Big E Wine Competition
VERMONT WINE TAKES TOP HONORS AT FOURTH ANNUAL NORTHEAST GOLD WINE COMPETITION
Neshobe River's winemaker, Patrick Foley has been making wine for over ten years and has a hands-on approach to making wine after working on wineries in South Africa, learning new techniques, and an appreciation for oak aging.
Other top honors went to Charlton Orchards Farm and Obadiah McIntyre Farm Winery in Charlton, Massachusetts, both owned by Nathan and Patty Benjamin who purchased the property with their son and daughter-in-law in 1998. Black Gold, described by the Benjamins as a "fruity and flavorful, sweet blackberry" wine, won Best Fruit Wine and Best Massachusetts Wine.
The Connecticut Valley Winery, of New Hartford, Connecticut, was recognized as the Best Small Winery; producing 12 varieties of wine on 8.5 acres operated and managed by Anthony and Jason Ferraro. The father and son team entered all 12 wines and won a combined 10 medals (5 silver and 5 bronze) receiving a total of 15 points. The award is given to the winery that accumulates the most points from wines sold solely off the winery.
Additional highest ranking state wines from this year's event are: Lou's Red, Rosedale Farms & Vineyards, of Simsbury, Connecticut; Barn Red, Savage Oakes Vineyard & Winery, of Union, Maine; Aurore, Jewell Towne Vineyards, of South Hampton, New Hampshire; Petite White, Sakonnet Vineyards, of Little Compton, Rhode Island; and Valvin Muscat, of Branchport, New York, which also received a Double Gold from the Judges.
A complete list of results from the fourth annual Big E Northeast Gold Wine Competition is available online at Eastern States Exposition's website, www.TheBigE.com/wine. All medal winners will be showcased and on display in the Young Building during The Big E in West Springfield, Mass., Sept. 18-Oct. 4.
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