Winning Wines at First Taste
The wine competition for this year’s First Taste Oregon (formerly Oregon Wine & Food Fest), evaluated 67 entries from 30 wineries on Jan. 9 at the Salem Red Lion.
Judges included Gary Kneski, co-owner/wine director at Thirst Bistro in Portland; Patrick McElligott, instructor at Chemeketa’s Northwest Viticulture Center in Salem; Annette Soloman, certified sommelier; and Maggie Crawford, owner of Grand Vines in Salem.
Celebrating its 30th year with a new name, First Taste Oregon, held Jan. 25–26 in the Columbia Hall at the Oregon State Fairgrounds in Salem, featured 125 exhibitors, including 30 wineries, 15 craft breweries and eight distilleries, plus art, culinary and lifestyle products for guests to peruse.
FIRST TASTE OREGON WINE AWARDS
Best of Show
Buddha Kat Winery 2012 Raspberry
Best of Show Red
Bradley Vineyards 2011 Baco Noir
Best of Show White
Noble Estate 2011 Muscat
GOLD
Methven 2011 Gamay Noir
TeSóAria 2010 Eponyne Red Blend
Silvan Ridge 2011 Muscat
TeSóAria 2010 Barbera Red Blend
Cardwell Hill Cellars 2011 Pinot Noir
TeSóAria 2010 Sangiovese Red Blend
Silver Falls 2011 Marechal Foch
SILVER
Seufert Winery 2006 Pinot Noir
Abbey Creek Vineyard 2010 Pinot Noir
Namasté 2007 Red Blend
TeSóAria 2011 Bulls Blood Red Blend
Girardet 2009 Cabernet Sauvingnon
TeSóAria 2010 Syrah
Henry Estate 2011 Müller-Thurgau
Noble Estate 2010 Pinot Noir
Kandarian Wine Cellars 2009 Syrah
TeSóAria 2011 Dolcetto Red Blend
TeSóAria 2009 Vindetta Red Blend
TeSóAria 2010 Durif Red Blend
TeSóAria 2011 Pinot Noir
Namasté 2008 Merlot
Bradley Vineyards 2010 Pinot Noir
Buddha Kat Winery 2012 Riesling
Bradley Vineyards 2010 Dry Riesling
Silver Falls Vineyards 2009 Sparkling
Girardet 2012 Rosé
Namasté 2007 White Port
Methven Family 2008 Pinot Noir
Seufert Winery 2009 Pinot Noir
Kandarian Wine Cellars 2010 Syrah
Silver Falls Vineyards 2009 Red Port
Cubanísimo 2010 Pinot Noir
BRONZE
Cathedral Ridge 2010 Cab Sauvignon
Girardet 2009 14 Vines Red Blend
Namasté 2010 White Blend
Namasté 2008 Syrah
Cathedral Ridge 2010 Rusty Red Syrah
Orchard Heights 2011 Rosé
Orchard Heights 2009 Pinot Noir
TeSóAria 2011 Rosé
Cubanísimo 2011 Rosé
TeSóAria 2008 Red Port
Cathedral Ridge 2010 Pinot Noir Reserve
Silver Ridge 2008 Syrah
Girardet 2009 Pinot Noir
Kandarian 2011 Sauvignon Blanc
Noble Estate 2012 Semi-Sweet Riesling
Cathedral Ridge 2011 Chardonnay
Henry Estate 2009 Pinot Gris
Henry Estate 2009 Red Blend
Henry Estate 2011 Pinot Noir
Orchard Heights 2010 Pinot Gris
Cathedral Ridge 2009 Syrah
