Chouinard's Zinfandel Wins State Title

San Jose Mercury News, 27 Jul 1994
by Laurie Daniel

The 1993 Chouinard Vineyards Zinfandel from the Livermore Valley has won the Best of Show award at the California State Fair in Sacramento.

The winning wine, announced Monday, was picked from among 10 wines judged the best of their region, known as an appellation. There were 1,826 entries.

Beringer Vineyards of St. Helena won the Golden Winery Award by collecting three double gold medals, two golds, five silvers, and four bronzes.

In addition to the medals and Best of Region awards, judges gave Best of California prizes for seven varietals. The winners were 1992 Zellerbach Vineyard Sauvignon Blanc, California; 1992 Cambria Winery & Vineyard Chardonnay, Santa Maria Valley, Katherine's Vineyard; 1993 Santino Wines White Harvest (white zinfandel), Amador County; 1992 Fieldbrook Valley Winery Merlot, Trinity County, Meredith Vineyard; 1989 Trefethen Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley; 1990 Zaca Mesa Winery Pinot Noir, Santa Barbara County, Sierra Madre Vineyard; and 1992 Gary Farrell ZInfandel, Russian River Valley.

The Best of Region winners, in addition to the Chouinard Zinfandel, were:

• North Coast: 1991 Navarro Vineyards Pinot Noir, Anderson Valley, Methode a l'Ancienne.
• Sonoma: 1993 Adler Fels Gewurztraminer, Sonoma County.
• Napa: 1992 Lakespring Winery Sauvignon Blanc, Napa Valley, Yount Mill Vineyard.
• North-Central Coast: 1992 Joullian Vineyards Chardonnay, Monterey.
• South-Central Coast: 1992 Cambria Winery & Vineyard Chardonnay, Santa Maria Valley, Katherine's Vineyard.
• South Coast: 1992 Brindiamo Winery Rosso Vecchio, Limited Bottling, South Coast.
• Sierra Foothills: 1992 Boeger Winery Barbera, El Dorado.
• Other California: 1993 Briceland Vineyards Sauvignon Blanc, Humboldt County.
• California State Appellation: Non-vintage St. George Cellars Framboise Royale, California.