Issue link: http://read.dmtmag.com/i/561374
he St. Francis Winery & Vineyards 2013 Sonoma County Old Vine Zinfandel took the top prize at the 2015 Interna- tional Women's Wine Competi- tion (IWWC), held June 23-24 at the Sonoma County Fairgrounds in Santa Rosa, Calif. Organized by Vineyard & Winery Manage- ment, the annual competition features judging panels com- prised of highly regarded female wine professionals. Of nearly 1,100 wines entered in the 2015 competition, nine won Best of Show awards, 42 earned Best of Class designations, 20 won double-gold medals and 125 won gold medals. There was a tie this year for the title of Best Woman Winemaker, between two Sonoma County winemakers: Katie Madigan of St. Francis Winery & St. Francis 2013 Sonoma County Old Vine Zinfandel Wins Best of Show 2 0 1 5 2 0 1 5 2 0 1 5 2 0 1 5 2 0 1 5 2 0 1 5 2 0 1 5 2 0 1 5 2 0 1 5 2 0 1 5 2 0 1 5 2 0 1 5 2 0 1 5 2 0 1 5 2 0 1 5 Scene at: Best Red: St. Francis Winery & Vineyards 2013 Old Vine Zinfandel, Sonoma County ($19.95) Best White: VML Wines 2014 Sauvignon Blanc, Russian River Valley ($23) Best Sparkling: Gloria Ferrer 2006 Royal Cuvee, Carneros ($37) Best Rosé: Nichelini Family Winery 2014 Cabernet Sauvignon Rosé, Napa Valley ($26) Best Dessert: Burgdorf's Winery 2013 Vidal Blanc Ice Wine, Michigan ($16) Best Mead: Galena Cellars NV Mead, Illinois ($15.99) Best Cider: Bold Rock Hard Cider 2015 Carolina Draft, North Carolina ($9.99) Best Red: St. Francis Winery & Vineyards 2013 Old Vine Zinfandel, Sonoma County ($19.95) Best of Show Vineyards and Virginia Marie Lam- brix of VML Wines. "The 2015 competition was the best one yet – entries were up by 30%," said sommelier Debra Del Fiorentino, chief judge for IWWC. "The industry is watching this competition, because of the buying power women have in the U.S. wine marketplace." IWWC judges recognize the best wines submitted in each year's competition, also taking into account the appeal they are likely to have for female wine buy- ers and consumers. Competition sponsors includ- ed: Montgomery Village, Costeaux's French Bakery, Lagunitas Brewing Co., Hilton Sonoma Wine Coun- try Hotel, Alsco, Wine Country Shipping, Penta Water, Graber Olives and Sonoma Cider. he St. Francis Winery & he St. Francis Winery & he St. Francis Winery & he St. Francis Winery & he St. Francis Winery & Vineyards 2013 Sonoma Vineyards 2013 Sonoma Vineyards 2013 Sonoma Vineyards 2013 Sonoma Vineyards 2013 Sonoma Vineyards 2013 Sonoma Vineyards 2013 Sonoma County Old Vine Zinfandel took County Old Vine Zinfandel took County Old Vine Zinfandel took County Old Vine Zinfandel took County Old Vine Zinfandel took County Old Vine Zinfandel took County Old Vine Zinfandel took County Old Vine Zinfandel took County Old Vine Zinfandel took County Old Vine Zinfandel took County Old Vine Zinfandel took County Old Vine Zinfandel took County Old Vine Zinfandel took County Old Vine Zinfandel took 1 0 8 V I N E YA R D & W I N E RY M A N A G E M E N T | S e p t - O c t 2 0 15 w w w. v w m m e d i a . c o m