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Stars of the vine By Caitlin Fowlkes of the Ashland Tidings Aug 22, 2019 07:30 PM A A Wineries from all over Oregon competed in the 2019 Oregon Wine Competition, and when judges announced the winners Thursday evening in Jacksonville, two of the three Best of Show awards went home with Rogue Valley vintners. Rogue Valley winemakers Maison Jussiaume and Trium Wines shared the spotlight with Willamette Valley vintner Valcan Cellars. Maison Jussiaume was honored in the specialty wines category for its 2016 Blanc de Blancs, while Trium Wines topped the list of white wines with its 2018 Viognier, and Valcan Cellars led the red wine category with its 2015 Syrah. The judging panel, consisting of two Masters of Wine, two Master Sommeliers and two wine writers, tasted, sniffed and swirled some 325 entries from 91 Oregon wineries this year, and 85 of them received at least one medal — Silver, Gold, Double Gold or Best of Show. Bruce Nicholson, chairman of the competition, said the unprecedented number of awards given this year speak to the quality of wine in Oregon. “Oregon wine has been progressively improving each year,” Nicholson said. “Although we didn’t expect to give out as many medals this year, it speaks to the advancement of Oregon wine.” Chris Graves, a winemaker for Naumes Crush and Fermentation — which produced the winning Trium white, said it was Trium’s first Best of Show prize. “This was voted the best white wine in all of Oregon,” Graves said. “I’m super excited to be making incredible wine in Southern Oregon.” He said the grapes that the owner of Trium, Tony Corallo, has secured from Randy Gold at Gold Vineyards is what makes this wine so special. The awards ceremony at Bigham Knoll in Jacksonville kicked off the Oregon Wine Experience, a four-day celebration of Oregon wines that culminates Sunday with The Grand Tasting. Awards went to wines from 13 of the 15 American Viticultural Areas in Oregon, according to a press release. This year’s judges were Andrey Ivanov, Master Sommelier; Ashley Hausman, Master of Wine; Maximilian Kast, Master Sommelier; Peter Marks, Master of Wine; Deborah Parker Wong, wine editor; and Ellen Landis, certified sommelier and wine educator. Proceeds from the Oregon Wine Experience benefit the Children’s Miracle Network and other health care programs supported by the Asante Foundation. Last year’s event raised more than $1.3 million, according to the OWE website. Silver medals were awarded to 73 wines from 36 Rogue Valley wineries, 19 wines from seven Applegate Valley wineries, 16 wines from seven Umpqua Valley wineries and eight wines from three Illinois Valley wineries. Wineries from the Columbia Gorge and Willamette Valley also placed in Double Gold, Gold and Silver categories. Events this weekend include a barrel auction Friday; a Coquille Indian Tribe traditional salmon bake and dancing Saturday; and a grand tasting of winning wines Sunday. For more information about Oregon Wine Experience events, see www.theoregonwineexperience.com. Southern Oregon wineries taking home medals included: Double Gold recipients from the Rogue Valley: Aurora Vines, 2015 Tempranillo Awen Winecraft, 2018 Albarino Belle Fiore Winery, 2015 Main Malbec Cliff Creek Cellars, 2015 Tempranillo DANCIN Vineyards, 2018 Capriccio Del Rio Vineyards, 2017 Pinot Gris Irvine & Roberts Vineyards, 2017 Pinot Meunier Maison Jussiaume, 2016 Blanc De Blancs, Quady North, 2018 Pistoleta Quady North, 2018 Rosé Rock Point Wines, 2018 Pinot Gris Ryan Rose Wine, 2016 Pinot Noir South Stage Cellars, 2014 Malbec Trium, 2018 Viognier Weisinger Family Winery, 2016 Tempranillo Weisinger Family Winery, 2017 Sauvignon Blanc Double Gold, Applegate Valley: Guzzo Family Vineyard, 2016 Syrah Guzzo Family Vineyard, 2016 Tempranillo Schultz Wines, 2014 Syrah Shepherd Double Gold, Umpqua Valley: Abacela, 2018 Grenache Rosé Reustle Prayer Rock Vineyards, 2017 Syrah Double Gold, Illinois Valley: Foris Wine, 2018 Pinot Blanc Gold Recipients, Rogue Valley: 2Hawk Vineyard & Winery, 2017 Grenache Rosé Awen Winecraft, 2018 Grenache Blanc Cliff Creek Cellars, 2018 MRV DANCIN Vineyards, 2017 Tribute Goldback Wines, 2018 Rosé of Grenache Irvine & Roberts Vineyards, 2016 Estate Chardonnay Jaxon Vineyards, 2016 Grenache Noir Jaxon Vineyards, 2018 Rosé of Grenache Naumes Family Vineyards, 2016 Chardonnay Platt Anderson Cellars, 2015 Tempranillo Rellik Winery, 2016 Chardonnay Rocky Knoll Vineyards, 2008 Bordeaux/Claret RoxyAnn Winery, 2015 Petite Sirah Ryan Rose Wine, 2018 Rosé Schmidt Family Vineyards, 2018 Reserve Viognier South Stage Cellars, 2015 Pinotage Stoneriver Vineyard, 2017 Pinot Noir Valley View Winery, 2016 Viognier Weisinger Family Winery, 2016 Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve Gold, Applegate Valley: Guzzo Family Vineyard, 2017 Jett Fuel Dessert Wine - Petite Sirah Red Lily Vineyards, 2014 Life of Riley Tempranillo Schultz Wines, 2016 Homeward Chardonnay Schultz Wines, 2015 Blessed Merlot Soloro Vineyard, 2017 Viognier Gold, Umpqua Valley: Brandborg Vineyard and Winery, 2017 Coastal Cuvee Girardet Wine Cellars, 2017 Riesling Reustle Prayer Rock Vineyards, 2016 Tempranillo Winemaker’s Reserve Season Cellars, 2014 Syrah Silver medals were awarded to 73 wines from 36 Rogue Valley wineries, 19 wines from seven Applegate Valley wineries, 16 wines from seven Umpqua Valley wineries and eight wines from three Illinois Valley wineries. Wineries from the Columbia Gorge and Willamette Valley also placed in Double Gold, Gold and Silver categories. Contact Tidings reporter Caitlin Fowlkes at [email protected] or 541-776-4496. Follow her on Twitter @cfowlkes6. Andy Atkinson / Mail Tribune Servers prepare for the Oregon Wine Experience in Jacksnonville Thursday evening. Andy Atkinson / Mail Tribune Servers prepare for the Oregon Wine Experience in Jacksnonville Thursday evening.