Our 2011 Wine Awards   Awards announced in new Winemaker’s Competition at the Mesa County Fair. Winners on display the week at the Fair. A local vineyard is one of the big winners in the First Annual Mesa County Fair Commercial Winemakers Competition. Reeder Mesa Vineyards took home two gold medals when the gold, silver and bronze medal winners were recently announced. “We have more wineries in Mesa County than anywhere else in the state,” said Mesa County Commissioner Steve Acquafresca. “We grow excellent grapes that produce high-quality wines, and are boon to our local agricultural economy.” Eighty-six percent of all the grapes grown in Colorado come from Mesa County. The competition was open to any Colorado commercial winemaker. Eighty-five percent of the ingredients for all wines entered must have been grown in Mesa County. A total of 46 entries were received. A panel of four judges tasted and reviewed the wines on July 3rd at the Marriott Hotel. The tasting was officiated by Dr. Steve Menke of Colorado State University. The winners were kept secret until Saturday night, when they were announced at the County Fair Kick Off reception held at the Fairgrounds on July 17. A total of 40 medals were awarded: 3 Gold, 21 Silver and 16 Bronze. One of the gold medal winners – 2008 Riesling by Stoney Mesa Vineyards—was also recognized as “Best in Show – The Commissioner’s Cup.” The award-winning wines will be on display in the Community Building all week during the Mesa County Fair, July 20 through July 24th. Click here for the press release. The list of winners: BEST OF SHOW – “THE COMMISSIONER’S CUP” STONEY MESA WINERY RIESLING 2008 GOLD MEDAL WINNERS STONEY MESA WINERY RIESLING 2008 – BEST WHITE REEDER MESA VINEYARDS CABERNET FRANC 2008 – BEST RED REEDER MESA VINEYARDS LAND’S END RED 2007 SILVER MEDAL WINNERS REDS TURQUOISE MESA WINERY COLORADO CRIMSON 2007 TURQUOISE MESA WINERY CABERNET FRANC 2006 DITHYRAMB WINERY BROMIOS 2008 DITHYRAMB WINERY CABERNET FRANC 2008 MESA PARK VINEYARDS CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2006 WHITEWATER HILL SWEETHEART RED 2009 WHITEWATER HILL CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2007 PLUM CREEK CELLARS GRAND MESA 2006 REEDER MESA VINEYARDS SYRAH 2008 WOODY CREEK CELLARS CABERNET FRANC 2008 WOODY CREEK CELLARS MERLOT 2008 WHITE TURQUOISE MESA WINERY VIOGNIER 2009 WHITEWATER HILL LATE HARVEST CHARDONNAY 2009 WHITEWATER HILL GEWÜRZTRAMINER 2009 WHITEWATER HILL VIOGNIER 2009 WHITEWATER HILL RIESLING 2009 REEDER MESA VINEYARDS RIESLING 2008 PLUM CREEK CELLARS SAUVIGNON BLANC 2009 ROSE ALLIS RANCH WINERY MARGARET’S ROSE 2009 PLUM CREEK CELLARS PALISADE ROSE 2009 FORTIFIED GRAYSTONE VINEYARDS PORT III BRONZE MEDAL WINNERS REDS STONEY MESA WINERY MERLOT 2006 STONEY MESA WINERY CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2006 WOODY CREEK CELLARS TEMPRANILLO 2008 WOODY CREEK CELLARS CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2006 WOODY CREEK CELLARS CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2007 REEDER MESA VINEYARDS MERLOT 2008 REEDER MESA VINEYARDS CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2007 PLUM CREEK CELLARS CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2008 WHITEWATER HILL SYRAH 2007 MESA PARK VINEYARDS CABERNET FRANC 2006 DITHYRAMB WINERY SYRAH 2008 ALLIS RANCH WINERY TWO HUSKY RED SYRAH 2008 TURQUOISE MESA WINERY CINCAULT 2007 PTARMIGAN VINEYARDS MERLOT 2006 WHITE PTARMIGAN VINEYARDS CHARDONNAY 2008 STONEY MESA WINERY GEWÜRZTRAMINER 2008

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