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JACKSONVILLE — The Oregon Wine Experience competition is open to the whole state, but an acclaimed panel of outside judges tipped their collective glasses to three Jackson County vintages, awarding Best of Show Thursday evening to Old Ninety Nine Cellars, Awen Winecraft and Quady North. Sam DeSimone’s Old Ninety Nine Cellars’ 2014 Tempranillo won for red wine; Awen Winecraft’s 2017 Viognier by Sean Hopkins and Tom Homewood was chosen for white wine; and Quady North’s 2017 GSM Rosé took top honors for specialty wine. The common thread linking the top performers in all three classes was the winemaking team of Herb Quady, Brian Gruber and Nichole Schulte, who collaborated on the vintages produced at Barrel 42 Custom Winecraft off Stewart Avenue. “It’s an exceptional surprise,” Gruber said. “We’ve been blessed a few years to have one wine win Best of Show, but to make all three speaks a lot to us as a team. We work with a lot of the best growers and idea people in the valley, crafting wines that meet their visions.” One such collaboration was last year’s Best of Show for white wine, Cliff Creek Cellars’ 2016 MRV Rhône White Blend. All five of Awen Winecraft’s entries earned medals, with the 2017 Viognier taking double-gold, and 2016 Grenache Blanc, 2017 Vementino and 2017 Inspiration Blend taking silvers. In its first Oregon Wine Experience last year, Awen Winecraft’s 2016 Inspiration Blend received a gold. Thursday was punctuated by the arrival of Sean and Natasha Hopkins’ baby daughter, just before the medal show. “We try to make a wine that is very balance,” said Homewood. “We want to balance the alcohol against all the other aspects, total acidity, and so forth. We do a lot of these things by feel and try to make a wine we like.” The entries were judged in Ashland over the weekend of Aug. 4-5 and the results were kept under wraps until Thursday. For brave souls venturing out into the smoke on Aug. 9 to visit the Awen Winecraft tent at Rogue Valley Growers & Crafters Market, a rare treat awaited. Two bottles of the 2017 Grenache Blanc were poured for early visitors — days after this year’s OWE judges named it Best of Show for white wines. In 2014, Quady, Gruber and Schulte converted part of the SOS Pear Station into a winery. Four medals validated DeSimone’s decision to shift from tree fruit to the wine industry. “I’ve always been passionate about agriculture,” DeSimone said. “That’s why I wanted to get into it. I tried with pears, peaches, apples and cherries and was never successful. I tried my heart out, but with wine there is just a great passion to see other people involved with us. I get excited to go to work, meeting new farmers and new people.” Old Ninety Nine Cellars also claimed three silvers for its 2015 Primitivo, 2016 Packing Shed Red and 2017 Rose of Primitivo. Quady North picked up a gold for its 2014 Cabernet Franc and silvers for its 2017 Pistoleta and 2014 Flagship. Quady and Gruber collaborated to produce last year’s Cliff Creek Cellars 2016 MRV Rhône White Blend. “It’s really exciting for us to see some of the best wines we’ve ever made coming on the market now,” Gruber said. “These are the first red wines — the gold medal for the Quady North Cabernet Franc, the double-gold and Best of Show for the tempranillo.” For the past 11 years, Quady has managed Southern Oregon vineyards. “We’ve been developing new vineyard sites and refining our process, including more grenache and putting it in cooler sites,” Quady said. “Last year we did a very, very good job of timing our picks at just about the perfect maturity.” OWE’s six judges awarded 16 double-gold, 29 gold and 131 silver medals out of a field of 349 entries produced from 38 varietals by 98 wineries. Reach reporter Greg Stiles at 541-776-4463 or [email protected] . Follow him on Twitter at @GregMTBusiness or www.facebook.com/greg.stiles.31 . BEST OF SHOW Red: 2014 Old Ninety Nine Cellars, Tempranillo White: 2017 Awen Winecraft Viognier Specialty: 2017 Quady North GSM Rose Double Gold (Unanimous Gold Medal Scores) EOLA/AMITY HILLS 2016 Authentique Wine Cellars, Authentique Eola Springs Vineyard 2016 Authentique Wine Cellars, Keeler Estate Vineyard HOOD RIVER 2017 Stave & Stone Winery, Pinot Noir Blanc UMPQUA VALLEY 2017 Abacela, Albarino 2015 Spangler Vineyards, Carmenere 2015 Spangler Vineyards, Dolcetto ROGUE VALLEY 2017 Anchor Valley, Pinot Gris 2017 Awen Winecraft, Grenache Blanc 2016 Dancin, Ecarte Pinot Noir 2014 RoxyAnn, Cabernet Sauvignon 2014 Carmenere, Carmenere APPLEGATE VALLEY 2015 Guzzo Family Vineyard, Tempranillo 2017 Schmidt Family Vineyards, Albarino Gold Medals by AVA COLUMBIA GORGE 2014 Tero Estates, Herb's Block Merlot 2016 Stave & Stone Winery, Zinfandel YAMHILL/CARLTON 2016 Stone Griffon Vineyard, Marechal Foch "Dragons Blood" WILLAMETTE VALLEY 2016 Bluebird Hill Cellars, Chardonnay 2014 Silvan Ridge, Elizabeth's Red 2015 Valcan Cellars, Petite sirah EOLA / AMITY HILLS 2016 Firesteed Riesling 2016 J Wrigley, Estate Pinot Noir UMPQUA VALLEY 2015 Abacela, Malbec 2017 Abacela, Grenache Rose 2015 Season Cellars, Grenache ELKTON VALLEY & ILLINOIS VALLEY 2016 Brandborg, Sauvignon Blanc 2017 Foris, Pinot Blanc ROGUE VALLEY 2015 Coventina Vineyards, Tempranillo 2017 Cuckoo's Nest Cellars, Pinot Gris 2017 Daisy Creek, Double Pay 2016 Daisy Creek, Petit Verdot 2013 Edenvale, Petite Sirah 2017 JAXON, Viognier 2015 MaisonJussiaume, Blanc de Blancs 2016 Parkhurst Wine Cellars, Pinot Noir 2014 Quady North, Cabernet Franc 2017 Bluebird Hill Cellars, Chardonnay 2017 Trium Wines, Viognier 2014 Trium Wines, Cabernet Sauvignon 2017 Weisinger Family, Rose of Grenache APPLEGATE VALLEY 2017 Red Lily, Stargazer Lily Verdejo 2014 Schmidt Family Vineyards, Touriga Nacional 2014 Schultz, Blessed Merlot Silver Medals 2016 2Hawk Winery, Viognier 2016 2Hawk Winery Malbec 2016 2Hawk Winery, Pinot noir 2017 2Hawk Winery, Grenache Rose 2016 A Blooming Hill Vineyard, Trouble 2015 Abacela Garnacha, Grenache 2015 Agate Ridge Vineyard, Petite Sirah 2014 Augustino, Cabernet Sauvignon 2016 Augustino, Celebration 2016 Aurora Vines, White Wine 2016 Aurora Vines, Red Wine 2016 Awen Winecraft, Grenache Blanc 2017 Awen Winecraft, Vermentino 2017 Awen Winecraft, Inspiration Blend 2017 Bayer Family Estate, Chardonnay 2017 Bayer Family Estate, Rose 2016 Beaton Farm Vineyard & Winery, Tempranillo 2016 Belle Fiore, Sauvignon Blanc 2014 Belle Fiore, Siderio 2017 Bluebird Hill Cellars, Pinot Gris 2015 Brigadoon, Lylee Pinot Noir 2015 Brigadoon, Taproot Pinot Noir 2017 Carlton Cellars, Auxerrois 2015 Carlton Cellars, Estate Pinot Noir 2015 Cathedral Ridge Winery, The Daughter's Rhone Reserve 2016 Chris James Cellars, Pinot Noir Reserve 2015 Coeur de Terre Vineyard, Oregon Pinot Noir; 2015 Coeur de Terre Vineyard, Heritage Reserve Estate Pinot Noir 2016 Coopers Hall, Muller-Thurgau 2016 Coventina Vineyards, Pinot Noir Reserve 2016 Coventina Vineyards, Pinot Noir 2015 Coventina Vineyards, Tempranillo Reserve 2016 Cuckoo's Nest Cellars, Chardonnay 2016 Cuckoo's Nest Cellars, Pinot Noir 2016 Daisy Creek, Lyon Red 2016 Dancin, Tribute Barbera 2016 Dancin, Danseur Syrah/ Shiraz 2017 Del Rio Vineyards, Estate Grenache Rose 2017 Diamondback Vineyards, Sauvignon Blanc 2012 Diamondback Vineyards, Bella Forte 2015 Dominio IV, Chardonnay 2013 Dominio IV, Tempranillo 2016 Earth Song Vineyards, Pinot gris 2017 Eliana Rose, Rose/Blush 2016 Eola Hills, Chardonnay 2017 Eola Hills, Sauvignon Blanc 2016 Eola Hills, Pinot Noir 2014 Fences, Cabernet Sauvignon 2015 Firesteed, Firesteed 2016 Foris, Dry Gewurztraminer 2014 Freed Estate, Cabernet Sauvigion 2014 Freed Estate, Syrah 2016 Goldback Wines, Cuvee 2017 Goldback Wines, Rose of Grenache 2014 Grizzly Peak, Cabernet Franc 2014 Grizzly Peak, Tempranillo 2016 Guzzo Family Vineyard, Cabernet Sauvignon 2015 Harry & David Vineyards, Reserve Pinot Noir 2017 Harry & David Vineyards, Rose 2017 Huett Raylee Wines, Raylee Pinot Gris 2016 Huett Raylee Wines, Raylee Pinot Noir 2014 Huett Raylee Wines, Syn Red Blend 2015 Iris Vineyards, Arete Chardonnay 2014 Irontree, Cabernet Sau2015 Iris Vineyards, Arete Chardonnay 2014 Irontree, Cabernet Sauvignon 2014 Irontree, Merlot 2015 Irvine & Roberts Vineyards, Irvine & Roberts Vineyards Reserve Chardonnay 2016 Irvine & Roberts Vineyards, 2016 Pinot Meunier 2017 Irvine & Roberts Vineyards, 2017 Rose of Pinot Noir 2015 JAXON, Grenache 2015 JAXON, Mistral 2017 Kriselle Cellars, Sauvignon Blanc 2017 Kriselle Cellars, Viognier 2017 Ledger David Cellars, Viognier Viognier Lena Varner 2017 Ledger David Cellars, Primoris Chenin Blanc 2015 Ledger David Cellars, Malbec 2015 Ledger David Cellars Sangiovese 2015 Left Coast, Truffle Hill Pinot Noir 2013 MarshAnne Landing, Southern Cross 2013 Misty Oaks Vineyard, Cab Franc 2015 Oak Knoll Winery, Pinot Gris 2015 Old Ninety Nine Cellars, Primitivo 2016 Old Ninety Nine Cellars, Packing Shed Red 2017 Old Ninety Nine Cellars, Rose of Primitivo 2016 Parkhurst Wine Cellars, Chardonnay 2017 Pebblestone Cellars, Viognier 2014 Pebblestone Cellars, Cabernet Franc 2017 Pike Road Wines, Pinot Gris 2015 Pike Road Wines, Pinot Noir 2015 Plaisance Ranch, 2015 Carmenere 2015 Plaisance Ranch, Syrah 2015 Plaisance Ranch, 2015 Mondeuse 2015 Plaisance Ranch, 2015 Petit Verdot 2017 Quady North, Pistoleta 2014 Quady North, Flagship 2014 Red Lily, Tempranillo 2016 Reustle Prayer Rock Vineyards, Gruner Veltliner 2015 Reustle Prayer Rock Vineyards, Tempranillo 2014 RoxyAnn, Merlot 2014 RoxyAnn, Claret 2016 Ryan Rose, Chardonnay 2015 Ryan Rose, Cabernet Franc 2015 Ryan Rose, Pinot Noir 2017 Schmidt Family Vineyards, Riesling 2013 Silvan Ridge, Portage 2017 Simple Machine, Viognier 2017 Simple Machine, Leverage 2013 Soloro, BINARY STARS Syrah and Grenache Blend 2013 South Stage Cellars, Cabernet Franc 2013 South Stage Cellars, Dolcetto 2014 Spangler Vineyards, Cabernet Franc 2016 Stave & Stone Winery, Pinot Noir 2015 Stone Griffon Vineyard, Tropasti 2017 Talent Cellars, Easy Valley Chardonnay 2015 Talent Cellars, Cabernet Sauvignon 2014 Talent Cellars, Nuf Sed Red 2012 Tero Estates, Old Block Cabernet Sauvignon 2012 Tero Estates, Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon 2014 Tero Estates, Petit Verdot 2012 Trium Wines, Grower's Cuvee' 2017 Trium Wines, Grenache Rose' 2017 Troon Vineyard, Whole Grape Ferment 2016 Troon Vineyard, Tempranillo 2015 Upper Five Vineyard, Grenache 2015 Valcan Cellars, Melange de Vin 2015 Valley View, Merlot 2009 Valley View, Port 2015 VIDON Vineyard, 3-Clones 2017 Weisinger, Viognier 2015 Weisinger, Malbec 2017 Whitetail Ridge Vineyard, Riesling 2016 Whitetail Ridge Vineyard, Viogniervignon 2014 Irontree, Merlot 2015 Irvine & Roberts Vineyards, Irvine & Roberts Vineyards Reserve Chardonnay 2016 Irvine & Roberts Vineyards, 2016 Pinot Meunier 2017 Irvine & Roberts Vineyards, 2017 Rose of Pinot Noir 2015 JAXON, Grenache 2015 JAXON, Mistral 2017 Kriselle Cellars, Sauvignon Blanc 2017 Kriselle Cellars, Viognier 2017 Ledger David Cellars, Viognier Viognier Lena Varner 2017 Ledger David Cellars, Primoris Chenin Blanc 2015 Ledger David Cellars, Malbec 2015 Ledger David Cellars Sangiovese 2015 Left Coast, Truffle Hill Pinot Noir 2013 MarshAnne Landing, Southern Cross 2013 Misty Oaks Vineyard, Cab Franc 2015 Oak Knoll Winery, Pinot Gris 2015 Old Ninety Nine Cellars, Primitivo 2016 Old Ninety Nine Cellars, Packing Shed Red 2017 Old Ninety Nine Cellars, Rose of Primitivo 2016 Parkhurst Wine Cellars, Chardonnay 2017 Pebblestone Cellars, Viognier 2014 Pebblestone Cellars, Cabernet Franc 2017 Pike Road Wines, Pinot Gris 2015 Pike Road Wines, Pinot Noir 2015 Plaisance Ranch, 2015 Carmenere 2015 Plaisance Ranch, Syrah 2015 Plaisance Ranch, 2015 Mondeuse 2015 Plaisance Ranch, 2015 Petit Verdot 2017 Quady North, Pistoleta 2014 Quady North, Flagship 2014 Red Lily, Tempranillo 2016 Reustle Prayer Rock Vineyards, Gruner Veltliner 2015 Reustle Prayer Rock Vineyards, Tempranillo 2014 RoxyAnn, Merlot 2014 RoxyAnn, Claret 2016 Ryan Rose, Chardonnay 2015 Ryan Rose, Cabernet Franc 2015 Ryan Rose, Pinot Noir 2017 Schmidt Family Vineyards, Riesling 2013 Silvan Ridge, Portage 2017 Simple Machine, Viognier 2017 Simple Machine, Leverage 2013 Soloro, BINARY STARS Syrah and Grenache Blend 2013 South Stage Cellars, Cabernet Franc 2013 South Stage Cellars, Dolcetto 2014 Spangler Vineyards, Cabernet Franc 2016 Stave & Stone Winery, Pinot Noir 2015 Stone Griffon Vineyard, Tropasti 2017 Talent Cellars, Easy Valley Chardonnay 2015 Talent Cellars, Cabernet Sauvignon 2014 Talent Cellars, Nuf Sed Red 2012 Tero Estates, Old Block Cabernet Sauvignon 2012 Tero Estates, Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon 2014 Tero Estates, Petit Verdot 2012 Trium Wines, Grower's Cuvee' 2017 Trium Wines, Grenache Rose' 2017 Troon Vineyard, Whole Grape Ferment 2016 Troon Vineyard, Tempranillo 2015 Upper Five Vineyard, Grenache 2015 Valcan Cellars, Melange de Vin 2015 Valley View, Merlot 2009 Valley View, Port 2015 VIDON Vineyard, 3-Clones 2017 Weisinger, Viognier 2015 Weisinger, Malbec 2017 Whitetail Ridge Vineyard, Riesling 2016 Whitetail Ridge Vineyard, Viognier