HEALDSBURG, Calif. (August 28, 2014) — On August 24th, the Dry Creek Valley Association (DCVA) and Winegrowers of Dry Creek Valley (WDCV) hosted their 2014 Scholarship Fund Picnic at Preston Farm and Winery to raise money for local students. Since its establishment in 2003, the DCV Scholarship Fund has been committed to providing financial aid to graduating high school seniors and current college students toward tuition fees. In total, more than 30 cases of wine and other items for auction were donated to the event, thanks to the impressive generosity of the community. Bringing in over $20,000 in scholarship money, this year’s picnic was the most successful one yet.
Forty-one local wineries also donated wines to a blind tasting to determine the 2014 People’s Choice Award Winners. The tasters were members of the DCVA and WDCV, most were growers or winery owners and others were residents or friends of the those in the valley. In addition, a “Best in Show” Award was given to the wine generating the highest overall score. This year’s Dry Creek Valley Peoples Choice Award winners were:
Zinfandel:
- Gold: Wilson Winery
- Silver: Mazzocco Winery
- Bronze: Ferrari Carano Winery
Cabernet Sauvignon:
- Gold: Collier Falls Winery
- Silver: Mounts Winery
- Bronze: Wilson Winery
Syrah:
- Gold: Mounts Winery
- Silver: Amphora Winery
- Bronze: Preston Winery
Sauvignon Blanc:
- Gold: Dry Creek Vineyard
- Silver: Pedroncelli Winery
- Bronze: Kokomo Winery
Best in Show Award:
- Mounts Winery
Donald Goodkin, who co-chaired the event alongside fellow WDCV and DCVA member Yael Bernier, offered a hearty congratulations to the award-winners. “Congratulations to the winners! You are the ‘Peoples Choice’ for Dry Creek Valley. Do not underestimate the importance of this award. The ‘People’ may not be internationally recognized wine tasting experts, but they know what they like. And they like your wines best.”
The DCV Scholarship Fund was established as a cooperative effort by the DCVA and WDCV to provide financial aid to graduating high school seniors for the purpose of continuing their education in college. Since 2003, approximately $51,000 has been awarded to graduating seniors and to students who have graduated and are continuing to pursue a graduate degree in college. In May, the fund awarded $15,000 distributed among five graduating senior and seven prior award recipients who are now in college.
About Winegrowers of Dry Creek Valley
The Winegrowers of Dry Creek Valley® (WDCV) is an association of more than 60 wineries and 150 growers, of which more than 95 percent are small, family-owned operations. WDCV is dedicated to advancing the recognition, enhancement and preservation of Dry Creek Valley as a premium winegrowing region. Anchored by the charming town of Healdsburg, the Dry Creek Valley appellation was officially designated in 1983. Known as a premier zinfandel growing region, Dry Creek Valley is one of California’s oldest wine producing regions and is home to many heritage vineyards ranging in age from 50 to 120 years. To preserve this history and the valley’s pristine beauty, the Winegrowers of Dry Creek Valley supports sustainable viticulture and low-impact farming practices. www.wdcv.com
About Dry Creek Valley Association
The Dry Creek Valley Association (DCVA) is a charitable 501c(3) organization whose mission is to protect and enhance the natural resources, rural aspects and agricultural heritage of the Dry Creek Valley and its watershed, while safeguarding the interests of the valley’s present and future community. www.drycreekvalleyassociation.org/
