Results from the 3rd Annual Foothill Wine Festival Competition

3rd Annual Foothill Wine Festival Competition Crowns 2019 Gwinllan Estate Sparkling Rosé Best Sparkling and Best Of Show; 2022 Casino Mine Ranch “Flicka” Named Best White; 2021 Jeff Runquist Charbono Named Best Red; 2022 Rosa-Lucca “Sweet Ayla” Named Best Rosé; and 2021 Jeff Runquist “Sisney” Port Named Best Dessert Wine

Folsom, Calif., —Sept. 14, 2023— Gwinllan Estate’s 2019 Sparkling Rosé from Fairplay once again took Best Sparkling for the second straight year. The dazzling pink sparkler also garnered the highest score, earning it Best of Show honors. 

Casino Mine’s Best White, the 2022 “Flicka,” is made from Greco di Tufo, but this grape varietal may not be used on US wine labels. Similar to the usage of “Champagne,” the name is proprietary to a region in Campania, Italy, and cannot legally appear on labels outside the region.

This is the first time a Charbono took Best Red at this competition, with honors going to Jeff Runquist. Rosa-Lucca Estates, a first-time entrant, took three Best of Class honors, for their 2022 Rosé, 2019 ‘Grandpa’s Field’ Zinfandel and 2022 Falanghina. 

From 378 entries by 23 wineries, the judges, which included media, sommeliers and wine buyers from throughout California, awarded 36 Double Golds, 103 Gold, 168 Silver, and 54 Bronze medals. In 2022, 34 Double Gold, 85 Gold, 146 Silver and 60 Bronze medals were awarded out of 347 entries. To win a Double Gold, all judges on a panel must concur that the wine is of superior quality. Scores of 95 points and higher are awarded to Double Gold wines. 

This year, 14 wineries entered for the first time, including these new ones: 

• Happy Dayz – Placer County
• Smokin’ Barrel – Placer County
• Corkwood Cellars – Amador County
• Rubidoux Ridge – Fiddletown, Amador County
• Dora Dain – Placer County 
• J & M Fenaux – Amador County
• Wolfe Heights Estate- Sacramento County

Competition Coordinator, Coleen Schwietert, noted, “This significant growth in new wineries proves that the Foothills region is truly on the rise.” She also noted that many wineries were unable to enter this year, due to the devastating frosts last spring. Some portions of the region were also hard hit by the Mosquito Fire of September, 2022 and the Caldor Fire of August, 2021.

The Foothills Wine Competition was co-created by Mike Owen, President & CEO of Crystal Basin Cellars, and Joe Gagliardi, CEO of Choose Folsom. It is open to wines bearing labels from any District 10 county, including Amador, Calaveras, El Dorado, Mariposa, Nevada, Placer and Tuolumne. Held in Folsom on Saturday and Sunday, September 9 & 10, at the SAFE Credit Union building, the competition is sponsored by Choose Folsom, which will host the upcoming consumer tasting on November 11, 2023, at the Palladio event center in Folsom. Tickets: www.foothillwinefest.com.

Best of Show and Best of Class winners for the 2023 Foothill Wine Competition:

This year’s judges commented that Zinfandels are becoming far more elegant and
restrained than in the past. They also observed that Barberas are exhibiting better tannin
management, and that Rhones continue to impress. Further demonstrating the region’s grape-growing breadth, Italian varietals like Barbera, Charbono, Greco, Sagrantino,
Nebbiolo, Teroldego and Falanghina were prominent among the Best of Class winners.

Tickets to the Foothill Wine Fest, including overnight hotel packages and gift cards to the
Palladio shopping mall, are available on the Festival Website: www.foothillwinefest.com.

A complete list of winners can be found at the same website.

For more information, contact Coleen: ColeenS@choosefolsom.com

About Choose Folsom

Choose Folsom is a collaboration of the Folsom Chamber of Commerce, the Folsom
Tourism Bureau and the Folsom Economic Development Corporation. Representing
approximately 1,000 members, these organizations are the principal advocates for
business and a vibrant economy to support the quality of life in Folsom.
www.foothillwinefest.com