Mendocino Wine Competition: 2014 Organic Winners

Mendocino's often brags about its organic bona fides - 4,000 acres, or approximately one quarter of its vineyards, are certified organic. It's largely due to the fact that the county is home to the biggest market for organically grown grapes in the country - Bonterra, the organically grown wine giant that makes 350,000 cases a year, supplying supermarkets and wine shops across America with at least one, reliable source of organically grown wines.

(The giant brand has distribution due to the fact that it's own by Fetzer, which also appears on almost all grocery story wine dept. shelves, due to its large scale production and distribution).

But the organic culture (and viticulture) that spawned Bonterra spread in littler labels. Growers opened up their own wineries (Barra, Girasole, McFadden, Testa). Fetzer family members (who were also Bonterra founders) kept their vineyards after selling off the wine brand and continued to make wines under new names (Jeriko Estate, Paul Dolan Vineyards, Saracina). Others simply started their own brands - a few of which have become classics. Handley Cellars comes to mind.

All this makes Mendocino's annual wine competition one of the more interesting small events of the years for those who are interested in organically grown wines. Annually the event surfaces some of the best, little known wines from the region's producers, from the underdog McFadden Vineyards, whose Late Harvest Riesling got a double gold (yet another arrow in its impressive quiver of awards), to the prized, old vine, organically grown, historic Charbono (now selling for $40 a bottle) from a fourth generation Italian producer.

Here's a list of the 2014's organic winners - listed by award level. A second list - of wines by varietal - follows, along with a list of the award-winning wines by producer.

Note: I will mention a few of my personal favorites here for the record, if you're buying. My picks are starred.

For the full list, including vintages and prices, click here.

Double Gold

Late Harvest Riesling, McFadden Vineyards*

Gold

Charbono, Testa Vineyards
Chardonnay-Estate, Handley Vineyards
Gewurztraminer, Handley Vineyards
Pinot Noir-Estate, Jeriko Estate
Pinot Noir-Filigreen Farm, Paul Dolan Vineyards* (Biodynamic vines)
Rosé-Pinot Noir, Handley Vineyards*
NV Sparkling Wine-Brut Rosé, McFadden Vineyards*

Silver

Cabernet Sauvignon, Barra of Mendocino
Chardonnay, Saracina
Pinot Blanc, Girasole
Pinot Noir, Naughty Boy Vineyards
Sangiovese, Barra of Mendocino
Sauvignon Blanc, Frey Vineyards
Sauvignon Blanc, Paul Dolan Vineyards
Sauvignon Blanc, Saracina
Sparkling Wine, Brut Cuvée, McFadden Vineyards*

2. BY VARIETALS

• Cabernet Sauvignon

Silver
Barra of Mendocino

• Charbono

Gold
Testa

• Chardonnay

Gold
Handley-Estate

Silver
Saracina

• Dessert

Double Gold
Late Harvest Riesling, McFadden

• Gewurztraminer

Gold
Handley

• Pinot Noir

Gold
Jeriko Estate
Paul Dolan Vineyards

• Rosé

Gold
Handley Cellars

• Sangiovese

Silver
Barra of Mendocino

• Sauvignon Blanc

Silver
Frey Vineyards
Paul Dolan Vineyards
Saracina

• Sparkling Wine

Gold
Brut Rosé, McFadden Vineyards

Silver
Brut Cuvée, McFadden Vineyards

• Zinfandel

Gold
Saracina

3. BY PRODUCER

Barra
• Cabernet Sauvignon, Silver
• Sangiovese, Silver

Frey Vineyards
• Sauvignon Blanc, Silver

Girasole
• Pinot Blanc, Silver

Handley Cellars
• Chardonnay-Estate, Gold
• Gewurztraminer, Gold
• Rosé, Gold

Jeriko Estate
• Pinot Noir, Gold

McFadden Vineyards
• Late Harvest Riesling, Double Gold
• Brut Cuvée, McFadden Vineyards, Silver
• Brut Rosé, McFadden Vineyards, Gold