Annual Taste-Off
Each year the members focus on a particular wine varietal and/or region, selected by the President. Throughout the year, invited winemakers visit the society’s lunches and dinners to present and discuss their wines which are consistent with the selected theme for that year. In August, the membership begins the “taste-off” by meeting in small groups of various tasting panels to blind taste and score 40 or 50 selected wines. This culminates in the awarding of “Winery of the Year” for the wine scored highest by the membership.
For 2024, we are focused on Global Meritage Blends and the taste-off panels will focus on wines within this theme. The process of blind tastings commences in late September, with the final six wines selected by the end of October. The winner will be selected from the six finalists at our Taste-off Dinner in November.
2023 Winery of the Year
The central theme for The Society in 2023 revolved around Spain. In our pursuit of selecting the Winery of the Year, we honed in on wines originating from the renowned region of Rioja. The prestigious title of the Golden Gate Wine Society’s 2023 Winery of the Year is proudly bestowed upon Contino Winery from Spain, particularly in recognition of their exceptional 2017 Gran Reserva Tinto from Rioja.
The Contino Gran Reserva is the most elegant wine produced at the winery. It stays true to the essence of classic Rioja wines while constantly striving to evolve its style. A selection of the best soils from the vineyards is used to produce the Contino Reserva to offer the best possible wine in terms of acidity, concentration and maturity. The Tempranillo grapes are harvested primarily from an area of stony soil near the Ebro River, resulting in slower aging due to the humidity of the ground. Manual harvesting in 15 kg boxes. The grapes are carefully picked in the vineyard before being subjected to a meticulous selection process at the winery. After destemming, the grapes are fermented with native yeasts in concrete tanks at 26-28ºC. Then, the grapes undergo post-fermentation maceration. Malolactic fermentation also takes place in the same tanks. The wine is then transferred to French oak barrels (mix of new and used) for the aging process for 24 months. JS (94) A fruity and juicy red with round tannins and savory fruit. Medium to full body and a creamy texture. Hints of caramel and meat to the dark fruit.
(Eric Tabas, MD, GGWS President 2023)
2022 Winery of the Year
The Golden Gate Wine Society’s 2022 Winery of the Year award goes to Laurel Glen for their 2016 Laurel Glen Vineyard Estate Cabernet Sauvignon from the Sonoma Mountain AVA. Our focus in 2022 was on women in wine and Laurel Glen is owned by fifth generation wine professional, Bettina Sichel.
The 2016 Laurel Glen Vineyard Estate Cabernet Sauvignon is the winery’s flagship Cabernet Sauvignon. A complex, long lived and beautifully balanced expression of our their organically farmed Sonoma Mountain Estate. It opens with aromas of boysenberry, strawberry, rhubarb, caramel, and sandalwood. Supple and finely textured, the wine has great freshness and depth, juicy acidity and tannins that are both firm and velvety.
(Paige Brooks, GGWS President 2022)
2021 Winery of the Year
The Society’s theme for 2021 was Pinot Noir on a global scale. After the membership tasted through Pinots from regions all over the globe, the 2021 Winery of the Year award was granted to Domaine Odoul-Coquard for their 2018 Odoul Coquard Chambolle Musigny.
(Karl Tede, GGWS President 2021)
2020 Winery of the Year
The Golden Gate Wine Society’s 2020 Winery of the Year award goes to Ghost Block Wine for their 2017 Ghost Block Estate Cabernet Sauvignon from Oakville in the Napa Valley. Our focus in 2020 was on Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon with an exploration of the various AVAs within the Valley and a focus on boutique wineries, old and new.
The 2017 Ghost Block Estate Cabernet Sauvignon is a classic expression of the varietal, with juicy red cherry notes, along with ripe, red berry flavors. Cocoa and vanilla notes are well integrated into the fruit components. The silky, soft tannins confirm the harmonious balance between alcohol and tannin- creating an overall perfect balance in this wine. The finish is lengthy and beautiful.
(Bruce Ferry, GGWS President 2020)
2019 Wineries of the Year
The theme for 2019 was Australian and New Zealand wines. Consequently, the 2019 Winery of the Year award was awarded for both an Australian Shiraz and a New Zealand Pinot Noir.
The Australian winner was Yalumba Family Winemakers for their 2015 Steeple Vineyard Shiraz from the Barossa Valley. Yalumba’s tasting notes for the 2015 Steeple Vineyard Shiraz can be found here.
The New Zealand winner was Felton Road for their 2017 Calvert Pinot Noir from Central Otago. Felton Road’s tasting notes on the 2017 Calvert can be found here.
(Quentin Hills, GGWS President 2019)
2018 Wineries of the Year
The Golden Gate Wine Society’s 2018 Winery of the Year award was awarded for both a white wine and a red wine. For the red wine the award goes to Argiolas for their 2014 Argiolas Turriga from Sardinia and for the white wine the award goes to Broglia for their 2015 Bruno Broglia Gavi di Gavi from Piedmont.
(Warren Egnal, GGWS President 2018)
2017 Winery of the Year
The 2017 Winery of the Year award went to Rombauer Vineyards for their 2015 El Dorado Vineyard Zinfandel. The El Dorado Vineyard is situated 1,650 feet above sea level in the Sierra Foothills. Its sandy soils, complex topography and high elevation are ideal for Zinfandel, bringing warm days and cool night air.
This wine is ruby red with a bright hue, and aromas of red berries and mountain berries mixed with brown sugar, tobacco and a hint of violet. On the palate, it’s expansive and dense with flavors of plums, raspberry, blackberry jam, vanilla and dried florals.
(Bob Anderson, GGWS President 2017)
2016 Winery of the Year
The Golden Gate Wine Society’s 2016 Winery of the Year award goes to Dehliner for their 2012 Frei Road Syrah from the Russian River Valley. Our focus in 2016 was on California Syrah in its myriad of expressions.
The 2012 Dehlinger Frei Road Syrah is a beautiful expression of this grape, with dark and intense fruit and notes of tar, smoke, licorice and black fruit flowing through to the huge, voluptuous finish.
(Clay Jackson, GGWS President 2016)
2015 Winery of the Year
The 2015 Winery of the Year award went to Dutton-Goldfield Winery for their 2013 “Deviate” Pinot Noir from the Sonoma Coast AVA. Our focus in 2015 was on the rich, varied, and complex adjacent regions of the Russian River Valley and Sonoma Coast AVAs of Northern California. These regions are have it all: a long coastline and heavy marine weather influences in both AVAs, high mountains, deep valleys, rolling hills, inland flatlands with riparian influences, chiefly from the Russian River itself. The weather from one end to the other can be quite varied and different from cold wind and fog in many areas to full sun and scorching heat in others – all in the same day depending on where one is located within this huge area of Sonoma County.
(David Emerson, GGWS President 2015)
2014 Winery of the Year
The Golden Gate Wine Society’s 2014 Winery of the Year award went to winemaker François Mitjavile for his 2010 Roc de Cambes and the wonderful achievement in capturing the texture and the flavor of this Bordeaux wine from Côtes de Bourg, across the estuary from Margaux. The 2010 Roc de Cambes is a blend of Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon which is a fairly common blend in Côtes de Bourg, but perhaps a little more unique for the Right Bank in general.
We cannot fail to thank Peter Zavialoff of The Wine House of San Francisco for his expert guidance and assistance in our “taste-off” competition in 2014, and for accepting our Wine of the Year award on behalf of M. Mitjavile.
Below is a video from M. Mitjavile in response to the Golden Gate Wine Society after receiving the 2014 Wine of the Year award.
(Dick Keenan, GGWS President 2014)
Previous Winners
2013 – Herman Story , 2011 “On the Road”, 100% Grenache, Santa Barbara County (Rick Schultz, GGWS President 2013)
2012 – Honig Winery, 2009 Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley (Ron Roberts, GGWS President 2012)
2011 – L’Angevin Winery, 2008 Pinor Noir, Russian River Valley (Clay Jackson, GGWS President 2011)
2010 – Plumpjack Winery, 2007 Merlot, Napa Valley (Clay Jackson, GGWS President 2010)
2009 – Grey Stack Cellars, 2007 Sauvignon Blanc, Rosemary’s Block – Dry Stack Vineyard, Bennett Valley (Eric Stiefeling, GGWS President 2009)
2008 – Hartford Family Winery, 2006 Hartford Court Chardonnay, Stone Cote Vineyard, Sonoma Coast (Tony Oriti, GGWS President 2008)
Hartford Family Winery, 2005 Hartford Court Pinot Noir, Land’s Edge Vineyards, Sonoma Coast
2007 – Renard, 2005 Viognier, Kick Ranch Vineyard, Sonoma County (Eric Stiefeling, GGWS President 2007)
2006 – Rosenblum Cellars, 2003 Hillside Syrah, Sonoma County (Eric Stiefeling, GGWS President 2006)
2005 – Lewis Cellars, 2003 Jason’s Blend Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley (Ted Horton, GGWS President 2005)
2004 – Patz & Hall Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir (Robert Splann, GGWS President 2004)
2003 – Rosenblum Monte Rosso Zinfandel (Barney Ford, GGWS President 2003)
2002 – T- Vine Cellars Napa Valley Syrah (Alan Garber, GGWS President 2002)
2001 – Franciscan Magnificat Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon (Claudio Tarchi, GGWS President 2001)
2000 – Swanson Napa Valley Sangiovese Schmidt Ranch (Gianni Fassio, GGWS President 2000)
1999 – Clos LaChance Pinot Noir, San Martin, CA (Dave Crockett, GGWS President 1999)
1998 – Rodney Strong Sonoma Merlot (Ken Bollier, GGWS President 1998)
1997 – Saintsbury Carneros Reserve Pinot Noir, David Graves (Jay Hooker, GGWS President 1997)
1996 – Beringer Private Reserve Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon (Paul Stanners, GGWS President 1996)
1995 – 1991 Franciscan Magnificat Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon (Tom Randlett, GGWS President 1995)
1994 – Chalone Reserve Pinnacles, Chardonnay (Bob Crosby, GGWS President 1994)
1993 – Ridge Lytton Springs Zinfandel (David Rawson, GGWS President 1993)
1992 – Arrowood Sonoma Cabernet Sauvignon (Peter Klein, GGWS President 1992)
1991 – Etude Carneros Pinot Noir (Walter Pazik, GGWS President 1991)
1990 – DeLoach Russian River Sauvignon Blanc (Charles Bureker, GGWS President 1990)
1989 – Ridge Geyserville Zinfandel (George Burnett, GGWS President 1989)
1988 – B.R. Cohn Sonoma Valley Cabernet Sauvignon (John Imbimbo, GGWS President 1988)
1987 – Morgan Chardonnay, Santa Lucia Highlands or Monterey (Rich Marshall, GGWS President 1987)
1986 – Franciscan Napa Valley Merlot (Alan Rubens, GGWS President 1986)
1985 – Edna Valley Central Coast Pinot Noir (Alan Rubens, GGWS President 1985)
1984 – Jordan Alexander Valley Cabernet Sauvignon (Bob Pease, GGWS President 1984)
1983 – Freemark Abbey Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon (Bob Pease, GGWS President 1983)
1982 – Unknown Wine of the Year (Peter Berg, GGWS President 1982)
1981 – Unknown Wine of the Year (Peter Berg, GGWS President 1981)
1980 – Unknown Wine of the Year (Joe Perry, GGWS President 1980)
1979 – Unknown Wine of the Year (Joe Perry, GGWS President 1979)
1978 – Unknown Wine of the Year (Joe Perry, GGWS President 1978)
1977 – Unknown Wine of the Year (Joe Perry, GGWS President 1977)
1976 – Unknown Wine of the Year (Joe Perry, GGWS President 1976)
1975 – Unknown Wine of the Year & President
1974 – Unknown Wine of the Year & President
1973 – Unknown Wine of the Year & President
