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0 of 3 Premium Clicks used this month SUBSCRIBE Print + Online Subscriber Activation | Register x Forgot Password | Need an Account? e-edition | subscribe | newsletter | deals Classifieds Jobs Autos Real Estate FEATURED » NEWS NOW Asphalt plant sued in federal court ... Mapping Muggers Alley ... Spotters needed for National Weather Service ... Asphalt plant sued in federal court ... Mapping Muggers Alley ... Spotters needed for National Weather Service ... OREGON WINE EXPERIENCE Wine festival representing fifty wineries wraps up in Jacksonville Belle Fiore, Red Lily, Pebblestone snagged top awards Comment By Greg Stiles Mail Tribune MailTribune.com By Greg Stiles Mail Tribune Posted Aug. 23, 2015 at 8:08 PM By Greg Stiles Mail Tribune Posted Aug. 23, 2015 at 8:08 PM » Social News JACKSONVILLE — Belle Fiore Winery owner Edward Kerwin was traveling when he received a text from winemaker Kathe Kaigas that made his week, maybe even his month. "I got a text message that said two silver medals, two double golds, one Best of Show. It doesn't get better than that," Kerwin said. "It's been a wonderful week for Belle Fiore Winery." Kerwin was back in the Rogue Valley on Sunday, joining hundreds of celebrants wrapping up Oregon Wine Experience festivities at Bigham Knoll. "We've been working for many years to grow some of the best grapes in the Rogue Valley as we've worked on timeless and classic wines," Kerwin said. Clad with a new moniker for 2014, the former World of Wine festival awarded three Best of Show medals last week with Pebblestone Cellars' 2014 Viognier and Red Lily Vineyards' 2013 “Night School” red dessert wine, joining Belle Fiore Winery's 2012 “Numinos” red Bordeaux blend. A total of 224 wines from 50 wineries were judged, with 27 gold medals awarded, including six “double” gold medals awarded to unanimous choices. A total of 87 silver medals also were awarded. Bryan Wilson, winemaker for Foris Vineyards, Pebblestone Cellars and his own Cuckoo's Nest Cellars label, continued his impressive run of awards at the regional event with the Best of Show Voignier as well as a pair of double-golds and a gold atop his medal cluster. Last year, Wilson produced four golds. Two years ago, on top of two more double-golds, he produced the Best of Show Pebblestone Cellars 2012 Viognier and Cuckoo's Nest Cellars 2012 Fizzé. Wilson crafted Fizzé from effervescent Early Muscat grapes planted by Ted Gerber in the Illinois Valley 40 years ago. The varietal proved to be well ahead of the curve. "Muscato is a relatively hot category that's been growing off a small base," Wilson said. "The Fizzé was a unique wine a long time before the Moscato craze hit. It's a fabulous category for people who don't think they like wine. It's a great introduction to wine because it appeals to not only to the connoisseur that understands a sophisticated Moscato d'Asti, but also someone who says 'Wow this just tastes good.' I almost hate to say it, but it's like the soda pop of wine. It appeals to a wide range of people." Michael Donovan, Oregon Wine Board Chairman Emeritus, said the festival was the culmination of a decade of growth as the region has seen the number of wineries more than double. "The Southern Oregon wine industry has grown from an industry that 10 or 15 years ago consisted of 25 wineries," Donovan said. "Today, we had 55 pouring here in Jacksonville." Reach reporter Greg Stiles at 541-776-4463 or [email protected] . Follow him on Twitter at www.twitter.com/GregMTBusiness , on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/greg.stiles.31 , and read his blog at www.mailtribune.com/EconomicEdge . By Greg Stiles Mail Tribune MailTribune.com By Greg Stiles Mail Tribune Posted Aug. 23, 2015 at 8:08 PM » Comment or view comments Reader Reaction » STAY INFORMED Email NewsLetter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Southern Oregon Directory Featured Businesses Loading... 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