmang studied winemaking at UC Davis and in 1985 won “Best of Show White” with his first vintage of Folie à Deux Napa Valley Chardonnay. Faced with the prohibitive costs of adding a left hand turning lane to Highway 29, he sold the Oakville winery in 2004 to the Trinchero family and returned to his career in psychiatry which spanned twenty years as lead psychiatrist at the Napa Department of Corrections.

After retiring in 2011, Dizmang and his wife Karan established Rendez­Vous Winery in Clarksburg. He sources fruit exclusively from this American Viticultural Area (AVA) which spans three counties – Sacramento, Solano and Yolo –all of which benefit from the cooling influence of the San Pablo Bay. “Clarksburg is a destination,” said Dizmang who makes just enough wine to sell from the tasting room in the Old Sugar Mill which is home to eleven wineries.

“The space between two historic brick buildings was roofed over to create a tasting hall and the site is surrounded by vineyards,” he said. “I can see my Chardonnay block from the patio.” Just ten miles from Sacramento and with a convenient Westin Hotel located on nearby Interstate 5, Clarksburg is an easy day or weekend trip for Bay Area wine adventurers.

In addition to his stellar Viognier which retails for $19 and is described as a very classic expression of the variety with floral aromas and flavors of passion fruit, hibiscus and citrus, Dizmang received a Double Gold medal for his rosé of Grenache and awards for all five of the wines he entered including Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, Muscat and Tempranillo. 1

Summer 2017 / CAStateFair.org 17

Best of Show

Best Value

The Trinchero Family Estates, owners of Sutter Home Winery in St. Helena, produce Sutter Home Non Vintage Red Blend, the quality-for-value star that was awarded Best Value Wine of 2017.

Perhaps best known for creating White Zinfandel, a wine style that is now credited with saving hundreds of acres of heritage Zinfandel vines that have since become old-vine treasures, Sutter Home is the nation’s fifth-largest winery offering consumers as many as 18 different wines that range in style from dry monovarietal wines to sweet blends.

Sutter Home was so named by a Swiss family that bought the original estate in the late-19th century. The winery was shuttered

by Prohibition and lay silent until the arrival of the Italian brothers Bob and Mario Trinchero. Their success story began in 1948 and continues today as a family-run business that’s known for innovation

By Deborah Parker Wong and a keen understanding consumer preferences.

The appeal of Sutter Home Non Vintage Red Blend which retails for $6 begins with a combination of varieties that include Zinfandel, Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon. Zinfandel contributes juicy, ripe berried fruit while Cabernet Sauvignon forms the backbone of tannin and acidity necessary for balanced flavors. Merlot is the aromatic catalyst that pulls together these flavors while adding softness.

One of the bonuses of crafting a non-vintage blend is the freedom the winemaker has to include reserve wines from older vintages and ultrapremium lots when creating the finished wine. This is the same timehonored tradition that’s used in the Champagne region of France to make wines with consistent flavor profiles year in and year out. By nature, blends reflect the grape varieties they’re made from far more than the vintage conditions or terroirs in which they are grown.

Sutter Home Red Blend is characterized as medium dry with a residual sugar level of 8 grams per liter. It has rich, smooth flavors that are complimented by secondary notes from oak aging of vanilla and brown spice. Given its medium dry flavors, pairings with food that are slightly sweet including barbeque sauces, maple syrup glazes and sweeter Asian marinades can be very successful.

Beyond food pairings, wine cocktails are another popular way to enjoy Red Blend. Sutter Home’s Red Blend Fizz combines raspberry schnapps, lime juice and ginger soda for a refreshing cocktail that’s served over ice.

Sutter Home Family Vineyards NV Red Generic Blend California

Red Blend Fizz 2 oz. Sutter Home Red Blend 1/2 oz. raspberry schnapps 1/2 ounce lime juice Ginger soda

Shake all ingredients except ginger soda. Strain into a Collins glass over ice. Top with ginger soda. Garnish with a lime wheel and raspberry. 1 18 Guide to the Best of California Magazine

3

COMPLETE COMPETITION RESULTS AT CAStateFair.org 59

Best of California: Region

Best of North Coast Red Double Gold 98

Best of North Coast White

Sean Minor Nicole Marie 2014 - North Coast seanminorwines.com

Double Gold 98

Best of Sonoma Red

Best of Sonoma White

Imagery Estate Winery Cabernet Franc 2014 - Sonoma County Imagerywinery.com

Imagery Estate Winery Riesling, Upper Ridge Vineyard 2015 - Pine Mountain-Cloverdale Peak (Sonoma) Imagerywinery.com

Best of Napa Red

Best of Napa White

Soquel Vineyards Consonante Cabernet Sauvignon Reverence Vineyards 2014 - Napa Valley Soquelvineyards.com

Trefethen Family Vineyards Dry Riesling 2016 - Oak Knoll District Trefethen.com

Double Gold 98

Double Gold 98

20 Guide to the Best of California Magazine

High Valley Vineyards Sauvignon Blanc 2016 - High Valley highvalleyvineyards.com

Double Gold 98

Double Gold 98

Best of California: Region

Best of Greater Bay Red

Best of Greater Bay White

Concannon Reserve Nina’s Cuvee, Petite Sirah 2014 - Livermore Valley concannonvineyard.com

Storrs Chardonnay Mountain Vineyard Collection 2015 - Santa Cruz Mountains storrswine.com

Best of North Central Coast Red

Best of North Central Coast White

Reserve Lot Series Reserve Lot 25 2013 - Monterey County dfvwines.com

Francis Coppola Diamond Collection Chardonnay 2015 - Monterey County Francisfordcoppolawinery.com

Best of South Central Coast Red

Best of South Central Coast White

Halter Ranch Ancestor 2014 - Paso Robles Halterranch.com

Cass Winery Mr Blanc 2016 - Paso Robles Casswines.com

Double Gold 98

Double Gold 98

Double Gold 98

Double Gold 98

Double Gold 98

Double Gold 98

Summer 2017 / CAStateFair.org 21

C OM E V ISIT O UR F AMIL Y

7 Ta s T i ng R oom open Da i ly 11 am -5 pm

37783 COUNTY ROAD 144 • CLARKSBURG, CA 916.744.1139 • BOGLEWINERY.COM

BORN OF SONOMA. C R A F T E D BY K E N W O O D. kenwoodvineyards.com

Please enjoy our wines responsibly. ©2016 Distributed By Pernod Ricard USA, Purchase, NY.

22 Guide to the Best of California Magazine

Best of California: Region

Best of South Coast Red

Best of South Coast White

Baily Vineyard & Winery Cabernet Franc 2013 - Temecula Valley Bailywinery.com

South Coast Winery Gewurztraminer 2016 - Temecula Valley Southcoastwinery.com

Best of Sierra Foothills Red

Best of Sierra Foothills White

Mellowood Vineyard Syrah 2014 - Fair Play Mellowoodvineyard.com

Bella Grace Vermentino 2016 - Shenandoah Valley (Amador) Bellagracevineyards.com

Double Gold 98

Double Gold 98

Double Gold 98

Best of Lodi Red

Best of Lodi White

Klinker Brick Winery Carignane 2014 - Lodi (San Joaquin) Klinkerbrickwinery.com

Peirano Estate Vineyards Viognier The Heritage Collection 2015 - San Joaquin County Peirano.com

Double Gold 98

Double Gold 98

Double Gold 98

Summer 2017 / CAStateFair.org 23

Best of California: Region

Best of Other California Red

Best of Other California White

Fäsi Crest Syrah 2014 - Madera (Fresno) Fasiestate.com

Rendez-Vous Winery Viognier 2016 - Clarksburg (Yolo) Rendez-Vouswinery.com

Best of California State Red

Best of California State White

Bogle Vineyards Essential Red Blend 2014 - California Boglewinery.com

Clos Du Bois Chardonnay 2015 - California Closdubois.com

Double Gold 98

Double Gold 98

24 Guide to the Best of California Magazine

Double Gold 98

Double Gold 98

Best of California: Varietals

Best Barbera Double Gold 98

Perry Creek Winery Altitude 2401 2013 - Fair Play Barbera Perrycreek.com

Double Gold 98

Best Cabernet Franc

Best Cabernet Sauvignon

Imagery Estate Winery 2014 - Sonoma County Imagerywinery.com

Soquel Vineyards Consonante Cabernet Sauvignon Reverence Vineyards 2014 - Napa Valley Soquelvineyards.com

Best Chardonnay

Best Grenache

Francis Coppola Diamond Collection Chardonnay 2015 - Monterey County Francisfordcoppolawinery.com

Lewis Grace 2015 - Sierra Foothills Gracepatriotwines.com

Double Gold 98

Double Gold 98

Best Bordeaux Red Varietal Blend Andis Wines 2013 - Amador County Painted Fields Andiswines.com

Double Gold 98

Double Gold 98

Summer 2017 / CAStateFair.org 25

f Proud purveyors o California’s Finest Beer d n a , s it ir p S , e in W

CELEBRATES THE 2017

California State Fair

www.winewarehouse.com 26

2017 BEST OF CALIFORNIA MAGAZINE

Best of California: Varietals

Best Malbec

Best Merlot

Chacewater Winery 2013 - Red Hills Chacewaterwine

Robert Hall Winery 2014 - Paso Robles Roberthallwinery.com

Best Muscat

Best Other Fortified Dessert Wine

Double Gold 98

Double Gold 98 Navarro Vineyards 2016 - Anderson Valley Cluster Select, Late Harvest Navarrowine.com

Double Gold 98

Best Other Red Varietal Blend

Best Other Red Varietal

Sean Minor 2014 - North Coast Nicole Marie Seanminorwines.com

Imagery Estate Winery 2014 - Pine Mountain-Cloverdale Peak, Sonoma Lagrein, Upper Ridge Vineyard Imagerywinery.com

Double Gold 98

Double Gold 98

Macchia 2015 - California Flirtatious, Late Harvest Zinfandel Macchiawines.com

Double Gold 98

Summer 2017 / CAStateFair.org 27

Best of California: Varietals

Best Other White Varietal

Best Petite Sirah

Bella Grace Vineyards 2016 - Shenandoah Valley (Amador) Vermentino Bellagracevineyards.com

Stanton Vineyards 2014 - St. Helena Stantonvineyards.com

Best Pinot Grigio

Best Pinot Noir

Montevina 2015 - California Glass Falls Montevina.com

Francis Coppola Director’s Cut 2015 - Sonoma Coast, Sonoma Francisfordcoppolawinery.com

Best Primitivo

Best Red Generic

Deaver Vineyards 2015 - Amador County Deavervineyards.com

Sutter Home Family Vineyards NV - California Sutterhome.com

Double Gold 98

Double Gold 98

Double Gold 98

28 Guide to the Best of California Magazine

Double Gold 98

Double Gold 98

Double Gold 98

COMPLETE COMPETITION RESULTS AT CAStateFair.org 29

Best of California: Varietals

Best Rhone Red Varietal Blend Double Gold 98

Vigilance Winery & Vineyards 2014 - Lake County Cimarron Vigilancewinery.com

Best Riesling Double Gold 98

Trefethen Family Vineyards Dry Riesling 2016 - Oak Knoll District Trefethen.com

Best Sangiovese

Best Sauvignon Blanc

Windwalker Vineyard 2013 - Sierra Foothills Windwalkervineyard.com

High Valley Vineyard 2016 - High Valley Highvalleyvineyards.com

Best Syrah

Best Tempranillo

Mellowood Vineyard Syrah 2014 - Fair Play Mellowoodvineyard.com

Convergence Vineyards 2015 - El Dorado County Convergencevineyards.com

Double Gold 98

Double Gold 98

30 Guide to the Best of California Magazine

Double Gold 98

Double Gold 98

Monterey. Paso Robles. Napa Valley.

21 Double Gold, Best of Class of Region 98 Pts | 2015 J. Lohr Estates Flume Crossing Sauvignon Blanc, Arroyo Seco, Monterey 98 Pts | 2013 J. Lohr Cuvée POM, Paso Robles 98 Pts | 2013 J. Lohr Cuvée St. E, Paso Robles 98 Pts | 2013 J. Lohr Signature Cabernet Sauvignon, Paso Robles

Gold 95 Pts | 2014 J. Lohr Carol’s Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon, St. Helena, Napa Valley

COMPLETE COMPETITION RESULTS AT CAStateFair.org 31

Best of California: Varietals

Best Viognier

Best Zinfandel

Peirano Estate Vineyards 2015 - San Joaquin County The Heritage Collection Peirano.com

Stony Ridge 2014 - Livermore Valley Del Arroyo Vineyards Crookedvine.com

Double Gold 98

Double Gold 98

2016

18

2017 BEST OF CALIFORNIA MAGAZINE

©2017 BONTERRA VINEYARDS, HOPLAND, MENDOCINO CO. CA

Best of California: Micro Wineries There are many small, boutique or micro wineries in California producing incredible wines and the California State Fair continues to recognize them and offer a micro winery category to include these smaller wineries. We are one of the few competitions that offer this type of class. Our goal is to assist them in reaching a larger market by awarding them in conjunction with our larger companies that enter. Wines entered in the micro winery classes are eligible for Best Micro Winery Red, White and Other as well as Double Gold, Gold, Silver and Bronze medals.

Best Micro Winery

Best Micro Winery

Best Micro Winery

Double Gold 98

Double Gold 98

Double Gold 98

2014 Petite Sirah Lodi (Sacramento)

2016 Forever Wild Sauvignon Blanc Russian River Valley

Nv Triple Cream Sherry Mission Grape Cucamonga Valley

Red

Rempfer Cellars

White Balverne

Other

Rancho De Philo

Summer 2017 / CAStateFair.org 33

Best of California: Double Gold & Gold Wine Winners Chardonnay, 2015 Four Bears, Central Coast

Dry White Wines

Chardonnay, 2016 AlbariĂąo Albarino, 2016 Bokisch Vineyards, Clements Hills, Terra Atta Vineyard Best of Class of Region

Gold 95

Albarino, 2016 Mariposa, Edna Valley Best of Class of Region

Gold 95

Fresno State Winery, Lodi (San Joaquin), Duarte Vineyards

Double Gold 98

Chardonnay, 2015 Double Gold 98 Francis Coppola Diamond Collection, Monterey County Best of California, Best of Class of Region Chardonnay, 2014 Double Gold 98 Harlow Ridge, Lodi (Sacramento) Best of Class of Region Double Gold 98

Cosmic Reserve Chardonnay, 2015 Double Gold 98 Sierra Starr Vineyards, El Dorado County, Barrel Fermented Best of Class of Region Mountain Vineyard Collection Chardonnay, 2015 Double Gold 98 Storrs, Santa Cruz Mountains Best Of Region - White, Best of Class of Region Chardonnay, 2015 Wine Cube, California Best of Class of Region

Double Gold 98

Chardonnay, 2015 Alexander Valley Vineyards, Alexander Valley, Sonoma County, Estate Grown, Produced & Bottled Best of Class of Region

Gold 95

Chardonnay, 2015 Gold 95 B.r. Cohn Winery, Sonoma Coast (Sonoma) Best of Class of Region Chardonnay, 2015 Balverne, Russian River Valley, Estate Grown, Produced & Bottled

Gold 95

Chardonnay, 2015 Bogle Vineyards, California

Gold 95

Chardonnay, 2015 Gold 95 Brutocao Family Vineyards, Mendocino, Hopland Ranches, Estate Grown, Produced & Bottled Best of Class of Region Chardonnay, 2016 Gold 95 Drytown Cellars, Sierra Foothills, Estate Chardonnay, 2015 Folie À Deux, Russian River Valley Best of Class of Region

Gold 95

Chenin Blanc, 2015 Double Gold 98 Heringer Estates Family Winery, Clarksburg (Yolo), Stillwater Oak Vineyards

Chardonnay, 2015 Gold 95 Larson Family Winery. Carneros (Sonoma), Estate Grown & Produced Best of Class of Region Chardonnay, 2015 Lava Cap, El Dorado, Reserve

Gold 95

Chardonnay, NV

Gold 95

Liberty Creek, California, Chardonnay

Chardonnay, 2014 Redtree, California Best of Class of Region

Chenin Blanc

Chardonnay, 2015 Gold 95 Gold Hill Vineyard, El Dorado, Estate Bottled

Albarino, 2016 Gold 95 Oak Farm Vineyards, Lodi (San Joaquin) Best of Class of Region

Chardonnay, 2015 Clos Du Bois, California Best of Class of Region

Gold 95

Gold 95

Gewurztraminer Gewurztraminer, 2016 Halleck Vineyard, Russian River Valley, Saralee's Vineyard

Gold 95

Muscat Moscato, 2014 Forest Glen, California

Gold 95

Pinot Blanc

Winemakers Selection

Chardonnay, 2015 Meiomi, Sonoma County Best of Class of Region

Gold 95

Chardonnay, 2015 Newman's Own, California

Gold 95

Chardonnay, 2014 Pamela's, Sonoma County, Un-Oaked Best of Class of Region

Gold 95

Chardonnay, 2014 Paradise Ridge, Russian River Valley, Bazzano Vineyard Best of Class of Region

Gold 95

Chardonnay, 2015 Pico & Vine, Sonoma County Best of Class of Region

Gold 95

Chardonnay, 2015 Ryder Estate, Central Coast Best of Class of Region

Gold 95

Chardonnay, 2014 Santa Barbara Canyon, Santa Barbara County Best of Class of Region

Gold 95

Chardonnay, 2015 Santa Barbara Winery, Santa Barbara County Best of Class of Region

Gold 95

Chardonnay, 2015 Seaglass, Santa Barbara County, Unoaked Best of Class of Region

Gold 95

Chardonnay, 2015 Smoking Loon, California

Gold 95

Chardonnay, 2015 Three Thieves, California

Gold 95

Chardonnay, 2014 Trellis Vineyards, Sonoma County Best of Class of Region

Gold 95

Chardonnay, 2015 Virginia Dare Winery, Russian River Valley Best of Class of Region

Gold 95

Morning Fog Chardonnay, 2015 Wente Vineyards, Livermore Valley, Estate Grown Best of Class of Region

Gold 95

Chardonnay, 2015 William Hill Estate, North Coast Best of Class of Region

Gold 95

34 Guide to the Best of California Magazine

Pinot Blanc, 2015 Double Gold 98 Ron Rubin, Green Valley of Russian River Valley, Dutton Ranch Shop Block Vineyard, Estate

Pinot Grigio/Pinot Gris Glass Falls Pinot Grigio, 2015 Double Gold 98 Montevina, California Best of California, Best of Class of Region Pinot Grigio, 2016 Double Gold 98 Seaglass, Santa Barbara County Best of Class of Region Pinot Grigio, 2016 Belle Ambiance, California

Gold 95

Pinot Grigio, 2016 Bota Box, California

Gold 95

Pinot Grigio, 2016 Ck Mondavi, California, Willow Springs

Gold 95

Pinot Grigio, 2016 Coppola Rosso & Bianco, California

Gold 95

Pinot Grigio, 2016 Gifft By Kathie Lee Gifford, Monterey County Best of Class of Region

Gold 95

Pinot Grigio, NV Liberty Creek, California, Winemakers Selection

Gold 95

Pinot Grigio, 2015 Smoking Loon, California

Gold 95

Pinot Grigio, 2016 Gold 95 Three Pears, California Micro Winery White Wines Pinot Grigio, 2015 Via Romano Vineyards, Sierra Foothills Best of Class of Region

Gold 95

Riesling Riesling, 2015 Double Gold 98 Imagery Estate Winery, Pine Mountain-Cloverdale Peak (Sonoma), Upper Ridge Vineyard Best of Class of Region Dry Riesling , 2016 Double Gold 98 Trefethen Family Vineyards, Oak Knoll District, Estate Produced & Bottled Best of Class of Region, Best of California

Sauvignon Blanc, 2016 Roussanne Roussanne, 2016 Gold 95 Temecula Hills Winery, Temecula Valley, Vintage 16, Estate

Gold 95

Viognier

Sauvignon Blanc, 2015 Challis Lane, California

Gold 95

Wild Thing Viognier, 2015 Double Gold 98 Carol Shelton Wines, Placer County, Damiano Vineyard Best of Class of Region

Sauvignon Blanc, 2015 Concannon, Sonoma County, Reserve

Gold 95

Brutocao Family Vineyards, Mendocino, Feliz Vineyard, Estate Grown, Produced & Bottled

Sauvignon Blanc Forever Wild Sauvignon Blanc, 2016 Double Gold 98 Balverne, Russian River Valley, Estate Grown, Produced & Bottled Best Micro White, Best of Class of Region

Sauvignon Blanc, 2015 Gold 95 Di Arie, El Dorado, Estate Grown & Bottled Best of Class of Region Sauvignon Blanc, 2015 Marlo, California

Gold 95

Sauvignon Blanc, 2016 Oak Farm Vineyards, Lodi (San Joaquin), Mohr Fry Ranches Best of Class of Region

Gold 95

Sauvignon Blanc, 2016 Oak Grove, California, Family Reserve

Gold 95

Flume Crossing Sauvignon Blanc, 2015 Double Gold 98 J. Lohr Estates, Arroyo Seco Best of Class of Region

Charlotte's Home Sauvignon Blanc, 2016 Rodney Strong Vineyards, Northern Sonoma, Estate Vineyards

Gold 95

Sauvignon Blanc, 2015 Double Gold 98 Seaglass, Santa Barbara County Best of Class of Region

Sauvignon Blanc, 2016 Gold 95 Scotto Family Cellars, Lodi (San Joaquin), Best of Class of Region

Bay Moon Sauvignon Blanc, 2015 Trader Moon, California Best of Class of Region

Sunnydaze Sauvignon Blanc, 2016 Gold 95 Spicy Vines, Pine Mountain-Cloverdale Peak (Sonoma), Pine Mountain Vineyards, Special Selection

Little Sister Sauvignon Blanc, 2015 Halleck Vineyard, Russian River Valley Best of Class of Region

Double Gold 98

Sauvignon Blanc, 2016 Double Gold 98 High Valley Vineyard, High Valley Best of Class of Region, Best of California

Double Gold 98

Sauvignon Blanc, NV Barefoot, California

Gold 95

Sauvignon Blanc, 2015 St. George, California, Select Reserve

Sauvignon Blanc, 2015 Bent Creek Wines, Mendocino County

Gold 95

Sauvignon Blanc, NV Gold 95 Sutter Home Family Vineyards, California

Gold 95

Viognier, 2014 Double Gold 98 Jazz Cellars, Russian River Valley, Catie's Corner Vineyard Best of Class of Region Heritage Collection Viognier, 2015 Double Gold 98 Peirano Estate Vineyards, San Joaquin County, Peirano Estate Vineyard Best of Class of Region, Best of California Viognier, 2016 Double Gold 98 Rendez-Vous Winery, Clarksburg (Yolo) Best of Show - White, Best of Class of Region Viognier, 2015 Imagery Estate Winery, Russian River Valley, Pratt Vineyard Best of Class of Region

Gold 95

Viognier, 2015 Oak Grove, California, Family Reserve Best of Class of Region

Gold 95

Other White Varietals Vermentino, 2016 Double Gold 98 Bella Grace. Shenandoah Valley (Amador) Best of Class of Region, Best of California Grenache Blanc, 2016 Acquiesce Winery & Vineyards, Lodi (San Joaquin)

Gold 95

Grenache Blanc, 2016 Gold 95 Bella Grace, Shenandoah Valley (Amador)

PICK ED. PRESSED. POURED. Grown in Washington and Oregon. Perfected in California. Enjoyed at Your Table.

Please enjoy our ciders responsibly. Š2017 Crispin Cider Company, Colfax, CA

Summer 2017 / CAStateFair.org 35

Best of California: Double Gold & Gold Wine Winners Malvasia, 2016 Convergence Vineyards, Mokelumne River Best of Class of Region

Gold 95

Barbera, 2015 Jeff Runquist, Amador County

Grenache Blanc, 2015 Gold 95 Halter Ranch, Paso Robles, Estate Bottled Best of Class of Region

Winemakers Remembrance Reserve Barbera, 2014 La Chertosa Old World Wines, Amador County, Reserve Best of Class of Region

Verdelho, 2016 South Coast Winery, California Best Of Class Of Region

Barbera, 2014 Scott Harvey, Amador County, Mountain Selection

Gold 95

Fiano, 2015 Double Gold 98 Gianelli Vineyards, Tuolumne County, Estate Grown, Produced & Bottled Fiano, 2016 Rock Wall Wine Company, Sutter County, Sicilia Vineyard

Gold 95

Cabernet Sauvignon, 2013 Double Gold 98 Domaine Napa Winery, Napa Valley Best of Class of Region

Gold 95

Cabernet Sauvignon, 2012 Double Gold 98 Ehrenberg Cellars, Napa County Best of Class of Region

Gold 95

Cabernet Sauvignon, 2013 Cabernet Franc J. Lohr Vineyard Series, Cabernet Franc, 2013 Double Gold 98 Baily Vineyard & Winery, Temecula Valley, Estate Bottled Best of Class of Region

Gold 95

Cabernet Franc, 2014 Imagery Estate Winery,

Double Gold 98

Other White Varietal Blend Sonoma County White Blend, 2015 Menage A Trois, California Best of Class of Region

Gold 95

Best of Show - Red, Best of Class of Region, Best of California

Cabernet Franc, 2014 Le Casque, Sierra Foothills Best of Class of Region Rhone White Varietal Blend

Mr Blanc Rhone White Varietal Blend, 2016 Cass Winery, Paso Robles, Estate Grown Best of Class of Region

Red Table Wines Barbera Barbera, 2014 Double Gold 98 Imagery Estate Winery, Pine Mountain-Cloverdale Peak (Sonoma), Upper Ridge Vineyard Best of Class of Region

Double Gold 98

Cabernet Franc, 2015 Gold 95 Alexander Valley Vineyards, Sonoma County, Wetzel Family Estate, Estate Grown, Produced & Bottled

Double Gold 98

Cabernet Franc, 2014 Gold 95 Crooked Vine, Alameda County - Livermore Valley, Del Arroyo Vineyards, Estate Grown Best of Class of Region Cabernet Franc, 2013 Ironstone Vineyards, Sierra Foothills, Estate Grown Reserve

Gold 95

Cabernet Franc, 2015 Gold 95 Jeff Runquist, Clarksburg (Sacramento), Salman Vineyard Best of Class of Region

Barbera, 2013 Double Gold 98 Perry Creek Winery Altitude 2401, Fair Play, Perry Creek Estate Best of Class of Regionn

Cabernet Franc, 2013 Mccay Cellars, Mokelumne River, Keith Watts Vineyard Best of Class of Region

Barbera, 2014 Renwood, Amador County Best of Class of Region

Double Gold 98

Barbera, 2014 Vina Moda, Sierra Foothills Best of Class of Region

Double Gold 98

Cabernet Franc, 2013 Gold 95 Mckenzie-Mueller Winery, Napa Valley, Unfiltered, Estate Grown, Produced & Bottled Best of Class of Region

Barbera, 2014 Andis Wines, Shenandoah Valley (Amador), Estate

Gold 95

Double Gold 98

Paso Robles, Signature Best of Class of Region

Cabernet Sauvignon, 2013 Mantra Wines, Sonoma Valley Best of Class of Region

Double Gold 98

Cabernet Sauvignon, 2013 Double Gold 98 Muscardini Cellars, Sonoma Valley, Cassata Vineyards Best of Class of Region Cabernet Sauvignon, 2014 Rancho Sisquoc, Santa Barbara County, Flood Family Vineyard, Estate Produced & Bottled Best of Class of Region

Double Gold 98

Cabernet Sauvignon, 2014 Rutherford Ranch, Napa Valley Best of Class of Region

Double Gold 98

Cabernet Sauvignon, 2014 Shed Horn Cellars, Lake County Best of Class of Region

Double Gold 98

Cabernet Sauvignon, 2014 Double Gold 98 Silver Stag Winery, Napa Valley Best of Class of Region Consonante Cabernet Sauvignon, 2014 Double Gold 98 Soquel Vineyards, Napa Valley, Reverence Vineyards Best of Class of Region, Best of California Cabernet Sauvignon, 2014 The Show, California Best of Class of Region

Double Gold 98

Cabernet Sauvignon, 2013 Windwalker Vineyard, Fair Play, Estate Best of Class of Region

Double Gold 98

Cabernet Sauvignon, 2015

Gold 95

Cabernet Sauvignon, 2015 Aviary Vineyards, California

Gold 95

Cabernet Sauvignon, 2014 Balverne, Chalk Hill, Estate Grown, Produced & Bottled Best of Class of Region

Gold 95

Cabernet Sauvignon, 2015 Black's Station, Yolo County Best of Class of Region

Gold 95

Cabernet Sauvignon Athenaeum, Napa Valley Gold 95

Cabernet Sauvignon, 2013 Archimedes, Alexander Valley Best of Class of Region

Double Gold 98

Double Gold 98

Gold 95

Cabernet Sauvignon, 2014 Bell, Napa Valley Best of Class of Region

Winemaker's Reserve Barbera, 2015 Gold 95 Convergence Vineyards, Sierra Foothills, Estate Bottled

Risk Cabernet Sauvignon, 2014 Cabana Wines, Oakville Best of Class of Region

Barbera, 2014 Gold 95 Bella Grace, Shenandoah Valley (Amador) Barbera Reposado, 2014 Borjon, Shenandoah Valley (Amador)

Cabernet Sauvignon, 2013 Double Gold 98 Hook & Ladder, Chalk Hill, Los Amigos Ranch, Estate Bottled Best of Class of Region

36 Guide to the Best of California Magazine

Double Gold 98

75

COMPLETE COMPETITION RESULTS AT CAStateFair.org

35

Best of California: Double Gold & Gold Wine Winners Cabernet Sauvignon, 2015 Ca' Momi, Napa Valley

Gold 95

Merlot, 2015 Francis Coppola Diamond Collection, California Best of Class of Region

Gold 95

Gold 95

Cabernet Sauvignon, 2013 Gold 95 Russian Ridge Winery, Santa Cruz Mountains, Martin Vineyards Best of Class of Region

Cabernet Sauvignon, 2013 Cache Creek Vineyards, Lake County Cabernet Sauvignon, 2012 Carol Shelton Wines, Sonoma Coast (Sonoma), King Ridge Vineyard

Gold 95

Cabernet Sauvignon, 2014 Ryder Estate, Central Coast

Gold 95

Gold 95

Gold 95

Cab Cabernet Sauvignon, 2015 Cass Winery, Paso Robles, Estate Grown, Produced & Bottled

Gold 95

Cabernet Sauvignon, 2014 Sargent Canyon, Central Coast, Proprietors Selection, Estate Grown

Merlot, 2014 Ghost Pines, Sonoma County Best of Class of Region

Cabernet Sauvignon, 2014 Earthquake, Lodi (San Joaquin), Certified Green Best of Class of Regionn

Gold 95

Cabernet Sauvignon, 2014 Flambeaux, Sonoma Valley

Gold 95

Cabernet Sauvignon, 2014 Flambeaux, Dry Creek Valley

Gold 95

King Kong Cabernet Sauvignon, 2015 Francis Coppola Director's Great Movies, California

Gold 95

Cabernet Sauvignon, 2014 Grindstone, California, Valley View Vineyard, Estate Grown

Gold 95

Cabernet Sauvignon, 2014 Hagafen, Oak Knoll District, Estate Grown & Bottled

Gold 95

Merlot, 2014 Havens, Napa Valley Best of Class of Region Carignane Merlot, 2013 J. Mcclelland, Napa Valley Carignane, 2014 Double Gold 98 Best of Class of Region Abundance Vineyards Mencarini Family Winery, Merlot, 2013 Lodi (Sacramento), Mencarini Vineyards Livermore Crossings, Livermore Valley Carignane, 2014 Double Gold 98 Best of Class of Region Carol Shelton Wines, Merlot, 2013 Alexander Valley, Mantra Wines, Sonoma County, Oat Valley Vineyard, Alexander Valley, Sonoma County Old Vine Best of Class of Region Carignane, 2014 Double Gold 98 Merlot, 2013 Klinker Brick Winery, Pope Valley Winery, Lodi (San Joaquin) Napa Valley, Eakle Ranch Best of Class of Region Best Of Class Of Region Merlot, 2014 Grenache

Carol's Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon, 2014 J. Lohr Vineyard Series, St. Helena

Gold 95

Cabernet Sauvignon, 2013 J. Mcclelland, Oak Knoll District

Gold 95

Cabernet Sauvignon, 2013 Gold 95 Las Positas Vineyards, Alameda County Livermore Valley, Reserve, Estate Best of Class of Region

Grenache, 2015 Double Gold 98 Lewis Grace, Sierra Foothills Best of California, Best of Class of Region Grenache, 2015 Lava Cap, El Dorado, Estate Bottled

Gold 95

Grenache, 2012 Mais Fica Winery, El Dorado, Estate Bottled Best of Class of Region

Gold 95

Gold 95

Gold 95

Gold 95

Gold 95

Gold 95

Gold 95

Gold 95

Sand Point Family Vineyards, Clarksburg (Sacramento), Lodi Rules Certified Sustainable Best of Class of Region Merlot, 2012 Steele-Stymie, Lake County, Limited Production, Founder's Reserve Best of Class of Region

Gold 95

Merlot, 2015 Gold 95 Stonehedge, Napa Valley, Grand Reserve Best of Class of Region

Cabernet Sauvignon, 2015 Line 39, California

Gold 95

Rhetts Revenge Grenache, 2014 Spicy Vines, Sonoma County, Kick Ranch Vineyards Best of Class of Region

Cabernet Sauvignon, 2014 Little Vineyards, Sonoma Valley

Gold 95

Malbec Mourvèdre

Gold 95

Malbec, 2013 Double Gold 98 Chacewater, Red Hills Best of California, Best of Class of Region

Mourvedre, 2015 Cass Winery, Paso Robles, Estate Grown

Double Gold 98

Cabernet Sauvignon, 2014 Marc Cellars, California

Malbec, 2014 Boatique Winery, Red Hills Best Of Class Of Region

Monastrel Mourvedre, 2014 Los Portales, Shenandoah Valley (Amador)

Double Gold 98

Gold 95

Cabernet Sauvignon, 2014 Mossback, Chalk Hill

Gold 95

Merlot Petite Sirah

Cabernet Sauvignon, 2015 Peirano Estate Vineyards, San Joaquin County, Peirano Estate Vineyard, Estate Grown Best of Class of Region

Gold 95

Merlot, 2014 Double Gold 98 Edna Valley Vineyard, Central Coast Best Of Class Of Region

Cabernet Sauvignon, 2013 Peju, Napa Valley

Gold 95

Cabernet Sauvignon, 2014 Rodney Strong Vineyards, Sonoma County

Gold 95

Merlot, 2014 Gold 95 Benziger Family Winery, Sonoma County Best of Class of Region Gold 95

Cabernet Sauvignon, 2013 Roney Wines, Howell Mountain Best of Class of Region

Gold 95

Merlot, 2014 Bogle Vineyards, California Best of Class of Region Merlot, 2015 Ca'momi Heartcrafted, Napa Valley Best of Class of Region

Gold 95

J. D. Hurley Cabernet Sauvignon, 2014 Martin Ranch, Santa Cruz Mountains Best of Class of Region

Gold 95

Merlot, 2014 Double Gold 98 Robert Hall, Paso Robles Best of California, Best of Class of Region

38 Guide to the Best of California Magazine

Merlot, 2015 Wine Cube, California Best of Class of Region

Gold 95

Nina's Cuvee Petite Sirah, 2014 Double Gold 98 Concannon Reserve, Livermore Valley Best of Class of Region Petite Sirah, 2014 Double Gold 98 Rempfer Cellars, Lodi (Sacramento) Best Micro Red, Best of Class of Region Petite Sirah, 2014 Double Gold 98 Stanton Vineyards, St. Helena, Estate Bottled Best of California, Best of Class of Region Petite Sirah, 2013 Vina Moda, Sierra Foothills Best of Class of Region

Double Gold 98

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.

COMPLETE COMPETITION RESULTS AT CAStateFair.org

39

Best of California: Double Gold & Gold Wine Winners Petite Sirah, 2013 Deaver Vineyards, Amador County

Gold 95

Petite Sirah, 2013 Fenestra, Alameda County - Livermore Valley

Gold 95

Petite Sirah, 2011 Gold Hill Vineyard, El Dorado, Estate Bottled

Gold 95

Pinot Noir, 2012 Jazz Cellars, Santa Lucia Highlands, Lone Oak Vineyard Best of Class of Region

Gold 95

Bacchus Pinot Noir, 2012 Gold 95 Kings Mountain Vineyards, Santa Cruz Mountains, Kings Mountain Vineyard Estate Grown Best of Class of Region

Petite Sirah, 2014 Gold 95 Handcraft Artisan Collection, California Best of Class of Region

Pinot Noir, 2014 Lake Sonoma Winery, Sonoma Coast (Sonoma)

Petite Sirah, 2014 Le Casque, Sierra Foothills

Gold 95

Pinot Noir, 2015 Gold 95 Main & Geary, Sonoma Coast (Sonoma)

Petite Sirah, 2015 Mia Bea Wines, Mendocino, Barra Family Vineyards, Estate Grown Best of Class of Region

Gold 95

Evening Standard Pinot Noir, 2013 Mcevoy Ranch, Marin County

Gold 95 Gold 95

Petite Sirah, 2014 Stony Ridge, Livermore Valley, Del Arroyo Vineyard, Estate

Gold 95

Pinot Noir, 2015 Menage A Trois, California Best of Class of Region

Gold 95

Pinot Noir, 2014 Mercy, Arroyo Seco, Griva Vineyard

Gold 95

Petite Sirah, 2014 Three, Contra Costa County

Gold 95

Petite Sirah, 2014 Writer's Block, Lake County Best of Class of Region

Gold 95

Pinot Noir, 2014 Michael Pozzan, Sonoma County Pinot Noir, 2014 Montague, Mendocino, Reserve

Gold 95

Pinot Noir, 2013

Gold 95

Monterey Canyon Cellars, Pinot Noir Pinot Noir, 2015 Double Gold 98 Francis Coppola Director's, Sonoma Coast (Sonoma) Best of California, Best of Class of Region J.D. Hurley Pinot Noir, 2014 Martin Ranch, Central Coast, R.e.d Vineyards Best of Class of Region Pinot Noir, 2014 Muirwood, Arroyo Seco Best of Class of Region

Double Gold 98

Double Gold 98

Pinot Noir, 2015 Double Gold 98 Steelhead Vineyards, North Coast Best of Class of Region

Gold 95

Monterey County

Pinot Noir, 2014 Mossback, Central Coast

Gold 95

Pinot Noir, 2015 Navarro Vineyards, Anderson Valley, Methode A L'ancienne

Gold 95

Pinot Noir, 2013 Rare Pinot, California Best of Class of Region

Gold 95

Pinot Noir, 2015 Santa Barbara Winery, Santa Barbara County Best of Class of Region

Gold 95

Pinot Noir, 2013 Silver Mountain Vineyards, Santa Lucia Highlands, Tondre's Grapefield

Gold 95

Pinot Noir, 2015 Sonoma Wine Arts, Russian River Valley

Gold 95

Primitivo Primitivo, 2015 Double Gold 98 Deaver Vineyards, Amador County Best of California, Best of Class of Region Meticulous Primitivo, 2015 Macchia, Jahant (San Joaquin), Vista Luna Vineyards Best of Class of Region

Double Gold 98

Primitivo, 2013 Double Gold 98 Szabo Vineyards, Sierra Foothills, Estate Grown & Bottled Best of Class of Region Primitivo, 2013 Andis Wines, Amador County

Gold 95

Primitivo, 2013 Brutocao Family Vineyards, Mendocino, Contento Vineyard, Estate Grown, Produced & Bottled Best of Class of Region

Gold 95

Primitivo, 2015 Convergence Vineyards, Sierra Foothills, Estate Bottled

Gold 95

Primitivo, 2015 Imagery Estate Winery, Sonoma County Best of Class of Region

Gold 95

Devious Primitivo, 2015 Macchia, Lodi (Sacramento)

Gold 95

Primitivo, 2013 Perry Creek Winery Altitude 2401, El Dorado, Perry Creek Vineyards, Estate Bottled & Produced

Gold 95

Primitivo, 2013 Santa Barbara Winery, Santa Ynez Valley, Joughin Vineyard Best Of Class Of Region

Gold 95

Primitivo, 2014 Sobon Estate, Amador County, Rezerve

Gold 95

Primitivo, 2014 Gold 95 Wilderotter Vineyard, Amador County

Pinot Noir, 2014 Carson Scott, North Coast

Gold 95

Pinot Noir, 2014 Cartlidge & Browne, North Coast

Gold 95

Pinot Noir, 2014 Castle Rock, Mendocino County

Gold 95

Vineyard Montage Pinot Noir, 2014 Cru, Santa Lucia Highlands

Gold 95

Pinot Noir, 2015 South Coast Winery, Santa Lucia Highlands

Gold 95

Pinot Noir, 2015 District 7, Monterey County, Estate Grown

Gold 95

Complicated Pinot Noir, 2015 Taken Wine Co., Sonoma County

Gold 95

Pinot Noir, 2014 Don & Sons, Sonoma Coast (Sonoma), Sonoma Signature

Gold 95

Pinot Noir, 2015 The Crusher, California Best of Class of Region

Gold 95

Sangiovese, 2013 Double Gold 98 Windwalker Vineyard, Sierra Foothills Best of California, Best of Class of Region

Pinot Noir, Nv Eye Chart, California Best of Class of Region

Gold 95

Pinot Noir, 2015 Three Thieves, California Best of Class of Region

Gold 95

Sangiovese, 2013 Cardella Winery, California, Fattoria Cardella Vineyard 22

Pinot Noir, 2015 Folktale Winery, Monterey County

Gold 95

Pinot Noir, 2015 Zd Wines, Carneros Best of Class of Region

Gold 95

40 Guide to the Best of California Magazine

Sangiovese Sangiovese, 2014 Double Gold 98 Oakstone Winery, Amador County, Murrill Vineyard Best of Class of Region Sangiovese, 2013 South Coast Winery, California Best of Class of Region

Double Gold 98

Gold 95

Sangiovese, 2014 Gold 95 Crystal Basin Cellars, El Dorado, Reserve Sangiovese, 2010 La Chertosa Old World Wines, Sonoma Valley, Reserve Best of Class of Region

Gold 95

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Best of California: Double Gold & Gold Wine Winners Matagrano Sangiovese, 2014 Lava Cap, El Dorado

Gold 95

Amorous Sangiovese, 2015 Macchia, Lodi (San Joaquin) Best of Class of Region

Gold 95

Dos Oakies Sangiovese, 2014 Noceto, Shenandoah Valley (Amador)

Gold 95

Misto Sangiovese, 2014 Noceto, Shenandoah Valley (Amador)

Gold 95

Riserva Sangiovese, 2014 Noceto, Shenandoah Valley (Amador)

Gold 95

Dance Hall Sangiovese, 2015 Prospect Cellars, Amador County Best of Class of Region

Gold 95

Sangiovese, 2014 Opolo Vineyards, Paso Robles Best of Class of Region

Gold 95

Sangiovese, 2013 Slate Ridge Vineyard, El Dorado, Slate Ridge Vineyard, Estate Bottled Best of Class of Region

Gold 95

Sangiovese, 2014 Yokayo, Mendocino Best of Class of Region

Gold 95

Syrah/Shiraz Shiraz, 2013 Black Sheep Winery, Amador County Best of Class of Region

Double Gold 98

Syrah, 2014 Fäsi Crest, Madera (Fresno), Private Reserve, Estate Grown Best of Class of Region

Double Gold 98

Syrah, 2014 Fog Head, Monterey Best of Class of Region

Double Gold 98

Syrah, 2014 Klinker Brick, Lodi (San Joaquin), Farrah Best of Class of Region

Double Gold 98

Syrah, 2014 Lawer Estates, Knights Valley, Betsy's Vineyard Best of Class of Region

Double Gold 98

Syrah, 2014 Double Gold 98 Little Vineyards, Sonoma Valley Best of Class of Region Syrah, 2014 M2, Shenandoah Valley (Amador), Lanis Vineyard Best of Class of Regionn

Double Gold 98

Syrah, 2014 Double Gold 98 Mellowood Vineyard, Fair Play Best of California, Best of Class of Region Tiger Juice Syrah, 2013 Double Gold 98 Rivino, Mendocino, Estate Grown Produced & Bottled Best of Class of Region Syrah, 2014 Double Gold 98 Seebass Family Wines, Mendocino, Grand Reserve, Mayacama Bench Block, Estate Grown Best of Class of Region

Syrah, 2014 Double Gold 98 Steele-Stymie, Lake County, Limited Production, Founder's Reserve Best of Class of Region Syrah, 2013 Windwalker Vineyard, El Dorado, Estate Best of Class of Region

Double Gold 98

Zinfandel Zinfandel, 2013 Campus Oaks, Lodi (San Joaquin), Old Vine Best of Class of Region

Double Gold 98

Double Gold 98

Syrah, 2015 Bell, Sierra Foothills, Canterbury Vineyard

Gold 95

Hangtree Zinfandel, 2014 Dillian Wines, Shenandoah Valley (Amador) Best of Class of Region

Syrah, 2014 Cante Ao Vinho, Placer County, Estate Bottled

Gold 95

Zinfandel, 2015 Double Gold 98 Drytown Cellars, Amador County Best of Class of Region

30 Syrah, 2013 Cholame Vineyard, Monterey County

Gold 95

Syrah, 2015 Drytown Cellars, Sierra Foothills, Estate

Gold 95

Syrah, 2014 Falkner Winery, Temecula Valley, Rock Creek Vineyard Best of Class of Region

Gold 95

Syrah, 2014 Halter Ranch, Paso Robles, Estate Bottled Best of Class of Region Syrah, 2015 Havens, Napa Valley Best of Class of Region

Gold 95

Srh Syrah, 2013 Lafond, Santa Rita Hills Best of Class of Region

Gold 95

Shiraz, 2015 Purple Moon, California Best of Class of Region

Gold 95

Syrah, 2014 Robert Hall, Paso Robles Best of Class of Region

Gold 95

Syrah, 2012 Scribner Bend Vineyards, Clarksburg (Sacramento), Estate Grown, Produced & Bottled

Gold 95

Dragon's Kiss Syrah, 2014 Spicy Vines, Sonoma County, Kick Ranch Vineyards

Gold 95

Syrah, 2014 Villa Vallecito Vineyards, Sierra Foothills, Estate Grown, Produced & Bottled

Gold 95

Gold 95

Tempranillo Tempranillo, 2015 Double Gold 98 Convergence Vineyards, El Dorado County Best of California, Best of Class of Region Chileno Tempranillo, 2014 Hearst Ranch Winery, Paso Robles Best of Class of Region

Gold 95

Zinfandel, 2014 Helwig Vineyards & Winery, Shenandoah Valley (Amador), East Block Best of Class of Region

Double Gold 98

Zinfandel, 2015 Jeff Runquist, Amador County, Esola Vineyard Best of Class of Region

Double Gold 98

Zinfandel, 2014 Klinker Brick Winery, Lodi (San Joaquin), Marisa Vineyard, Old Vine Best of Class of Region

Double Gold 98

Zinfandel, 2014 M2, Mokelumne River, Soucie Vineyard - Block 1916 Best of Class of Region

Double Gold 98

Rocky Ridge Zinfandel, 2014 Double Gold 98 Manzanita Creek, Rockpile, Rocky Ridge Vineyard Best of Class of Region Three Vines Zinfandel, 2014 Manzanita Creek, Sonoma Coast (Sonoma) Best of Class of Region Zinfandel, 2015 Oak Farm Vineyards, Lodi (San Joaquin) Best of Class of Region

Double Gold 98

Double Gold 98

Zinfandel, 2014 Double Gold 98 Renwood, Amador County, Story Vineyard Best of Class of Region Zinfandel, 2014 Sobon Estate, Amador County, Cougar Hill Best of Class of Region

Double Gold 98

Zinfandel, 2013 Solis Winery, Santa Clara Valley, Estate Best of Class of Region

Double Gold 98

Zinfandel, 2014 Double Gold 98 Stony Ridge, Livermore Valley, Del Arroyo Vineyards, Estate Best of California, Best of Class of Region Zinfandel, 2014 Three, Contra Costa County, Bigelow Best of Class of Region

Double Gold 98

Zinfandel, 2013 Windwalker Vineyard, Sierra Foothills Best of Class of Region

Double Gold 98

Summer 2017 / CAStateFair.org 43

Best of California: Double Gold & Gold Wine Winners Zinfandel, 2013 Alexander Valley Vineyards, Alexander Valley, Old Vine, Reserve, Estate Grown, Produced & Bottled

Gold 95

Vintner's Cuvee XXXVIII Zinfandel, NV Rosenblum, California Best of Class of Region

Temptation Zinfandel, 2013 Alexander Valley Vineyards, California Best of Class of Region

Gold 95

Zinfandel, 2014 Amador Cellars, Amador County, Estate Grown, Produced & Bottled

Gold 95

Bodo's Blend Pinotage, 2014 Gold 95 Loma Prieta Winery, Lodi (Sacramento) Best of Class of Region

Gold 95

Dolcetto, 2013 Nevada City Winery, Sierra Foothills, Boa Vista Vineyards

Gold 95

Gold 95

Zinfandel, 2014 South Coast Winery, South Coast, Wild Horse Peak Mountain Vineyards, Oaks Block Best of Class of Region

Gold 95

Gold 95

Zinfandel, NV Barefoot, Lodi (San Joaquin)

Gold 95

Zinfandel, 2015 St. Amant Winery, Lodi (San Joaquin), Marian's Vineyard, Old Vine

Teroldego, 2010 Peltier, Lodi (San Joaquin), Schatz Family, Reserve Best of Class of Region

Zinfandel, 2012 Brazin, Sonoma County, Monte Rosso Vineyard, Old Vine

Gold 95

Gold 95

Tannat, 2014 Sobon Estate, Lodi (San Joaquin), Rezerve Best of Class of Region

Gold 95

Phil's Selection Zinfandel, 2013 Starr, Nevada County

Gold 95

Zinfandel, 2013 Steele Wines, Mendocino County, Pacini Vineyard, Old Vine Best of Class of Region

Gold 95

Zinfandel, 2014 Burnside Road, Sonoma County Mancini Zin Zinfandel, 2014 Carol Shelton Wines, Russian River Valley, Old Vine, Mancini Vineyard

Gold 95

Gold 95

Zinfandel, 2015 Convergence Vineyards, Sierra Foothills, Estate Bottled

Gold 95

Zinfandel, 2015 Stonehedge Reserve, California, Old Vine, Reserve Best of Class of Region

Painted Fields, 2013 Double Gold 98 Andis Wines, Amador County, Barrel Aged Best of California, Best of Class of Region

Gold 95

Due Mila Dieci Mm10, 2013 Double Gold 98 Castoro Cellars, Paso Robles, Estate Grown Best of Class of Region

Zinfandel, 2013 Element 79 Vineyards, Fair Play, Element 79 Estate Vineyards, Estate

Gold 95

Zinfandel, 2015 Terra Doro, Amador County, Home Vineyard

Zinfandel, 2013 Folie À Deux, Dry Creek Valley

Gold 95

Zinfandel, 2014 Gold 95 The Lucas Winery, Lodi (San Joaquin), Zinstar Vineyards, Estate Grown & Bottled

Moxie, Meritage, 2014 Double Gold 98 Crooked Vine, Alameda County Livermore Valley, Del Arroyo Vineyard Best of Class of Region

Zinfandel, 2014 Handley Cellars, Redwood Valley Best of Class of Region

Gold 95

Zinfandel, 2014 Gold 95 Hook & Ladder, Russian River Valley, Old Vine, Gambogi Ranch, Estate Bottled Zinfandel, 2013 Hughes Family Vineyards, L.l.c, Sonoma Valley, Signature Reserve, Wild Turkey Vineyard Zinfandel, 2014 Illuminare, El Dorado, Thaddeus Vineyard

Gold 95

Gold 95

Bordeaux Red Varietal Blends

Ancestor, 2014

Other Red Varietals Halter Ranch, Paso Robles, Alicante Bouschet, NV Deaver Vineyards, Amador County Best of Class of Region

Double Gold 98

Lagrein, 2014 Double Gold 98 Imagery Estate Winery, Pine Mountain-Cloverdale Peak (Sonoma), Upper Ridge Vineyard Best of California, Best of Class of Region Windows Fenetres Petit Verdot, 2013 Gold 95 Bon Niche Cellars, Paso Robles Best of Class of Region

Double Gold 98

Estate Bottled Reserve Best of Class of Region

Cuvee Pom, 2013 Double Gold 98 J. Lohr Cuvee Series, Paso Robles Best of Class of Region Cuvee St.E, 2013 Double Gold 98 J. Lohr Cuvee Series, Paso Robles Best of Class of Region Tribute, 2013 Benziger Family Winery, Sonoma Mountain, Estate Grown, Produced & Bottled Best of Class of Region

Gold 95

Triumphant, 2014 Crystal Basin Cellars, El Dorado, Grand Reserve

Gold 95

Concerto, Meritage, 2014 Opolo Vineyards, Paso Robles

Gold 95

Meritage, 2014 Ralson Jacobs, Napa Valley Best of Class of Region

Gold 95

Meritage, 2014 Robert Hall, Paso Robles

Gold 95

Vintner's Choice Reserve Zinfandel, 2012 Gold 95 Jessies Grove Winery, Lodi (San Joaquin)

Teroldego, 2013 Goodmills Family Winery, Mokelumne River

Gold 95

Fra Paolo Zinfandel, 2014 La Chertosa Old World Wines, Amador County, Reserve Best of Class of Region

Gold 95

Petit Verdot, 2014 Illuminare, El Dorado, Safari Vineyard

Gold 95 Gold 95

Zinfandel, 2014 Lava Cap, El Dorado, Old Vine, Estate Bottled

Gold 95

Petit Verdot, 2014 Inkblot, Lodi (San Joaquin) Best of Class of Region

Gold 95

Zinfandel, 2014 Ledson, Sonoma Valley

Gold 95

Petit Verdot, 2013 J. Mcclelland, Napa Valley Best of Class of Region

Gold 95

Dolcetto, 2015 Jeff Runquist, Amador County, Logan's Rock Wall Vineyard

Gold 95

Concerto, 2014 Russian Ridge Winery, Santa Cruz Mountains

Gold 95

Zinfandel, 2013 Lust, Lodi (San Joaquin) Serious Zinfandel, 2015 Macchia, Lodi (Sacramento), Old Vine

Gold 95

Gold 95

Gold 95

Intreccio, 2014 Soquel Vineyards, Napa Valley, Library Selection Best of Class of Region

Gold 95

Zinfandel, 2014 Milliaire Vineyard Selections, Amador County, Clockspring

Tannat, 2014 Jeff Runquist, Alta Mesa, Silvaspoons Vineyard Best of Class of Region

Zinfandel, 2014 Old Ghost, Lodi (Sacramento), Old Vine

Gold 95

Zinfandel, 2014 Renwood, Fiddletown

Gold 95

Nero D'avola, 2014 Gold 95 Langetwins Family Winery and Vineyards, Lodi (San Joaquin), Lodi Rules Certified Sustainable, Red Tail Vineyard Best of Class of Region

44 Guide to the Best of California Magazine

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Best of California: Double Gold & Gold Wine Winners Silk, 2015 Rhone Red Varietal Blend Cdr, 2013 Broken Earth, Paso Robles, Estate Grown Best of Class of Region

Double Gold 98

Arrastre, 2014 Legendre Cellars, Amador County Best of Class of Region

Double Gold 98

Reserve Lot 25, Syrah Grenache, 2013 Double Gold 98 Reserve Lot Series, Monterey County, Single Vineyard, Estate Bottled Best of Class of Region Complicated, 2014 Taken Wine Co., Central Coast Best of Class of Region

Double Gold 98

Cimarron, 2014 Double Gold 98 Vigilance, Lake County Best of California, Best of Class of Region Victorie, 2014 Crystal Basin Cellars, El Dorado, Grand Reserve

Gold 95

Three Crowns, 2014 Diora, San Bernabe, Estate Grown

Gold 95

Edge, 2013 Spicy Vines, Sonoma County Best of Class of Region

Gold 95

Campione, 2014 Crystal Basin Cellars, El Dorado, Grand Reserve Best of Class of Region

Gold 95

Toscanello, 2014 Nello Olivo, El Dorado County, Nello Vineyard, Estate Grown Best of Class of Region Rattlesnake Red, 2014 Secret Ravine, Placer County Best of Class of Region

Menage A Trois, California

Gold 95

Red Blend, 2015 Menage A Trois, California

Gold 95

Red Wine Blend, 2015 Non Typical, Lake County

Gold 95

Red Blend, 2015 Rhiannon, California

Gold 95

Muchacho, 2015 Saucelito Canyon, San Luis Obispo County Best of Class of Region Trifecta, 2014 Stony Ridge, Livermore Valley Best of Class of Region

Rosé, Pink And Blush Wines

Varietal Rosé Pinot Noir Rose, 2016 Gifft By Kathie Lee Gifford Monterey County Best of Class of Region

Double Gold 98

Rose Of Pinot Noir, 2016 Mcmanis Family Vineyards Alta Mesa Best of Class of Region

Double Gold 98

Gold 95

Grenache Rose, 2016 Rendez-Vous Winery Clarksburg (Yolo) Best of Class of Region

Double Gold 98

Gold 95

Dry Sangiovese Rose, 2016

Double Gold 98

Scotto Family Cellars Red Generic Lodi (San Joaquin) Red Generic Blend, NV Sutter Home Family Vineyards, California Best of California, Best Value, Best of Class of Region

Double Gold 98

Tempranillo Rose, 2016 South Coast Winery, Temecula Valley Best of Class of Region

Rich Red Blend, NV Barefoot, California

Gold 95

Red-On-Red, NV Drytown Cellars, Amador County Best of Class of Region

Gold 95

Red Generic Blend, 2014 Game Of Thrones, Paso Robles Best of Class of Region Italian Red Varietal Blend

Best of Class of Region

Gold 95

Double Gold 98

Rose of I Pinot Noir, 2016 Baileyana, Edna Valley, Sip Certified Sustainable, Estate Grown, Produced & Bottled Best of Class of Region Wild Thing Rendezvous, Dry Rose Wine, 2016 Carol Shelton Wines, Mendocino County Best of Class of Region

Gold 95

Gold 95

Taboo, 2015 Handsome Devil, California

Gold 95 Gold 95

Syrah Rose, 2016 Eberle, Paso Robles Best of Class of Region

Gold 95

Gold 95

Center Stage, 2014 Little Vineyards, Sonoma Valley Best of Class of Region

Gold 95

Dry Rose Of Zinfandel, 2016 Pedroncelli, Dry Creek Valley Best of Class of Region

Gold 95

Gold 95

Red Generic, 2014 Los Portales, Shenandoah Valley (Amador) Best of Class of Region

Rosato Di Sangiovese, 2016 Villa Ragazzi, Napa Valley Best of Class of Region

Gold 95

Red Generic Blend, 2015 Gold 95 Manteo, Sonoma County Best of Class of Region Varietal Rosé Blend Other Red Varietal Blend Red Loon, NV Gold 95 Rose, 2015 Gold 95 Smoking Loon, California Essential Red Blend, 2014 Double Gold 98 Menage A Trois, California Bogle Vineyards, California Everafter, 2014 Gold 95 Best of Class of Region Best of Class of Region Storyteller, Sonoma County Best of Class of Regionn Common Good, 2014 Double Gold 98

Generic Rosé Newman's Own, California

Best of Class of Region Rosebud, 2016 Double Gold 98 Mcevoy Ranch, Sonoma County O'blivion's Déjà Vu, 2014 Double Gold 98 Best of Class of Region Obscurity Cellars, Sierra Foothills Best of Class of Region Generic Rose, 2016 Gold 95 Bold Vine, California Nicole Marie, 2014 Double Gold 98 Best of Class of Region Sean Minor, North Coast Best of California, Best of Class of Region Generic Rose, 2016 Gold 95 Butternut, Central Coast Phoenix, 2014 Double Gold 98 Best of Class of Region Vina Moda, Sierra Foothills Best of Class of Region Generic Rose, 2016 Gold 95 Malene, Central Coast Red Blend, 2015 Gold 95 Best of Class of Region Illusion, San Joaquin County Best of Class of Region Generic Rose, 2016 Gold 95 Seaglass, Monterey County Best of Class of Region

46 Guide to the Best of California Magazine

Best of California: Double Gold & Gold Wine Winners Generic Rose, 2016 Terra Doro, Amador County Best of Class of Region

Gold 95

Non-Fortified Dessert Wines

California Brandies

Non-Traditional - Natural Non-Fortified Dessert Wine (Includes Late Harvest And Other Dessert Reds)

Dessert Wine, 2015 Double Gold 98 Macchia, California, Late Harvest Best of Class of Region

Sparkling Wines

Blended (Rectified) Brandy, NV Korbel, California

Charmat Fermented Sparkling Wine (Blanc De Blancs, Blanc De Noirs, Etc.) - Natural , No Dosage

Blanc De Blancs Sparkling Wine, 2015 Gold 95 Rock Wall Wine Company, Yolo County Charmat Fermented Sparkling Wine (Blanc De Blancs, Blanc De Noirs, Etc.) - Extra Dry, 1.51 To 3% Rs

Sparkling Pinot Grigio, NV Gold 95 South Coast Winery, Temecula Valley

Double Gold 98

Bubbly Pink Moscato, NV Double Gold 98 Sutter Home Family Vineyards, California Best Of Show Sparkling Gold 95

Bottle Fermented Sparkling Wine (Blanc De Blancs, Blanc De Noirs, Etc.) - Natural , No Dosage

Natural' Methode Champenoise, 2013 Korbel, Russian River Valley

Sweet White Wines

Pomegranate, NV Chaucer's Cellars, California

Gold 95

Riesling, Sweet Late Harvest, 2016 Navarro Vineyards, Anderson Valley, Late Harvest Best of Show Dessert

Double Gold 98

Gewurztraminer, 2016 Double Gold 98 Hive & Honey, Monterey, Estate Grown Gewurztraminer, Medium

Sweet Red

Berry Sparkling Wine, NV Barefoot Bubbly, California

Fruit And Berry Wines

Gewurztraminer, Medium Sweet

Charmat Fermented Rose, Pink And Sparkling Red - Sweet, 3.1% And Above Rs

Sparkling Wine, NV Barefoot Bubbly, California

Double Gold 98

Sweet Shaly Loam Gewurztraminer, 2015 Fetzer Vineyards, Monterey County

Gold 95

Muscat, Medium Sweet Muscat Canelli, 2015 Husch, Mendocino, La Ribera Vineyard, Estate Bottled Best of Class of Region

Gold 95

Muscat, Sweet/ Late Harvest

Gold 95

Muscat, 2016 Double Gold 98 Navarro Vineyards, Anderson Valley, Cluster Select Late Harvest Best of California Bottle Fermented Sparkling Wine (Blanc De Blancs, Blanc De Noirs, Etc.) - Brut, Up To 1.5% Rs Moscato, NV Gold 95 Barefoot, California Sparkling Wine, NV Gold 95 Muscat, Sweet/ Late Harvest Gloria Ferrer, Carneros (Sonoma) Best of Class of Region Moscato, NV Gold 95 Gallo Family Vineyards, California Brut, NV Gold 95 Korbel, California, Methode Champenoise Best of Class of Region Other Sweet White

Varietal Blends Riesling Moscato, NV Gold 95 Sutter Home Family Vineyards, California

Fortified Dessert Wines

Sweet White Generic

Traditional - Vintage Dated Petite Sirah Port, 2010 Bent Creek Wines, Livermore Valley Best of Class of Region

Gold 95

Belle Etoile Blanche, 2014 Double Gold 98 M2, Mokelumne River Mokelumne Glen

Traditional - Non-Vintage Dated Sweet Sue, Sauzao, NV Renegade, El Dorado County Best of Class of Region

Double Gold 98

Sherry, Sweet Triple Cream Sherry, Mission Grape, NV Double Gold 98 Rancho De Philo, Cucamonga Valley Best Micro Other, Best of Class of Region

Summer 2017 / CAStateFair.org 47

California State Fair: Wine Judges

Mark Chandler Chief Judge California Exposition & State Fair Chandler & Company Consulting Lodi, California Brad Alderson Consultant, Wine and Winery Advice Acampo, California Hope Alexander Industrial Engineer, Design & Construction Industry; Consultant/Educator Chicago, Illinois Lynae Anderson Hiley Sales & Marketing Coordinator; Master Sommelier, Seguin Moreau Napa Cooperage Vallejo, California Bryan Avila Winemaker, Pope Valley Winery; Consulting Winemaker; Winecraft, LTD.; former Professor of Enology Winemaking, Napa Valley College Napa, California Thomas Bender Wine Buyer/Wine Bar Manager, O’Brien’s Market Modesto, California Rob Bruley, MD, DC Bruley Center International Wine Judge Minneapolis, Minnesota

Greg Burns Karen Goetz Owner/Winemaker, Jessie’s Grove Winery Wine Writer, Oenivore Lodi, California San Francisco, California Amy Butler Owner/Winemaker, Ranchero Cellars Paso Robles, California

Todd Hafner Wine Educator/Consultant Stockton, California

Mari Wells Coyle Winemaker, Wells Wines/ The Winemaker’s Table Placerville, California

Scott Harvey Winemaker, Scott Harvey Wines St. Helena, California

Debra Del Fiorentino, CWP, CSW Sommelier; Director of Wine Competitions, Vineyard & Winery Management Petaluma, California Patrick Dodd, CSS, CS, CWE Senior Director, Corporate Workforce Development, Gallo University Modesto, California Gary Eberle Owner/Enologist, Eberle Winery Paso Robles, California Bob Foster Assistant Editor, California Grapevine Wine Newsletter Carlsbad, California Denise Gill Tasting Room Manager, Alexander Valley Vineyards Santa Rosa, California

48 Guide to the Best of California Magazine

Peter Hirschfeld, CSW, CWP, MBA Winery Business Consultant Sonoma, California Julie Holme Winemaker, Ponte Winery; Holme Estate Cellars Temecula, California

Ellen Landis, CS, CSW Wine Writer; Certified Sommelier; Wine Educator; Professional Wine Judge; author of the blog, EllenOnWine Vancouver, Washington Ken Landis Wine Judge; Retired Chef Consultant Vancouver, Washington Roxanne Langer Founder, WineFUNdamentals; Certified Sommelier; Educator Rocklin, California Adam LaZarre Owner/Winemaker, LaZarre Wines Paso Robles, California Dennis Martin Retired Winemaker Hopland, California

Jillian Johnson Deleon Winemaker, Laffort USA & Onesta Wines Martin Maxwell Napa, California Consultant, Looking Glass Research Mike Kerrigan Lodi, California Owner, Coming Attractions Mark McKenna Sutter Creek, California Winemaker, General Manager, Scott Klann Andis Wines Owner, Winemaker, Newsome-Harlow Shenandoah Valley, California Wines John Mensinger Murphys, California CEO, American Lumber, Division 2 Rick Kushman Director, Modesto Irrigation District NY Times bestselling author; E&J Gallo Modesto, California Winery; Capital Public Radio; creator & co-host Bottle Talk with Rick and Paul Sacramento, California

Brian Miller Certified Specialist of Wine; Retailer; Wine Event Coordinator, Amador 360/Barbera Festival Fiddletown, California

Andy Podshadley Owner, Winemaker, General Manager, Trek Winery Novato, California

Chris Sawyer Sommelier; Wine Educator, Journalist, SawyerSomm.com Petaluma, California

Kristi Mohar Wine Buyer, Pacific Market Santa Rosa, California

Susan Reiner-Lyon, MS, OTR/L Proprietor/Lead Therapist, TeamWalk/Team Fit San Francisco, California

Mark Newman CEO, Winemaker, Accolade Brands Studio City, California

Michaela Rodeno Owner, Villa Ragazzi; Author, Bubbles to Boardrooms Oakville, California

Andria Shirk Owner/Winemaker, D.O.G. Wines; Competition Consultant, Enofile Online Portland, Oregon

M. Eleni Papadakis Winemaker, Domaine Serene Portland, Oregon

David Rogers Senior Wine Consultant, Vintage Wine Estates Forestville, California

Montgomery Paulsen Owner/Winemaker, Pat Paulsen Vineyards Oakland, California Nadia Pavlevska, CS, CSW, FWS, IWS Founder, NP Wine Consulting; Certified Sommelier Hermosa Beach, California

Jeff Slankard Wine & Beer Director, Barons Market San Diego, California Clark Smith Winemaker; Consultant, WineSmith Santa Rosa, California

David Sandri Instructor, Wine Studies Program, College of Marin Rohnert Park, California

Betsy Spann Winemaker, Vineyard Manager, Spann Vineyards Glen Ellen, California

Meredith Sarboraria Winemaker, Stony Ridge/Crooked Vine Winery; Consulting Winemaker, Barrel Down Wine Services Livermore, California

Jackson Starr Winemaker, Grape Grower, Sierra Starr Vineyards Grass Valley, California

Ilona Thompson Editor, Palat Exposure San Ramon, California Jim Twiford Consultant, Educator, Acton Mickelson Environmental, Inc. Fair Oaks, California Ron Washam HoseMaster of Wine, Writer; former Sommelier Healdsburg, California Ernie Weir Winemaker, Owner, Hagafen Cellars Napa, California Evan Williams Owner, Restaurateur, Evan’s American Gourmet CafÊ, The Cantina Bar & Grill South Lake Tahoe, California

Wine Competition Volunteers

Summer 2017 / CAStateFair.org 49

Best of

Commercial Craft Beer The 2017 California State Fair Commercial Beer Competition broke a record this year. We received 1,488 entries, up from 1,204 in 2016. That record-breaking number makes the California State Fair’s Commercial Beer Competition the third largest in the United States, and the largest state-run competition in the country.

The competition is made possible in conjunction with the Northern California Brewers Guild.

102 judges, with the help of 63 stewards and volunteers, sampled all of the beer entries over a four-day closedjudging session. Only beers brewed and available for sale in California are judged in the competition. Beers are evaluated in numerous different classes and judged based on taste, color and quality.

Over the years, the prestige of the Fair’s Commercial Beer Competition has grown. Breweries that win Best of Show have seen a huge increase in demand for their products. Many of the top beers will be featured during the California State Fair at the Best of CA Brewfest on Saturday, July 22.

STATISTICS:

More breweries call California home than any other state in the nation. As of November 2016, more than 750 craft breweries are in operation across the state, more than any other state in the nation. In 2015, craft breweries contributed $7.288 billion to the state’s economy, up from $6.5 in 2014. The industry supports more than 51,000 jobs across the state and exports nearly one million barrels of beer out of California.

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California State Fair: Commercial Craft Beer Best of Show Craft Beer . . Flatland Brewery - Blonde Ale - Pilsnerish Brewery of the Year . . . . . Loma Brewing Company â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Los Gatos Best of Category Standard American Beer . . . . . . Coronado Brewing Company - Seacoast Pilsner International Lager . . . . . . . . Artifex Brewing Company - International Pale Lager - Artifexican Czech Lager . . . . . . . . . . . . Fort Rock Brewing - Czech Pale Lager - Bent Pipe Pilsner Pale Malty European Lager . . . . Loma Brewing Company - Helles Bock - Summer Is Coming Pale Bitter European Beer . . . . . Blue Note Brewing - German Leichtbier - Heidi Amber Malty European Lager . . . Rip Current Brewing Company - Dunkles Bock - Breakline Bock Amber Bitter European Beer . . . . Benoit Casper Brewing Co. - Vienna Lager Dark European Lager . . . . . . . Babe's Bar-B-Que/Brewhouse - Schwarzbier - Babe's Blackfin Lager Strong European Beer . . . . . . . Crooked Lane Brewing Company - Doppelbock - Wobblor German Wheat Beer . . . . . . . . Sudwerk Brewing Company - Weissbier - Hefeweizen British Bitter . . . . . . . . . . . . Magnolia Brewing Company - Ordinary Bitter - New Speedway Bitter Pale Commonwealth Beer . . . . . Figueroa Mountain Brewing Co. - English IPA - Hoppy Poppy IPA Brown British Beer . . . . . . . . . Loomis Basin Brewing - British Brown Ale - St. Pattys Brown Scottish Ale . . . . . . . . . . . . Island Brewing Company - Scottish Export - Jubilee Ale Irish Beer . . . . . . . . . . . . . Draughtsmen Aleworks - Irish Red Ale - Crimson and Clover Dark British Beer . . . . . . . . . Ballast Point Brewing Company - Foreign Extra Stout - Ballast Point Russian Imperial Stout Strong British Ale . . . . . . . . . Eel River Brewing - English Barleywine - Triple Exultation Pale American Ale . . . . . . . . . Three Mile Brewing Company - American Pale Ale - MoMosaic Pale Ale Blonde Ale . . . . . . . . . . . . . Flatland Brewing Co - Blonde Ale - Blonde Ale - Pilsnerish Amber & Brown American Beer . . Brewyard Beer Company - California Common - Jewel City Common American Porter and Stout . . . . . Pizza Port Brewing Co. - Ocean Beach - American Stout - A.B.L.E. Imperial Stout . . . . . . . . . . . Moonraker Brewing Company - Imperial Stout - Wicked Whisper Specialty IPA . . . . . . . . . . . . Coronado Brewing Company - Specialty IPA - Waylaid White IPA American IPA . . . . . . . . . . . Loma Brewing Company - American IPA - Appeasement Strong American Ale . . . . . . . . Santa Clara Valley Brewing - American Strong Ale - New Almaden Imperial Red Ale Imperial IPA . . . . . . . . . . . . Karl Strauss Brewing Company - Double IPA - Big Barrel IIPA European Sour Ale . . . . . . . . . Sudwerk Brewing Company - Oud Bruin - Uncle Fester Belgian Ale . . . . . . . . . . . . . Ferment.Drink.Repeat - Witbier - Wit Love Strong Belgian Ale . . . . . . . . . Henhouse Brewing - Belgian Golden Strong Ale - HenHouse Golden Trappist Ale . . . . . . . . . . . . Jackrabbit Brewing Company - Belgian Dark Strong Ale - Square Hare Historical Beer . . . . . . . . . . . Fogbelt Brewing Co. - Historical Beer - Zephyr Apricot Gose American Wild Ale . . . . . . . . . Almanac Beer Co. - Wild Specialty Beer - Apricot de Brettaville Fruit Beer . . . . . . . . . . . . . Garage Brewing Co. - Specialty Fruit Beer - Chocolate Cherry Milk Stout Spiced Beer . . . . . . . . . . . . Rip Current Brewing Company - Spice/Herb/Vegetable Beer - Java Storm Alternative Fermentables Beer . . Monkey Paw Brewing Co./CoBrewer: Social Kitchen - Alt. Grain Beer - Wheat Is Murder Smoked Beer . . . . . . . . . . . Timeless Pints Brewing Company - Classic Style Smoked Beer - A Taste of Fate Wine Barrel and Wood Aged Beer . Out Of Bounds Brewing Co. - Boundless Barrel Aged Hurly Burly Barleywine Spirit Barrel-Aged Beer . . . . . . Firestone Walker Brewing Company - Stickee Monkee Specialty Beer . . . . . . . . . . . South Park Brewing Co./CoBrewer: Monkey Paw And Pink Boot Society - Herb and Honey New England IPA/Vermont IPA . . . South Park Brewing Company - New England IPA/Vermont IPA (Hazy IPA) - Yacht Rock Session Beer <5% A.B.V. . . . . . . Burgeon Beer Company - Noble Miner Chili Beer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Alosta Brewing Co. - Chili Beer - Macho Ancho

Summer 2017 / CAStateFair.org 51

Commercial Craft Beer Best of Show

Flatland Brewery “Pilsner-ish” Pilsner-like Blonde Ale Best of Show

Flatland Brewing Company Blonde Ale Elk Grove flatlandbrewingco.com

By Mike Moore

Getting named ‘Best of Show’ is always an honor, no matter the field… but having your product selected as the best of nearly 1,500 offerings in the California State Fair’s Commercial Craft Beer Competition is a feat few can claim as their own…much less a virtually brand-new shop.

52 Guide to the Best of California Magazine

Flatland Brewing Company’s Andrew Mohsenzadegan is about to learn about that experience, as his brewery’s “Pilsnerish” has been selected as Best of Show in the 2017 competition.

The public is in for a treat when they make their way to the taproom behind Pilsnerish. If Yelp reviews are any reflection, the response to Flatland’s approach to the craft has been excellent, and the biggest complaint they get is The Sterling hop-driven Blonde Ale comes in a 5.3%, but about the serving space…and how tough it is to find a seat stood out amongst the giants with quality beer making some days. and a clean, hoppy finish. The experience in brewing Flatland has been growing its reputation by continually shows in the refreshing mouthfeel and crisp aftertaste. refreshing its offerings, and keeping their taproom a familyTo stand out amongst some of the widely-known brands friendly place. The rotating food trucks and innovative array of and variety of flavorful selections demonstrates how truly sour ales, stouts and IPA’s make each visit a new experience for their loyal (and growing) clientele. Andrew and his team have outstanding the finished product is.

Mohsenzadegan, a former homebrewer and commercial also made their presence felt in the beer community at large, wine steward, opened Flatland in late 2015, with only his continually appearing at festivals, seminars and conventions, brother Sean on staff full-time. He’s been honing his craft as well as major competitions…all in a continuing effort to at home over the years, getting enough positive feedback grow their offerings and their clientele. on his efforts to make the leap into the burgeoning commercial craft market. Barely more than a year later, they sit atop the heap of commercial brewers in California, after Pilsnerish survived multiple rounds of judging by some of the hundred-plus well-versed brewing experts in the state.

The Elk Grove-based taproom is working hard to keep up with the demand of a growing craft scene in the area, and finding the brews outside of the occasional visit to the taproom is often an adventure…something we suspect that Andrew will be looking to address in the near future. 1

Summer 2017 / CAStateFair.org 53

Brewery of the Year

Loma Brewing Company â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Los Gatos

By Mike Moore

Best of

Loma Brewing Company 130 N Santa Cruz Ave. Los Gatos lomabrew.com

Brothers Scott and Kevin Youkilis 52 54 Summer 2017 / CAStateFair.org

The headlines aren’t the story behind this year’s Brewer of the Year from the California State Fair Craft Beer Competition.

Having a famous name on the business license is nice, but when it comes to making a mark amongst hundreds of brewers across the nation’s home of craft brews…it comes down to what’s in the glass.

Loma Brewing from Los Gatos took the award this year, racking up two gold medals and a silver from nearly 1,500 entries. The ownership team consists of former Major League All-Star Kevin Youkilis and his brother Scott, an experienced Bay Area restauranteur. The former big leaguer developed a love for craft beer during his time in Boston, citing Harpoon Brewery as one of his inspirations. Scott, meanwhile, was the engine behind eateries in San Francisco, such as Maverick and Hogs & Rocks.

The two teamed with experienced brewer Warren Billups to launch their taproom and restaurant, which opened in August of 2016. Billups cut his teeth as a brewer alongside Heretic Brewing’s Jamil Zainasheff, then brought that experience to Loma. The result of those efforts is a masterful slate of brews, including a Kolsch, a single and double IPA and a Dry Stout that complement the winning entries, and have pairings in their spacious taproom with some excellent, yet affordable, menu options.

Amongst their winners, “Appeasement” IPA and their MaiBock “Summer is Coming” both took home gold, while the American Wheat offering “No Oranges Allowed” followed with silver.

“Appeasement” takes two-row and CaraRed crystal malts into the big hop presence of Magnum, El Dorado and Mosaic hops, producing a 7% masterpiece that beat out more than 150 other entries in the competition’s most populated category.

“Summer is Coming” is a challenging beer to make, with Tettnanger and Hallertauer Mittelfruh hops giving the Bock beer a serious bite of spice and noble hop bitter that helped it stand out in the competition, while “No Oranges Allowed” comes with Mandarina Bavaria hops in the profile…adding a touch of German influence to the 5.7% ABV Blonde Ale.

Craft Beer Judges

Lisa Agoitia Pavel Anisimov Ken Anthony Andy Armstrong Alan Atkinson Jeff Barber Donna Bettencourt Jamison Bianchi Garret Bianco Dwight Bradish David Brattstrom Mike Brennan Jay Brooks Scott Chaffee Timothy Chambers Joshua Charlton Jason Chavez Steve Christian Dave Cowie Bryan Crass Calvin Crawford Phil Csik Amber Dalske Tim Dozier Michael Frenn Nicholas Givanio Steve Gonzalez Ryan Graham Amy Gutierrez Mike Hancock Emily Heard Peter Hoey Andy Hooper Robert Horst

Paul Hsi Bill Hudson Tom Karvonen Paul Keefer Chris Keeton Rob Kent Andy Klein Todd Leber Cynthia Lee Rick Lee Anthony Lemaster Beverly Lockhart Chuck Lockhart David Long Amy Mahoney Mike Mahoney Jerry Mankoski Scott Marks Richard Martin David Mathis Rob McGormley Conor McKee Mark Mecord Dean Mench Tommy Mills Ray Montgomery Jeremy Moynier Patrick Mulvaney Manuel Mussen Don Nahhas Eric Ortega Tim Otten John Paine Michael Paine

Luka Pavlina Richard Perry Daniel Petrie Jim Price Lauren Price Rodrigo Prota Adrian Psuty Theresa Psuty Heather Pugh Michael Raines Laine Ruona Eric Sadahire Ernest Sanders David Sapsis Jose Savedra Ellen Sherrill Jim Shevlin Gary Sleppy Pete Slosberg Steve Swinford William Tarchala David Teckam Bill Tubbs John Watson Roger Watson Rebecca Wilkie Gail Williams Scott Williams Jason Williamson David Wilson Peter Wisham Richard Wong Cameron Woodin Mark Zahn

Craft Beer Volunteers

The 7,000 square foot taproom was a brewery before the team bought the building in 2015, and began renovations.

Loma offers a full menu and a full array of non-beer alcoholic drinks, but the brewery equipment visible from around the seating area and the multiple award-winning choices tell you where the heart and soul of the 2017 Brewer of the Year lies. 1

Summer 2017 / CAStateFair.org 55

Best of

Commercial Olive Oil The California Commercial Extra Virgin Olive Oil Competition has two categories. The Extra Virgin Olive Oil category has divisions for varying intensities of single varieties and blends of olive oil, and classes in varieties of olives. The Flavored Olive Oil category has divisions in co-milled and infused olive oil, and classes for flavor varieties.

Three special 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 yearâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s competition introduced a new Double Gold Award, given only to flawless oils of outstanding quality in all ways, as agreed upon by all Judges in a panel, and approved by the Head Judge. The only 2 Double Gold awards given this year were both flavored olive oils, and both were from the same company.

This year, 15 Judges awarded 2 Double Gold, 33 Gold, 59 Silver and 39 Bronze awards, 8 Best of Class 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.

STATISTICS:

Californiaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s extra virgin olive oil business is booming. In 2016 over 38,000 acres of olive groves were in production in California, specifically for olive oil production, and it is estimated that 3,500 new acres will be planted each year through 2020. There are over 400 growers/producers, utilizing over 40 mills in California with more under construction and/or expansion.

Source: California Olive Oil Council

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Commercial Olive Oil Best of Show Extra Virgin Olive Oil . . . . . Bondolio - Extra Virgin Olive Oil Best of Show Flavored Olive Oil . . . . . . . . . Calivirgin - Lusty Lemon Olive Oil Best of California Single Variety Delicate . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Enzo Olive Oil - Organic Delicate - Ranch 20 Single Variety Medium . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Enzo Olive Oil - Organic Bold - Ranch 20 Blend Medium . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Bondolio - Extra Virgin Olive Oil Blend Robust . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . The Partridge Family Olive Co. - Points North Blend Co-Milled Flavored Oil . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Calivirgin - Lusty Lemon Olive Oil Infused Flavored Oil . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Rancho Azul Y Oro - Orange Olive Oil Best of California by a Microproducer . . . . . . . . The Partridge Family Olive Co. - Points North Blend Best of California by an Artisan Producer . . . . . Bondolio - Extra Virgin Olive Oil Best of California by a Large Producer . . . . . . . . ENZO Olive Oil-Organic Delicate - Ranch 20

Best of Class Single Variety Delicate - Arbequina . . . . . . . . . Enzo Olive Oil - Organic Delicate - Ranch 20 Single Variety Medium - Koroneiki . . . . . . . . . Enzo Olive Oil - Organic Bold - Ranch 20 Blend Medium - Any Other Cultivar . . . . . . . . . Bondolio - Extra Virgin Olive Oil Blend Medium - Mission . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Moonshadow Grove - Miscela Blend Robust - Any Other Cultivar . . . . . . . . . . The Partridge Family Olive Co. - Points North Blend Co-Milled Flavored Oil - Citrus Flavored . . . . . . Calivirgin - Lusty Lemon Olive Oil Co-Milled Flavored Oil - Garlic Flavored . . . . . . Calivirgin - Calivirgin Guilty Garlic Olive Oil Infused Flavored Oil - Citrus Flavored . . . . . . . Rancho Azul Y Oro - Orange Olive Oil

Olive Oil Judges and Volunteers Nancy Ash, Head Judge Amy Bridge Day Logan James Jennings Robyn Taylor Glenn S Weddell Michael Laukert Julie Poe Astrid Lorig Janell Pekkain Lawrence M. Jacobs Ioannis Toutountzis Arden Kremer Natalia Andrea Ruiz Rojas Dean Wilkenson Maria Farr Kathryn Tomajan

Summer 2017 / CAStateFair.org 57

Commercial Olive Oil

Best of Show Best of California Artisan Producer Extra Virgin Olive Oil

Bondolio Extra Virgin Olive Oil Bondolio.com

Best of Show Flavored Olive Oil

Calivirgin Lusty Lemon Calivirgin.com

Best of Class Co-Milled Garlic Flavored

Calivirgin Guilty Garlic Calivirgin.com

Best of California Large Producer Blend Robust Single Variety Delicate

Enzo Olive Oil Organic Delicate Ranch 20 Enzooliveoil.com

Best of California Microproducer Infused Flavored Oil Blend Robust

The Partridge Family Olive Co. Points North Blend Pfoliveoil.com

Best of Class Blend Medium Mission

Best of California Best of Class Single Variety Medium Koroneiki

Enzo Olive Oil Organic Bold Ranch 20 Enzooliveoil.com

58 Guide to the Best of California Magazine

Moonshadow Grove Miscela Moonshadowgrove.com Best of California Infused Flavored Oil Citrus Flavored

Rancho Azul Y Oro Orange Olive Oil Ranch 20 Ranchoazulyoro.com

Best of California: Double Gold & Gold Winners Single Variety Delicate - Arbequina

GOLD 95

Blend Medium - Any Other Cultivar

GOLD 89

Blend Medium - Any Other Cultivar

ENZO Olive Oil - Organic Delicate - Ranch 20 Single Variety Delicate - Arbequina

Calivirgin - Premium Extra Virgin Olive Oil Single Variety Delicate - Arbequina

GOLD 92

Fandango Olive Oil Early Harvest Arbequina "Valiente" Organic Single Variety Delicate - Ascolano

GOLD 86

GOLD 86

The Olive Press - Sevillano Extra Virgin Olive Oil Single Variety Medium - Any Other Cultivar

Blend Medium - Any Other Cultivar

GOLD 87

Blend Medium - Any Other Cultivar

Blend Medium - Any Other Cultivar

Single Variety Medium - Any Other Cultivar

Apollo Olive Oil - Sierra Organic

GOLD 87

Lucero Olive Oil - Barnea

Blend Medium - Mission GOLD 88

Molefina - Arbequina Frantoio Grove Extra Virgin Olive Oil Single Variety Medium - Koroneiki

GOLD 94

ENZO Olive Oil - Organic Bold - Ranch 20 Single Variety Medium - Koroneiki

GOLD 88

Lucero Olive Oil - Koroneiki Single Variety Robust - Ascolano

GOLD 91

MoonShadow Grove - Ascolano Single Variety Robust - Koroneiki

GOLD 87

Organic Roots Olive Oil - Koroneiki Single Variety Robust - Manzanillo

GOLD 86

MoonShadow Grove - Manzanillo Single Variety Robust - Mission

GOLD 87

GOLD 88

GOLD 86

Apollo Olive Oil - Mistral Blend Delicate - Arbequina

Mangini Ranch - Estate Blend Olive Oil

GOLD 86

Holman Ranch - Estate Grown Extra Virgin Olive Oil Blend Robust - Any Other Cultivar

GOLD 94

The Partridge Family Olive Co. Points North Blend Blend Robust - Any Other Cultivar

GOLD 86

The Olive Press - Italian Blend Extra Virgin Olive Oil Co-Milled Flavored Olive Oil - Citrus Flavored Oil

DOUBLE GOLD 98

Calivirgin - Lusty Lemon Olive Oil Co-Milled Flavored Olive Oil - Garlic Flavored Oil Co-Milled Flavored Olive Oil - Citrus Flavored Oil Co-Milled Flavored Olive Oil - Herbal Flavored Oil

DOUBLE GOLD 98

GOLD 91

GOLD 87

ENZO Olive Oil - Basil Crush Infused Flavored Olive Oil - Any Other Flavored Oil

GOLD 86

Rancho Azul y Oro - Smoked Olive Oil

GOLD 88

Infused Flavored Olive Oil - Citrus Flavored Oil

Lucero Olive Oil - Five Star Estate Blend Blend Medium - Any Other Cultivar

GOLD 94

ENZO Olive Oil - Clementine Crush

Bozzano Olive Ranch - A2 Italian Blend Blend Delicate - Any Other Cultivar

GOLD 91

Calivirgin - Guilty Garlic Olive Oil

Sierra Orchards Extra Virgin Organic Mission Variety Unfiltered Blend Delicate - Any Other Cultivar

GOLD 86

MoonShadow Grove - Miscela Blend Medium - Mission

GOLD 87

GOLD 88

The Napa Valley Reserve Organic Extra Virgin Olive Oil Blend Medium - Mission

Single Variety Medium - Frantoio

GOLD 94

McEvoy Ranch - Certified Organic Traditional Blend

Grumpy Goats Farm - Organic Picual

Single Variety Medium - Arbequina

GOLD 87

KATZ - Organic Chef's Pick Extra Virgin Olive Oil Bondolio - Extra Virgin Olive Oil

Lucero Olive Oil - Ascolano Single Variety Delicate - Sevillano

GOLD 87

Halter Ranch - Mediterranean Blend

GOLD 88

GOLD 94

Rancho Azul y Oro - Orange Olive Oil Summer 2017 / CAStateFair.org 59

Best of Show: Extra Virgin Olive Oil

Bondolio Extra Virgin Olive Oil

By Nancy Ash Best of Show

Karen and Malcolm Bond’s journey as olive oil producers began in dramatic fashion as the world prepared to greet the new century.

While traveling near Naples (Italy), they were so impressed tasting olio nuovo (new harvest oil) from 1,000-year-old trees, they decided to replace their almond grove with olive trees.

But which olive trees? At that time many California farmers were planting Arbequina olives, but Karen sought a different style of oil, floral and herbaceous like the ones she enjoyed in Italy. This quest led the Bonds to importing trees from Sicily; sadly the first shipment was destroyed by the USDA (soil on roots was against regulations). Heart-broken yet determined, they imported a second set of trees which arrived on Christmas Eve hours before the FDA was closing for the holiday weekend. It was a Christmas miracle that these trees survived and were potted in their greenhouse on Christmas Day 2006.

I was fortunate to visit with the Bonds recently when they were hosting a cooking class in their outdoor kitchen featuring a woodburning pizza oven. The Bond’s bucolic property lies east of the city of Winters, just over the Solano County line. Their 10 acres of olive trees are 95% Sicilian varieties (Nocellara, Biancollila, and Cerasoula) and 5% Pendolino, an Italian variety planted as the pollinator and not used in the oil. The yield from the 2016 harvest was 850 gallons, which was produced in the Pieralisi mill they built in 2013. Malcolm laughed as he compared this year’s harvest to the first one in 2008, when he milled just 300 pounds of olives using a jury-rigged blender, electric drill, and hand-made hydraulic press.

where during the harvest visitors gather to view the milling process through large windows. Hanging from the ceiling of this welcoming space is a magnificent Murano glass sculpture, custom-designed “to look like drops of oil falling from the sky.”

Other artistic touches include Deruta ceramic planters and an over-sized bicycle sculpture. A statue made from Mount Etna granite bears an inscription (in Latin)

by Pliny the Elder dated 50 A.D. stating “aside from the grapevine, there’s no more important plant than the olive.”

As our day winds down, I realize that we haven’t talked about their “real” jobs as CEO (Karen) and Chief Scientist (Malcolm) of the Davis-based medical technology company Cedaron. Malcolm refers to Karen as “the boss,” but I assumed he meant as their olive oil taster. Malcolm admits, “If Karen doesn’t smile, the oil doesn’t end up in a Bondolio bottle.”

“Making olive oil is part science and part art,” continues Malcolm. “During milling, after the olives are crushed, the resulting paste is stirred in the malaxer, and when the paste smells like ‘flowers’ it is ready to be decanted and evaluated by Karen. And if she smiles, it makes all of the hard work worthwhile.”

This year’s Bondolio made more people than We walked through the mill into the Karen smile, as the olive oil judges awarded tasting room (open by appointment only) it Best of Show. 1 60 Guide to the Best of California Magazine

Best of Show: Flavored Olive Oil

Calivirgin Lusty Lemon Olive Oil

By Nancy Ash Best of Show

Every Tuesday the Coldani family gathers around a large table, but it’s not for dinner. It’s their weekly business meeting and the “meal” consists of their delicious Calivirgin olive oils and balsamic vinegars.

This year the family was honored with the Best of Show award for flavored olive oil for their Lusty Lemon oil.

“Winning the Golden Bear is such an honor,” exclaimed Julie Coldani. “A top prize, awarded by these top caliber judges, make us so proud to be creating a uniquely Californian olive oil. All the extra effort that goes into making flavored olive oil with the best olives and fresh crushed produce, makes all the difference.”

and make important decisions together.

They were still bottling by hand when they received an order from Williams Sonoma, which was a turning point for their small business. Fulfilling the order required assistance from every family member, as well as extended family and friends. As the company grew from a hobby to an enterprise, family members left other jobs to work full-time for Calivirgin. “Olive oil had taken over our lives then,” Mike Coldani enthuses, “and it’s still fun!”

local restaurants, including Biba Ristorante Italiano, where Calivirgin won a blind taste test over two Italian oils. Biba’s has been a customer ever since; chef Randall Selland of Sacramento is also a fan.

One decision was how to expand from a single product to a multi-product brand, and soon they began experimenting with flavors in their oil. While most flavored oils are made by infusing with other ingredients, they sought to make a superior oil by adding ingredients to olives while milling.

When the Coldanis planted olives in Lodi This method, called co-milling or crushing, in 2005, there were no plans to create their produces oils with cleaner, truer, and more own brand. Instead they were looking at vibrant flavors. the model used by many California farmers Calivirgin’s products are available in many to sell their Arbequina olives to larger venues. They are sold at farmer’s markets, producers. With no agreement in place for where a family member is always on hand, the first harvest in 2007, they bottled the oil on their website, and by retailers across the themselves and created the Calivirgin brand. U.S. Calivirgin oil is also used in several

The Calivirgin team includes parents Steve and Jeanne, their children Gina and Mike, and the children’s spouses Scott and Julie.

While day-to-day operations are managed by Gina, Mike and Julie (all three are graduates of Cal Poly), the entire family are owners

The family is always thinking about new products and future expansion. Plans for a new tasting room include wine from newlyplanted vines as well as new flavors of olive oil and balsamic. The future also includes the next generation; Mike and Julie’s daughter Giada is already helping at farmer’s markets, where she tells people that Bountiful Basil is her favorite. Already a successful salesperson, one day there will be room at the Tuesday family meetings for her, her siblings and her cousins. 1 Summer 2017 / CAStateFair.org 61

Best of

Commercial Cheese One hundred twenty seven California cheeses were evaluated by twelve qualified judges on April 19, 2017 at Cal Expo. For the second year in a row, Point Reyes Farmstead Cheese Company took the Best of Show, Cow’s Milk, with their Bay Blue. Best of Show, Other Milk Type was awarded to Pennyroyal Farm for their Reserve Boont Corners.

The 19 California cheese companies who entered the competition range from small artisan producers to large scale production, but for this competition it’s all about the product. The cheeses are each evaluated for Appearance, Aroma, Texture and Taste. Cheese judges are selected from respected cheese merchants, writers, promoters and educators. The competition continues to draw interest from around the state and we look forward to continuing this event.

STATISTICS:

California is the Nation’s dairy leader with a $65 billion economic activity.

California produces more than19% of nation’s cheese production1; 46% of California cow’s milk is used to make California cheese1; Cheese is California’s fastest - growing dairy category; More than 50 California cheesemakers produce 250+ varieties & styles; 2.5 billion pounds of California cheese produced annually1; 112 million pounds of California cottage cheese produced annually1 #1 producer of Monterey Jack cheese1 - Monterey Jack derives from a cheese produced in California missions more than 200 years ago!

All data provide by the California Milk Advisory Board, except as noted. Updated April 2017 1 CDFA 2016

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Best of California: Commercial Cheese Winners Best of Show - Cow Milk

Best of Show - Other Milk Type

Best of Division - Cow Milk

Best of Division - Other Milk Type

Best of Division - Cultured Cheese

Best of Division - Soft Cheese

Best of Division - Soft Cheese

Best of Division - Semi-Soft Cheese

Bellwether Farms Whole Milk Ricotta

Cypress Grove - Bermuda Triangle Goat milk

Best of Division - Semi-Soft Cheese

Best of Division - Semi-Hard Cheese

Point Reyes Farmstead Cheese Company Bay Blue

Bellwether Farms Crème Fraîche

Point Reyes Farmstead Cheese Company Bay Blue Best of Division - Semi-Hard Cheese

Fiscalini Cheese Company Bandage Wrapped Cheddar

Best of Division - California Originals

Point Reyes Farmstead Cheese Company - Toma

Pennyroyal Farm Reserve Boont Corners

Pennyroyal Farm - Laychee Goat & Sheep milk

Bleating Heart Cheese - Fat Bottom Girl Sheep milk Best of Division - Hard Cheese

Pennyroyal Farm - Reserve Boont Corners Goat & Sheep milk Best of Division - California Originals

Cypress Grove - Humboldt Fog Goat milk

COMPLETE COMPETITION RESULTS AT CAStateFair.org 61

Best of Show: Cheese - Cow

Best of Show

Point Reyes Farmstead Cheese Company - Bay Blue

By Mary Dedrick

Point Reyes Farmstead Cheese Company has won again! The visually stunning Bay Blue Cheese with its elegant natural rind and fudgy texture is now the first ever back to back, Best of Show winner at the California State Fair cheese competition! What does this mean in the cheese world?

64 Guide to the Best of California Magazine

It says cheese maker and affineur Kuba Hemmerling’s expertise and consistency in the artisanal farmstead world of hand-crafted cheesemaking, is something for other cheese makers to aspire to. Since his arrival as production manager at Point Reyes Farmstead Cheese Company in 2009, he has been at the forefront of the cheesemaking team. The Point Reyes team’s ability to control, manage, expand and perfect the assortment of cheeses under his purview, has gained many substantial awards for the breath of cheeses they now create. The Giacomini family which includes Bob, Dean and their four daughters Karen, Diana, Lynn and Jill, who stepped out in a new direction, along with Kuba, when they first envisioned Bay Blue as their next addition to their cheese selection. They wanted a cheese with substance; flavor and its shear beauty for your cheese board didn’t hurt.

The family farm consists of 720 acres near Tomales Bay, California. Those rolling green pastures of certified organic fresh rye grasses are happily enjoyed by the Holstein milking cows that are born and raised on the property.

The unique coastal location of the Marin County farm, baths the grass in slightly salty ocean fog most mornings.

The desire to make a reflection of what the land has to offer and the daily involvement of all of the family and dedicated staff makes an unbroken path from grass to product. All combine together to achieve an environment of excellence and unsurpassed quality.

Bay Blue and the flagship Original Blue which was introduced in 2000 are produced year round on the farm.

Their flavor profiles are worlds apart and yet they are based on many similar ingredients. This really demonstrates the talent and dedication of the family and staff behind the cheese. All cheeses made on the farm use rBST hormone free; fresh grade “A” milk. Both blue cheeses use the same strain of Penicillium Roqueforti (blue mold) and each are gluten free. The difference is in the process. Original Blue is now aged 105 days vs. Bay Blue at 90 days. The enzymes used are vegetarian rennet vs. traditional rennet, the rindless option for Original Blue or a natural rind on the Bay Blue and the use of raw milk vs. pasteurized milk respectively, helps make the difference in the character and style of each cheese.

The family farm expanded. New construction on a state of the art custom cheese facility is being built as part of their dedication to all things cheese. It is located in Petaluma, just a mere 22 miles from the farm headquarters. This expansion will allow for more cheese to be made as it will house a second creamery, an aging warehouse and also serve as a distribution center.

First they envisioned what Bay Blue would be, followed the process to make it happen and then they keep on refining that level of perfection for all to enjoy. This is what a dual win means. 1

Commercial Cheese Judges Rebekah Baker Corporate Cheese Buyer, Nugget Markets Christian Coffey Dairy Buyer, Amy’s Kitchen, Inc. Mary Dedrick Owner, Dedrick’s Cheese, Placerville Lynne Devereux Owner, Butter Communication Orietta Gianjorio, Sommelier/ Educator, Orietta LLC Jessica Lawrenz Cheese Monger, Manager, Venissimo Cheese Shop, Mission Hills

Roxanne O’Brien Chef, Catering & Culinary Instructor American River College Christina Strategos Specialty Cheese Manager, Nugget Market, Davis Trevor Thomas Regional Sales Manager, Lactalis American Group (France’s #1 cheese producer) Jana Werner Assistant Buyer, Market Hall Foods

Les Wood Retired Inspector, Robin Luke Department of Food Cheese Specialist/ Forklift & Agriculture

by Nugget Markets, Cameron Park

Summer 2017 / CAStateFair.org 65

Best of Show: Cheese - Other Milk Type

Best of Show

Pennyroyal Farm Reserve Boont Corners

By Mary Dedrick

Pennyroyal Farmstead and its Boont’s Corner Reserve cheese have been awarded the best of show win in the “other udder” category at the California State Fair cheese competition this year. Yes, that title may make you giggle but the goats and sheep did a great job of providing the perfect milk for this stand out cheese to happen!

66 Guide to the Best of California Magazine

Since 2006, Pennyroyal Farmstead takes pride in their hand-made, small batch assortment of fresh and aged cheeses made exclusively on the farm. The award winning cheese called Boont Corners Reserve is made from a combination of fresh raw goats and sheep milk and has been perfectly aged for 8-12 months. The cheese style is hard; the texture has a few eyes, the complex flavor profile starts with a sweet note, a hint of nuttiness and a finish of meatiness. Enjoy this shredded over your favorite fresh ravioli and a nice glass of their 2014 Estate Pinot Noir, also made on the farm.

The pampered flock of 137 goats and 25 sheep are on a first name basis with the family and staff and donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t be surprised as they follow you around with theyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re tails a wagging. The breed of their dairy goats are Nubian, La Mancha, Saanen and Oberhasli and each brings it own flavor and depth of character to the cheese. The dairy sheep are a blend of East Friesian and Lacaune, and past descendants of their original Panama ewes. The production of cheese is made within hours of milking and happens daily in their state of the art facility and aging rooms.

Do you want to know where the cheese comes from? Because it well worth the trip! Hop in your car and head out to Anderson Valley in Mendocino County, California and there you will find the town of Boonville on Hwy 28. Close by is a 66 acre small family farm filled with endless flowing wild pennyroyal mint, (hence the name of the farm) and is home to the newest Best of Show winner, Boont Corners Reserve.

Make time and a reservation to take a tour of the farm, the milking parlor, the creamery and enjoy a cheese sampling at the tasting bar. Discover the addition of a new tasting room that is open daily from 10-5. They also sport solar panels on the barn, have a waste water reclamation program and many roving lawn mowers called Babydoll Southdown sheep which keep the weeds mowed in the vineyard.

Sarah Cahn-Bennet owner and Erika McKenzieChapter cheesemaker and herd co-owner have been friends since collage and had a mutual vision of what a farm life would be if they worked together to build it, and they did.

Along with mostly hand-milked goats and sheep, they also raise chickens, bees and grow hay and grapes. The exciting thing about grapes is they get turned into wine. With a little help from the 23 acres of planted Pinot and Sauvignon Blanc grapes, their wine can be enjoyed in grand celebration with a chunk of Boont Corners Reserve, sitting on a bench, enjoying the view of the farm that seems to have it all and then some! 1

California State Fair: Gala Winners 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 2017 Gala Award winners who represent the best of California.

Agriculturalist of the Year

Tom Nassif

Agriculture Progress Award

Chris Zanobini

Wine Lifetime Achievement Award

Paul Draper

Golden Bear Award

Pete Leesha

Champions of Technology Awards Organization - Aira Individual - Bryan M. Sastokas Proudly Sponsored by

Vinyard of the Year Award

Dutton Ranch Home Vineyard

Summer 2017 / CAStateFair.org 67