Issue link: https://read.dmtmag.com/i/705606
SCENE AT : 2015 Westwood Estate, 2014 Sonoma Valley, Annadel Gap Vineyard, Clone 37, Pinot Noir Takes "Best of the Best" his past April, Vineyard & Winery Manage- ment magazine (V&WM) and The Press Democrat held the fourth-annual North Coast Wine Challenge at Hilton Sonoma Wine Country in Santa Rosa. The competition focused exclu- sively on wines produced and bottled by winer- ies with grapes grown only in North Coast AVAs (Sonoma, Napa, Lake and parts of Marin and Sola- no counties). Wines were judged from a field of nearly 1,050 entries. The challenge was created to highlight the best of each county and, ultimately, the entire region. The North Coast served as its own jury in the decision making, with competition judges representing the best sommeliers, winemakers, retail buyers and media. Top wines received rankings of Best of Class by Category, Best of County, and Best of the Best. This year's highest honor went to Westwood Estate, 2014 Sonoma Valley, Annadel Gap Vineyard, Clone 37, Pinot Noir, receiv- ing 99 out of 100 points and taking home the Best of Show Red, Best of Sonoma County and Best of the Best. Judges described it as "an absolute stunner. Wow!" "It's always a nail-biter to discover the winner from a field of so many spectacular entries," says Wine Competition Director Debra Del Fiorentino. Celebrating Northern California's Best of the Best 2 O 1 6 BEST OF LAKE COUNTY: Hagafen Cellars, 2015 Lake County, Clearwater Ranch, White Riesling BEST OF MARIN COUNTY: DeLoach Vineyards, 2013 Marin County, Pinot Noir BEST OF MENDOCINO COUNTY: Navarro Vineyards, 2015 Mendocino County, Pinot Blanc BEST OF NAPA COUNTY: Amizetta Estate Winery, 2013 Napa Valley, Cabernet Sauvignon BEST OF SOLANO COUNTY: Cairdean Vineyards, 2014 Suisun Valley, Riesling OTHER 2016 "BEST OF" WINNERS INCLUDE: 1. 2. 3. 1 1 4 VINEYARD & WINERY MANAGEMENT | J u l y - A u g 2 016 B R O U G H T T O Y O U B Y B R OU G HT T O Y O U B Y