Bluestone Vineyard Awarded Two Golds at 2020 San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition
January 30, 2020
SAN FRANCISCO, Ca— For the 2020 San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition (SFCWC), Bluestone Vineyard earned gold medals for the 2018 Estate Grown Stainless Steel Chardonnay and the 2018 Petit Manseng. The San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition is the largest competition of American wines. This year there were sixty-five judges, representing various North American wine regions, evaluating nearly 6,700 wines from over 1,000 wineries.
Bluestone Vineyard is very pleased with the results of this year’s competition especially since 2018 was not considered a great harvest year as very wet weather conditions hindered the crop. Bluestone’s 2018 Estate Grown Stainless Steel Chardonnay is kept clean with a cold fermentation and natural yeast. It is kept in stainless steel tanks instead of oak barrels that give it a more refreshing taste. Bluestone considers it a vineyard highlight from grapes grown on the estate.
“Bluestone has hung its hat on our Chardonnay for many years, traditionally with our barrel fermented bottles, but I think the site we work with here in southern Rockingham makes great stuff in stainless steel too. Standing at the top of the block you can see the Allegheny and Blue Ridge Mountains, and it's just perfect for Chardonnay,” said winemaker, Lee Hartman, about the results of the 2018 Stainless Chardonnay.
Bluestone’s 2018 Petit Manseng had another strong showing in a west coast competition, having just achieved a gold medal at this year’s San Francisco International Wine Competition scoring a 93 out of 100 points. The 2018 vintage was 100% barrel fermented dry in French oak barrels. The wine is creamy and rich with enough acid and fruit to keep it focused.
“We started working with Petit Manseng in 2015 and have been fortunate to work with some of the best growers around. Petit Manseng has built a reputation in the commonwealth for its distinct tropical aroma with richness and zippy acid,” said Hartman about the success of the Petit Manseng varietal.
Bluestone also won silver medals for 2017 Estate Grown Steep Face and 2017 Estate Grown Chardonnay. The list of wines awarded bronze medals include 2015 Blue Ice, 2017 Cabernet Franc, 2013 Petit Verdot, and 2016 Viognier. Each of the wines entered did win an award.
For more information about Bluestone Vineyard and the wines, please visit www.bluestonevineyard.com, call 540-828-0099 or contact winemaker Lee Hartman at lee@bluestonevineyard.com.
Bluestone Vineyard is very pleased with the results of this year’s competition especially since 2018 was not considered a great harvest year as very wet weather conditions hindered the crop. Bluestone’s 2018 Estate Grown Stainless Steel Chardonnay is kept clean with a cold fermentation and natural yeast. It is kept in stainless steel tanks instead of oak barrels that give it a more refreshing taste. Bluestone considers it a vineyard highlight from grapes grown on the estate.
“Bluestone has hung its hat on our Chardonnay for many years, traditionally with our barrel fermented bottles, but I think the site we work with here in southern Rockingham makes great stuff in stainless steel too. Standing at the top of the block you can see the Allegheny and Blue Ridge Mountains, and it's just perfect for Chardonnay,” said winemaker, Lee Hartman, about the results of the 2018 Stainless Chardonnay.
Bluestone’s 2018 Petit Manseng had another strong showing in a west coast competition, having just achieved a gold medal at this year’s San Francisco International Wine Competition scoring a 93 out of 100 points. The 2018 vintage was 100% barrel fermented dry in French oak barrels. The wine is creamy and rich with enough acid and fruit to keep it focused.
“We started working with Petit Manseng in 2015 and have been fortunate to work with some of the best growers around. Petit Manseng has built a reputation in the commonwealth for its distinct tropical aroma with richness and zippy acid,” said Hartman about the success of the Petit Manseng varietal.
Bluestone also won silver medals for 2017 Estate Grown Steep Face and 2017 Estate Grown Chardonnay. The list of wines awarded bronze medals include 2015 Blue Ice, 2017 Cabernet Franc, 2013 Petit Verdot, and 2016 Viognier. Each of the wines entered did win an award.
For more information about Bluestone Vineyard and the wines, please visit www.bluestonevineyard.com, call 540-828-0099 or contact winemaker Lee Hartman at lee@bluestonevineyard.com.
