Wilson Artisan Wineries Earn 107 Gold Medals, Including 8 Best of Class Awards
Healdsburg, CA October 3, 2023 Winemaker Diane Wilson secured her seventh Sweepstakes win for Best Red Wine with her 2021 Wilson Winery Dry Creek Reserve Zinfandel this week at the 2023 Sonoma County Harvest Fair. This remarkable achievement comes as a significant milestone for Wilson, who made this 2021 vintage in the midst of what has been a three-year battle with breast cancer following her diagnosis in 2020. The timing of this prestigious award, coinciding with the conclusion of her treatment and the 30th Anniversary of Wilson Winery, adds a profound layer of gratitude and celebration for both Diane and co-vintner, husband Ken Wilson.
Out of 972 entries into this year’s Sonoma County Harvest Fair Wine Competition, the Wilson Artisan Wineries portfolio accounted for nearly one third of all gold/double golds medals awarded (107 out of 343 total golds/double golds awarded). Apart from Wilson Winery, Ken and Diane Wilson’s portfolio encompasses ten additional family-owned wineries: Mazzocco, deLorimier, Matrix, Pezzi King, Rockpile Vineyards, St. Anne’s Crossing, Greenwood Ridge, Jaxon Keys, Coyote Sonoma, and Soda Rock, whose collective gold medal count totaled an impressive 107, including eight Best of Class awards and four out of six zinfandel categories.
In addition to winemaker Diane Wilson at the helm of Wilson, Matrix, and deLorimier wineries, the winemaking team at Wilson Artisan Wineries includes Diane’s daughter Victoria Wilson; acclaimed winemaker Antoine Favero, who crafts wine for Mazzocco, Soda Rock, Jaxon Keys, and Greenwood Ridge on top of his role as General Manager; and seven-time sweepstakes-winning winemaker Chris Barrett, who is the artisan responsible for the celebrated wines of Pezzi King, St. Anne’s Crossing, Coyote Sonoma, and Rockpile Vineyards.
About Wilson Artisan Wineries
Wilson Artisan Wineries is a collection of award-winning wineries situated in the heart of Sonoma County, California. This esteemed portfolio, which includes Wilson Winery, Mazzocco, deLorimier, Matrix, Pezzi King, Rockpile Vineyards, St. Anne’s Crossing, Greenwood Ridge, Jaxon Keys, Coyote Sonoma, and Soda Rock Winery, has consistently garnered acclaim for producing exceptional wines that reflect the terroir and dedication of their winemakers.
About Diane Wilson
Working out of a century-old tin barn since 1993, Diane Wilson has established herself as a standout winemaker in Sonoma County. She started her winemaking career by winning Best of Class for her one of her first wines, unusual for someone without formal winemaking training. The instant success she experienced with her first vintage has continued for thirty years, recently taking home 56 gold, double gold and best of class medals for her wines at the 2023 Sonoma County Harvest Fair—including sweepstakes for best red wine. Although she learned the basic elements of wine chemistry as a Biochemistry major in college, she says her degree isn’t what makes her a great winemaker. Instead, she credits her hands-on learning along with relying on her senses during the production process to know when it’s time to blend or bottle. Honored as Woman Winemaker of the Year in 2008, 2011 and 2018 at the International Women’s Winemaker Competition, Diane has a strong track record as an outstanding winemaker, capturing scores of 90+ scores and hundreds of Gold Medals for her Zinfandels, Bordeaux varietals, and Pinot Noirs at Wilson, deLorimier and Matrix Wineries, including 2 sweepstakes honors at the San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition and 5 sweepstakes honors at the Sonoma County Harvest Fair—two of the most prestigious wine competitions in the United States.
Local to the North Bay, Diane is an avid runner, regularly participating in races including ultra marathons. She enjoys gardening and loves to discover how food flavors pair with wine, and is often found assessing flavors for varietal pairings, or creating recipes to serve at winery events. Diane is the mother of three adult children who are involved in the family business at Wilson Artisan Wines, and grandmother to two.
