A couple of months ago, we discussed whether we should start entering some wine competitions. We came to the conclusion that we had nothing to lose and honestly felt our wines would hold up pretty well. So we entered the SF Chronicle Wine Competition, as it was the first one that came up once are wines were ready. It is a huge competition with over 4,000 wines entered. This was our first competition and I had read the results would be published in February in the Chronicle. We knew that judging was taking place last week because Lodi Winegrape Commission Executive Director, Mark Chandler, was out of the office as a judge. BUT we really had no idea when to expect the results. SO…..on Friday afternoon when we got an email blast from Lodi Wine Country that the results were in…I couldn’t wait to scour the awards. First I searched the Zinfandels in our price category. Wait, I thought, that can’t be OUR wine listed. Close your eyes, scroll the page again. Yep, it was still there under the GOLD medal winners. At this point, I couldn’t contain myself. I called Kyle and shared the news as I searched for the other wines. Petite Sirah…I missed it the first time through. Okay, I checked again. GOLD for the Petite Sirah too!! Unbelievably surreal. Then, the Tempranillo. There it was listed. SILVER medal which was given a class where no GOLD was awarded. WOW!!! The word spread quickly amongst ourselves and then close family and friends. I know lots of wineries have won many awards but how sweet the victory is that very first time! We’ve joked about hanging some of the kids swimming medals around the neck of one of our bottles and see how long before someone noticed. Now our wines will be collecting a little bling of their own! To view all the results go to www.winejudging.com.
