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Livermore Valley Uncorked Wine Competition


2023 14th Annual Livermore Valley Uncorked

Congratulations to all the award-winning wineries!!

Thank you all for joining us on April 27th for the 14th annual UNCORKED celebration to taste all of our best-of-class wines. Please find a list of those wines as well as all of the other incredible wines that earned medals this year.

Best in Show

Garré Vineyard & Winery 2019 Sangiovese        

Gold Medal – 96 Points

Best White
Las Positas Vineyards
2022 Albariño
Gold – 94 Points
Best Rosé
Las Positas Vineyards
2022 Garnacha Rosado
Gold – 92 Points
Best Red
Garré Vineyard & Winery
2019 Sangiovese
Gold – 96 Points

Best of Class Wines

Best Sauvignon Blanc: Almost Famous Wine Company 2022 Pistachio Lane Sauvignon Blanc, Gold – 93 Points BUY

Best Chardonnay: Garré Vineyard & Winery 2022 Chardonnay, Gold – 91 Points BUY

Best Spanish White: Las Positas Vineyards 2022 Albariño, Gold – 94 Points BUY

Best Other White: Wine Without Borders 2021 Grüner Veltliner, Gold – 91 Points BUY

Best Rosé: Las Positas Vineyards 2022 Garnacha Rosado, Gold – 92 Points BUY

Best Zinfandel/Primitivo: Wine Without Borders 2021 Primitivo, Silver – 94 Points BUY

Best Other Red: Garré Vineyard & Winery 2019 Sangiovese, Gold – 96 Points BUY

Best Merlot: Darcie Kent Estate Winery 2019 Ghost Vines, Gold – 92 Points BUY

Best Bordeaux Blend: Cellar 13 Winery 2019 Aliheliga, Gold – 94 Points BUY

Best Red Blend: Del Valle Winery 2020 Rosso Delight, Gold – 96 Points BUY

Best Cabernet Franc: Del Valle Winery 2019 Cabernet Franc, Gold – 94 Points BUY

Best Cabernet Sauvignon ($45 and under): Garré Vineyard & Winery 2019 Cabernet Sauvignon, Gold – 91 Points BUY

Best Cabernet Sauvignon (over $45): The Steven Kent Winery 2019 Single Vineyard Series Cabernet Sauvignon, Gold BUY

Best Petite Sirah: Concannon Vineyard 2019 Reserve Petite Sirah, Captain Joe’s, Gold – 94 Points BUY

Livermore Valley UNCORKED Medal Winners by Category:

Download a complete list of winners here

Sauvignon Blanc

2021  McGrail Vineyards and Winery Peyton Paige Sauvignon Blanc, Silver BUY

2021  Concannon Vineyard  Reserve Sauvignon Blanc, Silver BUY

2022  Darcie Kent Estate Winery Sauvignon Blanc, Silver BUY

2022  Almost Famous Wine Company Pistachio Lane Sauvignon Blanc, Gold – 93 Points BUY

2022  Cuda Ridge Wines Sauvignon Blanc, Silver BUY

Chardonnay

2020  Fenestra Winery Chardonnay, Bronze BUY

2021  Wood Family Vineyards “Para Mas Amigas” Chardonnay, Silver BUY

2021  Pruett Farms Burgundian, Silver BUY

2021  McGrail Vineyards and Winery Charlie Rae Chardonnay, Silver BUY

2021  Darcie Kent Estate Winery Chardonnay, Silver BUY

2021  Pruett Farms UnOaked, Bronze BUY

2022  Garré Vineyard & Winery Chardonnay, Gold – 91 Points BUY

Spanish White Wines

2020  Occasio Winery Malvasia Bianca Sparkling, Silver BUY

2022  Las Positas Vineyards Albariño, Gold – 94 Points BUY

2022  Wine Without Borders Albariño, Silver BUY

2022  Las Positas Vineyards Verdelho, Silver BUY

Other White Wines

2022  Fenestra Winery True White, Silver BUY

2022  3 Steves Winery Three Blondes, Silver BUY

2022  The Steven Kent Winery L’Autre Côte Cabernet Franc Blanc, Silver BUY

2021  Murrieta’s Well The Whip, Silver BUY

2021  Wine Without Borders Grüner Veltliner, Gold – 91 Points BUY

Rosé

2022  Wood Family Vineyards “Pink Pearl” Rosé Wine of Grenache, Silver BUY

2022  Darcie Kent Estate Winery Victories Rosé, Bronze BUY

2022  Las Positas Vineyards Garnacha Rosado, Gold – 92 Points BUY

2022  Las Positas Vineyards Tempranillo Rosado, Bronze BUY

2022  Wine Without Borders Rosé of Grenache, Bronze BUY

Zinfandel or Primitivo

2019  Garré Vineyard & Winery Primitivo, Silver BUY

2020  Wood Family Vineyards “Big Wood” Zinfandel, Silver BUY

2021  Wine Without Borders Primitivo, Silver – 94 Points BUY

Other Red Varietals (at least 75%)

2021  Darcie Kent Estate Winery Noir Pinot Noir, Silver BUY

2019  Garré Vineyard & Winery Sangiovese, Gold – 96 Points BUY

2019  Del Valle Winery Grenache, Silver BUY

2018  Fenestra Winery Infrared, Bronze BUY

2018  Leisure Street Winery DRV Syrah, Bronze BUY

2020  Cuda Ridge Wines Petit Verdot, Silver BUY

2019  Occasio Winery Touriga Nacional, Silver BUY

Merlot

2019  Darcie Kent Estate Winery Ghost Vines, Gold – 92 Points BUY

2019  Wente Vineyards Nth Degree, Silver BUY

2020  Cuda Ridge Wines Merlot, Gold BUY

Bordeaux Blends

2018  Fenestra Winery Conjugation, Silver BUY

2019  Garré Vineyard & Winery Profound Secret, Silver BUY

2019  Cellar 13 Winery Aliheliga, Gold – 94 Points BUY

2019  Las Positas Vineyards Meritage, Silver BUY

2019  Cellar 13 Winery Tsogodu, Silver BUY

Red Blends

2016  Bent Creek Winery Red on Red, Bronze BUY

2019  Del Valle Winey Luna Del Valle, Silver BUY

2019  Occasio Winery Occasio Telos, Bronze BUY

2019  Wente Vineyards Artiest Series Sonata, Bronze BUY

2020  Murrieta’s Well Zarzuela, Silver BUY

2020  Del Valle Winery Rosso Delight, Gold – 96 Points BUY

2020  Wente Vineyards Artiest Series Duetto, Silver BUY

Cabernet Franc

2018  Occasio Winery Cabernet Franc, Silver BUY

2019  Del Valle Winery Cabernet Franc, Gold – 94 Points BUY

2020  Las Positas Vineyards Cabernet Franc, Silver BUY

2020  Murrieta’s Well Cabernet Franc, Silver BUY

Cabernet Sauvignon ($45 or under)

2018  Rubino Estates Winery Riserva Cabernet Sauvignon, Bronze BUY

2019  Arroyo Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon, Silver BUY

2019  Garré Vineyard & Winery Cabernet Sauvignon, Gold – 91 Points BUY

2019  Cellar 13 Winery Cabernet Sauvignon, Silver BUY

2019  3 Steves Winery Cab’n Fever, Silver BUY

2020  Firepit  Cabernet Sauvignon, Bronze BUY

2020  Almost Famous Wine Company Loyal to the Soil Cabernet Sauvignon, Bronze BUY

Cabernet Sauvignon (over $45)

2018  Concannon Vineyard  Estate Cabernet Sauvignon Malbec, Silver BUY

2018  Concannon Vineyard  Estate Cabernet Sauvignon Petite Sirah, Silver BUY

2019  Wood Family Vineyards “Clone 30” Cabernet Sauvignon, Silver BUY

2019  Darcie Kent Estate Winery Clone 30, Silver BUY

2019  Concannon Vineyard  Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon, Mother Vine, Silver BUY

2019  The Steven Kent Winery Single Vineyard Series Cabernet Sauvignon, Gold BUY

Petite Sirah

2017  Concannon Vineyard  Reserve Petite Sirah, Silver BUY

2018  Ruby Hill Winery Jewel Collection Series Petite Sirah, Estate Reserve, Silver BUY

2019  Leisure Street Winery Petite Sirah, Bronze BUY

2019  Concannon Vineyard  Reserve Petite Sirah, Captain Joe’s, Gold – 94 Points BUY

2020  Wood Family Vineyards Petite Sirah, Silver BUY

To download a complete list of UNCORKED medal winners: click here


2022 13th Annual Livermore Valley Uncorked

Best of Show and Best Red goes to Nottingham Cellars’ Micro Lot Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon garnering an impressive 93 points and a unanimous Double Gold rating from our esteemed judges BUY 

Best Rosé was awarded to 2021 Almost Famous Winery’s refreshing “Wine Without Borders” Rosé with 91 points and a Double Gold rating BUY

Best White went Darcie Kent’s 2021 Sauvignon Blanc with 92 points and a Double Gold rating. BUY

Best in Class Winners

Other Dry White: 2021 Darcie Kent Estate Winery, Sauvignon Blanc (Double Gold) BUY

Chardonnay: 2020 Wood Family Vineyards, Para Mas Amigas (Gold) BUY

Rosé: 2021 Almost Famous Wine Company, Wine Without Borders (Double Gold) BUY

Cabernet Sauvignon ($40 or Less): 2018 Almost Famous Wine Company, Dog Day (Double Gold)

Cabernet Sauvignon (Above $40): 2017 Nottingham Cellars, Micro Lot Reserve (Double Gold) BUY

Cabernet Franc: 2019 Wood Family Vineyards, Cabernet Franc (Double Gold) BUY

Merlot: 2019 Wood Family Vineyards, One Oak Vineyard (Gold) BUY 

Petite Sirah: 2019 Concannon Vineyard, Reserve Petite Sirah Nina’s Cuvee (Double Gold) BUY

Bordeaux Blends: 2018 Almost Famous Wine Company, Choregraphy (Double Gold) BUY

Other Single Varietal Bordeaux: 2019 Cuda Ridge Wines, Petit Verdot (Double Gold) BUY

Primitivo/Zinfandel: 2019 Darcie Kent Estate Winery, Field Blend Zin (Double Gold)

Other Reds: 2019 Las Positas Vineyards, Syrah (Double Gold)

Medal Winning Wines

OTHER DRY WHITE

2021 Almost Famous Wine Company, Pistachio Lane (Gold) BUY

2021 Garré Vineyard & Winery, Pinot Grigio (Gold)

2021 Almost Famous Wine Company, Pistachio Lane (Silver) BUY

2019 Concannon Vineyard, Reserve Semillon (Silver) BUY

2021 Nella Terra Cellars, Viognier (Silver) BUY

2021 Wood Family Vineyards, Albariño (Silver) BUY

CHARDONNAY

2019 Arroyo Cellars, Chardonnay (Gold) BUY

2019 Darcie Kent Estate Winery, Chardonnay (Gold) BUY

2020 Las Positas Vineyards, Estate Chardonnay (Silver) BUY

ROSÉ

2021 Garré Vineyard & Winery, Rosato di Sangiovese (Gold)

2021 Wood Family Vineyards, Pink Pearl (Gold) BUY

2021 Occasio Winery, Occasio Rosé (Silver) BUY

2020 McGrail Vineyards and Winery, Kylie Ryan Rosé (Bronze) BUY

CABERNET SAUVIGNON ($40 OR LESS)

2018 Rubino Estates Winery, Riserva Cabernet Sauvignon (Gold) BUY

2019 Wood Family Vineyards, Viva (Gold) BUY

2019 Almost Famous Wine Company, Firepit (Silver)

2019 Cuda Ridge Wines, Cabernet Sauvignon (Silver) BUY

2018 Occasio Winery, Cabernet Sauvignon (Silver) BUY

CABERNET SAUVIGNON (ABOVE $40)

2018 Concannon Vineyard, Clone 7 Cabernet Sauvignon (Double Gold) BUY

2018 Darcie Kent Estate Winery, Clone 30 (Double Gold) BUY

2017 McGrail Vineyards and Winery, A Jó Elét “The Good Life” (Double Gold) BUY

2018 The Lineage Collection, “The Premier” by Steven Kent Mirassou (Double Gold)  BUY

2018 BoaVentura de Caires Winery, Maroon Label (Silver) BUY

2017 Big White House Winery & John Evan Cellars, The Blind Pig (Bronze) BUY

CABERNET FRANC

2019 Darcie Kent Estate Winery, Stone Patch (Double Gold)

2019 Cuda Ridge Wines, Cabernet Franc (Gold) BUY

2018 Occasion Winery, Cabernet Franc (Silver)

MERLOT

2019 Las Positas Vineyards, Merlot (Silver)

2019 Arroyo Cellars, Merlot (Bronze) BUY

2019 Cuda Ridge Wines, Merlot (Bronze) BUY

2019 Darcie Kent Estate Winery, Old Vines (Bronze)

PETITE SIRAH

2018 Concannon Vineyard, Reserve Petite Sirah (Double Gold) BUY

2018 Darcie Kent Estate Winery, Ghost Vines (Double Gold) BUY

2019 Arroyo Cellars, Petite Sirah (Gold) BUY

2017 Ruby Hill Winery, Jewel Collection Petite Sirah, Estate Reserve (Gold) BUY

2018 Nottingham Cellars, Micro Lot Reserve (Silver)

BORDEAUX BLENDS

2019 Wood Family Vineyards, The Captain (Double Gold) BUY

2019 Almost Famous Wine Company, Firepit (Gold) BUY

2019 Big White House Winery & John Evan Cellars, Chateau Marion (Gold) BUY

2018 Concannon Vineyard, Estate Cabernet Sauvignon Red Blend (Gold) BUY

2018 Occasion Winery, Telso (Silver) BUY

2018 Cellar 13 Winery, Tsogadu (Bronze)

OTHER SINGLE VARIETAL BORDEAUX

2019 Big White House Winery & John Evan Cellars, Malbec (Double Gold)

2019 Darcie Kent Estate Winery, Petit Verdot (Double Gold)  BUY

2019 Wood Family Vineyards, Petit Verdot (Gold) BUY

PRIMITIVO/ZINFANDEL

2019 Wood Family Vineyards, Big Wood Zin (Double Gold) BUY

2019 Ruby Hill Winery, Jewel Collection Zinfandel (Gold)

2018 Garré Vineyard & Winery, Primitivo (Silver)

2019 Arroyo Cellars, Zinfandel (Bronze)

OTHER REDS

2018 Garré Vineyard & Winery, Sangiovese (Double Gold)

2019 Las Positas Vineyards, Tempranillo (Double Gold) BUY

2019 Concannon Vineyard, Reserve Stampmakers GSM (Gold) BUY

2018 Garré Vineyard & Winery, Syrah (Gold)

2019 Big White House Winery & John Evan Cellars, Syrah (Silver) BUY

2019 Las Positas Vineyards, Reserve Barbera (Silver)

2019 Las Positas Vineyards, LVVC (Vintners Collective Red Blend) (Silver)

2019 Nottingham Cellars, Casa de Viñas – Select Blocks (Gold) BUY


2021 12th Annual Livermore Valley Uncorked

Below are the medal winners of the 2021 competition: Download Full List of Medal Winners Here

Best of Show and Best White – Occasio Winery’s 2020 Malvasia Bianca (Double Gold, 96 Points) BUY

Best Rosé – Wood Family Vineyard’s 2020 “Pink Pearl” Rosé (Double Gold, 93 Points) BUY

Best Red – Nella Terra Cellars’ 2018 Cabernet Sauvignon (Double Gold, 95 Points) BUY

Best in Class Winners

Best Other Dry White: 2020 Malvasia Bianca, Occasio Winery (Double Gold, 96 Points) BUY

Best Chardonnay ($30 and under): 2019 Chardonnay, Cellar 13 (Gold, 91 Points) BUY

Best Chardonnay (over $30): 2019 Chardonnay, Occasio Winery (Gold, 93 Points) BUY

Best Rosé: 2020 Rosé of Grenache “Pink Pearl”, Wood Family Vineyards (Double Gold, 93 Points) BUY

Best Merlot: 2018 Page Mill Winery, Merlot (Double Gold, 93 Points) BUY

Best Rhone Blend: 2017 Fenestra Winery, Infrared (Syrah, Mourvèdre, Grenache) (Double Gold, 94 Points)

Best Bordeaux Blend: 2018 Wood Family Vineyards, “The Captain” (Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon) (Double Gold, 95 Points) BUY

Best Other Red Varietal (at least 75%): 2018 Cuda Ridge Wines, Petit Verdot (Double Gold, 92 Points) BUY

Best Cabernet Franc: 2018 The Steven Kent Winery, L’autre Côte Cabernet Franc (Double Gold, 93 Points)

Best Cabernet Sauvignon ($40 and under): 2018 Darcie Kent Vineyards, Tesla Neighbors Cabernet Sauvignon (Double Gold, 92 Points) BUY

Best Cabernet Sauvignon (over $40): 2018 Nella Terra Cellars, Cabernet Sauvignon (Double Gold, 95 Points) BUY

Best Petite Sirah: 2018 Concannon Vineyard, Nina’s Cuvée Petite Sirah, Reserve Collection (Double Gold, 95 Points) BUY

Download Full List of Medal Winners Here


2020 11th Annual Livermore Valley Uncorked

The 11th Annual Uncorked Competition may have been a little different but continued the trend of ever more impressive selections coming out of our Livermore wineries. Although we could not have an in person celebration, each winning winemaker was recognized at an informal zoom award ceremony. It was amazing to witness the resiliency and care shown throughout the wine-making community. We are so proud to support an amazing community. Together, we will come back even stronger.

Initial screening of the wines submitted occurred in March, prior to the pandemic, and was judged over three days by many of the region’s winemakers. From the original 123 submissions, 69 went on to the final round, where they were judged blind by three wine writers, Jim Gordon of Wine Enthusiast, Laura Ness of Spirited and Wine Industry Advisor, and Fred Swan of NorCal Wines.

Best Red and Best in Show went to the statuesque 2016 Ruby Hill Petite Sirah, Reserve Collection. Fittingly, Petite Sirah is a varietal long associated with the Livermore winegrowing region and was first varietally bottled by 3rd generation vintner, Jim Concannon, in 1963. BUY

Best Dry White: 2018 Concannon Vineyards Assemblage Blanc (Sauvignon Blanc & Semillon) (Double Gold) BUY

Best Chardonnay ($30 and under): 2018 Wood Family Para Mas Amigas (Double Gold) BUY

Best White and Best Chardonnay (over $30): 2018 Darcie Kent Vineyards Pistachio Lane Chardonnay (Gold)  BUY

Best Rosé: 2019 Occasio Winery Rosé of Grenache (Double Gold) BUY

Best Italian/Spanish Varietal: 2017 Rodrigue Molyneaux Sangiovese

Best Other Red: 2017 Crooked Vine Petit Verdot

Best Merlot: 2015 McGrail Vineyard & Winery Merlot BUY

Best Red Blend: 2017 Wood Family “The Captain” (Merlot and Cabernet Franc) BUY

Best Cabernet Franc: 2016 Occasio Winery Cabernet Franc (Double Gold)

Best Cabernet Sauvignon ($40 and under): 2016 Entropy Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon BUY

Best Cabernet Sauvignon (over $40): 2016 Murrieta’s Well Small Lot Cabernet (Double Gold) BUY

Best Petite Sirah: 2016 Ruby Hill Petite Sirah, Reserve Collection (Double Gold) BUY

Best Of Show pitted all three Best of winners against one another, with the 2016 Ruby Hill Reserve Collection Petite Sirah besting the lot for its embodiment of both the varietal and the region. BUY

View all medal winners for 2020: click here

Congratulations to all the wineries who participated, to all the winning winemakers, and to all those who gave their time and talents to put on this competition during a challenging era. Special thanks go to Georgie Saucedo of the TVC, whose tireless behind-the-scenes efforts made this possible.

Here are a few ways you can still enjoy your local wine region:

  • Ship your favorite wines to yourself and your friends
  • Join a wine club
  • Follow a winery on social media
  • Participate in SIP at-home events
  • Subscribe to a winery mailing list
  • Grab a bottle and do a virtual wine tasting
  • Check out the UNCORKED shopping lists of our competition’s favorite wines

For questions, please contact Event Program Manager Georgie Saucedo by email or at (925) 449-8706.

2020 Medal Round Judges:  Jim Gordon, Laura Ness, Fred Swan. See the Judges’ bios here.

Looking for the Livermore Valley Uncorked Celebration Event? Click here!


2019 10th Annual Livermore Valley Uncorked

The 10th Annual Uncorked Celebration included 12 varietal categories. The sold-out crowd of wine lovers were able to sample the best of the best Livermore Valley AVA-grown wines.  This public event held on Thursday, April 4th showcased all the medal-winning wines from 60 wineries.  Livermore City Manager Marc Roberts was our charismatic MC for the event.  Alameda County Supervisor Scott Haggerty enthusiastically announced our winners.  They were a dynamic duo!  The VIP Winemaker Lounge was all the rage and included a private reception where guests were the first the sample the winning wines one hour prior to the general public.  This reception also included butler-passed hors d’ oeuvres and mingling with the winemakers.  Later, VIP guests enjoyed a private inter-active Banana Fosters dessert station paired with their winemaker host’s favorite wines.  Yum!

Las Positas Vineyards Verdelho 2018 took home Best in Show, along with Best in Class for “Other Dry White”.  Best Rose went to Garre Vineyard and Winery with Rosato di Sangiovese 2018.  Best Red went to Stony Ridge Trifecta 2016 under the “Red Blend” category.  For a complete list of all the award-winning wines, click here.

Our huge thanks to all of the winegrowers and winemakers who showcased the quality of what our region’s viticulture heritage and savvy land preservation strategies can produce. A delicious win-win for all! Our enormous gratitude to each of the judges and volunteers who made this event possible!

To see the best wines in each category, please check our complimentary Wine Shopping List here.

For questions, please call us at (925) 449-8706.

Looking for the Livermore Valley Uncorked Celebration? Click here!


2018 Livermore Valley Uncorked

The ninth year of the wine competition boasted 12 revamped varietal categories that attracted more than 100 Livermore Valley wines vying to be the best of the best. The competition was tougher than ever before with space for only 60 wines to move on to the medal round and qualify for your unlimited wine-tasting pleasure at the public Livermore Valley Uncorked celebration held on Thursday, April 12th at the Palm Event Center.
On the night of the celebration, the best of the categories were announced by Alameda County Supervisor Scott Haggerty to the crowd of wine enthusiasts and winemakers alike eager to hear the top winners. The newest Best category, Best Rosé, was added just last year when it took the competition by storm, winning Best in Show. This year, a new rosé won the honor of Best Rosé as the judges’ palates determined McGrail Vineyards’ Kylie Ryan Rosé 2017 was the top entry. DePorted 2012 by BoaVentura de Caires Winery was awarded the distinction of the Best Sweet Wine. The title of Best White went to the Best Other Dry White varietal, Longevity’s Pinot Blanc 2017. All of the Tri-Valley’s medal-winning wines are fantastic. Yes, we may be a little biased. However, this year, one wine garnered four medals and three titles. The Best Cabernet Franc, Best Red, and Best in Show was Wood Family Vineyards’ Cabernet Franc 2015.
Our huge thanks to all of the winegrowers and winemakers who showcased the quality of what our region’s viticulture heritage and savvy land preservation strategies can produce. A delicious win-win for all! Our enormous gratitude to each of the judges and volunteers who made this event possible!

To see the best wines of each category, please check our complimentary Wine Shopping List here.

For questions, please call us at (925) 449-8706.

Looking for the Livermore Valley Uncorked Celebration? Click here!

 


2017 Livermore Valley Uncorked

More than 80 wines representing over 30 wineries competed in the 2017 Livermore Valley Uncorked wine competition. Uncorked showcases wines made from grapes grown in the Livermore American Viticultural Area. Many of these grapes are quite literally the fruit of land preservation efforts in the Tri-Valley that wouldn’t be possible without Tri-Valley Conservancy’s great land, park, city and county partners and all of our amazing supporters.

2017 was the first year a Rosé category was added to the competition and everyone was swept off their feet by one of the entries which took Best in Show! To see the best wines of each category, please check our complimentary Wine Shopping List here.

Check out all of the 2017 competition’s Ribbon-Winning wines here.

You can see the 2017 Livermore Valley Uncorked Photo Gallery here.

Our heartfelt gratitude to all of the winemakers, wine growers, judges and volunteers who made this event the most successful yet. Thank you!

For questions, please call us at (925) 449-8706.

Looking for the Livermore Valley Uncorked Celebration? Click here!