Temecula Valley Wines Win Big in SF Competition

by Don McAuliffe

Wines from the Temecula Valley walked off with 12 medals at the first wine competition of the year. Held during the second week of January at the Cloverdale Citrus Fair, the San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition 2008 featured wines from nearly every major wine-producing region in the United States.

Among more than 4,200 wines from 1,500 wineries, Stuart Cellars 2006 Syrah ($35) won double gold and best of class in its price category. Falkner Winery’s 2006 Sauvignon Blanc ($16.95) also won a double gold and best of class in its price class.

Ray Falkner of Falkner Winery - Photo Courtesy of Valley Business Journal

Maurice Car’rie’s 2007 Sauvignon Blanc ($12.95) received a gold, a reflection of the region’s emphasis on quality wines. “The Temecula Valley region is proud to have won some of the more prestigious awards at the San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition,” said Ray Falkner, winery owner and president of the Temecula Valley Winegrowers Association, which represents more than 60 growers and vintners. “To have two of our wines win Best in Class reflects that the quality of wine produced in Temecula is every bit as good as that of any of the wine regions to the North.”

Also receiving medals were Falkner Winery’s 2006 Viognier ($21.95), 2004 Amante ($24.95) 2004 Meritage ($29.95), 2004 Syrah ($24.95) and 2004 Merlot ($21.95); Stuart Cellars 2005 Tatria ($38) and 2005 Long Valley Red Meritage ($65); La Cereza Winery’s 2006 ($24.95) Viognier and Girlfriends ($16.95) white blend; and VR Winery’s 2006 Gewurztraminer ($14.95)