Zerba Cellars swept the maximum of three gold medals as well as best-of-show in the 31st annual Newport (OR) Seafood & Wine Festival's Commercial Wine Competition. Zerba is the only winery in the Walla Walla Valley. Its vines were planted just five years ago by owners/partners Cecil and Marilyn Zerba and Mark and Dana Rentz. The competition restricts the number of entries per producer to three, and this year's record field of 156 came from 54 wineries.
Doug Nierman, Zerba's winemaker, saw his cabernet sauvignon take the best-in-show award as well as a gold in its class, and his merlot and syrah each won golds.
Overall, the five-judge panel awarded 25 gold, 31 silver and 43 bronze medals.
The Seafood & Wine Festival will run Friday-Sunday this week.
The gold medalists (go here to see all awards):
• Anthony Dell Cellars, Willamette Valley, 2005 Pinot Noir
• Anthony Dell Cellars, Rogue Valley, 2005 Red Blend
• Chateau Ste. Michelle, Columbia Valley, 2006 Chardonnay
• Coleman Vineyards, Willamette Valley, 2006 Pinot Noir
• Columbia Crest, Washington State, 2005 Red Blend (cab, merlot)
• David Hill Vineyards & Winery, Willamette Valley, 2006 Chardonnay Reserve
• Griffin Creek Vineyards, Rogue Valley, 2005 Cabernet Franc
• Griffin Creek Vineyards, Rogue Valley, 2004 Syrah
• Henry Estate Winery, Umpqua Valley, 2006 Riesling (4.5% RS)
• Honeywood Vinery, Willamette Valley, 2004 Pinot Noir
• Melrose Vineyards, Umpqua Valley, 2005 Merlot
• Sagelands Vineyard, Columbia Valley, 2005 Chardonnay
• Sagelands Vineyard, Columbia Valley, 2004 Red Blend, "Freddie's Blend"
• Sienna Ridge Estate, Red Hill-Douglas Co., 2003 Pinot Blanc
• Silvan Ridge, Oregon, 2006 Pinot Gris
• Spangler Vineyards, Southern Oregon, 2006 Viognier
• Spangler Vineyards, Southern Oregon, 2006 Petite Sirah
• Troon Vineyards, Applegate Valley, 2005 Port-Style "Insomnia Port"
• Tualatin Estate, Willamette Valley, 2005 Pinot Noir
• Willamette Valley Vineyards, Oregon, 2006 Riesling
• Wine by Joe, Oregon, 2006 Pinot Gris
• Wine by Joe, Oregon, 2006 Pinot Blanc
• Zerba Cellars, Columbia Valley, 2005 Syrah
• Zerba Cellars, Columbia Valley, 2005 Merlot
• Zerba Cellars, Walla Walla Valley, 2005 Cabernet Sauvignon
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2 comments:
Nice to see some coverage of the Oregon wine industry.
We are very proud of our Honeywood Winery 2004 Pinot Noir. If you ever make it out to the Salem, OR, area we will gladly pour you a glass.
Glad you appreciated the posting.
I do write about the Oregon wine scene as news occurs. Here's just one example.
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