We are pleased to announce that three Villa del Monte wines were awarded medals in the Santa Cruz Mountains Winegrowers Association 2011 Commercial Wine Competition:
Gold: 2009 Pinot Noir Reserve Santa Cruz Mountains Regan Vineyard
Silver: 2009 Cabernet Sauvignon Santa Cruz Mountains Villa Festa Vineyard
Silver: 2009 Merlot Reserve Carneros Moon Vineyard
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 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.
The 2009 Cabernet Sauvignon Santa Cruz Mountains Villa Festa Vineyard is 100% Cabernet grapes grown on a small vineyard that we manage on Loma Prieta Avenue in the Santa Cruz Mountains in Northern California. Black currants, medium tannins, and a beautiful deep red color combine for a full bodied wine that develops and matures on the palate. This wine has also won these awards this year: Gold medal at the 2011 West Coast Wine Competition, Silver medal at the 2011 Monterey Wine Competition, Silver medal at the 2011 Los Angeles International Wine Competition, Silver medal at the 2011 California State Fair Wine Competition, and Bronze medal at the 2011 Riverside International Wine Competition
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 and a Silver medal at the 2011 West Coast Wine Competition.
About the Santa Cruz Mountains Winegrowers Association 2011 Commercial Wine Competition
The annual Santa Cruz Mountains Winegrowers Association 2011 Commercial Wine Competition took place on August 1 at Ma Maison Restaurant in Aptos. The judging panel was made up of 36 professional judges and 12 consumer judges. All entries were from wineries located in the Santa Cruz Mountains appellation. More than 150 wines were entered into this competition, which is the official competition for the 2011 Santa Cruz County Fair. For more information, visit http://www.scmwa.com/farmgirlsschooloffoodandwine/?WSDSESSID=e3b6a253364c857af64750a18cc8ed79&/1/.