Eleven of the twenty family wineries in El Dorado entered, and all came away winners at the 2003 San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition held in February. What’s more, the 30 medals ranged across twelve different varietal categories, from classic Cabernet Sauvignon to unusual reds like Mataro and Malbec. The key to this winning diversity lies in the region’s mountainous topography. “We’ve got all of these nooks and crannies, Sierra microclimates, and the challenge at these elevations is to match the right grape with the right place,” said Nancy Steel, winemaker for Perry Creek Vineyards. The judges presented a Gold Medal and “Best of Class” award to Perry Creek’s 2000 Estate Syrah.

El Dorado Winery Association President Vaughn Jodar said, “It’s always nice to get recognition like this. Wine lovers in general, including judges, tend to like rich, fruit-forward wines that are balanced. The judges seem to appreciate what these higher elevations can produce.”

Accolades from a prestigious competition go a long way for the small wineries of El Dorado, since little of their operating budgets go to advertising and marketing. “We tend to put our energies into the vineyard, or into buying premium barrels for aging the wine,” says Jon Latcham, who with his family runs both Latcham Vineyards and Granite Springs Winery. Latcham’s Special Reserve Zinfandel earned “Best of Class” as well as Gold Medal.

With over 2,544 wine entries entered, 42 Double Gold, 239 Gold, 831 Silver, and 818 Bronze Medals were awarded. About 50 experts served as judges, selected from wine retail, restaurant, writing, winemaking and academic circles.

For more information about the competition, see www.winejudging.com