SWFE: The Best of the West

SECOND ANNUAL Seattle Wine and Food Experience Wine Awards REPRESENT THE BEST OF THE WEST

California’s Michael David Winery takes Best in Show with its 2012 Cabernet Franc; Medals Awarded to 166 Wines from Washington, Oregon, Idaho and California

The Seattle Wine and Food Experience (SWFE) is pleased to announce the results of its second annual Wine Awards. More than 65 wineries submitted 190 wines for the awards in a variety of styles from red and white to sparkling and dessert. The wines were tasted and awarded medals by Great Northwest Wine’s tasting panel, led by longtime Northwest wine journalists Andy Perdue and Eric Degerman. The panel judged the wines under blind conditions, not knowing the producers, region of origin or prices. Wines were awarded gold, silver and bronze medal and 10 were given top honors:

• Best in Show: Michael David Winery 2012 Cabernet Franc, Lodi
• Best Red: Michael David Winery 2012 Cabernet Franc, Lodi
• Best White: Franciscan Estate 2013 Equilibrium, Napa Valley
• Best Sparkling: Gloria Ferrer NV Sonoma Brut, Sonoma County
• Best of Class: 3 Horse Ranch Vineyards 2012 Reserve Merlot, Snake River Valley
• Best of Class: Alexandria Nicole Cellars 2013 Destiny Ridge Vineyard Jet Black Syrah, Horse Heaven Hills
• Best of Class: Darighe 2010 Proprietor’s Blend, Columbia Valley
• Best of Class: Dussek Family Cellars 2010 Cabernet Sauvignon, Columbia Valley
• Best of Class: Michael David Winery 2013 Chardonnay, Lodi
• Best of Class: Serra Vineyards 2011 Pinot Noir, Rogue Valley

“We don’t think about region when we are judging. We think about the wines, their balance, flavors and varietal tendencies. The Michael David Cabernet Franc was a classic and hands down the best red wine of the competition,” said Andy Perdue, editor and publisher of Great Northwest Wine. “It quickly rose above the others, thanks to a combination of varietal correctness, beautiful balance and combination of perfect ripeness.”

For a full list of the awards visit: seattlewineandfoodexperience.com/2015-wine-award-results. Event attendees have the opportunity to taste wines from more than 100 wineries pouring 600+ wines and learn more about the different wines region and to compare and contrast wines.

“The awards program was created to give wineries an opportunity to have their wines tasted by top wine professionals on the West Coast,” said Jamie Peha, president of Peha Promotions, TableTalk Northwest and producer of SWFE. “Because Seattle Wine and Food Experience is open to all wine regions it gives wineries an opportunity to be tasted on a broader scale.”

The Seattle Wine and Food Experience also offers tasty bites from Northwest chefs and specialty food producers, beer, cider and spirits and takes place this Sunday, February 22 at the Seattle Center Exhibition Hall. General Admission tickets are at $55 and available at seattlewineandfoodexperience.com. Must be 21+ to attend event.