According to Idaho Grape Growers and Wine Producers Commission, “Idaho wineries swept the annual Northwest Wine Summit Competition.” Here’s the Commissions summary of the event:
Once again Idaho shows itself to be a growing industry and came out standing strong against tough competition. The competition extended across the Northwest including wines from Oregon, Washington, Idaho and British Columbia. With an abundance of wines awarded, the following wineries received Gold, Silver, and/or Bronze awards:
· Cinder
· Colter’s Creek Winery
· Frenchman’s Gulch
· Fraser Vineyard
· Hells Canyon Winery
· Indian Creek Winery
· Koenig Vineyards
· Pend d’Oreille Winery
· Snyder Winery
· Vale Wine Company
· Woodriver Cellars
Providing Idaho’s strengths in the competition, these wineries altogether received 9 Gold Medals, 17 Silver Medals and 20 Bronze Medals; totaling 47 medals. In addition, Cinders’ 2009 Viognier was noted, hailing it as the “Best of Region” wine, a tremendous feat for a large competition as this. With the Northwest Wine Summit known to be the largest competition in the Northwest, judging over 1,100 wines, it is a great accomplishment for Idaho to win an astounding amount of awards, proving these wineries are indeed crafting exceptional wines.
Indian Creek Winery in Kuna, Idaho had a big number of wins coming out of the competition. Total they had 10 award winning wines and won two of the 9 Gold Medals. Taking home the Gold Medal were the 2009 Chardonnay and 2009 Viognier, hand crafted by winemaker Mike McClure. Hells Canyon Winery in Caldwell, Idaho also showed to do well winning 8 total medals with two of them holding Gold. Hells Canyon Winery’s 2004 Cabernet Sauvignon and 2006 Merlot both won Gold at the NW Wine Summit. Hells Canyon Winery and Indian creek were not the only big winners for the Northwest Wine Summit competition, though. Taking home the highest awards with Outstanding Gold medals were also the: Cinder 2009 Viognier, along with the Fraser Vineyard 2009 Viognier, Koenig Vineyard 2008 Riesling Ice Wine, Pend d’Orielle Winery 2008 Viognier, and Vale Wine Company 2008 Syrah.
In addition to winning “Best of Region” for Cinder’s 2009 Viognier, four more awards for their 2009 Chardonnay, 2009 Rosé (of Syrah), 2007 Cabernet Sauvignon and 2008 Syrah. Owners Melanie Krause & Joe Schnerr state it perfectly on their website: “We hope to express the beauty of this place and its people through our wine.” One of the pioneer wineries in the industry, Koenig Vineyards out of Caldwell, Idaho was also a big winner. Deservingly six of their wines were awarded medals for the Northwest competition. Their 2008 Riesling Ice Wine took a Gold Medal, their 2007 Cabernet Sauvignon, 2008 Viognier, and 2007 Syrah “Three Vineyard Cuvee” received Silver Medals, in addition to their 2007 Cabernet Sauvignon and 2008 Riesling “Sunny Hope Cuvee” that took Bronze. Congratulations to all the Idaho wineries for their incredible work and award winning wines, we’re so excited for the growth that has come, and excited for the future. There are more medals and awards to win in the future, proving Idaho is emerging into a great wine region.
To view all the winners of the 2010 NorthWest Wine Summit, including wineries from Idaho, Washington, Oregon and British Columbia, please visit www.northwestwinesummit.com.
About Idaho Wines
The Idaho Grape Growers and Wine Producers Commissions’ goal is to market and promote all Idaho wineries and growers. There are a total of 41 wineries with 1600 vineyard acres planted. The wine industry contributed $73 million to Idaho’s economy in 2008. Visit www.idahowines.org for more information about wineries, vineyards, and events in Idaho. Phone: (208) 455-8354 Fax: (208) 455-8364 E-mail: info@idahowines.org
Website: http://www.idahowines.org
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Guy Hand is a writer, public radio producer and photographer specializing in food and agriculture. |
