Posted by: John_Hamilton on 01/31/2012 11:42 AM
Updated by: John_Hamilton on 01/31/2012 11:44 AM
Expires: 01/01/2017 12:00 AM
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Gianelli garners three golds at San Francisco wine competition
Jamestown, CA – Ron and Lorie Gianelli, owners of Gianelli Vineyards in Jamestown, were honored with five medals by the prestigious 2012 San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition - three golds and two bronzes. “We were hoping and praying for one gold and were ecstatic when we found out that we had won five medals from the six wines we entered,” exclaimed Lorie. “We were so excited I think everyone in Jamestown could hear us screaming!”...
The 2009 Montepulciano, 2009 Alianico and 2010 Fiano each garnered a gold medal at the judging, one of the largest competitions of American wines in the world and one of the toughest wine competitions in the United States. The 2009 Barbera and 2009 Nino took bronze medals, as well.
“My goal is to put Italian wines on the map,” Ron remarked. “All of our vines are certified Italian clones. This is the time to enjoy Italian wines.”
The five medals from the 2012 San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition adds to the growing list of awards and accolades for Gianelli Vineyards wines. Last year the 2008 Dolcetto won a gold medal and the 2008 Sangiovese won a silver medal at the 2011 San Francisco Wine Competition. The 2008 Dolcetto also took a gold medal at the 2011 Calaveras County Fair Wine Competition, a silver medal at the 2011 California State Fair and was voted Best White Wine of Tuolumne County. The 2008 Sangiovese won a silver medal at the 2011 California State Fair, as well. And most recently, Gianelli Vineyards was voted Best Red Wine and Best Dessert Wine in Tuolumne County by readers of the Sierra Lodestar.
The Gianielli’s will be pouring all their gold-medal wines at the San Francisco Wine Competition’s public tasting to be held at the Fort Mason Center, Saturday Feb. 18.
Located in Jamestown at 12581 Algerine Road, there are 14 different Italian varietals grown on 28 acres at Gianelli Vineyards. From Vermentino to Fiano, Primitivo to Agliancio, the vineyard is home to varietals that are not only uncommon in the United States, but some have never been produced before outside of Italy. Wines are produced by well-respected Sierra Foothill winemaker Chuck Hovey.
The 53-acre ranch has been in the Gianelli family since the late 1800s when Giovani Rocca purchased the land after marrying into the Gianelli family. Once a gold mining camp, working cattle ranch and a major stagecoach stop for supplies coming into Jamestown, the property is now home to Gianelli Vineyards Winery and well-tended rows of grapevines. With strong ties to their family’s homeland of Liguira, Italy, the Gianellis traveled back in forth to find inspiration and advisement on how to farm their property. “Everything about the Sierra Foothill appellation seemed to mimic that of Italy,” said Lorie. “We even had a sample of our Jamestown soil sent off to a laboratory in Italy, which was returned with the simple note: ‘mirrors of Italy.’” The first vineyards were planted in 2003, and the winery plans to expand to 7,000 cases annually by 2015.
“We invite you to enjoy our wines in our tasting room on the historic main street of Jamestown or served at many fine restaurants in northern California,” added Lorie. The tasting room, located at 18263 Main St., is open 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. Wednesdays, Thursdays, Fridays and Mondays, and noon to 5 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays.
For additional information, call Gianelli Vineyards at 532-0414, at the tasting room, 984-1500, or visit online at gianellivineyards.com.
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