"Now in its 26th year the competition, held at the Citrus Fair in Cloverdale, is run by Bob and Cary Fraser and their children, Scott Fraser and Alexandra Fraser Alvarez. It's truly a family affair, as many of the panel coordinators are relatives and friends, and judges come from all over the US, including Missouri, Washington, New York and Texas."
"There were 16 panels of judges who narrowed down the entry pool to 56 contenders in the final Sweepstakes round held Friday, Jan. 16. The prospect of judging 56 red blends under $20 is scary, and perhaps even more so the task of evaluating 40-plus cabs over $75, which tend to be a double whammy of new oak and enough tannin to sink a battleship."
"We chose the Piper Sonoma NV Brut ($23) from Sonoma County as Best Sparkling from a field of five finalists, and picked the 2025 Lewis Grace Rose ($26) from El Dorado County as Best Rose from a field of seven Best of Class winners. In the Specialty Category, which included two dessert wines, a cream sherry from Stone Hill Winery in Missouri ($29.99), a port-style Angelica made of Mission grapes from Skinner Vineyards ($125) in El Dorado,"
Over 5,500 North American entries competed at the 26th San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition held at the Citrus Fair in Cloverdale. The competition was run by the Fraser family with judges from across the U.S. Sixteen judge panels narrowed entries to 56 finalists for the Sweepstakes round. California swept all top categories. Best Sparkling was Piper Sonoma NV Brut; Best Rosé was 2025 Lewis Grace Rosé from El Dorado. Specialty winner was a Late Harvest Gewurztraminer from Castello d'Amarosa sourced in Anderson Valley. Best White went to New Clairveaux Viognier; Best Red to a 2022 Pianetta Syrah from Paso Robles.
Read at www.mercurynews.com
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