Competition to be held March 22, 2017
Hosted by Wilson Artisan Wineries at Soda Rock Winery, Healdsburg
Healdsburg, CA – Thursday, June 16, 2016 — Directly after announcing the results of its 2016 Competition, Rosé Today Wine Director Bob Ecker has announced the date for Rosé Today: The 2017 Competition, to be held Wednesday, March 22, 2017, again hosted by Wilson Artisan Wineries at the Soda Rock Winery, Healdsburg, CA.
“Not the sweet swill of yesteryear,” said Ecker, “today Rosé is zesty, alive and ready for its spotlight, as the tantalizing array of entries in this year’s Competition so vividly demonstrated. We know next year’s Competition, with its entry categories of domestic, international and sparkling, will certainly reflect this vitality and burgeoning popularity even more.”
Competition Producer Craig Palmer acknowledged the continuing commitment of Wilson Artisan Wineries to Rosé Today as its Presenting Sponsor. “We are so grateful to Ken and Diane Wilson and the Wilson Artisan Wineries family for everyone’s generous and enthusiastic support of Rosé Today,” said Palmer. “We so appreciate Wilson Artisan Wineries’ distinctive signature celebrating the diverse experiences the wonderful world of wine offers.”
Complete details on The 2017 Competition will be announced in early Fall, explained Ecker. For full information immediately as it becomes available, producers are invited to log on to the Rosé Today website, www.rosewinetoday.com. For information, call Bob Ecker at (707) 421-1701 or email bob@rosewinetoday.com
Bob Ecker, Wine Director: Based in Napa, California, Bob Ecker is a longtime wine writer and wine judge providing domestic as well as international magazines, newspapers and websites with compelling wine coverage, wine travel content, destination travel, culinary, and feature content. His work has been published in the San Francisco Chronicle, Chicago Tribune, South China Morning Post, Toronto Globe & Mail, Dallas Morning News, Decanter, Wine Business Monthly and Wine Enthusiast among other publications. Ecker has been judging wines for many years at The San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition, Lake County Wine Competition and Amador County Wine Competition among others, and created the inaugural Rose Competition in 2013, the very first dedicated Rose Wine Competition in the United States.
The Rosé Competition: After judging in numerous wine competitions, in 2013 Bob Ecker created the very first ever Rosé Wine Competition in the United States. Held at Napa’s Meritage Resort & Spa, he invited rosé producers from California and received 89 entries. In 2015 he produced a larger Rosé Competition inviting rosé wine producers from across the United States. There were two categories, “Dry” and “A Little Sweet.” Although the majority of submitted wines were from California, entries came in from 20 different states. In 2016, The Competition was renamed Rosé Today and was hosted by Wilson Artisan Wineries at Soda Rock Winery in Healdsburg, California. Entry categories were expanded to include domestic, international and sparkling, with entries coming from international producers in Canada, France, and Chile and half a dozen states. Prominent wine judges for The 2016 Competition included: Sean Brosnihan, Jordan Winery; Debra Del Fiorentino, Director of Wine Competitions for Vineyard and Winery Management; Rick Fraga, Wine Educator for Wilson Winery; Denise Gill, Alexander Valley Vineyards; Teejay Lowe, winegrower; Sara Preiser, The Preiser Key; Christopher Sawyer, internationally heralded sommelier; Bill Smart, Lambert Bridge Winery; Victoria Wilson, Matrix Winery; Deborah Parker Wong, The Tasting Panel.
Wilson Artisan Wineries: Diane and Ken are devoted to things they value most—family and friends—and are committed to the stewardship and sustainable farming of their 600 plus vineyard acres. Diane, a native Californian, cherishes her high-energy lifestyle that includes raising children, making wine at the Wilson Artisan Wineries and taking an active role in the community. Ken, born and raised in Ontario, Canada, is robust and passionate about his vineyards and wineries. It was Ken’s wisdom and vision that created the diversity of vineyard sources over the years. These vineyards provide the premium quality fruit that has brought notable recognition to the Wilson Artisan Wineries. Diane and Ken also own Healdsburg’s historic Grape Leaf Inn and Calderwood Inn in addition to their ten wine brands: Wilson Winery, Mazzocco Winery, deLorimier Winery, Soda Rock Winery, Matrix Winery, Jaxon Keys Winery & Distillery, Pezzi King Vineyards, Mosaic Winery, St. Anne’s Crossing Winery and Greenwood Ridge Vineyards.
