SF Chron Winning Wines from Santa Cruz and Monterey

January 18, 2022 – The San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition wrapped up last Friday, with 5,800 wines being judged at the Citrus Fairgrounds in Cloverdale. Of those, 58 wound up in the Sweepstakes round, from which the winners were pulled. One of our local wineries, Bargetto, had a mighty tasty Best of Class Pomegranate Mead in the Specialty Mead Category of the Sweepstakes round, where it was joined by a wonderful Macintosh apple cider from Gowans Orchard in Anderson Valley and a couple of lovely dessert wines. Tasting these gems is always such a thrill, because there’s not a lot of dessert wine being made here on the Central Coast.

Here are the winners. Best Sparkling went to Gloria Ferrer’s 2014 Royal Cuvée Brut, while Best White went to 2020 Acquiesce Viognier (Lodi). Best Rosé went to 2020 Bernard Griffin Rosé of Sangiovese from Columbia Valley (WA), Best Red went to 2018 Landmark La Encantada Pinot Noir from Santa Rita Hills and Best Specialty was awarded to 2017 Chateau Elan Cellars Bianco Riserva Muscadine/Chardonnay Port style wine from Braselton, GA. They were all seriously great, and that last one was nothing short of amazing: it tasted like Christmas in a bottle, oozing holiday potpourri and brown sugar.  

Let’s take a quick peak at the medal winners from our back yard. 

Bargetto Winery took home two Double Golds, one for their 2020 Santa Cruz Mountains Reserve Chardonnay from Regan Vineyards, and one for their 2019 Santa Cruz Mountains Dolcetto. They scored Silver for the 2020 Santa Cruz Mountains barrel-fermented Pinot Grigio, the 2019 Regan Vineyards Reserve Pinot Noir and for the 2019 Mount Eden Clone Pinot Noir from Regan Vineyards. Nice showing!

Winemaker Dean de Korth of Bernardus Winery has a pot of gold worthy of Finnian’s Rainbow after this one, hauling in a Double Gold for the 2019 Sierra Mar Vineyard SLH Chardonnay, and Golds for the 2019 Rosella’s Vineyard Pinot Noir, the 2019 Sierra Mar Vineyard Pinot Noir, and 2020 Arroyo Seco Sauvignon Blanc from Griva Vineyard. The 2019 Bernardus Soberanes Vineyard Pinot Noir scored Silver.

Jeffrey Blair of Blair Estate showed how Pinot Gris is done with a Gold for his 2018 Arroyo Seco Pinot Gris from the River Bench Vineyard. My panel judged this category, and there were so many weird Pinot Grigio/Gris wines in that over $20 flight, including ones with oak. Really? This one was excellent. Blair scored Silvers for the 2018 Arroyo Seco Chardonnay from Roger Rose Vineyard, the 2018 Arroyo Seco Chardonnay from Delfina’s Vineyard that Jeffrey calls “The Matriarch,” the 2018 Arroyo Seco Chardonnay from Delfina’s Vineyard, and the 2017 Arroyo Seco Pinot Noir from Morgantini Vineyard.

Bottle Jack Winery was consistent across the board, with Silvers for all: 2017 Santa Cruz Mountains Cabernet Sauvignon, 2017 Santa Cruz Mountains Petite Sirah, 2018 Santa Clara Valley “Firenze” Sangiovese blend, 2018 Santa Clara Valley Sangiovese,          

2018 Santa Clara Valley Zinfandel and 2018 Santa Cruz Mountains Zinfandel.

Chalone Vineyard scored a Silver for the 2019 Chalone Estate Chardonnay. They must have forgotten to submit the rest of its lineup!

Cru Winery had a Gold fest, with medals for the 2020 Edna Valley Albarino, the 2020 Unoaked Chardonnay (one of my faves!), the 2019 Santa Maria Valley Chardonnay from Sierra Madre Vineyard , the 2019 Santa Maria Valley Pinot Noir from Sierra Madre Vineyard, the 2019 Paso Robles GSM and the 2020 Paso Robles Viognier from French Camp Vineyard. They scored Silver for the 2019   Santa Lucia Highlands Chardonnay and the 2019 Santa Lucia Highlands Pinot Noir.

Diora scored a very respectable Double Gold for the 2019 La Splendeur du Soleil from Monterey and a Gold for the 2019 Monterey County La Petite Grace Pinot Noir.

Scheid’s District 7 delivered Gold for the 2020 Monterey Pinot Noir, and Silvers for the 2019 Monterey Cabernet Sauvignon and 2020 Monterey Chardonnay. These all clock in about $18. 

Furthermore Wines makes Pinot Noir and Chardonnay from all over California. I’ve always loved the wines they make from the Santa Lucia Highlands. They scored a Double Gold for the 2018 Rosella’s Vineyard Pinot Noir ($60) from the Santa Lucia Highlands. A great price for this Highlands beauty. They also scored Gold for the 2018 Sierra Mar Vineyard Pinot Noir, just $55. If you like La Encantada Pinot Noir from the Sta. Rita Hills as much as I do, they also scored Gold for their 2018 version of that one, also just $55. Check this producer out. 

Gali Vineyards brought home Gold for the 2018 Santa Cruz Mountains Pinot Noir.              

Idle Hour has a Double Gold to show for their Blanc de Blancs from Clements Hills, plus Silvers for their 2019 Alicante Bouschet from Madera, and their 2019 Arroyo Seco Chardonnay.

J. Lohr made an impressive showing once more. Under the J. Lohr Vineyard Series, the 2019 Arroyo Seco Arroyo Vista Chardonnay ($25) was awarded a Best of Class: a pretty big deal is this is a huge class. Congrats to Kristen Barnhisel for that one. Also under the J. Lohr Vineyard Series, the 2018 Tower Road          Petite Sirah from Paso Robles scored Double Gold, while the 2019 Hilltop Cab Sauvignon from Paso Robles scored Gold. The 2020 October Nights Arroyo Seco Chardonnay and the 2019 Fog’s Reach Arroyo Seco Pinot Noir both scored Silver. Under the J. Lohr Signature label, the 2018 Paso Robles Cabernet Sauvignon ($100) hauled in a Double Gold. 

Under the J. Lohr Cuvee Series, the Merlot dominant 2017 Cuvee POM once again brought in Gold, while the Cab Sauv leading Cuvee PAU and Cabernet Franc leading Cuvee ST.E, both brought in Silver. Under the J. Lohr Estates label, the 2019 Los Osos Merlot from Paso Robles brought in Gold, as did the 2020 Falcon’s Perech Pinot Noir from Monterey County Pinot Noir and the 2019 Paso Robles South Ridge Syrah. The 2020 Arroyo Seco Riverstone Chardonnay scored Silver. 

Joullian brought in Silvers for the 2019 Monterey Chardonnay, 2019 Arroyo Seco Chardonnay from Roger Rose Vineyard, 2018 Carmel Valley Merlot, 2017 Carmel Valley Midnight Muscat dessert wine and 2018 San Antonio Valley Syrah, Argyle Vineyard.

Lepe Cellars scored Silver for its 2020 Santa Lucia Highlands Pinot Noir and 2019 Monterey Syrah.

Morgan Winery hit a Gold mine, with Double Golds for the 2019 Highland Chardonnay from the Santa Lucia Highland, 2019 Twelve Clones Pinot Noir, Santa Lucia Highlands and 2019 Monterey Cotes du Crows. The 2020 Metallico Chardonnay and the 2019 Double L Chardonnay both scored Gold. The 2020 Arroyo Seco Albarino scored Silver, as did the 2019 Double L Santa Lucia Highlands Pinot Noir, and the 2019 G17 Santa Lucia Highlands Syrah. 

Perrucci Family Vineyard wowed the judges with 2018 Santa Cruz Mountains Malbec, the 2019 Santa Cruz Mountains Regan Vineyard Merlot and the 2018 Santa Cruz Mountains Sangiovese, all three of which scored Double Gold. Well done! It was Gold for the 2017 Santa Cruz Mountains Cabernet Sauvignon and Silver for the 2020 Santa Cruz Mountains Rosato of Sangiovese.

Heading south, Pierce Ranch Vineyards scored Silver for their 2020 San Antonio Valley Albarino, 2019 San Antonio Valley Tinto Cao, 2018 San Antonio Valley Grenache and 2019 San Antonio Valley Tempranillo.

Sandar & Hem Wines was Gold all the way, receiving a Best of Class in Packaging: Modern Illustrations for the label of the 2019 Santa Cruz Mountains Chardonnay from Bald Mountain Vineyard. They also scored Gold for that wine, as well as for the 2019 Santa Cruz Mountains Chardonnay from Frances J. Vineyard and the 2019 Santa Cruz Mountains Pinot Noir from Mindego Ridge. Bravo!!

Scheid Vineyards scored Double Gold for their 2019 Monterey Pinot Noir, and Gold for their 2019 Monterey Chardonnay. The 2018 Monterey Merlot and 2020 Monterey Sauvignon Blanc both brought home Silver medals, and Metz Road, a Scheid brand, took home a Silver for the 2019 Monterey Pinot Noir from Riverview Vineyard.

Silver Mountain Vineyards was another Best of Class winner, with a big honor for the 2014 Santa Cruz Mountains Syrah, tasting mighty fine and only $34.00. The 2014 Pinot Noir from Tondre Grapefield (Santa Lucia Highlands) also scored a Double Gold, showing that older well made wines can still wow a judging panel. The Silver Mountain 2018 Santa Cruz Mountains Chardonnay and the 2013 Santa Cruz Mountains Pinot Noir scored Silver.

Sonnet Wine Cellars, helmed by winemaker Tony Craig, scored Gold for the 2017 Santa Cruz Mountains Pinot Noir from Gali Vineyard, and Silvers for the 2017 Santa Cruz Mountains Pinot Noir from Black Ridge Vineyard, the 2017 Pinot Noir from Tondre Grapefield, the 2017 Santa Cruz Mountains Pinot Noir from Muns Vineyard.             

Soquel Vineyards brought home Double Gold for the 2020 Santa Clara County Merlot from R.E. Summers Ranch, and Silvers for the 2020 Santa Cruz Mountains Nebbiolo from Lago Lomita Vineyard and the 2020 Central Coast Trinity Rosso Zinfandel based blend.                        

Pamela and Steve Storrs once again showed their Chardonnay prowess with a Double Gold for the 2020 Santa Cruz Mountains Chardonnay from the Mountain Vineyard Collection, and a Gold for the 2020 Santa Cruz Mountains Chardonnay. They scored Silver for the 2020 Santa Cruz Mountains Rose, the 2017 Santa Cruz Mountains Pinot Noir Mountain Vineyard Collection, the 2018 Central Coast Zinfandel and the 2018 Santa Clara County Zinfandel.

Tribute, made by Chris Benziger from San Lucas Vineyard and McCoy Vineyard in Monterey, did the region proud with a Best of Class for the 2019 Monterey County Chardonnay, a solid value at $16.99. The Tribute Cabernet Sauvignon, also $16.99, scored Silver, as did the 2019 Monterey County Sauvignon Blanc. 

Z. Alexander Brown scored a Double Gold for the 2019 Monterey “Uncaged” Chardonnay ($15.99), and Gold for the 2019  “Uncaged” Proprietary Red Blend. The 2019 Uncaged Cabernet Sauvignon scored Silver, as did the 2020 Monterey County/Napa County/Sonoma County Pinot Noir and the 2020 North Coast Sauvignon Blanc.