Issue link: http://read.dmtmag.com/i/197178
Scene At: Navarro Vineyards Late Harvest Gewürztraminer wins Best of Show five wines as Best of Show winners in their respective categories. In an effort to recognize young winemaking talent, winemakers under 35 years of age were invited to submit their best wines for the first Rising Star Winemaker Award. Eric Harris of Two-EE's Winery in Indiana won the title, earning Best of Class awards for his 2011 tannat and 2011 Norton wines, and achieving the highest collective scoring points awarded by the judges. "The judging panels were the perfect combination of wine professionals from different backgrounds," said Jessica Altieri, certified sommelier and president of Wine Channel TV, who served as the spokesperson and judge for the competition. Judges included winemakers, educators, trade professionals and media from around the country. At the judges dinner, held at Raymond Vineyards in the Napa Valley, Altieri conducted interviews with the competition judges, streamed live through Wine Channel TV. Award-winning wines will also be featured on the Wine Channel TV Network from November through December. BEST OF SHOW + Best Red: Handley Cellars 2010 Pinot Noir, RSM Vineyard, Anderson Valley ($52) n Sept. 4-5, Vineyard & Winery Management hosted the first International Wine Channel TV awards, held at the Sonoma County Fairgrounds in Santa Rosa, Calif. The competition was organized in conjunction with Chicago-based Wine Channel TV (www.winechanneltv.com), a multi-platform wine lifestyle community that connects wine brands and Millennials through original video content. A talented group of professional wine judges evaluated more than 850 international wines and awarded a total of 26 Best of Class, 16 double gold, 65 gold and 230 silver medals. The overall Best of Show award went to the Navarro Vineyards 2012 Late Harvest Gewürztraminer, from California's Anderson Valley. Judges also named 116 V I N EYA R D & WINE RY M ANAGEM ENT | Nov - Dec 2013 + Best White: Burntshirt Vineyards 2012 Sunset Sippin', North Carolina ($14) + Best Rosé: Castoro Cellars 2012 Rosato di Zinfandel, Paso Robles ($19) + Best Sparkling Wine: Gloria Ferrer Caves & Vineyards, Blanc de Noirs, NV, Carneros ($22) + Best Fruit Wine: Keg Springs Winery M'Lady's Strawberry, NV, Tennessee ($12) + Best Dessert Wine: Navarro Vineyards 2012 Late Harvest Gewürztraminer, Anderson Valley ($29) For full results, see www.winecompetitions.com. w w w. v wm m e d i a . c o m