The Wine Literary Award Tasting The 2007 Wine Literary Award Tasting The 2006 Wine Literary Award Tasting The 2005 Wine Literary Award Tasting The 2004 Wine Literary Award Tasting The 2003 Wine Literary Award Tasting General Information Previous Wine Literary Award Winners Previous Press Tasting Winery Winners Frequently Asked Questions General Information This is one of the most unique and exciting events in the wine industry. It is designed to provide wine journalists with a comprehensive tasting of American wines, give winery personnel an opportunity to show support for wine writers and to honor one of the world's best wine authors with a lifetime achievement award. The Wine Literary Award is presented in two parts. The daytime Press Wine Tasting is open only to wine journalists. Wine writers from around the world come to this event to experience a professional, comprehensive tasting of 1000 American wines. The buzz with wine writers is that WLA is the most enjoyable and productive tasting of the year (if you know one, ask them. If you are one, you probably already know). The participants of the Press Tasting are also treated to a "Tour Through the Kitchen" lunch buffet, prepared by the students at the California Culinary Academy. The Evening Award Banquet is a black tie optional affair that begins with a Grand Tasting of 1000 American wines. The price of one ticket includes unlimited tasting of these wines, an hors d’oeuvres buffet and a multi-course dinner prepared by the students and chefs at the CCA. Participation in this gala also witness one of the world's most esteemed wine book authors receive recognition for a lifetime of literary contribution. For additional information please contact Bryan Imelli at (800) 231-9463 ext. 22, or e-mail Bryan@wineappreciation.com. Previous Wine Literary Award Winners 1986 Hugh Johnson 1987 Robert Parker, Jr. 1988 Harry Waugh 1989 Hugh Johnson 1991 Leon D. Adams 1992 Dan Berger & Richard P. Hinkle 1993 Bob Thompson 1995 Jancis Robinson 1999 Tom Stevenson 2000 Gerald Asher 2001 Gene Ford 2002 James Halliday 2003 Michael Broadbent 2004 Robert Lawrence Balzer 2005 Andrea (Immer) Robinson 2006 Kevin Zraly 2007 Karen MacNeil Frequently Asked Questions Q: How do I get my wines into the Wine Literary Award Press Tasting? A: You may submit three bottles of each variety and vintage you want tasted. All wines and information should be shipped to the W.A.G. warehouse, at the above address. Q: What does it cost to enter my wines into the tasting? A: There is no fee. The event is entirely subsidized by the Wine Appreciation Guild as a service to the wine industry and authors. Q: Which wine writers will attend? A: We limit the press tasting to a select group of 100 of the top wine writers, and a few members of the general press. Q: Are there any medals or awards given to the wines? A: For the fourth year, wine writers at the press tasting will be asked to vote for Best Discovery, Best New Winery, Best Package and Best of Show. The winners will be announced at the Evening Award Banquet. However, the main goal of this event is to give the press an opportunity to taste a large number of American wines at one time in a hassle-free environment. Q: Do we need to provide staff to pour our wines? A: No. The writers, with the help of the W.A.G. staff, do all pouring. Participants at the Evening Banquet also pour for themselves. Q: Which wines will be written up by the press? A: This is entirely up to the writer. In the past, major articles have come out of this tasting in local, national and international papers and magazines, as well as radio and television. Q: When can I meet the authors and journalists to discuss my wines? A: At the Evening Banquet and Tasting, which starts at 6:00 p.m. Each winery is encouraged to participate in this black tie optional event. Reserve early, it's always a sell out. For additional information: Contact Bryan Imelli at (800) 231-9463 ext. 22, or e-mail Bryan@wineappreciation.com. Press Tasting Winery Winners Results of 2002 press tasting Best New Winery Ceja Vineyards Best Wine Discovery Mount Pleasant Winery 1999 Norton Best Label Miner Family Vineyards 1999 "Stagecoach" Merlot Best Of Show Tablas Creek Vineyards 2000 Clos Blanc Results of 2003 press tasting Best New Winery Arger--Martucci Vineyards Best Wine Discovery Pietra Santa Winery 1999 "Sassolino" Best Label Van Duzer Vineyards 2000 Pinot Noir Best Of Show Silver Oak Cellars 1999 Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley Results of 2004 press tasting Best New Winery Winner: Obscurity Cellars, Sierra Foothills Finalists: Léal Estate Vineyards, San Benito RagApple Lassie Vineyards, North Carolina Best Wine Discovery Winner: Acorn Winery, Sangiovese, Alegria Vineyards, Russian River Valley Finalists: Kathryn Kennedy Winery, 1999 Syrah, Maridon Vineyard, Santa Cruz Mountains Curran, 2001 Sangiovese, Santa Barbara Best Of Show Winner: Murrieta’s Well, 2001 “Zarzuela” Livermore Valley Finalists: Miner Family Winery, 2002 Sangiovese Gibson Ranch Robert Craig Wine Cellars, 2001 Cabernet Sauvignon Mount Veeder Best Label Winner: Heron Hill Winery, 2001 “Eclipse” Finalists: Cloud 9 Winery 2001 “Seity” Tom Eddy Wines 1999 Petit Verdot Back to News Home Page Results of 2005 press tasting Best Wine Discovery (Red) – Winner: De La Montanya 2003 Reserve Pinot Noir, Russian River Valley – Finalists: XYZin 2003 Zinfandel, Sandy Lane Vineyard, Contra Costa County Silkwood 2002 Petite Sirah, Stanislaus County Best Wine Discovery (White) – Winner: Mount Baker Vineyards 2003 Viognier, Washington – Finalists: Becker Vineyards 2004 Chardonnay, Texas Williamsburg 2002 Chardonnay, Virginia Best New Winery – Winner: Harmonique, Anderson Valley, California – Finalists: Keswick Vineyards, Virginia Q, Napa Valley Best Package/Label – Winner: Laurel Lake “Creedence”, Long Island – Finalists: Viansa 2002 “Lorenzo”, Sonoma Valley Niebaum Coppola 2004 “Sofia” Rose’ of Pinot Noir, Carneros Best Of Show (Red) – Winner: Kunde Estate, Reserve Cabernet, 2001, Reserve, Sonoma Valley – Finalists: Franciscan 2001 “Magnificat”, Napa Valley Silvan Ridge, 2002 Pinot Noir, Oregon Best Of Show (White) – Winner: Paul Hobbs, Chardonnay, 2003 Russian River Valley – Finalists: St. Supery 2004, “Dollarhide” Sauvignon Blanc, Napa Valley Matanzas Creek 2002 Sauvignon Blanc, California Back to News Home Page