Grape Escape: King City Crowns Pelio and Furthermore Big Winners at 30th Annual Monterey Wine Competition

March 17, 2023 – Getting to the Monterey Wine Competition—held at the fairgrounds in King City—was an adventure for all the judges, no matter which direction they were coming from, due to all the flooding and road closures.

Luckily, I went down Saturday morning during a break in the rain, and was treated to a stunning sight of the shimmering verdant hills on both sides of the valley topped with fog and clouds, making them look like frothy green beer. Happy St. Patrick’s Day, while we’re at it!

The sight of all the flooded fields was heartbreaking, though, with stranded tractors and farm equipment looking forlorn. The washover at Chualar on 101 that closed the freeway on Friday had subsided, but as I approached the Fort Hunter Liggett exit just north of King City, I could not believe what I was seeing. The vastness of the “appeared out of nowhere” Salinas River was monumental.

Must admit, I’ve never seen anything like it in the 45+ years I’ve been driving these parts, and none of the folks at the wine competition had either. They spoke of flooding that happened in 1995, but this was the most widespread and damaging we’ve witnessed. It set a tone of appreciation for the area’s perfect agricultural ecosystem and the vast bounty it produces, all completely at the whim of Mother Nature.

It’s safe to say we’re all going to be paying a lot more for produce in the coming months. And many displaced farm workers are going to need our help. Kim Stemler from the Monterey Winegrowers is working on this, and we’ll have details on their planned fundraiser next Tuesday.

Thank goodness for wine, in so many, many ways!! Here’s a special thanks to the winegrowers and winemakers who contribute so much to making this region an ever-growing favorite for lovers of Chardonnay and Pinot Noir.

First of all, hearty congratulations are in order for all our local wineries that took top-level awards at the 30th annual Monterey Wine Competition.

Best Red, Best Pinot Noir and Best Wine of Show went to Furthermore Wines for their elegant and sweepingly complex 2019 Rosella’s Vineyard Pinot Noir: it scored 97 points and delivered something magical in each sip. It was also awarded Best of Monterey County and Wine of the Year. That’s equivalent to the Oscar for Best Picture at this competition.

Best White of Show and Best Chardonnay went to the 2018 Pelio Chardonnay from the Pelio Vineyard in Carmel Valley, which garnered 95 points, and was a real head-turned for the judges, none of whom had heard of Pelio before.

We’ll be writing a lot more about this brand, which stems from the sudden loss of winemaker Peter Figge, who planted the Pelio vineyard in the sandy and limestone studded soils off Highway 68, at the very western edge of Carmel Valley. Until his passing, he farmed this plot, making wines under the Figge Cellars label.

Winemakers Greg and Chris Vita are to be commended for the balance and nuance of this wine, which struck both me and head judge Rich Cook, as exhibiting that perfect touch of French poise and elegance in a California Chardonnay. They also scored medals for each wine they entered.

Pelio was also awarded Best Monterey County Winery for 2023: a hearty congratulations on this high honor!

Best Gewurztraminer was awarded to two wines; Leon Tackitt from Paso Robles and Hive & Honey from Scheid, while Best Malbec and Best Merlot went to J.Lohr.

Best Pinot Grigio went to the 2022 Noble Vines 152 Pinot Grigio Monterey County, while Best Value was awarded to J. Lohr’s completely juicy and compelling 2022 Wildflower Valdiguie.

Winery of the Year honors were awarded to Australian Wakefield Taylors, based on the percentage of wines entered that took Gold and higher. Their two Syrah’s that received Platinum awards were feisty yet incredibly rich, like driving a Bentley Flying Spur in Sport mode, with that extra boost from the hybrid engine.

The top ten wineries measured according to percentage of wines that medaled were: Wakefield Taylors, Runquist, Nello Olivo, Macchia, Sattui, Carol Shelton, Eberle, McBride Sisters, Pelio and J. Lohr.

Other winning wines from our local producers were the 2021 CRU SLH Pinot Noir from Smith & Lindley Vineyard (Platinum, 94 points, $25), the 2021 CRU Albarino from Edna Valley, (Gold, 92pts,) Diora 2021 La Splendeur du Soleil Chardonnay (Platinum 94) and Diora 2020 La Grande Lumiere Chardonnay, San Bernabe Vineyard, Monterey, Gold 91.

Furthermore scored Gold, 93 points for their 2019 Sierra Mar Pinot Noir, and J. Lohr scored Gold for the Bay Mist Riesling and Fog’s Reach Pinot Noir from Arroyo Seco. Also, once again, McBride Sisters, made by Amy Butler of Ranchero Cellars in Paso Robles, scored Platinum for their 2021 McBride Sisters Collection 2021 Reserve Pinot Noir Cocky Motherf*&ker, Santa Lucia Highlands. Noble Vines also brought in Gold for their 2021 242 Sauv Blanc and 2021 667 Pinot Noir. Pelio also scored Gold for the 2017 Chardonnay and 2018 Lindsey Cuvee Pinot Noir. Scheid scored Gold for their 2021 Estate Isabella’s Chardonnay, while both Talbott 2021 Kali Hart and Sleepy Hollow Chardonnays scored Golds.

This unique competition does not compare wines to one another, but awards excellence where it is found. Competition director Rich Cook, who writes for Wine Review Online, explains, “While the event is called a competition, we are very careful to ensure that wines are evaluated in their own context—in other words, we’re not out to say that this particular wine is “better” than that particular wine. It is our sincere desire to celebrate high quality wines of all styles, from all regions of the world. Our special awards include the Best of Monterey County, Wine of the Year, Winery of the Year and some unique Director’s Awards. In addition, award winners will be poured at our Grand Tasting at the Salinas Valley Fair in May.”

Wines that all judges agree are exceptionally well made and speak to their varietal and place, are awarded Platinum and are sent up to the head judge’s table in the front of the room, where all the judges can see them, and where all can taste them and appreciate what their fellow judges are deeming worthy of a 94-point or higher score. Rich Cook writes notes on each Platinum winner, which can be found on the website.

Sadly, not enough local wineries enter this. Yes, the megabrands show up with a good chunk of their portfolios, and the most impressive wines among them get recognition. But if you’re making wines you are proud of and think are solid, and want to go for the honor of having a Platinum Award, or perhaps Best of Show, think about entering next year.