Villa del Monte Winery is pleased to announce that two of our wines were awarded medals in the 2011 NextGen Wine Competition:

Silver: 2009 Merlot Reserve Carneros Moon Vineyard
Bronze: 2009 Pinot Noir Reserve Santa Cruz Mountains Regan Vineyard

The 2009 Merlot Reserve Carneros Moon Vineyard is 100% Merlot from the Moon Vineyard in Los Carneros in Napa.  This is a big and deliciously smooth Merlot with a deep burgundy color, a wonderful plum/blackberry flavor, and a smoky, earthy aroma. This wine is a perfect balance between fruit, oak, and tannins.  This wine has also been awarded a Gold medal at the 2011 Riverside International Wine Competition, a Silver medal at the Santa Cruz Mountains Winegrowers Association 2011 Commercial Wine Competition, and a Silver medal at the 2011 West Coast Wine Competition.

The 2009 Pinot Noir Reserve Santa Cruz Mountains Regan Vineyard is produced from 100% Pinot grapes grown at 500’ overlooking Monterey Bay in the southern part of the Santa Cruz Mountains.  The morning fog and cool nights at this southwest-facing vineyard moderate the warm daytime temperatures, resulting in perfect Pinot ripening weather.  Spicy black pepper and cloves layered over warm red fruit jam flavors combine and linger luxuriously on your palate.  This wine also won a Gold medal at the Santa Cruz Mountains Winegrowers Association 2011 Commercial Wine Competition, a  Gold medal at the 2011 Dallas Morning News and TexSom Wine Competition, a Gold medal at the 2011 West Coast Wine Competition, and a Bronze medal at the 2011 California State Fair Wine Competition.

NextGen Wine CompetitionAbout the 2011 NextGen Wine Competition for Millennial Wine Drinkers
Hosted by Vineyard and Winery Management, Inc. and sponsored by 7×7 Magazine, the 3rd annual NextGen Wine Competition for Millennial Wine Drinkers was held earlier this month in Sonoma County, CA.  The field of entries included more than 767 wines from wineries throughout the United States, including those in Virginia, Tennessee, Texas and New York, plus international entries from New Zealand and France.  Judges were comprised of the most experienced and unique pool of “next generation’ wine industry professionals between the ages of 21-35, including winemakers, sommeliers, wine educators, bloggers, and members of the media.   For more information, visit http://www.vwm-online.com/wine_competitions/nextgen/index.asp