Cameron Mauritson Awarded 2014 Outstanding Young Farmer Award; David Stare Honored with Lifetime Achievement Award
HEALDSBURG, Calif. (September 23, 2014) — Winners of the Sonoma County Harvest Fair Professional Wine Competition were announced last Sunday, and Winegrowers of Dry Creek Valley® (WDCV) wines came out on top, with six Best-In-Show awards. The two wineries with the most gold-level awards were WDCV members Wilson Winery (18 awards) and Mazzocco Winery (9). In addition to the slew of awards that the WDCV wineries received, two members will be honored with personal awards at this year’s Sonoma County Harvest Fair. WDCV President Cameron Mauritson will receive the 2014 Outstanding Young Farmer Award and WDCV founding member David Stare, of Dry Creek Vineyard, will be presented with the Lifetime Achievement Award.
There will be an Awards Night with Harvest Fair Honorees on Sunday, September 28th at the Wells Fargo Center for the Arts and the fair takes place October 3rd-October 5th. The central highlight of the Sonoma County Harvest Fair is its Tasting Pavilion, in which guests can taste the award-winning wines alongside award-winning local foods.
Cameron Mauritson is a sixth generation grape grower in his family. His family has been growing grapes in Dry Creek Valley since 1868. To be eligible for the Outstanding Young Farmer Award, one must be under 40; at age 30, Mauritson is even five years younger than the zinfandel vines surrounding his home. He lives in Dry Creek Valley with his wife, Ashley. He and his two brothers, Bob and Blake, manage 310 acres of vineyards with their father, Thom Mauritson. Cameron Mauritson’s expertise comes not only from his family, but also from his formal education–he attended California Polytechnic San Luis Obispo for a Bachelor of Science in Wine Business and for a Master of Science in Agriculture, emphasizing Crop Science.
Cameron Mauritson is the third member of WDCV to receive his award, and the second in his family. In 1983, Thom Mauritson was also honored with the Outstanding Young Farmer Award and in 1981, Dane Peterson of Fall Creek Vineyards earned the title.
David Stare founded Dry Creek Vineyard in 1972, making it the first new winery in the Valley after the Prohibition. Stare’s contributions to the Valley are immense. He was the first to plant Sauvignon Blanc in Dry Creek Valley, the first to coin the term “Old Vine” to describe pre-Prohibition Zinfandel plantings, the first to use the term “Meritage” on a wine label, and his wines were the first to use the Dry Creek Valley Appellation name. In 1989, he helped found WDCV. He has devoted much of his life to Dry Creek Valley and to increasing Sonoma County’s reputation for world-class wines.
Many WDCV vintners received high honors in the Sonoma County Harvest Fair Professional Wine Competition. Top wines from Dry Creek Valley included:
Best of Class Winners
- Mazzocco Sonoma 2012 Zinfandel Smith Orchard Reserve $52.00
- Mazzocco Sonoma 2012 Zinfandel Sullivan $34.00
- Hawley 2010 Estate Meritage $52.00
- Dutcher Crossing 2012 Kupferschmid Red $38.00
- Mill Creek Vineyards 2013 Estate Dry Gewürztraminer $23.00
- Wilson Winery 2011 Dorothy’s Vineyard Syrah $32.00
Double Gold Winners
- Mazzocco Sonoma 2011 Cabernet Sauvignon $30.00
- Mazzocco Sonoma 2012 Zinfandel Briar $29.00
- Mazzocco Sonoma 2012 Zinfandel Pony Reserve $60.00
- Mazzocco Sonoma 2012 Zinfandel Maple Reserve $60.00
- Pedroncelli 2013 Sauvignon Blanc East Side Vineyards $14.00
- Peterson Winery 2011 Petite Sirah $32.00
- Trattore Wines 2013 mR. $24.00
- Wilson Winery 2011 Molly’s Vineyard Petite Sirah $40.00
- Wilson Winery 2012 Molly’s Vineyard Single Vineyard Reserve Zinfandel $50.00
- Wilson Winery 2012 Molly’s Vineyard Estate Single Vineyard Zinfandel $36.00
- Wilson Winery 2012 Carl’s Vineyard Estate Single Vineyard Zinfandel $36.00
Gold Winners
- Dry Creek Vineyard 2013 Sauvignon Blanc $18.00
- Dry Creek Vineyard 2011 The Mariner Meritage $45.00
- Dutcher Crossing 2011 Taylor Reserve Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon $46.00
- Forchini Vineyards and Winery 2012 Papa Nonno $26.00
- Mazzocco Sonoma 2012 Briar Petite Sirah $35.00
- Pedroncelli 2009 Four Grapes Vintage Port $19.00
- Sbragia Family Vineyards 2012 La Promessa Zinfandel $48.00
- Trattore Wines 2012 Viognier $26.00
The 2014 Sonoma County Harvest Fair marks its 40th year of showcasing the county’s grand harvest which continues to result in world-class wines, award winning beer and a plethora of culinary wealth. Each October, thirsty travelers from over thirty different states, are beckoned to Santa Rosa to participate in a complete farm to table experience, inspired by the county’s hard working farmer’s, ranchers, vintners and producers. For more information about attending the Awards Night With Harvest Fair Honorees or the Sonoma County Harvest Fair, visit
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.drycreekvalley.org
