American AgCredit Sweepstake Winemakers
A record-breaking 6,417 wines throughout 28 states were entered in competition, and the following wines received the prestigious American AgCredit Sweepstake Awards, signifying the best of the best.
Gloria Ferrer – 2010 Blanc De Blancs, Carneros, $42
Dr. Konstantin Frank- 2013 Riesling, Semi Dry, Finger Lakes, New York $14.99
Sonoma-Cutrer – 2012 Pinot Noir, Founders Reserve, Russian River Valley $65
Pezzi King – 2012 Estate Zinfandel, Dry Creek Valley, Row 14 Reserve, $50
Debonne Vineyards – 2013 Vidal Blanc Ice Wine, Grand River Valley, Ohio $29.99
Gloria Ferrer Caves & Vineyards, Carneros
2010 Blanc de Blancs, $42
Steven Urberg’s finely-tuned sense of focus, passion for detail and strong science background are indispensable in crafting Gloria Ferrer sparkling and estate varietal wines.
Steven first arrived at Gloria Ferrer during the harvest of 1996, and he returned in 2001 as a full-time member of the Gloria Ferrer winemaking team.
ZD’s dynamic winemaking team consists of winemaker Chris Pisani and third generation family member, Brandon deLeuze, associate winemaker.
Both found their passion for winemaking early in life and honed their craft at UC Davis and Cal Poly San Luis Obispo, respectively.
Founded in 1969, ZD Wines is proud to be celebrating more than 45 years of producing world class Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Cabernet Sauvignon.
Dr. Konstantin Frank, Finger Lakes, NY
Peter Weis is a German winemaker at Dr. Frank’s who excels at producing some of the most iconic Rieslings in the Finger Lakes region.
Born in Zell, Germany, Weis grew up in a winemaking family in the Mosel region where his family continues to operate a small vineyard and winery.
Weis sources most of his grapes for the Semi-Dry Riesling from the winery’s vineyards along the eastern side of Seneca Lake, an excellent site for Riesling production.
Chalet Debonne Vineyards, Madison, OH
2013 Vidal Blanc Ice Wine, $29.99
Ed Trebets has been the winemaker for Chalet Debonne Vineyards, Grand River Cellars and South River Vineyards in Madison and Harpersfield, Ohio since 2004.
Prior to winemaking, he taught high school chemistry in the Beachwood City School District.
Ed and his wife, Gina, reside in Chesterland, Ohio with their son, Jaxson, and their puppy.
A graduate of Texas Tech University’s horticulture program, Don relocated to Paso Robles after enjoying his tenure with iconic Texas wineries like Pheasant Ridge, Llano Estacado and St. Genevieve.
The award-winning winemaker worked for Delicato Family Vineyards prior to joining Robert Hall Winery in 2001.
In 2006, Don was named “Central Coast Winemaker of the Year” and led the company to be recognized as the “Golden State Winery of the Year” in 2010.
Russian River Valley
Winemaking is often a trade passed down from generation to generation, and Mick Schroeter is no exception.
[…] in 1982, as fate would have it, his father and uncle’s winery Penfold bought Kaiser Stuhl and reunited Mick with his family in the business.
In 1993, he took on the position of Vice President of Winemaking at Geyser Peak Winery where he remained for 17 years.
Twice Mick was named “Winemaker of the Year” at the London International Wine & Spirit Competition and in 2010, Mick took the reins as winemaker at Sonoma-Cutrer.
Pezzi King, Estate Row 14, Wilson Artisan Wineries, Healdsburg
Winemaker Chris Barrett is a native to the Sonoma County wine country and has a biology degree from Chico State University.
Chris has always had one foot in the lab and the other in the cellar.
Chris joined Pezzi King as the Assistant Winemaker/Cellar Master and was rapidly promoted to winemaker before the 2008 harvest.
The 2015 San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition Sweepstake award is Chris’ fourth Sweepstake award in seven years of winemaking.
Lindsay Huck , Graphic Designer
During that time, she was a graphic designer for film, web and print-based media.
Lindsay has 13 years of experience in the creative industry and always wanted to start her own design firm.
Huckster Design was initially just a vision, then the part-time freelance shop was finally fully established in 2009.
Tickets still available for the San Francisco Chronicle
Don’t miss the chance to taste the Gold at the Public Tasting.
Visit www.winejudging.com for details and advance tickets!
Want more American AgCredit Sweepstake Winemakers winners?
For a comprehensive listing of all the Best of Class, Double Gold, Gold, Silver and Bronze awards, go to www.winejudging.com
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