Association presents medals at Lum Eisenman Wine Competition

Ramona Valley Vineyard Association (RVVA) held its awards dinner for the 2015 RVVA/Lum Eisenman Wine Competition at San Vicente Resort recently and recognized six gold, 16 silver and 33 bronze winners.

The awards, chaired by former RVVA president Bill Schweitzer were created to give individual winemakers feedback on their techniques and results, and to improve winemaking throughout the Ramona Valley.

Double-blind tasting by eight judges included a sommelier; owners and winemakers from Temecula, Escondido, Julian, and Ramona; and a wine buyer. Ron Nowak, founder of the New York Society of Wine Educators and What’s in Your Glass, served as wine judge coordinator.

The Gold medal winners are:

•Castelli Family Vineyards, Ramona, 2013 Tempranillo

•Espinosa Vineyards, Escondido, 2013 Grenache

•The Julian Winery, Julian, 2013 Zinfandel (37%) blend (amateur)

•The Julian Winery, Julian, 2013 Syrah (amateur)

•Old Coach Vineyards, Poway, 2011 Estate Aglianico

•Risotti Vineyard, 2013 Estate Petite Sirah (amateur)

Best of Show Amateur: The Julian Winery, Syrah

Best of Show Commercial: Espinosa Vineyards, Escondido, Estate Grenache

The competition is named after Eisenman, who is founder of the San Diego Amateur Winemaking Society and considered an authority on wine making in the region.