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Source: Ramona Valley Vineyard Association
December 17, 2015 (Ramona) – Vineyard & Winery Management’s 25th Annual Grand Harvest Awards revealed the results of this year’s competition, naming top honors for three local wineries: Ramona Ranch Winery, Altipiano Vineyard and Winery, and Lenora Winery. From a pool of nearly 1500 entries submitted from throughout the United States and as far away as New Zealand, the total number of awards included 48 Best of Class, 44 Double Gold, 183 Gold and 574 Silver medals.
Ramona Ranch Winery, Ramona Valley AVA (American Viticulture Area), was awarded:
- Best-in-class, one of only 48, and double gold, one of only 44, for their 2013 Estate Tannat red wine.
- Gold for their 2012 Sangiovese, Harvest Reserve, grapes from Paccielo Vineyard, Ramona Valley AVA
- Silver award for their 2013 Merlot, Barrel Aged, grapes from Pyramid Vineyard, Ramona Valley AVA
Altipiano Vineyard and Winery, San Diego County, was awarded:
- Silver for their 2012 Estate Sangiovese Blend
- Silver for their 2013 Estate Sangiovese Blend Reserve
- Bronze for their 2013 Merlot, grapes from Stone Lake Vineyard, Ramona Valley AVA
Lenora Winery (Ramona Vintners Cellars, Inc.), Ramona Valley AVA and California State Appellation, was awarded
- Silver for their 2012 Dessert wine, “Angel's Passion”
- Silver for their 2014 Metz Winery Sauvignon Blanc Blend
- Bronze for their 2014 Metz Winery Cabernet Sauvignon
All three wineries are members of the Ramona Valley Vineyard Association (RVVA), founded in 2001 and dedicated “to promote, protect and enhance the Ramona Valley AVA, our wines, vintners and community.” Largely responsible for securing the federally designated Ramona Valley AVA in 2006, the RVVA continues to “focus on community, education, sustainable operation of vineyards and wineries, and taking a leadership role within the San Diego County wine grape industry,” said current RVVA president Micole Moore, who is also co-owner of Ramona Ranch Winery.
Vineyard & Winery Management’s Director of Wine Competitions Debra Del Fiorentino, said, “Judges included winemakers, wine buyers, distributors, media personnel and other wine industry professionals who not only recognized the best wine submissions but possessed the level of knowledge and expertise needed to assess the wine’s terroir.”
Grand Harvest Awards spokesperson, Christopher Sawyer, a sommelier and wine educator based in Sonoma County, said, “For decades we have been trying to interpret the styles of wines made in America. Now, thanks to the use of new technology and fruit from more mature vines, the unique flavor profiles are becoming more defined. For those reasons, it’s exciting to see that the diverse list of winners at the Grand Harvest Awards 2015 really demonstrate how terroir makes a difference in the flavor profiles of grapes planted in special regions across the nation.”
“This unique wine competition showcases the diversity of terroir and we are pleased to be part of the research and promotion of all its regions in the U.S. and beyond,” said Robert Merletti, President and Publisher of Vineyard & Winery Management magazine.
Full results for the competition are posted on winecompetitions.com, a website developed by EnofileOnline for Vineyard & Winery Management to house all six of its wine competitions, and on enofileonline.com.
Official sponsors of the competition included Hilton Sonoma Wine Country, Penta Ultra-Purified Water, Graber Olives, Wine Country Shipping, Alsco, Costeaux French Bakery, Lagunitas Brewing Company and Sonoma Cider.
About Vineyard & Winery Management
Based in Santa Rosa, Calif., Vineyard & Winery Management is an independently owned and operated multimedia company that produces an international wine trade publication, conferences, trade shows and wine competitions. The family-owned company publishes Vineyard & Winery Management magazine, which has the highest circulation of any North American wine trade publication. V&WM's conferences and trade shows include Craft Beverages Unlimited East and Craft Beverages Unlimited Midwest. Its wine competitions include The Press Democrat North Coast Wine Challenge, Grand Harvest Awards, East Meets West Wine Challenge, International Women's Wine Competition. See vwmmedia.com for more information.
About Altipiano Vineyard and Winery
Altipiano Vineyard and Winery is located in the Highland Valley Region of San Diego County between Ramona and Escondido. Winemaker Denise Clarke co-owns the winery with husband Peter. They feature several Estate and locally grown varietals which include Brunello Sangiovese, Sangiovese Blends, Barbera, Super Tuscan, Merlot, Cabernet Franc and Pinot Gris. Located at 20365 Camino Del Aguila, Escondido, CA 92025, the Altipiano tasting room winter hours are Friday/Saturday/Sunday, noon to Sunset, spring/summer hours noon to 6pm. For additional information, go to http://www.altipianovineyard.com
About Lenora Winery
Lenora Winery has been serving the local community since 1999 and is the second oldest winery in Ramona. Lenora Winery is a family run vineyard of five acres located in the beautiful and picturesque Ramona Valley. Just one mile from old town Ramona and only 28 miles northeast of San Diego, Lenora sits in the heart of the Ramona Valley American Viticulture Area (AVA) near the Pacific coastal mountain ranges of Southern California. They feature over twenty-two red, rose, white and dessert wines made from their own grapes that include Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Sangiovese, Chardonnay, Muscat, Saugivnon Blanc, Zinfandel and Grenache as well as several blends. Located at 251 Steffy Lane, Ramona, CA 92065, their picturesque estate home overlooking the valley affords outdoor and indoor tasting Saturdays and Sundays from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. For additional information, go to http://www.lenorawinery.com
About Ramona Ranch Winery
Ramona Ranch Winery is a boutique winery located in the heart of the Ramona Valley AVA (American Viticulture Area) co-owned by Teri Kerns and Micole Moore. They produce wines from grapes from Estate and local vineyards and offer both white and red wines, including the recently released and award winning Tannat red wine, Sangiovese, Merlot, Syrah and a light red Montepulciano along with white wines, Viognier and orange Muscat (dry), rose, and dessert Sauvignon Blanc. Located at 23578 Highway 78, Ramona, CA 92065, the Ramona Ranch Winery tasting room is open Friday/Saturday/Sunday from noon to dusk. For additional information, go to http://www.ramonaranch.net
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