DawsonTimes.com

Sautee, GA: Yonah Mountain Vineyards is excited to announce the receipt of two gold, a double gold and Best of Class, a silver and two bronze medals at the 2011 San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition (SFCWC).  The following list of awards garnered at this prestigious wine competition represent the most Gold and Double Gold medals taken by any East Coast winery. The results of the SFCWC were announced January 6, 2012.
 

• Gold, Chardonnay, $30-$35: 2009 Yonah Mountain Vineyards Chardonnay
• Gold, Bordeaux Blends, $30-$40: Yonah Mountain Vineyards Genesis 2
• Double Gold, Best of Class, White Hybrid: 2009 Serenity Cellars Traminette
• Silver, Bordeaux Blends, $40-$49: 2006 Yonah Mountain Vineyards Genesis
• Bronze, Rhone Other Varietals & Blends, over $20: 2008 Serenity Cellars Majestic
• Bronze, White Hybrid: 2010 Serenity Cellars Traminette
   

The San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition is known as the “Super Bowl” of wine competitions, being the most prestigious in the American wine industry. The 2011 competition was the largest in its 9-year history with 5,500 wines entered and is the largest competition of American wines in the world. “This new record serves as an
affirmation that every year wine consumers look toward the SFCWC award medal winning wines as a barometer when purchasing their wines," said Bob Fraser, SFCWC Executive Director. "We are thrilled that wineries all over the United States understand and respect the outstanding caliber of our 65 judges from throughout the wine industry and the country."

Information on the SFCWC, including press releases, videos, a list of winners, and logos, is available at www.winejudging.com.

The recognition of Yonah Mountain Vineyards and Serenity Cellars wines at the SFCWC comes just as Yonah Mountain Vineyards is presenting the 2012 International Grand Wine Challenge, which will be held at the tasting room in Sautee on Saturday, January 21.  Two blind tastings will be offered at 2:00 and 4:00 p.m. during which participants may consider how the elements of Yonah Mountain Vineyards and Serenity Cellars wines compare to some of California's and Italy's finest labels.  Three of the wines that medalled in the SFCWC will be poured at the Grand Challenge: 2009 Yonah Mountain Vineyards Chardonnay, Yonah Mountain Vineyards Genesis 2, and 2006 Yonah Mountain Vineyards Genesis.

Wines from Yonah Mountain Vineyards, Serenity Cellars, Jordan Vineyard & Winery, Kistler Vineyards and a super-Tuscan blend to be announced will be poured at the Grand Wine Challenge. Yonah Mountain Vineyards winemaker Joe Smith and owners Bob and Jane Miller will host the event. The 2012 International Grand Wine Challenge is open to all.  $30.00 per person.  Please call 706-878-5522 to make reservations and prepay.

For more information about the 2011 Grand Wine Challenge, visit

www.yonahmountainvineyards.com/latest-news.html.

Information about Yonah Mountain Vineyards, including its wines and events, is available at www.yonahmountainvineyards.com.