FRANKFORT, Ky. — Kentucky wineries brought home 32 medals, including two double gold’s, five golds, 12 silver and 12 bronze medals at the Indy International Wine Competition Aug. 4-6 in West Lafayette, Ind.
“Throughout the country, wine lovers are discovering what we already know: Kentucky’s wine industry is back,” Agriculture Commissioner Richie Farmer said.
Acres of Land Winery of Richmond earned double gold and Best of Class for its Concord wine along with a silver medal for the Vidal Blanc. This is the second year in a row Acres of Land Winery won a Best of Class for its Concord wine. Jean Farris Winery of Lexington picked up gold medals for its Petite Syrah (which also was Best of Class) and Cabernet Sauvignon as well as three bronze medals for Cabernet Franc, Merlot, and Tempest.
Wight-Meyer Vineyard and Winery won double gold in the French-American Blush/Rose class for its Diamond/Concord wine. The Diamond wine earned a gold medal and Best of Class in two categories: the Diamond category and the American Late Harvest Category. Wight-Meyer Vineyard and winery also won gold for its Concord wine. The Shepherdsville winery also brought home four silver medals for Diamond Winter Solstice, Norton Reserve, Vignoles, and Chardonnay.
Purple Toad Winery of Paducah won five medals total: gold for Peach Chardonnay, gold for Concord 2008, silver for the Merlot and Lauren’s Blackberry and a bronze for Paducah Blue.
Other Kentucky wineries that won medals at Indy International was Black Barn Winery of Lexington, a silver was awarded for its Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Cabernet Franc V blend and a bronze for its VI blend. Chrisman Mill Vineyards and Winery of Nicholasville earned a silver medal for Traminette while Equus Run Vineyards of Midway also won silver for Pinot Noir and bronze for Cabernet Sauvignon.
Lovers Leap Vineyards and Winery of Lawrenceburg was awarded a bronze for Riesling and River Valley Winery of Carrollton brought home two bronze medals for their Loretto and Bobby’s. A silver medal was awarded to StoneBrook Winery of Camp Springs for the Chambourcin wine and Talon Winery and Vineyard of Lexington also was honored with silver for their Cabernet Sauvignon. Wildside Winery of Versailles and Horseshoe Bend Vineyards and Winery of Willisburg were both awarded a bronze medal for their Cynthiana/ Norton wines. Horseshoe Bend was also awarded a bronze for Cabernet Sauvignon. Black Oak Vineyard of Princeton was received a bronze for its Chardonnel
More than 50 judges evaluated commercial wines from 39 states and 12 countries at the Indy International competition, the largest scientifically organized and independent competition in the United States.
In July, three Kentucky wineries brought home 12 medals, including four golds, from the 2010 Mid-American Wine Competition in Ankeny, Iowa.
Harkness Edwards Vineyards of Winchester won three medals, including gold medals for its Vat 32 Viognier wine and for the wine’s label in the Most Unique category. Wight-Meyer won gold for its Diamond wine and earned five medals in all, the most among Kentucky wineries. Elk Creek Vineyards of Owenton won a gold medal for the Best Series label on its Orchard Creek Series and three bronze medals.
The fourth annual Mid-American Wine Competition on July 9-11 was open only to commercial wineries in Kentucky and 15 other states across the Midwest. Proceeds from the competition support the Enology International Internship program at Des Moines Area Community College, which hosted the event.
For additional information about Kentucky wine visit www.kentuckywine.com.
