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Michelle prior to steering the ship at Wahluke Wine Co., earned golds with the Aquilini Wines 2019 Sauvignon Blanc, the Be Human 2018 Merlot ($15.99), Roaming Dog 2018 Cabernet Sauvignon ($12.99) and the Roaming Dog 2019 Cabernet Sauvignon Rosé ($12.99). Maloney, who led the red wine program at Chateau Ste. Thanks to the winemaking of Cornell graduate Joshua Maloney, Aquilini Brands USA Inc., merited four gold medals at this year’s Washington State Wine Competition. The Aquilini family sent shock waves through the Washington wine industry in 2013 when the Canadian entrepreneurs became the largest land owners on Red Mountain during a historic auction with a winning bid of $8.3 million for 670 acres. Martinez’s wife, Monica, is a member of the Tudor family. A 2019 albarino, also from Tudor Hills in the Yakima Valley, earned votes for the judging’s best white. Among those was a best-of-class award for the 2016 Dion Carlo Carménère from the Horse Heaven Hills where he grew up and best of class for the 2018 Tudor Hills Vineyard Roussanne.
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Martinez & Martinez Winery in Prosser, led by winemaker Andrew Martinez and his family, impressed the judges with four gold medals across the past four vintages. Bob Jankelson’s Tuscan-inspired showpiece for all five winners, which included a best-of-class for the Merlot-led Piccolo Rosso Red Wine and a double gold for the Dolcetto rosé. This spring, Tsillan Cellars in Chelan was named 2020 Washington Winery of the Year by Wine Press Northwest magazine and followed that up with five gold medals at the Washington State Wine Competition. The 2017 GSM, 2017 syrah and 2017 malbec were pulled off picturesque Stillwater Creek Vineyard in the newly established Royal Slope American Viticultural Area. Woodinville winemaker Shane Howard achieved a fistful of gold medals for his family’s Pondera Winery, each of the five for red wine. That and the 2019 Proprietor’s Reserve Rosé were among the five awards of gold or better Batchelor earned for owners Craig and Vicki Leuthold, who this fall will celebrate the one-year anniversary of the opening of their Woodinville tasting room – their fourth in Washington. Maryhill Winery’s 2019 Rosé of Sangiovese earned a double gold medal on its way to the sweepstakes as the judging’s top pink. The 14 Hands non-vintage Limited Release Unicorn Rosé Bubbles, which is sold in a $5.99 can, was the top sparkling wine of the judging. Earlier this summer, the 2018 Eroica received a double gold medal and best of class at the Cascadia International Wine Competition.
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1 in its category on its way to being selected as the judging’s best white wine. Loosen 2018 Eroica Riesling by Bob Bertheau, Ernst Loosen and David Rosenthal finished No. Michelle Wine Estates brands stood out throughout the Washington State Wine Competition with three of its wines reaching the sweepstakes. “The Horse Heaven Hills is known for its silky, elegant tannins, which make them very enjoyable and approachable in their youth, as well,” Nelson said.