FRANKFORT, Ky. — Two Kentucky wineries earned gold medals and a total of 11 were honored at the Indy International Wine Competition Aug. 3-5 in West Lafayette, Ind.

“Kentucky is being recognized as a major producer of quality wines,” Agriculture Commissioner Richie Farmer said. “Congratulations to all the Kentucky wineries that competed at this prestigious event. These wineries and others are raising the bar for fine Kentucky wine.”

Jean Farris Winery & Bistro of Lexington struck gold with its Petite Syrah, and Wight-Meyer Vineyard & Winery of Shepherdsville earned a gold medal with its Petite Syrah. Wight-Meyer’s Diamond was Best of Class in American Late Harvest and Ice Wine, and the winery won nine medals in all. Jean Farris captured a total of five medals.

Other Kentucky wineries that scored at Indy International were Acres of Land Winery, Richmond (two medals); Black Barn Winery, Lexington (one); Elk Creek Vineyards, Owenton (two); Grimes Mill Winery, Lexington (one); Purple Toad Winery, Paducah (seven); Reid’s Livery Winery, Alvaton (one); River Valley Winery, Carrollton (two); Talon Winery, Lexington (one); and Wildside Winery & Vineyard, Versailles (one).

Several Kentucky winemakers earned high honors in the amateur categories. A complete list of medalists is available at www.indyinternational.org.

Indy International bills itself as the largest scientifically organized and independent wine competition in the United States. Some 3,000 wines from throughout the U.S. and 15 countries were judged.

In July, Kentucky wineries brought home 13 medals, including three golds, at the Mid-American Wine Competition in Ankeny, Iowa. Harkness Edwards Vineyards of Winchester earned two gold medals for its Vat 32 Viognier as well as a bronze. Reid’s Livery Winery captured gold with its Black Raspberry wine and also won a bronze. Purple Toad Winery won five medals, including a best of class for their PeachBerry, and Acres of Land won three. A full list of medalists is available at www.midamericanwine.org/

Once a leading grape- and wine-producing state, Kentucky today boasts nearly 70 wineries that are earning awards in competitions throughout the nation.

Held February 10-12, 2011, the Florida State Fair International Wine Competition had 1031 total entries.  Congratulations to Purple Toad Winery and StoneBrook Winery for medalling in the 2001 Florida State Fair International Wine and Grape Juice Competition. 

 Two Kentucky wineries brought home one gold medals, four silver, and two bronze.  Purple Toad Winery, Paducah, received gold for the Estate Grown Laurens Blackberry wine.  Silver medals were awarded to Purple Toad Winery for the 2009 Cabernet Franc, 2009 Merlot, and the Paducah Peach.  A bronze medal was awarded for the Estate Grown Paducah Blue. 

 StoneBrook Winery, Melbourne, received a silver medal for the Pomegranate wine and a bronze for the 2008 Estate Cabernet Franc. 

 Kentucky wineries will be participating in a variety of international and national wine competitions throughout 2011.

Kentucky wines claimed numerous honors in the 2010 Wines of the South Competition

 Wines of the South is an annual regional wine competition designed to promote and celebrate the great taste of Southern wine vintages.  Wineries from 14 states have this unique venue to compare, compete, and promote the art of winemaking.  Experienced professionals from around the region judge entries.  All wines are judged blind, served at the appropriate temperature, and ranked with the industry standard 20-point scale.

Kentucky wineries won two concordance gold medals, one gold medal, thirteen silver, and ten bronze.  All judges must give the wine a gold medal to earn a concordance gold.    

 Winery

LEXINGTON (Herald-Leader) — Three of Lovers Leap Vineyards’ wines received medals at the 2011 San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition.

The 2007 cabernet sauvignon won a silver, and the 2008 Cynthiana and 2008 riesling earned bronze medals. This is the largest competition of American wines in the world, receiving more than 5,000 entries, winemaker Logan Leet said.

Lovers Leap is located at 1180 Lanes Mill Road in Lawrenceburg. Call (502) 839-1299 or go to Loversleapwine.com.

 FRANKFORT, Ky. — A media campaign about Kentucky’s grape and wine industry raked in five Landmarks of Excellence awards at the International Association of Business Communicators/ Public Relations Society of America – Louisville Chapter competition.

The campaign was centered on a 30-minute documentary, “Vintage Kentucky: The Vine to Wine Experience,” which was a project of the Kentucky Grape and Wine Council and the Kentucky Department of Agriculture. The documentary was co-produced by New West LLC of Louisville. It first aired on KET in November 2009.

“’Vintage Kentucky’ effectively told the story of the Kentucky wine industry’s illustrious past and bright future with style and professionalism,” Agriculture Commissioner Richie Farmer said. “Congratulations to the Grape and Wine Council, New West and the Department’s marketing office on these well-deserved honors.”

The campaign received an Award of Excellence in the category Overall Communications – Customer Relations and Service, and another in Publications/Special Project for a unique z-fold map of Kentucky’s wineries. The premiere showing of the documentary at The Kentucky Center in Louisville, premiere event materials and the council’s Web site received honorable mention awards in their respective categories.

The Landmarks of Excellence Awards recognize outstanding achievement in public relations. The awards were announced in a ceremony Oct. 12 in Louisville.

 Earlier this year, “Vintage Kentucky” won two silver Telly Awards and one bronze. The Telly Awards honor the best local, regional and cable television commercials and programs.

“Vintage Kentucky” may be purchased on DVD by going to the Grape and Wine Council’s Web site, www.kentuckywine.com. For more information about the Kentucky Department of Agriculture’s grape and wine marketing program, go to www.kyagr.com/marketing/plantmktg/grape.htm.