(June, 2011) The summer of 2011 is turning out to be the “Summer of Gold” for Fenestra Winery in Livermore. The winery has been receiving consistent notifications pertaining to wines that have won gold medals at wine competitions all over the state.
“This has been the best year ever in terms of awards,” says Lanny Replogle, owner of Fenestra, which will be celebrating its 35th year this August.
Three of their seven white wines have received gold medals this year, the most note-worthy two being the 2010 Verdelho (Lodi), winning “Best White Wine” in this year’s Best of the Bay Wine Competition at the Alameda County Fair, and the 2010 Torrontes (Lodi), which snagged the “4-Star Gold,” as well as “Best of Class” (for medium priced wines) at the Orange County Fair.
Twelve of Fenestra’s reds have claimed gold medals as well. Some varietals boast two golds, others even three, like the 2008 Zinfandel and the 2008 Malbec (both Livermore) which were also noted as being the “Best Zinfandel” and the “Best Other Bordeaux” at this year’s Tri-Valley Conservatory’s “Livermore Uncorked” event.
“I like to create flavorful, well-balanced wines” says Fenestra Winemaker Brent Amos, “the recognition is really great for us to receive.”
But perhaps the over-achiever of the bunch is the 2007 Petite Sirah (Livermore), which holds an impressive double gold from this year’s prestigious San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition, receiving a “Unanimous Gold” from the entire judging panel. It also won the “Red Wine Sweepstakes Award” at the Riverside International Wine Competition, which denotes the “Best Red of Show.” Fenestra also took home a gold from the Best of the Bay for their 2008 Ghielmetti Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon (Livermore), which was bestowed “The Best Red Wine of Show.”
“Judges agree that this is a spot-on perfect Petite Sirah,” said wine judge Wes Hagen. “It’s balanced, structured, food-friendly and able to lay down five years, easy.”
All in all this year, the winery has received twenty-one gold medals for fifteen different wines, as well as over forty silver medals. The current list of available varietals in their tasting room stands at twenty, with 3 additional club member wines. For a complete list of 2011 medal winners, email Fenestra at info@fenestrawinery.com .
