SACRAMENTO — The 2017 California State Fair Commercial Wine Competition winners have been announced. 2,663 wines from more than 711 California wineries entered this year’s competition with 137 double gold medals, 295 gold medals and 1,051 silver medals awarded. Only wines made with fruit grown in California may be judged in the competition. Wines are evaluated by class, varietal, style and region based upon the source of the grapes. Judges from all over the country and California judged the wines during a three day competition in March.
“This year our judge’s recognized a couple of non-mainstream varietals with their highest awards. The Cabernet Franc from Imagery Wine Estates in Sonoma County garnered Best of Show Red and helped Imagery become Golden State Winery for this year, and Rendez-Vous Winery’s Viognier from Clarksburg was named Best of Show White. Both wines are well worth seeking out,” says Mark Chandler, Chief Judge, California State Fair Commercial Wine Competition.
Top wines including Best of Region and Best of California winners will be featured at the California State Fair in the Save Mart Wine Country for visitors to enjoy July 14 – July 30. A list of Best or Region and Best of California can be found here.
Also awarded were 381 Best of Class of Region Awards, 26 Best of California Awards, 22 Best of Region Awards, 3 Best Micro Winery Awards, the Best Value Award, the Golden State Winery of the Year Award and 5 Best of Show Awards.
A complete list of award-winning wines can be found at CAStateFair.org/California-Commercial-Wine.
Dating back to 1854, the California State Fair Wine Competition is America’s oldest and most prestigious wine event.
About the California State Fair
For more than 160 years, the California State Fair has showcased the best of the Golden State. During the 2016 State Fair at Cal Expo nearly 675,000 people experienced the best and made memories that will last a lifetime. Cal Expo was dedicated as a place to celebrate California’s achievements, industries, agriculture, diversity of its people, traditions and trends that shape the Golden State’s future. As such, the California State Fair is honored to celebrate its 50th anniversary at Cal Expo in 2017. Join us for the California State Fair July 14 – 30, 2017.
—California State Fair
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