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I've been writing all along about the "Mediterranean" nature of the grapes that prosper in the Foothills.  This year's judging at the California State Fair certainly confirmed that.  Looking just at the "major" awards (gold and silver), the strengths of the Foothills vineyards were clearly revealed:

• Bodega del Sur Winery: Gold for their Sangiovese (they also had a gold-medal winning Cabernet Sauvignon, which was also awarded "Best of the Foothills.")
• Chatom Vineyards: Gold for their Semillon, silver for their "She Wines" feminine blend
• Lorraine Vineyards: God for their Sangiovese and Silver for their Syrah
• Milliare Winery: Gold for both a Zinfandel and a Zinfandel port.  Two other Zinfandels and a Petite Sirah took silver medals
• Frog's Tooth Vineyards: Silver for their Tempranillo; Silver for their Pinot Grigio
• Ironstone Vineyards: three different Zinfandels took silver medals
• Renner: Silver for their Syrah
• Twisted Oak: a double gold (every judge at the table awarded the wine a gold medal) and best of class, Foothills for their Petite Sirah.  Additionally one of their Calaveras blends and one of their Foothill blends both took silver medals
• Zucca Mountain Vineyards: silver for both a Barbera and for a Sangiovese.

So, again I'd like to invite you to Calaveras and the opportunity to discover some award winning Mediterranean varietals and blends.  There is still time to catch a couple of the fabulous Ironstone concerts, as well - making for a totally fun day (or weekend).

If you have a comment about this, or any, of my blogs, please contact me at paladin.mod@gmail.com.  I respond to all emails and even publish the ones (whether they agree with me or not) that seem appropriate.