The 44th Annual Greatest of the Grape was held on March 1, 2014. This annual event is presented every year by the Umpqua Valley Winegrowers Association. The following awards were granted Saturday night:
PROFESSIONAL WINE JUDGES: 28 Southern Oregon wineries participated
SILVER AWARD:
Brandborg Vineyard & Winery for their 2012 Gewurztraminer
Bradley Vineyards for their 2012 Riesling
Hillcrest Winery & Distillery for their 2012 LePig
Agate Ridge Vineyard for their 2011 Primitivo
Season Cellars for their 2011 Malbec
Wild Rose Vineyard for their 2010 Cabernet Sauvignon
GOLD AWARD:
Anindor Vineyards for their 2012 Gewurztraminer
Chateau NonChalant for their 2011 Syrah
Henry Estate Winery for their 2011 White Reisling
Foris for their 2011 Maple Ranch Pinot Noir
Misty Oaks Vineyard for their 2009 Cabernet Franc
Paul O’Brien Winery for their 2012 Pinot Noir
Spangler Vineyards for their 2011 Claret
PLATINUM:
Triple Oak Vineyard, Oakland OR for their 2011 Tempranillo
PROFESSIONAL FOOD JUDGES AWARD: 14 restaurants & caterers participated
WINNER
Blackbird Bar & Grill for their curried pork & pear skewers with bacon/pecan aioli
Runner up – FOOD category
The Twisted Cork from Grants Pass for their grilled polenta with mushroom ragu.
The 2014 Greatest of the Grape awards continued:
DECORATOR’S Choice “Best Booth Presentation”
Winner: Seven Feathers Casino Resort
1st Runner Up: The Twisted Cork from Grants Pass
The JUDGES Choice “Best Food”
Winner: Blackbird Bar & Grill for their curried pork & pear skewers
1st Runner Up: The Twisted Cork for their grilled polenta with mushroom ragu.
PEOPLE’S CHOICE WINE AWARDS
Best White Wine –
Winner: Brandborg’s 2012 Gewurtzraminer
1st Runner Up: Melrose 2012 Chardonnay
Best Red Wine –
Winner: Abacela 2009 Tempranillo Reserve
1st Runner Up: Spangler’s 2011 Claret
BEST WINE & FOOD PAIRING –
Winner – Spangler Vineyards 2011 Claret with Blackbird Bar & Grill
1st Runner up: (a tie)
Brandborg Vineyard & Winery 2012 Gewurztraminer with The Vine restaurant AND
Melrose 2012 chardonnay with The Vine restaurant
PEOPLE’S CHOICE – The 2014 “Greatest of the Grape”
Becker Vineyard 2012 Pinot Noir!