The 8th Annual Maryland Winemasters Choice Competition, held in Timonium last week, was the largest iteration to date with over 140 Maryland wines representing wineries from across the state. This annual competition is judged by fifteen Maryland winemakers and assistant winemakers and provides an opportunity for them to taste and critique the wines of their peers, all with the aim of highlighting the very best in the industry. In all, there were ten best in class awards, in addition to 25 gold medals, 30 silver medals and 41 bronze medals.
“Our young wineries are learning very quickly how to make very good wine,” said Al Spoler, director of the competition and co-host of WYPR’s Cellar Notes.
“Diversity again showed to be one of the industry’s strengths,” says University of Maryland Extension Viticulturist Joe Fiola, Ph.D., who assisted with flighting the wines and managing back-room staff. “From sparkling to fortified, Maryland vintners continue to produce gold medal wines in a wide range of styles.”
With the win for its 2013 Chardonnay, Sugarloaf Mountain Vineyard won Best in Show for the second consecutive year. The winery won in 2013 for its Comus 2011, and in 2010 for its Comus Reserve 2007.
“We are proof that world-class wine grows north of the Potomac, as judged in regional and national competitions,” says Jim McKenna, co-owner of Sugarloaf Mountain Vineyard. The winery has recently won gold and double-gold medals in major national competitions. Sugarloaf Mountain Vineyard was also named by Washington Post Express as the region’s best vineyard in both 2012 and 2013.
“Sugarloaf Mountain Vineyard is rising to the top with yet another sterling performance,” said Spoler. “They have to be in the conversation about the best wineries in Maryland.”
Full competition results:
BEST IN SHOW
Sugarloaf Mountain Vineyard • Chardonnay 2013
BEST IN CLASS
Best Sparkling: Great Shoals Winery • Blanc de Blancs 2012
Best White: Sugarloaf Mountain Vineyard • Chardonnay 2013
Best Rosé: Turkey Point Vineyard • Rosé 2013
Best Red: Catoctin Breeze Vineyard • Cabernet Franc 2012
Best Red Blend: Sugarloaf Mountain Vineyard • Evoe 2011
Best Off-Dry: Port of Leonardtown Winery • Traminette 2013
Best Mead: Orchid Cellar Winery • Hunter NV
Best Fruit: Linganore Winecellars • Blackberry NV
Best Sweet: Boordy Vineyards • Riesling 2013
Best Dessert: Boordy Vineyards • Eisling 2013
GOLD MEDALISTS
Boordy Vineyards • Petit Cabernet 2012
Boordy Vineyards • Riesling 2013
Boordy Vineyards • Chambourcin Merlot 2013
Boordy Vineyards • Eisling 2013
Bordeleau Winery • Cabernet Franc NV
Catoctin Breeze Vineyard • Cabernet Franc 2012
Great Shoals Winery • Blanc de Blancs 2012
Linganore Winecellars • Blackberry NV
Orchid Cellar Winery • Lumberjack NV
Orchid Cellar Winery • Hunter NV
Port of Leonardtown Winery • Chardonnay 2011
Port of Leonardtown Winery • Traminette 2013
Springfield Manor Winery & Distillery • Ironmaster Reserve 2011
Sugarloaf Mountain Vineyard • Chardonnay 2013
Sugarloaf Mountain Vineyard • Chardonnay Reserve 2013
Sugarloaf Mountain Vineyard • Evoe 2011
The Winery at Olney • Super Tuscan 2013
The Winery at Olney • Raspberry Chocolate Port 2013
Turkey Point Vineyard • Rosé 2013
Woodhall Wine Cellars • Piemonte 2012
Woodhall Wine Cellars • Barbera Reserve 2012
SILVER MEDALISTS
Boordy Vineyards • Vidal Blanc 2012
Catoctin Breeze Vineyard • Romance 2013
Crow Vineyard & Winery • Sparkling Vidal 2011
Crow Vineyard & Winery • Chardonnay 2012
Great Frogs Winery • Annapolis NV
Great Frogs Winery • Waterman 2012
Knob Hall Winery • Passion 2012
Knob Hall Winery • Amour 2012
Layton’s Chance Vineyard • Bo Berry 2012
Linganore Winecellars • Skipjack NV
Linganore Winecellars • Indulgence 2012
Port of Leonardtown Winery • Merlot 2010
Port of Leonardtown Winery • Breton Bay Shoals NV
Port of Leonardtown Winery • McIntosh Run NV
Royal Rabbit Vineyards • Chatelaine’s Blush 2013
Sugarloaf Mountain Vineyard • Rosé 2013
Sugarloaf Mountain Vineyard • Anticipation 2012
The Winery at Olney • Iridescent Ruby 2013
The Winery at Olney • Incan Roja 2013
The Winery at Olney • In Bocca al Lupo 2013
The Winery at Olney • For Your Eyes The Winery at Olney 2013
The Winery at Olney • Passion 2013
Turkey Point Vineyard • Vidal Blanc 2013
Woodhall Wine Cellars • Gunpowder Falls White 2012
BRONZE MEDALISTS
Berrywine Plantations • Mead NV
Bordeleau Winery • Strawberry 2013
Catoctin Breeze Vineyard • Rhapsody 2012
Catoctin Breeze Vineyard • Syrah 2012
DeJon Vineyards • Chardonnay 2012
DeJon Vineyards • Dragonfly 2012
Great Frogs • Annapolis Red 2013
Great Frogs • Meritage 2012
Layton’s Chance Vineyard • Vidal Blanc 2012
Linganore Winecellars • Terrapin 2012
Linganore Winecellars • Chambourcin 2012
Linganore Winecellars • Red Skins 2012
Linganore Winecellars • Sweet Chessie 2012
Orchid Cellar Winery • Ambrosia NV
Port of Leonardtown Winery • Vidal Blanc 2011
Port of Leonardtown Winery • 1634 Chardonnay NV
Port of Leonardtown Winery • Chambourcin Reserve 2010
Port of Leonardtown Winery • Chaptico Rosé 2012
Port of Leonardtown Winery • Breton Bay Breeze 2012
Rocklands Farm • Concord Dessert Wine NV
Springfield Manor Winery & Distillery • Chamboucin NV
Springfield Manor Winery & Distillery • Farmhouse White NV
Sugarloaf Mountain Vineyard • Penelope 2013
Sugarloaf Mountain Vineyard • Viognier 2013
Sugarloaf Mountain Vineyard • Circe 2013
Sugarloaf Mountain Vineyard • Comus 2012
The Winery at Olney • The Winery at Olney Chardonnay 2013
The Winery at Olney • The Winery at Olney Mill White 2013
The Winery at Olney • NZ Blanc 2013
The Winery at Olney • X Brothers 2013
The Winery at Olney • Down Under Red 2013
The Winery at Olney • Old Vine Z 2013
The Winery at Olney • Tuscan Sunset 2013
The Winery at Olney • Red Decadence 2013
The Winery at Olney • Sweet Nothings 2013
The Winery at Olney • Watermelon Bliss 2013
The Winery at Olney • Razzmatazz 2013
Turkey Point Vineyard • Chardonnay 2013
For more information:
Al Spoler, Competition Director
spoles@juno.com • 443-388-6677
