Sobon Estate Winery took the overall “Best of Show” award and 2 other top awards at the prestigious Amador County Fair Commercial Wine Competition, among nearly 500 entries from the Sierra Foothills. Sobon Estate also took double gold medals for its 2007 Primitivo and 2007 Zinfandel. Sobon Estate’s 2007 Primitivo, besides Best of Show, also won the award for Best Red and Best Amador Italian wine. The wine was among the final 4, along with 2 other Amador County and Shenandoah Valley wines, and among 20 wines local wines taking awards. Bray Vineyards of the Shenandoah Valley won Best Rose for its 2008 Barbara Rosato, along with class awards of a Silver for a 2006 Red Table Wine, and a double gold for its 2008 Barbera Rosato. Shenandoah Valley’s Karmere Winery won Best Amador Rhone with its 2007 Syrah, and double gold with a 2007 Red Dessert wine. Obscurity Cellars of Amador County took Best Amador Red Zinfandel with its 2007 Zinfandel, and gold medal for its Zin. Wilderotter Winery of Shenandoah Valley took Best Sauvignon Blanc with its 2008 Sauvignon Blanc. In Best of Class, Cooper Vineyards took a gold medal for its 2006 Pinot Gris. Avanguardia Wines took gold for a 2008 White Varietal Blend, and a double gold for its Italian Red Blend. Macchia winery took gold for its 2007 Sangiovese. Jeff Runquist Wines took gold for its 2007 Barbera. Terra d’Oro Winery took gold for its Teroldego 2007, gold for a 2007 White Zin, and double gold for a 2008 Rose Table Wine. Il Gioielio Winery won double gold with a 2005 Petite Sirah. Wine Tree Farm took Gold with a 2006 Red Rhone Blend; and Lucchesi Vineyards & Winery took gold with a 2006 Merlot. Sierra Foothill American Viticultural Area is a 170 mile long, 12-mile wide swath of farmland, stretching from northern Yuba County through the Foothills to Mariposa County in the south. Amador County sits in the middle of an area with a Mediterranean climate and shallow mountain soils that stress the vines, giving moderate and low yields of high quality grapes. Competition supervisor Dick Minnis said the May 30th competition in Plymouth had a 25 percent increase in wines entered. 383 medals awarded, with 73 wines taking gold and double gold. More than 40 of the top winemakers of the 2009 competition will be pouring at the annual Amador County Fair Wine Tasting event, Friday, July 31st in Plymouth. See www.AmadorCountyFair.com. Story by Jim Reece This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.