Historic wine region further gains acclaim for world-class wines at prestigious wine competition
Plymouth, California, 23 July 2019 – The winemakers and wine grape growers of Amador County struck gold (and silver and bronze) at the 2019 California State Fair Wine Competition, bringing home 239 medals and recognition for the historic wine region of Amador County. The medals awarded recognize the hard work, skill, and care that is given to producing beautiful wines in the region.
Amador holds the distinction in 2019 of not only bringing home hundreds of medals, but also received two of the State Fair’s highest awards – California Vineyard of the Year and Golden State Winery of the Year. The Vineyard of the Year was awarded to Dick Cooper Ranch and Golden State Winery of the Year to Jeff Runquist Wines. These recipients are recognized for their high-caliber production practices, whether in the vineyard or winery, their contributions to the wine industry and their level of commitment to growth and progress in their operations, community, the industry, and their products.
Amador’s vintners and winemakers, working with world-class wine grapes sourced from spectacular vineyards in Amador and beyond, have been awarded over 200 medals for their wines, including many Best of California and Best of Class of Appellation designations. The 2019 competition received more than 2,500 entries.
“There are wonderful things happening in the cellars of Amador County and the State Fair competition results are another testament to the hard work and skill that the men and women in our region put into making beautiful wines for us all to enjoy,” Jack Gorman, Amador Vintners Executive Director. “Amador is full of great wines, welcoming tasting rooms and fun wine events all year long for people to visit and enjoy. We are excited about these results and to share them with folks visiting Amador Wine Country.”
The California State Fair Wine Competition is held annually and provides a focus on place by judging only wines produced and made from grapes grown in California. The Golden State is further partitioned into regions and thus highlights the distinct and unique growing and winemaking opportunities afforded within each. Highly qualified judges who have undergone strict training and pre-screening taste through hundreds of wines to rate and award only those worthy of distinction and awards within the California wine community. Judging takes place prior to the two-week run of the California State Fair from July 12-28, 2019.
About the Amador Wine Region
The historic Amador wine region traces its roots back to the Gold Rush of the 1850s as settlers came looking for gold in the California foothills. Many of the prospectors were immigrants from Europe and brought with them their love of wine. Vineyards were planted and wineries opened to supply the thirst of the miners. Some plantings from the Gold Rush continue to thrive in Amador County today, giving producers access to some of the oldest vineyards in California. The region is home to over 45 wineries and more than 3,700 acres of vineyards planted on rolling hillsides. Long a home of amazing Zinfandels, growers have planted, and winemakers are now making wines from a diverse array of grapes including Barbera, Sangiovese, and Syrah in the reds, and Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Grigio and Viognier in the whites, just to name a few.
The region has garnered acclaim for full bodied, rich fruit flavors in its wines with balance and harmony that pair well with numerous foods and cuisines. Award-winning restaurateurs and sommeliers seek out wines from the Amador region to complement their menus and enhance their wine lists.
About Amador Vintners
The Amador Vintners Association is a voluntary membership-based organization working with more than 45 extraordinary member wineries and tasting rooms in Amador County to showcase the region’s award-winning Zinfandels, Barberas, Italian and Rhones varietals. Rich in wine history and heritage, Amador holds a special distinction to be one of the only wine-producing regions to be home to all family-owned wineries. The Vintners host events and tastings throughout the year to invite guests to explore the region and learn more about Amador’s wine community and its history. To learn more, visit www.amadorwine.com.
