2020 Gwinllan Estate Blanc de Blancs, Best Sparkling
Cooper Vineyards 2021 Sangiovese, Best Red
2023 Bella Grace, Best Rosé
2021 Windwalker Late Harvest Chardonnay, Best Dessert
Folsom, CA – September 26, 2024 — Findleton Estate and Vineyards, known for their eye-catching labels, took Best White and Best of Show at the 2024 Folsom Wine Competition for their 2023 El Dorado Sauber Vineyard Viognier, besting 383 entries. The peachy and persistent Viognier beat out four other whites in the sweepstakes round, including Casino Mine’s Flicka, the 2022 version of which was Best White in 2023.
Gwinllan Estate is on a roll. For the fourth straight year, they’ve captured Best Sparkling honors, this time for their 2020 Blanc de Blancs. Talk about a sparkling tradition!
Cooper Vineyards is also on a roll, winning Best Red for two major wine competitions this year. They took Best Red for their 2021 Barbera at the 2024 San Francisco Chronicle Competition earlier this year. This is the first time a Sangiovese has captured Best Red honors at the Foothill Wine Competition.
Out of 384 entries by 69 wineries, the judges, which included media, sommeliers and wine buyers, awarded 26 Double Golds, 156 Gold and 146 Silver medals. 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, which go on to compete for Best of Show honors in the Sweepstakes round.
Competition Coordinator, Coleen Schwietert, noted, “We had a record number of wineries participate in the competition this year at 69, demonstrating once again that the Foothills are truly growing as a wine region.”
Best of Show, Foothill Wine Competition
| Findleton Estate | 2023 | Viognier | Best of Show- Overall Foothill Sweepstakes Winner |
| Gwinllan Estate | 2020 | Blanc de Blanc | Best of Show Sparkling |
| BellaGrace Vineyards | 2023 | Dry Rosé Blush | Best of Show Rosé |
| Findleton Estate | 2023 | Viognier | Best of Show – White |
| Cooper Vineyards | 2021 | Sangiovese | Best of Show – Red |
| Windwalker Vineyard | 2023 | Late Harvest Chardonnay | Best of Show Dessert Wine |
Best of Class Winners, Foothill Wine Competition
| Ursa Vineyards | 2020 | Barbera | Best Barbera |
| Docmanov Vineyards & Winery | 2022 | Red Blend: Bordeaux | Best Blended Red Bordeaux |
| Le Casque | 2022 | Cabernet Franc | Best Cabernet Franc |
| PleinAir Vineyards | 2020 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Best Cabernet Sauvignon |
| Lava Cap | 2023 | Chardonnay | Best Chardonnay |
| Starfield Vineyards | 2022 | Grenache | Best Grenache |
| Lava Cap | 2023 | Grenache Blanc | Best Grenache Blanc |
| Nello Olivo Wines | 2021 | Malbec | Best Malbec |
| Secret Ravine | 2021 | Merlot | Best Merlot |
| Crystal Basin Cellars | 2020 | Mourvedre | Best Mourvedre |
| Findleton Estate | 2022 | Charbono | Best of Other Red Varietals |
| Casino Mine Ranch | 2023 | Flicka | Best of Other White Varietal |
| Holly’s Hill Vineyards | NV | Rockbound | Best of Red Blend Proprietary |
| Windwalker Vineyard | 2023 | Late Harvest Chardonnay | Best of Show Dessert Wine |
| Bella Grace Vineyards | 2023 | Dry Rosé Blush | Best of Show Rosé |
| Gwinllan Estate | 2020 | Estate Blanc de Blanc | Best of Show Sparkling |
| Findleton Estate | 2023 | Viognier | Best of Show White |
| Helwig Winery | 2020 | Primitivo | Best Primitivo (TIE) |
| Trevor Grace | 2021 | Primitivo | Best Primitivo (TIE) |
| Avio Vineyards | 2022 | Dolcetto | Best Red Italian Varietals |
| Amador Cellars | 2019 | Cuvée des Sierras | Best Red Rhone Blend |
| Casino Mine Ranch | 2019 | Simone | Best Red Rhone Blend |
| Myka Estates | 2023 | Estate Riesling | Best Riesling |
| Bella Grace Vineyards | 2023 | Dry Rosé Blush | Best Rosé |
| Cooper Vineyards | 2021 | Sangiovese | Best Sangiovese |
| Bella Grace Vineyards | 2023 | Sauvignon Blanc | Best Sauvignon Blanc |
| Crystal Basin Cellars | 2020 | Syrah | Best Syrah |
| Amador Cellars | 2021 | Tempranillo | Best Tempranillo |
| Teneral Cellars | 2023 | Vermentino | Best Vermentino |
| Findleton Estate | 2023 | Viognier | Best Viognier |
| Le Casque | 2023 | Calotte Blanc | Best White Blend |
| Windwalker Vineyard | 2022 | Zinfandel | Best Zinfandel |
Judges this year were impressed with Syrahs, Rhones and Italian varietals, including Charbono, Dolcetto, Fiano, Falanghina, Montepulciano, Nebbiolo, Negroamaro, Sagrantino, Teroldego and Vermentino. Barberas are showing increased balance and Zinfandels continue to show more elegance and restraint.
The 2024 Foothill Wine Fest, a showcase of the award-winning wines from the competition, will be held on November 9 from 2 to 6pm, at the Palladio Shopping Mall. Tickets are available on the Festival Website: www.foothillwinefest.com.
A complete list of winners can be found at the same website. Congratulations to all!
The Foothills Wine Competition is open to wines bearing labels from any District 10 county, including Amador, Calaveras, El Dorado, Mariposa, Nevada, Placer and Tuolumne. Held in Folsom at Folsom College on Saturday and Sunday, September 14 & 15, the competition was once again sponsored by Choose Folsom, which hosts the Foothill Wine Fest on November 9, 2024. Choose Folsom sponsors the event to help small winery businesses and to drive visitors to wineries in the Foothills.
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.
