ARIZONA REPUBLIC WINE COMPETITION WINNERS!
Every year Arizona winemakers submit their finest offerings to compete in the Arizona Republic Wine Competition. The awards are presented every Friday night prior to the next day’s annual Arizona Wine Growers Festival at The Farm celebration. The first year, the Arizona Wine Growers Association coordinated with TAPAS (Tempranillo Advocates Producers and Amigos Society) Executive Director, Heidi Stine, to coordinate the competition, but the last three years, Richard Ruelas, Arizona Republic columnist, has taken over the responsibilities.
The competition took place on October 30th at Cowboy Ciao restaurant in Scottsdale. Judges included a cross section of the Valley’s noted wine experts but also included a surprise out-of-town guest… Jon McDaniel, the restaurant manager of the Purple Pig in Chicago. Two other noteworthy judges were Master Sommeliers Laura Williamson and Greg Tresner.
Some of the big winners of the night - Photo by Tim Hilcove
Every year the submissions are separated into two categories and then further segregated into wine style. The Grower’s Cup awards are for wines grown and produced in Arizona, while the Winemaker’s Medal is for wine grown from anywhere and made in Arizona. Here are this year’s winners:
Grower’s Cup Medal – Red
GOLD – 2010 Arizona Stronghold Nachise
SILVER – 2010 Caduceus Cellars Nagual de la Naga
BRONZE – 2010 Sand-Reckoner Vineyards “7″
BRONZE – 2010 Caduceus Cellars Anubis
Grower’s Cup Medal – Rosé
GOLD – 2011 Page Springs Cellars La Flor Rosa
SILVER – 2011 Caduceus Cellars Lei Li
BRONZE – Arizona Stronghold Dayden
Grower’s Cup Medal – White
GOLD – 2011 Arizona Stronghold Tazi
SILVER – 2011 Arizona Stronghold Dala Chardonnay
BRONZE – 2011 Arizona Stronghold Malvasia Norte
Grower’s Cup Medal – Dessert
GOLD – 2011 Carlson Creek Sweet Adeline Riesling
SILVER – 2010 Sand-Reckoner Vineyards “11″
BRONZE – NV Coronado Vineyards Conquistador Red
Winemaker’s Medal – Red
GOLD – 2011 Page Springs Cellars Petite Sirah SILVER – 2010 Saeculum Cellars Syrah
BRONZE – 2011 Carlson Creek Syrah
BRONZE – 2009 Dionysian Cellars Syrah
Winemaker’s Medal – White
GOLD – 2011 Carlson Creek Chenin Blanc
SILVER – 2011 Saeculum Cellars Sauvignon Blanc
BRONZE – 2011 Merkin Vineyards Chupacabra Blanca
This year the judge’s also awarded “Wines of Distinction” as well as “Judge’s Favorites.”
Wine’s of Distinction
2010 Alcantara Confluence IV
2011 Arizona Stronghold Nachise
2011 Arizona Stronghold Site Archives Malvasia
2011 Arizona Stronghold Site Archives Riesling
2010 Caduceus Cellars VSC Premier Paso
2011 Caduceus Cellars, Dos Ladrones
2010 Coronado Vineyards Syrah
2011 Dos Cabezas Meskeoli
2010 Dos Cabezas RED
2011 Freitas Vineyards Malvasia Bianca
Javelina Leap Syrah
2010 Javelina Leap Zinfandel
2011 Merkin Vineyards The Diddler
2011 Merkin Vineyards Shinola (New Mexico)
2010 Page Springs Cellars Chardonnay (Arizona Stronghold Vineyard)
2010 Page Springs Cellars Petite Sirah (Estate)
2011 Page Springs Cellars La Serrana
2011 Page Springs Cellars Vino de la Familia
2010 Pillsbury Diva
2011 Pillsbury Viognier
2008 Rancho Rossa Merlot
Judge’s Favorites
2011 Merkin Vineyards The Diddler – Laura Williamson
2010 Saeculum Cellars Syrah (CA) – Laura Williamson
2010 Sand-Reckoner Vineyards ’11′ – Greg Tresner
2009 Canelo Hills Estate Tempranillo – Jon McDaniel
2011 Caduceus Cellars VSC Chenin Blanc – Robert Lindeman
2011 Freitas Vineyard Malvasia Bianca – Robert Lindeman
2011 Page Springs Cellars La Flor Rosa – Noelle DuPont
2011 Merkin Vineyards Shinola (NM) – Noelle DuPont
2011 Pillsbury Wine Wild Child White – Ryan McLaughlin
2011 Page Springs Cellars La Serrana – Josh Hebert
2011 Arizona Stronghold Dala Chardonnay – Josh Hebert
2009 Alcantara Merlot – Josh Hebert
View the full list of awards and information about the competition is at AZCentral.com or watch for updates at ArizonaWine.org.
Arizona Vines & Wines congratulates all participants and winners in this year’s competition.
