North Coast Wine and Food Festival 2018 by SMIDigital Operations

90 gold-medal wines. 21 amazing chefs. 1 extraordinary event.

SATURDAY

JUNE 9, 2018 | 1 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 4 P.M.

Your guide to the Gold Medal winners from the 2018 North Coast Wine Challenge SOMO Village, Rohnert Park | Northcoastwineandfood.com

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WiNe WHEN A BRIGHT-EYED, -EYED PASSIONATE, YOUNG MAN FROM INDIANA PARTNERS UP WITH A 4TH GENERATION SONOMA COUNTY FARMER, THE RESULT IS A DYNAMIC WINERY.

K O K O M O WINERY

D RY C R E E K VA L L E Y C A L I F O R N I A

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WE BELIEVE THAT HAVING A SEASONED GROWER COMBINED WITH A PASSIONATE WINEMAKER MAKES FOR WINES THAT GARNER 100 POINTS.

K O KO M OW I N E S .CO M

From the Publisher

Steve Falk

CEO

2018 North Coast WiNe ChalleNge WiNNers

Sonoma Media Investments, LLC The Press Democrat Sonoma Index-Tribune Petaluma Argus-Courier North Bay Business Journal Sonoma Magazine LaPrensa Sonoma

elcome to the sixth annual Press Democrat North Coast Wine & Food

93 points!

2015 Meritage

(wait – it gets better)

95 points!

2013 Cabernet

Festival special section highlighting this year’s North Coast Wine Challenge 177 Gold-Medal winning wines. And don’t miss a taste of our first 100 point award to the 2016 Kokomo Gopher Hill, Peters Vineyard Pinot Noir! I encourage you to read about these award winning wines, visit their wineries, meet the winemakers and put these wines on your next shopping list. But before doing any of that, go to www.northcoastwineandfood.com right now and buy the last remaining tickets for the public tasting this coming Saturday at SOMO Village in Rohnert Park. Not only can you taste the best wines produced in the North Bay, you can indulge in the preparations of twenty-two iconic wine country chefs. I’d like to thank our winemakers, judges, chefs and volunteers for making this one of the most prestigious wine competitions and tasting events anywhere. Winemaking is a shared experience and winemakers put more into every bottle than just their grapes. They are sharing their passion and their lives. Whether you’re making it or drinking it, a great bottle of wine is a gift from one family to another – from one friend to another. And this year’s winners are the best of the best. We hope to see you on the 9th to share their wines and hear their stories. Great wines and great stories are two of the many reasons we love living here. Here’s to our winemakers, judges, chefs, volunteers and you!

Cheers,

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Northcoastwineandfood.com

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Inside 4 Sponsors 6 Wine Country Chefs 10 Ceres 13 Judges

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Best of The Best Winners Event Guide Gold Medal Winners

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Wine Country Chefs John Ash Chef, author, culinary educator, Santa Rosa

Winemaker Dinner Series at the Bay View Restaurant July 20

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Many refer to Chef John Ash as the “Father of Wine Country Cuisine”. In 1980 he opened his namesake restaurant, John Ash & Company, in Santa Rosa, CA. which gained international acclaim and still is critically applauded. He has co-hosted a radio show for 29 years in Northern California. He also hosted two shows on the Food Network. John is an instructor at the Culinary Institute of America Greystone in the Napa Valley. John has written 4 books and is a two time James Beard Award winner. Culinary Birds won a 2014 James Beard award and John Ash Cooking One-on-One won in 2005.

Matthew Beaudin Monterey Bay Aquarium Restaurant & Café, Monterey Matthew Beaudin joined the Aquarium’s culinary team as executive chef in February 2015. His approach to food blends cuisine and community, from building relationships with local fishermen and farmers, to building sustainable gardens for orphaned children stricken with HIV. His experiences have enabled him to acquire a well-rounded palate, mixing tastes discovered during his global travels with modern American cuisine deeply rooted in farm-table – all emphasizing the ever-increasing importance of sustainability.

September 21

October 12

Hansel Subaru Wine Lovers Lounge Duskie Estes ZAZU Kitchen + Farm, Sebastopol

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December 7

Where California Wine Country Meets the Sonoma Coast… *Reserve Today Space is limited

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Duskie Estes began cooking at the age of five in her EZ-Bake oven. Duskie & her husband John Stewart are chef owners of ZAZU kitchen + farm and Black pig Meat Co. The kitchen is inspired by a real sense of place, farming in 3 locations in Sonoma County, and raising their own rabbits, ducks, chickens, goats, sheep, and pigs. ZAZU believes in supporting small farmers, diversity of agriculture, pasture living for animals, and respecting the life given by using all parts “snout to tail”. John & Duskie also make award winning bacon & cured meats, bacon candies, lard lip balm and soap under Black Pig Meat Co. Duskie is known for being a fierce competitor on Food Network’s The Next Iron Chef, seasons 3 & 5. She currently judges and competes in Guy’s Grocery Games.

Liza Hinman The Spinster Sisters, Santa Rosa As an East Coast native, Chef Liza Hinman was bowled over when she began cooking in Sonoma County 10 years ago. Her dream of having access to the best in produce, meats and wine was finally at her fingertips. As the Chef/ Owner of The Spinster Sisters in Santa Rosa, she has made that dream a daily reality, impressing with a global menu that puts a Sonoma County spin on everything from biscuits and gravy breakfast to dinner of grilled Korean short ribs.

Perry Hoffman Shed, Healdsburg Perry Hoffman’s culinary focus at SHED is built around the mission to showcase the links between responsible farming, ingredient-driven cooking, and flavorful food. In crafting his dishes and the SHED Pantry line of powders, salts, pickles and preserved fruits, he’s inspired by what is coming in from the fields and foraged nearby. Hoffman’s mantra is, “The garden tells me what to cook.”

Kyle Kuklewski Ramekins, Sonoma Kyle Kuklewski has over a decade of culinary experience with the majority of his career having worked in fine dining restaurants within top luxury brand hotels. Working under Michelin rated chefs, Chef Kyle honed his culinary skills while developing a strong attention to detail, an appreciation for using only the finest quality ingredients and a drive for creativity. He oversees all on and off-site catering operations, Culinary School programming and the culinary development of joint properties such as Wing and Barrel Ranch, Cornerstone Sonoma and Ramekins own 5th Street Farm.

Crista Luedtke Boon Eat + Drink, Guerneville Crista Luedtke is chef/owner at boon eat + drink and proprietor of boon hotel + spa. She learned the art of cooking through her incredibly talented mother and her skills in restaurant/hospitality management in her formative years. She is passionate about seasonal ingredients and uses her garden at Boon to inspire her menu.

Hog Island Oyster Co. Marshall At Hog Island Oyster Co. good things grow slowly. Their goal is to develop sustainable aquaculture techniques to produce superior shellfish that taste wonderful while building a community of like-minded people. They take great care in everything they do, from cultivating oysters to the ways in which they work with the environment and finally how they present their product to you. Called “Bay to Bar” philosophy – every step is important and they want to ensure that they always meet the high standards that they set ourselves.

Marc Johns

Shane McAnelly Chalkboard, Healdsburg Known for his eclectic, inventive, yet approachable dishes, Shane McAnelly has a culinary approach distinctly focused on ingredients and seasonality. Joining Healdsburg’s vibrant—and growing—culinary community, Shane has been involved in every aspect of bringing Chalkboard to life: creating a bright, modern space for diners, collaborating with a gardener on a dedicated restaurant garden, and developing a menu that’s reflective of his years invested in cooking.

Beer Baron Bar & Kitchen, Santa Rosa

Mike Mullins

Marc’s curiosity in cooking began as a young child. He was fortunate enough to begin his culinary journey at a family owned restaurant where he was mentored and fell in love with food. Marc brings over 30 years of experience in the hospitality industry not just as an Executive Chef, but to inspire and motivate others who share his passion and love for food.

Perch + Plow, Santa Rosa Mike Mullins, Executive Chef of Perch + Plow Restaurant in Santa Rosa and a Bay Area chef for the last 12 years, describes his passion for the culinary arts as “my way of expressing creativity through refining subtle variations in the foods I cook.” “We are so fortunate to live in an area with an abundance of fresh food, year round. I use the freshest, local ingredients and adjust the menu to feature the bounty of the seasons.”

Daniel Kedan Backyard Restaurant, Forestville Chef Daniel Kedan and Chef Marianna Gardenhire met at the Culinary Institute of America and the now husband/ wife team have been sharing stories, recipes, and ideas for their passion of food, sustainability and community since. During late spring of 2013, they decided it was time to take the “leap of faith” and open their own restaurant, Backyard, in Forestville.

Armando G. Navarro El Dorado Kitchen, Sonoma Armando Navarro, has had a noteworthy resume packed with top restaurants along both coasts. In his role as Executive Chef of El Dorado Kitchen, Armando has infused the menus with seasonal ingredients sourced locally at the markets. His style is characterized as fresh, simple and approachable with a Sonoma sensibility.

2018 North Coast Wine & Food Festival | A Special Section of The Press Democrat

Wine Country Chefs Scott Romano Dry Creek Kitchen, Healdsburg An industry veteran and CIA graduate, Executive Chef Scott Romano brings vast experience and an authentic approach to the culinary leadership at Dry Creek Kitchen. His philosophy of honest food served with integrity is critical to the restaurant’s wine country hospitality. Scott joined the Charlie Palmer Group in 1997 as a line cook at the group’s flagship, award-winning, New York property, Aureole, and was tapped to helm Palmer’s Alva (later Kitchen 22) and Kitchen 82 as Chef de Cuisine. After seven years with CPG in New York, the Jersey-native headed to California.

John Toulze the girl & the fig, Sonoma John Toulze is a native of Northern California from a third generation French family. Cooking was, and continues to be, a strong passion in his family life. John started his career in hospitality at Viansa Winery in Sonoma in 1994. After several years of cooking and wine sales, John left Viansa Winery to help Sondra Bernstein open the girl & the fig restaurant in Glen Ellen. Twenty years later, John is not only the Executive Chef but also the Managing Partner.

Two Dog Night Creamery Sebastopol Two Dog Night Creamery is Sonoma County’s first organic scoop shop. We specialize in small batch ice cream, frozen using liquid nitrogen for that ultra-smooth and creamy texture. We make all our ice cream in-house daily. We support local by using certified organic local dairy, as well as all types of fruits from local organic farmers. We are located at the Barlow Center in Sebastopol with a second location opening

Jesse Sanborn Sally Tomatoes, Rohnert Park Growing up in California’s central valley, Chef Sanborn had always been involved in agriculture. Having worked on dairies and farms throughout his teen years, his knowledge of farm fresh produce led to his initial background into the food world. However, it was cooking traditional Mexican cuisine with his mother and grandmother that led him to his passion in the culinary arts. Chef Sanborn has been in the culinary industry for over 14 years.

Tom Schmidt John Ash & Co. at Vintner’s Inn, Santa Rosa One of Wine Country’s best known restaurants, John Ash and Co. remains an icon for gourmet, wine country dining with Executive Chef Thomas Schmidt continuing the standards of cooking excellence enjoyed by locals and guests alike. Chef Tom Schmidt brings a wealth of knowledge and creativity to Sonoma County’s wine country. His skill is not driven by technique alone. Rather, it involves an intuitive understanding of complementary flavors, textures and colors combined with the knowledge of using seasonal foods at their freshest.

soon in Windsor.

Dustin Valette Valette, Healdsburg Dustin Valette began his culinary career at 13 washing dishes at Catelli’s in his home town of Geyserville, California. Now, more than 20 years later, Valette finds himself back in Northern California’s wine country continuing the dream that started some 22 years ago. The idea of Valette Restaurant started some 15 years ago amongst two brothers, Aaron & Dustin. Over a glass wine the two dreamt of opening a restaurant that showcased all Sonoma County has to offer. It would serve honest food, have amazing service and house a collection of boutique-small production wines. Now, with over 47 years combined experience Valette opens for the public to come and share the passion and dedication of the two brothers.

Mark Stark Stark Reality Restaurants, Sonoma County James Beard Outstanding Restaurateur semifinalist Mark Stark is the executive chef and co-owner with his wife Terri, of six wildly successful restaurants in Sonoma County: Willi’s Wine Bar, Monti’s, Stark’s Steak & Seafood, and Bird & The Bottle in Santa Rosa, and Willi’s Seafood and Bravas Bar de Tapas in Healdsburg. From opening Willi’s Wine Bar in 2002 to Bird & The Bottle in 2015, Mark and Terri’s restaurants have consistently earned top accolades and praise including San Francisco Chronicle Top 100 Bay Area Restaurant status for Willi’s Wine Bar and Bravas, and Michelin Bib Gourmand awards for Monti’s and Willi’s Wine Bar. Mark has appeared on Food Network’s Guy’s Big Bite, in the PBS series Traveling Feast with Fine Cooking and Public Television’s Check Please!

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Matthew Williams & Moise Hahn-Schuman Ramen Gaijin, Sebastopol Committed to honoring traditional techniques combined with the finest ingredients Sonoma County has to offer. They make all of their noodles in house and strive to produce and preserve as much as possible in season. They offer a seasonal menu consisting of traditional regional ramen styles informed by the offerings of local farmers and ranchers. Ramen Gaijin is dedicated to providing a shared community space that brings together all walks of life under the umbrella of good food, good drink and joyous atmosphere.

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Founded in 2007, Ceres Community Project is a nonprofit with a unique, integrated model. In our kitchens and gardens, teen volunteers learn to grow food, cook nourishing organic meals, gain leadership and job skills and give back to their community. We deliver the 100,000 healing meals they lovingly prepare each year to local families facing a health challenge like cancer. The meals help clients and their families face the medical, emotional and financial toll of a serious illness. Having access to medically appropriate meals can help lessen side

effects, prevent malnourishment and shorten recovery time after treatment. Education about the importance of healthy food is offered to clients, teen and adult volunteers, and through classes Ceres teaches in health clinics, libraries and at its own kitchens. Ceres serves Sonoma and Marin counties, and has trained 12 communities across the country to replicate their model. Ceres thrives with the help of volunteers and community support. Learn more about how you can help at www.CeresProject.org.

A Perfect 100 for Kokomo Sonoma Coast pinot noir first Best of Best winner to score triple digits By DIANE PETERSON

he 2018 North Coast Wine Challenge invited 28 wine judges from across the country to sniff and sip a total of 1,104 wines last week during the sixth annual North Coast Wine Challenge at the Sonoma County Fairgrounds, resulting in 177 gold-medal awards, five Best of Show winners, five Best of County winners and one, record-breaking Best of the Best champion. Kokomo Wines, a family winery run by a wine-maker in partnership with a grower, took home the Best of the Best prize for its Kokomo 2016 Pinot Noir Gopher Hills Block Peters Vineyard Sonoma Coast. The pinot scored the highest points ever awarded by the contest in its six years: a perfect 100 out of 100. “The wine was seamless and achieved our first 100 point score,” said Chief Judge Daryl Groom, who coordinates the contest. “It was clearly a delicious, well-made, high-quality wine.” Rising to the top as the Best Pinot, the vibrant wine entered the sweepstakes round last Thursday with 17 other red wines and easily captured Best Red Wine, then received 70 per-cent of the judges’ votes to win Best of the Best over four other wines: the Best of Show White, Sparkling, Rosé and Dessert wines. The judges awarded a total of 177 gold medals to wines entered in the contest, or 17.6 percent of the entries. A total of 185 wineries making wine from grapes grown on the North Coast entered the contest this year, including 39 new wineries. “I was very impressed with all the wines — there were no clunkers at all,” said Chris Munsell, a contest judge and director of winemaking for E&J Gallo. “There were really stellar wines, and some of these are the top representatives I’ve seen, ever.” As for the Best of the Best pinot noir, Munsell said that he knew it was a top winner as soon as he raised the glass to his nose. “It jumps out of the glass. It has what they call that pinocity — a pinot characteristic that is so vibrant,” Munsell said. “The mouth-feel was silky and smooth, with no rough edges.” The majority of the 31 wines that made it into the final sweepstakes round were from Sonoma County, Groom said, reflecting the high percentage of wines entered from the diverse AVAs of the county. Not surprisingly, the Kokomo 2016 Pinot Noir came from the Peters Vineyard in the Sebastopol Hills area, which is on the border of the cooler Sonoma Coast and Russian River AVAs. The former apple orchard off Elphick Road is low lying and is swept by cooling fog from the Two Rock Gap, which provides a longer hang time. Kokomo Owner/Winemaker Erik Miller, who makes wine only from grapes grown by Kokomo owner and grower Randy Peters, said the two-man team works together to pick the single-vineyard grapes multiple times in order to blend different ripeness levels. “We want the complex levels of flavors so that when we put them together, we can play music with them,” Miller said. “Our

main objective is to show that purity of place that no one else gets ... that’s where we have to hang our hat.” The award-winning Kokomo pi-not noir costs $44, a relative bargain for a wine sourced from grapes from the Sonoma Coast. “I want to make affordable wines that people in Indiana want to buy,” said Miller, who hails from the Midwest. The pinot noir grapes were planted in 1982 by the visionary Peters, who had access to only two pinot clones at the time, the Pommard and the Waldenswil. Nowadays, growers can plant 60 different clones of pinot, but Miller said that many growers are going back to the Pommard because the clone works better for the late ripening climates of Sonoma County. “The vines are 30-plus years old,” Miller said. “And I think that gives the wine huge character.” A native of Kokomo, Indiana, Miller graduated from Purdue University with a business degree and immediately moved West. He had visited Sonoma County on one of his college spring breaks and could not wait to go back. “I just fell in love,” he said. “Where is this place from? You’re an hour from San Francisco, but you’re in the country?” After college, he started working as a harvest intern at Belvedere Winery in Healdsburg, then took as many winemaking classes as he could at UC Davis. Then he continued his wine apprenticeship with winemaker/owner Rick Hutchinson at Amphora Winery in Healdsburg. Miller started his own winery in 2004 with a cabernet sauvignon from Dry Creek Valley, then in 2005, he made his first pinot noir from the Peters Vineyard, which was a success right out of the barrel. “I got a 91 or 92 points from the Wine Spectator … and it definitely kicked the winery off,” he said. “That was how I got the attention of Randy … he sold that fruit to four other wineries, and it (the Kokomo) was his favorite pinot of the vintage.” Kokomo is located on 120 acres of prime benchland vineyards at the former Timber Crest Farms site and makes about 15 different wines, all sourced from various vineyards that Peters farms in the Sonoma Coast, Alexander Valley and Dry Creek Valley. Peters used to manage the fruit orchards at Timber Crest Farms, providing additional roots to the site. “Where our cabernet is, at Ruth’s Vineyard, that was all pears, and Randy knew where the pears tasted the best,” Miller said. “That hap-pens to be the block where we get our cab.” The longtime Dry Creek grower Peters, 64, and winemaker Miller, 41, work together as a team, especially during harvest, when they must make the all-important decision of when to pick. “That’s what Randy is very involved in, because he knows the vineyard well and he knows the flavors,” Miller said. “He goes out there four or five different times for different picks — that’s a commitment he’s making to different levels of ripeness.” Working with Kokomo allows Peters to understand his grapes better, because he gets to taste them as a singular expression — made into one wine, from one spot, with no blending with other grapes. “He gets a lot more intimate with his farming, and he shares in Continued on page 12 2018 North Coast Wine & Food Festival | A Special Section of The Press Democrat

Kokomo

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the glory,” Miller said. “Does he feel responsible for that? Heck yeah … he says, ‘I farmed these grapes 364 days a year, and Erik gets them for one day.’” A long-time Cloverdale basketball coach, Peters brings a competitive edge to the winery, where all of his grapes show up cold, at 7 a.m., no matter what contingencies may happen. “One of the things that Randy says — it’s his mantra — is ‘Is good good enough?’ ” Miller said. “‘We settle for mediocrity?’ ” For his part, Miller approaches winemaking like a Wine Country chef, paying attention to the details, not messing up the ingredients, and relying upon his experience to make the right decisions. “2016 marked the eleventh vintage that I had the honor of being able to make Peters Vineyard pinot,” he said. “It takes 10 years to get to know a vineyard because you’ve really gotten to know the terroir.” Picking at multiple times for varied ripeness allows Miller to create a well-balanced and complex wine with the craft of an artist. “First pick, I want to preserve acidity, which can be mid-palate and makes it food-friendly,” he said. “The finish is more represented by the ripest pick. I use them almost like the bass and treble in music, to compose it together as one song.” With a food-friendly wine like pinot noir, Miller said one of his favorite dishes is a classic mushroom pairing, but salmon and pork also make delicious dance partners. “Pinot is versatile,” he said. “It goes with the earthy mushroom and yet it’s delicate enough to pair with salmon and robust and spicy enough to go with pork.” On the other hand, he also strives to make wines that are completely satisfying and enjoyable all by themselves. “You get off work and put your feet up,” he said. “That’s an American way of drinking wine.” In the end, he perceives himself as an artist, with no patience for chemistry-driven winemaking. “Get those numbers out of here, it clutters me,” he said. “I would rather walk through the vineyard and see the bud break and taste through my barrels … let’s taste the damn thing and see where it’s at.” Best of Show Awards Pinot noir was the largest category entered in the contest this year, followed by cabernet, chardonnay and zinfandel. A pinot noir wine also won the competition in 2014 and 2016. All of the Best of Show awards for the North Coast Wine Challenge scored 95 points and above. During the final day of judging, the judges tasted the 31 wines with the highest scores and voted to determine the five Best of Show awards, giving the Kokomo pinot noir the Best of Show Red. Best of Show White went to J. Rickards Winery 2017 Sauvignon Blanc Croft Vineyard Alexander Valley. Located on the southern end of the Alexander Valley AVA near the Russian River AVA, the vineyard enjoys morning fog from the coast, which helps develop the aromatics of melon and exotic flavors. The judges awarded it 98 points and described it as “delicate, aromatic, floral … sauvignon blanc at its best.” “It had the best nose by far of any of the whites that made it to the sweepstakes,” said judge Chris Sawyer, a sommelier. “They put the vineyard inside the bottle and that’s what made it special.” “The Rodney Strong Vineyards 2017 Rosé of Pinot Noir Russian River Valley won Best of Show Rosé. The vibrant wine offers the classic aromas of strawberry and white peach, with bright acidity and a lasting finish. It got 98 points from the judges, who praised its “fresh outdoor quality” and “beautiful acidity.” “This was way better than your average porch pounder,” Munsell said. “The way con-

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sumers’ tastes are evolving, it’s nice to see alternatives to an everyday wine.” The Domaine Carneros 2013 Brut won Best of Show Sparkling for its bouquet of aromas, from pear and honeycomb to brioche. It offers a creamy texture, elegant structure and a long finish. The judges complimented its flavors of “yellow apple and Bartlett pear.” “That one had more of the yeasty, bread qualities that we don’t see often in California,” Munsell said. “I think that’s why it stood out.” Finally, the Sonoma Cutrer 2015 Late Harvest Chardonnay, grown in the Russian River area, won for Best of Show Dessert/Late Harvest wine. It has fruity flavors of peach, apricot and pear, with a sweet richness and creamy mouthfeel balanced by crisp acidity. The judges described it as “luscious” with “delicious notes of honey.” Best of County Awards Only wines grown in the six counties of the North Coast are eligible to enter the contest, which is presented by The Press Democrat. This year, there were five Best of County awards given to wines from Lake, Marin, Mendocino, Napa and Sonoma counties. Best of Lake County went to the Cache Creek Vineyards 2014 Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon Lake County. The classic cabernet, grown in vineyards located along Cache Creek in the eastern foothills of Clearlake, earned 94 points. The judges enjoyed the wine’s flavors of “Chambord, red fruit, butter-scotch and caramelized wood tones.” Best of Marin County went to the DeLoach Vineyards 2015 Pinot Noir Marin County. The winery, which is part of the Boisset Collection, sources grapes from two vineyards bordering the Petaluma Gap. The wine earned 91 points, and the judges praised its “good varietal character” and “Christmas-type spice notes.” Best of Mendocino went to the Soda Rock 2016 Chardon-nay Mendocino, which was grown along the Russian River north of Hopland. The judges gave it 98 points and quipped, “I’d swipe right for this wine,” in a reference to Tinder, the dating site. Best of Napa County went to the Mudita 2014 Cabernet Sauvignon Circle S Ranch Atlas Peak Napa. The small wine company sourced its grapes from a vineyard on the Atlas Peak Beach, and winemaker Zack Robinson made the wine in a Sebastopol facility. The cabernet earned 95 points from the judges, who enjoyed the flavors of “cassis” and “layers of decadent chocolate.” Best of Sonoma County went to the Kokomo 2016 Pinot Noir Gopher Hill Block Peters Vineyard Sonoma Coast. Reds before whites Under Groom’s leadership, the contest has continued to grow and evolve since its launch six years ago by Steve Falk, CEO of Sonoma Media Investments, which owns the Press Democrat. This year’s blind tasting, held at Saralee & Richard’s Barn at the fairgrounds, started out with the more challenging red wines for the first time, then moved onto the white wines in the after-noon, in order to keep the judges palates fresher. The red wines dominated during the sweepstakes. “From memory, it’s the most reds we have ever had,” Groom said. “The additions came from many, new varietals making it to that round — lagrein, sangiovese, barbera and tannat, along with wines from other smaller classes like grenache, cab franc and malbec.” Imagery Estate Winery, which is known for making interesting red varietals, had the most wines in the sweepstakes round and took home eight gold medals, the most earned by any winery. Last year, Groom launched a mentorship program for young associate judges nominated from the wine industry. This year, those nine associate judges were also invited to taste through the sweep-stakes round, although their votes did not count. “It’s fun to sit down and taste with people at the forefront of where wines are going and to taste 100 wines coming out of our own back yard,” said Associate Judge Drew Damsky, 30, a wine-maker for Palmeri Wines of Geyserville. On June 9, the public will have a chance to sip samples of the winning wines and enjoy bites from 18 top chefs from the region during the North Coast Wine & Food Festival from 1 to 4 p.m. at the SOMO Village in Rohnert Park. To reserve: northcoast-wineandfood.com. Staff writer Diane Peterson can be reached at 707-481-5027 or diane.peterson@ pressdemocrat.com. On Twitter @ dianepete56.

The 2018 Judges

Barry Herbst Wine Director, Bottle Barn Liquors Santa Rosa

Evan Hufford Lead Sommelier, Single Thread Farms Healdsburg

ere are the judges who took part in the sixth annual 2018 Press Democrat North Coast Wine Challenge wine competition:

Marian Jansen op de Haar Vines 57 Wine Industry Consultant & Acumen Wine Estate Ambassador Napa Jesse Katz Winemaker, Aperture and Devil Proof Vineyards Healdsburg Peg Melnik Wine Writer and Blogger, The Press Democrat Sonoma County Chris Munsell Director of Winemaking, E&J Gallo Winery Sonoma County

Daryl Groom has presided over the North Coast Wine Challenge as Chief Judge for the past six years.

Linda Murphy Contributing Writer, Sonoma Magazine Healdsburg Laura Ness Freelance wine writer, Los Gatos

Daryl Groom Chief Judge, Owner/Winemaker, Groom Wines Healdsburg

Fred Dame Master Sommelier and VP of Prestige Accounts, American Wine & Spirits San Francisco

Erik Olsen General Manager, Clos du Bois Winery, Geyserville

Debra Del Fiorentino Director of Wine Competitions for Wine Competitions Management + Productions Sonoma County

Traci Dutton Sommelier, Wine Judge Manager of the Public Wine and Beverage Studies at the CIA at Greystone Napa Valley

Jasper Russo Director of Wine Education, Sales and Marketing for Sigel’s Fine Wines and Great Spirits Dallas, TX

Jusden Aumand Sourcing Manager of International Wines for Coles Liquor Group of Melbourne, Australia

Ziggy Eschliman Radio and TV Personality, Wine Blogger Sonoma County

Heidi Barrett Winemaker, Barrett & Barrett Wines Napa Valley Corey Beck Director of Winemaking/General Manager, Francis Ford Coppola Winery Sonoma County Dan Berger VintageExperiences.com Writer and Wine Columnist Santa Rosa

Bob Foster Assistant Editor, California Grapevine Wine Newsletter San Diego Doug Frost Master Sommelier, Master of Wine, Author & TV personality, Wine & Spirits Consultant for United Airlines Kansas City, MO Nick Goldschmidt Winemaker and Consultant, Goldschmidt Vineyards Healdsburg

Larry Van Aalst Radio Host of “The Sonoma Wine Report”, CRN Digital Talk Radio Santa Rosa Elsie Wolfe Sales Manager for Alcohol, Safeway Pleasanton Debbie Zachareas Wine buyer for Ferry Plaza Wine Merchant and Oxbow Cheese and Wine Merchant San Francisco and Napa

JUDGE FOR A DAY Associate Judges, chosen by Groom as young talents in the industry: Kim Badenfort Editor of Wine Industry Advisor Healdsburg Drew Damskey Winemaker for Palmeri Wines Alexander Valley Nicolas Diaz-Larranaga Assistant winemaker, Fantesca Estate & Winery St. Helena Amanda Garland Senior Tasting Room Associate, Seghesio Family Vineyards Healdsburg Matthew Hoogendoorn Hospitality Manager, Mount View Hotel & Spa Calistoga

Todd Jolly Wine Director, Sonoma’s Best Modern Christopher Sawyer Mercantile Wine Writer and “Sommelier to the Stars” Sonoma Sonoma Anna Miranda Leslie Sbrocco Public Relations Manager, Sonoma Author, consultant, TV host and wine County Vintners lover Sonoma Sonoma County Rachael Rochioli Mick Schroeter Sales and Marketing Associate, Rochioli Winemaking Director, Sonoma-Cutrer Vineyards & Winery Windsor Healdsburg Jeff Slankard Malcolm Silva-Anderson Wine & Beer Director, Barons Market Tasting Room Lead, Christopher Creek San Diego Winery Healdsburg Randy Ullom Winemaster, Kendall-Jackson Sonoma County

2018 North Coast Wine & Food Festival | A Special Section of The Press Democrat

BEST OF THE

BEST

BEST OF

SHOW

BEST OF SONOMA COUNTY BEST RED WINE Kokomo 2016 Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir, 100 points

“Cherry pie; depth; complex; mulberry deep fruit. Simply a phenomenal wine.”

2018 North Coast Wine & Food Festival |

BEST WHITE WINE

BEST ROSÉ WINE

BEST SPARKLING

J. Rickards & Winery

Rodney Strong Vineyards

Domaine Carneros

2017 Alexander Valley Sauvignon Blanc, 98 points

2017 Russian River Valley Rosé of Pinot Noir, 98 points

“Delicate, aromatic, floral red apple. Sauvignon Blanc at its best.”

A Special Section of The Press Democrat

“I would buy this wine for my cellar, done well, fresh outdoor quality, delicate pink, beautiful acidity.”

2013 Carneros Brut, 96 points

“Rich, yellow apple; Bartlett pear; complex golden apple.”

BEST OF

COUNTIES BEST LATE HARVEST/DESSERT WINE Sonoma Cutrer Vineyards 2015 Russian River Valley, Late Harvest Chardonnay, 95 points

“Luscious, delicious notes of honey, beautiful gold color.”

BEST OF LAKE COUNTY

BEST OF MENDOCINO COUNTY

BEST OF NAPA COUNTY

Cache Creek Vineyards

Soda Rock

Mudita Wines

2016 Mendocino County Chardonnay 98 points

2014 Napa Cabernet Sauvignon, 95 points

2014 Lake County Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon, 94 points

“Chambourd: red fruit, butterscotch, caramelized wood tones.”

“I’d swipe right for this wine.”

“Iris. Cassis. Layers of decadent chocolate.”

2018 North Coast Wine & Food Festival | A Special Section of The Press Democrat

 Backyard Beer Baron Water Station

63 64 65 66 67 68 69 70 71 72 73 74 75 76

Wine Tasting

77 78

SHED

60 59 58 57 56 55 54 53 52 51 50 49 48 47 Monterrey Bay Aquarium

Boon eat+drink

Seating

The Spinster Sisters

the girl & the fig

Valette

Cooking with John Ash

ZAZU kitchen + farm

Wine Tasting

North Coast Tile & Stone

Ramekins

Sally Tomatoes

Hog Island Oysters

RESIDENTIAL & COMMERCIAL

Chalkboard

12 11 13 14 15 16

10 9

8 7

6 5

A Special Section of The Press Democrat

4 3

Wine Tasting 17 18

19 20

21 22

23 24

2 1 28 27 25 26

El Dorado Kitchen

Arbor Bench Vineyards B Side

B.R. Cohn Winery

75 70

32 31

Mersenne Wines Mill Creek Vineyards & Winery

Miro

Balletto Vineyards BARRA of Mendocino

Mudita Wines (Best of Napa County)

Muscardini Cellars

72 69

Benziger Family Winery BNA Wine Group

28 25

Navarro Vineyards Papapietro Perry

Brassfield Estate Winery

Pennyroyal Farm

Buena Vista Winery

63 62

C R Graybehl Wine Company Carol Shelton Wines

24 23

Pezzi King Vineyards Portalupi Winery

Roadhouse Winery Robert Craig Winery Rodney Strong Vineyards (Best Rosé)

61 60

Char Vale Vineyards and Winery Clos du Bois

21 57

59 58 67

Dashe Cellars Davis Bynum DeLoach Vineyards (Best of Marin County)

20 19 55

56 54 53 52

deLorimier Winery DRNK Dry Creek Vineyard [ess·eff] wines

Russian River Vineyards Sassoferrato Wines Soda Rock Winery (Best of Mendocino County)

18 17

Sonoma-Cutrer Vineyards (Best Dessert Wine) Square Peg

51 50 48

16 15 14 13

St. Anne’s Crossing St. Francis Winery & Vineyards Testa Vineyards Thirty-Seven Wines

Ektimo Vineyards Estate 1856 Wines Ferrari-Carano Vineyards and Winery Frostwatch Vineyard & Winery

46 45 44 43

Geyser Peak Winery Gloria Ferrer Caves & Vineyards Gordian Knot Winery Gowan’s Heirloom Cider

12 11 10

Tollini Vineyards Tom Mackey Cellars Trecini Winery

42 41 40

Halleck Vineyard Handley Cellars Harts Desire Wines

9 8 7 65

Truett-Hurst Winery Vezer Family Vineyard VML Winery Wattle Creek Winery

39 71 38 37

Hook & Ladder Winery Imagery Estate Winery J Vineyards Winery J. Rickards Winery (Best White Wine) JCB by Jean-Charles Boisset Kenwood Vineyards Kokomo Winery (Best of the Best, Best of Sonoma County, Best Red Wine) Landmark Vineyards Lazy Creek Vineyards Marimar Estate Vineyards and Winery Merriam Vineyards

6 5 73

Westwood Estate Wines Wilson of Dry Creek Windsor Vineyards

66 36 79

Ramen Gaijin

Taylor Lane Organic Coffee

Pavilion 16 2018 North Coast Wine & Food Festival |

Starks Restaurant

46 45 44 43 42 41 40 39 38 37 36 35 34 33 32 31 30 29

Two Dog Night Creamery

John Ash & Co.

Perch & Plow

Anaba Wines

77 76

CENTER SPREAD

WINE LOVERS LOUNGE

Dry Creek Kitchen

 Entrance

35 47 34 33

2018 North Coast Wine & Food Festival | A Special Section of The Press Democrat

 Backyard Beer Baron Water Station

63 64 65 66 67 68 69 70 71 72 73 74 75 76

Wine Tasting

77 78

SHED

60 59 58 57 56 55 54 53 52 51 50 49 48 47 Monterrey Bay Aquarium

Boon eat+drink

Seating

The Spinster Sisters

the girl & the fig

Valette

Cooking with John Ash

ZAZU kitchen + farm

Wine Tasting

North Coast Tile & Stone

Ramekins

Sally Tomatoes

Hog Island Oysters

RESIDENTIAL & COMMERCIAL

Chalkboard

12 11 13 14 15 16

10 9

8 7

6 5

A Special Section of The Press Democrat

4 3

Wine Tasting 17 18

19 20

21 22

23 24

2 1 28 27 25 26

El Dorado Kitchen

Arbor Bench Vineyards B Side

B.R. Cohn Winery

75 70

32 31

Mersenne Wines Mill Creek Vineyards & Winery

Miro

Balletto Vineyards BARRA of Mendocino

Mudita Wines (Best of Napa County)

Muscardini Cellars

72 69

Benziger Family Winery BNA Wine Group

28 25

Navarro Vineyards Papapietro Perry

Brassfield Estate Winery

Pennyroyal Farm

Buena Vista Winery

63 62

C R Graybehl Wine Company Carol Shelton Wines

24 23

Pezzi King Vineyards Portalupi Winery

Roadhouse Winery Robert Craig Winery Rodney Strong Vineyards (Best Rosé)

61 60

Char Vale Vineyards and Winery Clos du Bois

21 57

59 58 67

Dashe Cellars Davis Bynum DeLoach Vineyards (Best of Marin County)

20 19 55

56 54 53 52

deLorimier Winery DRNK Dry Creek Vineyard [ess·eff] wines

Russian River Vineyards Sassoferrato Wines Soda Rock Winery (Best of Mendocino County)

18 17

Sonoma-Cutrer Vineyards (Best Dessert Wine) Square Peg

51 50 48

16 15 14 13

St. Anne’s Crossing St. Francis Winery & Vineyards Testa Vineyards Thirty-Seven Wines

Ektimo Vineyards Estate 1856 Wines Ferrari-Carano Vineyards and Winery Frostwatch Vineyard & Winery

46 45 44 43

Geyser Peak Winery Gloria Ferrer Caves & Vineyards Gordian Knot Winery Gowan’s Heirloom Cider

12 11 10

Tollini Vineyards Tom Mackey Cellars Trecini Winery

42 41 40

Halleck Vineyard Handley Cellars Harts Desire Wines

9 8 7 65

Truett-Hurst Winery Vezer Family Vineyard VML Winery Wattle Creek Winery

39 71 38 37

6 5 73

Westwood Estate Wines Wilson of Dry Creek Windsor Vineyards

66 36 79

Ramen Gaijin

Taylor Lane Organic Coffee

Pavilion 16 2018 North Coast Wine & Food Festival |

Starks Restaurant

46 45 44 43 42 41 40 39 38 37 36 35 34 33 32 31 30 29

Two Dog Night Creamery

John Ash & Co.

Perch & Plow

Anaba Wines

77 76

CENTER SPREAD

WINE LOVERS LOUNGE

Dry Creek Kitchen

 Entrance

35 47 34 33

2018 North Coast Wine & Food Festival | A Special Section of The Press Democrat

GOLD MEDAL

REDS BARBERA

Imagery Estate Winery: 2015 Pine Moun-tain-Cloverdale Peak Barbera, 97 points Portalupi: 2016 Mendocino Ridge Pauli Ranch Barbera, 94 points Muscardini Cellars: 2015 Redwood Valley Pauli Ranch Barbera, 92 points

CABERNET SAUVIGNON

Robert Craig Winery: 2014 Howell Mountain Cabernet Sauvignon, 91 points

Forefathers: 2015 Alexander Valley Clos du Bois: 2014 Alexander Valley Sono-ma Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon, Lone Tree Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon, 93 points 94 points

Black Stallion Estate Winery: 2014 Mount Veeder Cabernet Sauvignon, 90 points

Geyser Peak Winery: 2014 Alexander Valley Walking Tree Cabernet Sauvignon, 94 points

Arbor Bench Vineyards: 2013 Dry Creek Valley Estate-Grown Cabernet Sauvignon, 95 points Clos du Bois: 2014 Alexander Valley Briarcrest Cabernet Sauvignon, 95 points deLorimier Winery: 2014 Dry Creek Valley Smith Orchard Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon, 95 points

Mudita Wines: 2014 Napa Cabernet Sauvignon, 95 points

St. Francis Winery: 2015 Russian River Valley Lagomarsino Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon, 95 points

Mersenne: 2015 Rutherford Cabernet Sauvignon, 93 points

Volunteer: 2016 Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon, 95 points

Pine & Brown: 2015 Rutherford Cabernet Sauvignon, 93 points

Blue Rock: 2015 Alexander Valley Cabernet Sauvignon, 94 points

Cache Creek Vineyards: 2014 Lake Pine & Brown: 2015 Mount Veeder Konrad Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon, County Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon, 94 points 92 points

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“Gorgeous extraction … big, ripe and juicy; sweet and creamy.” Judge’s comment: MIRO 2016 CUVEE SASHA NORTH COAST

Frei Brothers: 2015 Dry Creek Valley Cabernet Sauvignon, 93 points Houdini: 2015 St. Helena Cabernet Sauvignon, 93 points Katherine Goldschmidt: 2016 Alexander Valley Crazy Creek Cabernet Sauvignon, 92 points Kenwood Vineyards: 2014 Alexander Valley Six Ridges Cabernet Sauvignon, 92 points Louis M. Martini: 2015 Sonoma County Cabernet Sauvignon, 92 points Trentadue Winery: 2016 La Storia Alexan-der Valley Cabernet Sauvignon, 92 points Girasole Vineyards: 2016 Mendocino Cabernet Sauvignon, 91 points

Kokomo Winery: 2016 Sonoma County Cabernet Sauvignon, 94 points

Hart’s Desire Wines: 2014 Alexander Valley Cabernet Sauvignon, 91 points

Estate 1856: 2014 Dry Creek Valley Cabernet Sauvignon, 93 points

Louis M. Martini Winery: 2014 Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon, 91 points

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2018 North Coast Wine & Food Festival |

A Special Section of The Press Democrat

Our Creed We are farmers always We are grape growers today We believe in preserving agriculture for future generations We see sustainability as our compass for better farming and business We understand that history offers a guide to making decisions in the future We believe in continuous learning, improvement and collaboration We are positive contributors to our community and industry We are caretakers of the land we inherited on behalf of those who will inherit it from us We are Sonoma County Strong

SonomaWineGrape.org

2018 North Coast Wine & Food Festival | A Special Section of The Press Democrat

GRENACHE

MERLOT

PETITE SIRAH

Thirty-Seven Wines: 2016 Sonoma Coast Grenache, 98 points

Trentadue Winery: 2015 La Storia Alexan-der Valley Merlot, 99 points

Carol Shelton Wines: 2014 Dry Creek Valley Florence Vineyard Petite Sirah, 95 points

“Opulent, structured, loads of black pepper, smoked meats, blueberry.” Judge’s comment: THIRTY-SEVEN 2016 GRENACHE SONOMA COAST

Mathis Wine: 2015 Sonoma Valley Grenache, 97 points Miro Cellars: 2016 North Coast Cuvée Sasha, 96 points

MALBEC Thirty-Seven Wines: 2015 Sonoma County Malbec, 94 points Imagery Estate Winery: 2015 Pine Moun-tain-Cloverdale Peak Malbec, 93 points

Imagery Estate Winery: 2015 Sonoma Valley Merlot, 95 points Selby Winery: 2016 Sonoma County Merlot, 94 points Frei Brothers: 2015 Dry Creek Valley Merlot, 93 points

“Voluptuous with a note of blue and black fruits with a long, lingering finish.” Judge’s comment: TRENTADUE’S LA STORIA 2015 MERLOT ALEXANDER VALLEY

Hook & Ladder: 2016 Russian River Valley Pinot Noir, 95 points

Vezér Family Vineyard: 2015 Suisun Valley Petite Sirah, 92 points

Landmark Vineyards: 2015 Russian River Valley Rayhill Vineyard Pinot Noir, 95 points

PINOT NOIR Kokomo Winery: 2016 Sonoma Coast Gopher Hill Peters Vineyard Pinot Noir, 100 points Ferrari-Carano: 2015 Anderson Valley Pinot Noir, 98 points Balletto Vineyards: 2015 Russian River Valley Burnside Road Vineyard Estate Pinot Noir, 97 points Papapietro Perry: 2015 Russian River Valley Pinot Noir, 97 points DeLoach Vineyards: 2016 Russian River Valley Pinot Noir, 96 points

Houdini: 2015 Oakville Merlot, 92 points

B Side: 2016 Sonoma County Pinot Noir, 95 points

A Special Section of The Press Democrat

Ektimo Vineyards: 2014 Russian River Valley Pinot Noir, 95 points

Aratas Wine: 2012 Napa Valley Petite Sirah, 93 points

Ferrari-Carano: 2015 Sonoma County Merlot, 92 points

2018 North Coast Wine & Food Festival |

Balletto Vineyards: 2016 Russian River Valley Estate Pinot Noir, 95 points

Balletto Vineyards: 2015 Russian River Valley Winery Block Pinot Noir, 94 points St. Francis Winery: 2016 Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir, 94 points Trecini Winery: 2015 Russian River Valley Pinot Noir, 94 points Davis Bynum Winery: 2016 Russian River Valley Jane’s Vineyard Pinot Noir, 93 points Halleck Vineyard: 2014 Russian River Val-ley The Farm Vineyards Pinot Noir, 93 points Landmark Vineyards: 2015 Sonoma Coast Grand Detour Pinot Noir, 93 points

2018 North Coast Wine & Food Festival | A Special Section of The Press Democrat

Sonoma-Cutrer Vineyards: 2015 Russian River Valley Vine Hill Vineyard Pinot Noir, 93 points

Windsor Vineyards: 2016 Sonoma County Pinot Noir, 92 points DeLoach Vineyards: 2015 Marin County Pinot Noir, 91 points

Sonoma-Cutrer Vineyards: 2016 Russian River Valley Owsley Vineyard Frostwatch Vineyard & Winery: 2014 Pinot Noir, 93 points Bennett Valley Pinot Noir, 91 points Three Sticks Wines: 2016 Russian River Valley Pinot Noir, 93 points

Papapietro Perry: 2015 Russian River Valley Pommard Clones Pinot Noir, 91 points

VML: 2015 Russian River Valley Starscape Vineyard Pinot Noir, 93 points

Square Peg: 2015 Russian River Valley Pinot Noir, 91 points

Benziger Family Winery: 2015 Russian River Valley Bella Luna Vineyard Pinot Noir, 92 points Christopher Creek: 2015 Russian River Valley Reserve Pinot Noir, 92 points Marimar Estate: 2014 Sonoma Coast Mas Cavalls Pinot Noir, 92 points Sonoma-Cutrer Vineyards: 2015 Russian River Valley Pinot Noir, 92 points VML: 2015 Russian River Valley Estate Pinot Noir, 92 points

“Light, fruity and elegant. Drink up!” Judge’s comment: CLOUDS REST 2014 PINOT NOIR PETALUMA GAP

VML: 2015 Green Valley of Russian River Valley Cresta Ridge Vineyard Pinot Noir, 91 points

Clouds Rest Vineyards: 2014 Petaluma Gap Grand Vin Pinot Noir, 90 points DRNK: 2016 Russian River Valley Cavers Cuvée Pinot Noir, 90 points Papapietro Perry: 2015 Russian River Valley 777 Clones Pinot Noir, 90 points

Imagery Estate Winery: 2015 Sonoma Valley Pallas Estate Red, 93 points Benziger Family Winery: 2015 Sonoma Mountain Oonapais, 92 points Ferrari-Carano: 2014 Sonoma County Trésor, 92 points

SYRAH/ SHIRAZ

RED BORDEAUX BLENDS

Francis Coppola Reserve: 2015 Dry Creek Valley Syrah, 94 points

Clos du Bois: 2014 Alexander Valley Marlstone Red Blend, 96 points

Westerhold Family Vineyards: 2014 Bennett Valley Syrah, 91 points

Tom Mackey Cellars: 2015 Sonoma Valley Bordeaux Blend, 94 points

ZINFANDEL

Arbor Bench Vineyards: 2015 Dry Creek Valley Estate-Grown Meritage, 93 points

St. Anne’s Crossing Winery: 2015 Sonoma Valley Los Chamizal Zinfandel, 97 points

“Rubenesque; dark fruit and texture. Classic Bordeaux blend.” Judge’s comment: FERRARI-CARANO TRESOR SONOMA COUNTY

Wilson Winery: 2015 Dry Creek Valley Sydney Zinfandel, 97 points Pech Merle Winery: 2016 North Coast Lot 9 Reserve Zinfandel, 95 points Pezzi King Winery: 2015 Alexander Valley Harris Kratka Zinfandel, 95 points

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Pezzi King Winery: 2015 Russian River Valley Bacigalupi Zinfandel, 95 points Greenwood Ridge Vineyards: 2016 Mendocino Reserve Zinfandel, 94 points

“Balanced; bright fruit; focused; red raspberries; clean.” Judge’s comment: ST. ANNE’S CROSSING 2015 ZINFANDEL SONOMA VALLEY

Pech Merle Winery: 2015 Dry Creek Valley Zinfandel, 94 points

Alexander Valley Vineyards: 2014 Alexander Valley Sin Zin, 93 points Wilson Winery: 2015 Dry Creek Valley Heartland Zinfandel, 93 points Wilson Winery: 2015 Russian River Valley Cypress Ridge Zinfandel, 93 points Greenwood Ridge Vineyards: 2016 Mendocino Zinfandel, 92 points Wilson Winery: 2015 Dry Creek Valley Tori Zinfandel, 92 points Zouzounis: 2014 Sonoma County Zinfandel Dry Creek, 92 points Miro Cellars: 2015 Russian River Valley Ponzo Vineyard Old Vines Reserve Zinfandel, 91 points Alexander Valley Vineyards: 2014 Dry Creek Valley Redemption Zinfandel, 90 points

Wilson Winery: 2015 Dry Creek Valley Nolan Zinfandel, 94 points

J. Rickards Winery: 2016 Alexander Valley Brignole Vineyard Old Vine Zinfandel, 90 points

Wilson Winery: 2015 Dry Creek Valley Zinfandel, 94 points

Pezzi King Winery: 2015 Dry Creek Valley Elevation Zinfandel, 90 points

HALLECK VINEYARD

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2018 North Coast Wine & Food Festival | A Special Section of The Press Democrat

“The sweetest little fair in Sonoma County.”

Trentadue Winery: 2016 La Storia Alexander Valley Zinfandel, 90 points

OTHER RED VARIETALS Imagery Estate Winery: 2015 Pine Mountain-Cloverdale Peak Lagrein, 97 points

Tollini Vineyards: 2015 Mendocino County Nuova Generazione Red Wine, 94 points Truett Hurst Winery: 2015 Dry Creek Valley Dragonfly Red Field Blend, 94 points

Dashe Cellars: 2015 Alexander Valley Imagery Estate Winery: 2015 Pine The Comet, 93 points Mountain-Cloverdale Peak Sangiovese, Thirty-Seven Winery: 2016 Sonoma 97 points Coast Tolay, 93 points Imagery Estate Winery: 2015 Pine Mountain-Cloverdale Peak Tannat, 97 points Merriam Vineyards: 2013 Russian River Valley Windacre Vineyard Cabernet Franc, 94 points St. Anne’s Crossing Winery: 2015 Sonoma Valley Shumahi Vineyard Primitivo, 92 points

OTHER RED BLENDS

Join us in the shady oak grove for:

Imagery Estate Winery: 2015 Pine Mountain-Cloverdale Peak Tusca Brava, 97 points Sassoferrato: 2015 Alexander Valley Monte de Ferro, 94 points

“Great California reflection of the Tuscan style … very lush.” Judge’s comment: IMAGERY ESTATE WINERY 2015 TUSCA BRAVA PINE MOUNTAIN-CLOVERDALE PEAK

Brassfield Estate Winery: 2014 High Valley Eruption, 92 points

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2018 North Coast Wine & Food Festival |

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Buena Vista Winery: 2016 Sonoma County The Sheriff of Buena Vista, 92 points

Landmark Vineyards: 2015 Sonoma County Overlook Chardonnay, 95 points

Testa Vineyards: 2014 Mendocino County Black Sette, 92 points

Hook & Ladder: 2015 Russian River Valley Third Alarm Chardonnay, 94 points

GOLD MEDAL

J Vineyards and Winery: 2016 Russian River Valley Chardonnay, 94 points

WHITES CHARDONNAY

Simi Winery: 2016 Sonoma County Chardonnay, 98 points Soda Rock Winery: 2016 Mendocino County Chardonnay, 98 points VML: 2015 Russian River Valley Chardonnay, 97 points Davis Bynum Winery: 2015 Russian River Valley River West Vineyard Chardonnay, 95 points Frostwatch Vineyard & Winery: 2015 Bennett Valley Ophira Reserve Chardonnay, 95 points

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Landmark Vineyards: 2015 Sonoma Coast Damaris Reserve Chardonnay, 94 points

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Balletto Vineyards: 2017 Russian River Valley Teresa’s Estate Unoaked Chardonnay, 93 points

“A lovely, elegant wine, complex and creamy. Everything you want in a chardonnay.” Judge’s comment: TRUETT HURST’S VML

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Dry Creek Vineyard: 2016 Russian River Valley Block 10 Estate Chardonnay, 93 points

Rodney Strong Vineyards: 2016 Sonoma County Chardonnay, 93 points

Ektimo Vineyards: 2016 Russian River Francis Coppola Director’s: 2016 Sonoma County Chardonnay, Valley Chardonnay, 93 points 92 points Ferrari-Carano: 2016 Sonoma County Frank Family Vineyards: 2016 Chardonnay, 93 points Carneros Chardonnay, 92 points Frei Brothers: 2016 Russian River Westwood Estate Wines: 2016 Valley Chardonnay, 93 points Sonoma Coast Sangiacomo Vineyard Chardonnay, 92 points

“Inviting nose of Granny Smith apple; suave, creamy texture; hint of creme brulée.” Judge’s comment: SIMI 2016 CHARDONNAY SONOMA COUNTY

Pennyroyal Farm: 2016 Anderson Valley Chardonnay, 93 points

B Side: 2016 Sonoma County Chardonnay, 91 points Benziger Family Winery: 2016 Carneros Signaterra West Rows Chardonnay, 91 points Hook & Ladder: 2015 Russian River Valley Chardonnay, 90 points

PINOT GRIS/GRIGIO Ferrari-Carano: 2017 Russian River Valley Pinot Grigio, 97 points Balletto Vineyards: 2017 Russian River Valley Estate-Grown Pinot Gris, 92 points

OUR GOLD MEDAL WINNERS 2018 NORTH COAST WINE CHALLENGE

8 GOLD MEDAL

2018 North Coast Wine & Food Festival |

A Special Section of The Press Democrat

’15

UR Barbera

BOC, 97

pts

’15

UR Lagrein

BOC, 97

pts

’15

UR Sangiovese

BOC, 97

pts

’15

UR Tannat

BOC, 97

pts

’15

UR Tusca Brava

BOC, 97

pts

’15

UR Malbec

pts

’15

Pallas Merlot

pts

’15

Pallas Red

pts

SAUVIGNON BLANC

WHITE RHONE BLENDS

J. Rickards Winery: 2017 Alexander Valley Croft Vineyard Sauvignon Blanc, 98 points

Anaba Wines: 2016 Sonoma Valley Turbine White, 95 points

Cornerstone Cellars: 2016 Napa Valley Sauvignon Blanc, 92 points Mill Creek: 2017 Dry Creek Valley Vera’s Block Sauvignon Blanc, 92 points Geyser Peak Winery: 2017 Alexander Valley Sauvignon Blanc, 91 points Trecini Winery: 2017 Russian River Valley Sauvignon Blanc, 91 points Davis Bynum Winery: 2017 Russian River Valley Virginia’s Block Sauvignon Blanc, 90 points

Trattore: 2016 Dry Creek Valley Roussanne, 92 points

Navarro Vineyards: 2017 Mendocino Pinot Blanc, 93 points Greenwood Ridge Vineyards: 2017 Mendocino Ridge Riesling, 92 points Marimar Estate: 2016 Russian River Valley Albariño, 92 points Westwood Estate Wines: 2017 Sonoma

Valley Estate Roussanne Viognier, “Apricot stone fruit, 92 points opulent papaya Francis Coppola Reserve: 2016 River Valley Viognier, flavors, well integrated Russian 91 points … very pleasant finish.” “It makes you purr Judge’s comment: ANABA WINES 2016 like making a sweater TURBINE WHITE SONOMA VALLEY out of cat’s fur.”

OTHER WHITE

Orchard Station Winery: 2016 Russian VARIETALS River Valley Sauvignon Blanc, Hart’s Desire Wines: 2017 Dry Creek 90 points Valley Semillon, 96 points Pine & Brown: 2017 Mendocino Husch Vineyards: 2017 Mendocino Sauvignon Blanc, 90 points Chenin Blanc, 93 points

Judge’s comment: WESTWOOD ESTATE WINES 2017 ROUSSANE VIOGNIER SONOMA VALLEY

Francis Ford Coppola Storytellers: 2016 Sonoma County Roxane Vermentino, 91 points

GOLD MEDAL

ROSÉ

Kokomo Winery: 2017 Dry Creek Valley Pauline’s Vineyard Grenache Rosé, 98 points Rodney Strong Vineyards: 2017 Russian River Valley Rosé of Pinot Noir, 98 points Russian River Vineyards: 2017 Russian River Valley Rosé of Pinot Noir, 98 points C R Graybehl Wine Company: 2017 Sonoma Valley Grenache Rosé, 97 points Hart’s Desire Wines: 2017 Dry Creek Valley Sangiovese Rosé, 96 points Miro Cellars: 2017 Mendocino County Grenache Rosé, 95 points Dusk To Dawn: 2017 Russian River Valley Rosé of Pinot Noir, 94 points Navarro Vineyards: 2017 Anderson Valley Rosé of Pinot Noir, 94 points

2018 North Coast Wine & Food Festival | A Special Section of The Press Democrat

Ferrari-Carano: 2017 Sonoma County Dry Sangiovese Rosé, 93 points

Gloria Ferrer Caves & Vineyards: 2009 Carneros Extra Brut, 91 points

GOLD MEDAL

DESSERT

SPARKLING & DESSERT WINES & CIDERS CIDER

Sonoma Cutrer Vineyards: 2015 Russian River Valley Late Harvest Chardonnay, 95 points

From the editors of Sonoma Magazine, the bi-weekly newsletter for travelers to Sonoma Wine Country (and the locals who live here).

Cache Creek Vineyards: 2014 Lake County Elk in Velvet Petite Sirah Dessert Wine, 92 points

SPARKLING WINES Domaine Carneros: 2013 Carneros Brut, 96 points Kenwood Vineyards: NV Sonoma County Blanc de Blancs, 95 points

Gowan’s Heirloom Cider: 2015 Anderson Valley 1876 Heirloom Cuvée Cider, 98 points Gowan’s Heirloom Cider: 2017 Anderson Valley Macintosh Heirloom Cider, 95 points

Gloria Ferrer Caves & Vineyards: NV Carneros Sonoma Brut, 93 points Gloria Ferrer Caves & Vineyards: 2008 Carneros Royal Cuvée, 91 points

Darn Fine Finest Barn Wine J. Rickards 2017 Sauvignon Blanc Croft Vineyard

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Best of Show White Wine 2018 North Coast Wine Challenge

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Come visit us in Alexander Valley to experience our handcrafted, artisan wines. J. Rickards. Passion ... no pretense. 24505 Chianti Rd., Cloverdale, California | (707) 758-3441 | jrwinery.com Tasting Room open Monday through Saturday, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.

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Luxurious Living Inside & Out

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Your free weekly guide to all things fun in P-Town

Pe•ta• lu•ma [pet-l-oo-muh] noun

Winemaker Dinner in the Vineyard June 23th, 2018 To Reserve Your Seat: Go to www.sonomacutrer.com or call 707-237-3489

Definition: Only the coolest town in California. So many awesome people come from there, and it’s turning into quite the tourist spot. Usage:

“Hey, you wanna go down to Petaluma this weeked?” “Hell yes, Petaluma is hella chill.” Source: UrbanDictionary.com

Subscribe at PlayPetaluma.com

2018 North Coast Wine & Food Festival |

A Special Section of The Press Democrat

Congratulations to all the North Coast Wine Challenge Winners! Stop by the Barn today to get everything you need for summer-including over 100 rosĂŠs!

And come say hi to us at the Railroad Square Music Festival on June 10th for freebies and the chance to win $50 off your first order on our new online store!

3331-A Industrial Drive, Santa Rosa, CA 95403 707-528-1161 | bottlebarn.com 2018 North Coast Wine & Food Festival | A Special Section of The Press Democrat

Wells Fargo’s history with the California wine industry goes back to the 1860’s when Hungarian exile and Buena Vista Winery founder, Colonel Agoston Haraszthy, commissioned Wells Fargo to carry 300,000 Old World vine cuttings and roots to New World vineyards in California. The clippings and vines arrived, Haraszthy reported, “in the very best condition.” Today, Wells Fargo provides unparalleled industry expertise and comprehensive financial services to enable vineyards to grow and thrive. Our relationship managers are local to the North Coast community and take the time to listen and learn about your business, so they can provide relevant recommendations to support your day-to-day operations and long-term goals. Wells Fargo was a proud sponsor of the North Coast Wine and Food Festival. Peter Gruebele North Bay Area Region Head, Executive Vice President 415-396-1429 • peter.gruebele@wellsfargo.com © 2018 Wells Fargo Bank, N.A. All rights reserved. Member FDIC. PDS-1130601

2018 North Coast Wine & Food Festival |

A Special Section of The Press Democrat