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Harvest Has Started!
Sports teams have playoffs. Students have finals. And for winegrowers, the big sink-or-swim moment—the event the whole year’s efforts have led up to—is harvest.
The period culminating in grape crush begins when the grapes start to change color in mid to late summer. The actual picking of the grapes usually happens between August and November above the equator and February to April below. What happens in between is the greatest determinant of a wine’s quality in a given vintage. Read on to learn about the processes—and perils—of harvest season.
Willcox Wine Awards by Beverage Testing Institute
The second annual Willcox Wine Awards were recently announced. The wine judging was completed by Beverage Testing Institute. Below is a complete list of the winners and scores! Support your favorite Willcox Winery!
We will be hosting an awards dinner on Friday, October 16 to recognize these outstanding winners and results!
Publish Date: 5/16/2020 (39 wines)
BEST OF SHOW
91 • Golden Rule Vineyards (AZ) 2016 Commonwealth Rhone Blend, Willcox. RED WINES
RED WINES
GOLD MEDAL
91 • Golden Rule Vineyards (AZ) 2016 Commonwealth Rhone Blend, Willcox.
2020 Best Willcox Red Wine
90 • Golden Rule Vineyards (AZ) 2016 Lucky Prospector, Willcox.
SILVER MEDAL
89 • Golden Rule Vineyards (AZ) 2017 Syrah, Willcox.
88 • Golden Rule Vineyards (AZ) 2017 Cabernet Sauvignon, Willcox.
88 • Golden Rule Vineyards (AZ) 2016 Cabernet Franc, Willcox.
87 • Pillsbury Wine Company (AZ) 2017 Reserve, Mourvedre, Cochise County, Arizona.
87 • Bodega Pierce (AZ) 2017 Rolling View Vineyard, Zinfandel, Willcox.
86 • Copper Horse Vineyard (AZ) 2017 Sangiovese, Willcox.
86 • Arizona Stronghold Vineyards (AZ) 2017 Nachise, Willcox.
85 • Pillsbury Wine Company (AZ) 2017 Diva, Cochise County, Arizona.
85 • Zarpara Vineyard (AZ) 2016 Estate Bottled, Sangiovese, Willcox.
85 • Carlson Creek Vineyard (AZ) 2017 Grenache, Willcox.
BRONZE MEDAL
84 • Pillsbury Wine Company (AZ) 2017 Reserve, Grenache, Cochise County, Arizona.
84 • High Lonesome Vineyard (AZ) 2018 Lemberger, Cochise County, Arizona.
84 • Bodega Pierce (AZ) 2017 Saeculum Cellars Caché, Willcox.
84 • Zarpara Vineyard (AZ) 2014 Odisea, Cochise County, Arizona.
84 • Carlson Creek Vineyard (AZ) 2015 Sangiovese, Willcox.
84 • Keeling Schaefer Vineyards (AZ) 2015 Shiraz, Cochise County, Arizona.
84 • Keeling Schaefer Vineyards (AZ) 2017 Little Block, Petite Sirah, Cochise County, Arizona.
82 • Bodega Pierce (AZ) 2017 Athena, Willcox.
81 • High Lonesome Vineyard (AZ) 2017 Tannat, Cochise County, Arizona.
80 • High Lonesome Vineyard (AZ) 2018 Mourvedre, Cochise County, Arizona.
80 • Keeling Schaefer Vineyards (AZ) 2015 Three Sisters, Syrah, Cochise County, Arizona.
ROSE WINES
GOLD MEDAL
90 • Bodega Pierce (AZ) 2019 Rosé, Grenache, Willcox.
2020 Best Wilcox Rose
SILVER MEDAL
88 • Arizona Stronghold Vineyards (AZ) 2018 Dayden, Willcox.
BRONZE MEDAL
84 • Golden Rule Vineyards (AZ) 2018 Copper Queen Rosé, Grenache, Willcox.
82 • Carlson Creek Vineyard (AZ) 2018 Grenache, Willcox.
WHITE WINES
GOLD MEDAL
91 • Pillsbury Wine Company (AZ) 2018 Bonnie Lee, Malvasia, Cochise County, Arizona.
2020 Best Willcox White Wine
SILVER MEDAL
87 • Pillsbury Wine Company (AZ) 2018 Chardonnay, Cochise County, Arizona.
87 • Pillsbury Wine Company (AZ) 2018 Viognier, Cochise County, Arizona.
87 • Bodega Pierce (AZ) 2019 Rolling View Vineyard, Sauvignon Blanc, Willcox.
86 • Arizona Stronghold Vineyards (AZ) 2018 Tazi, Willcox.
86 • Bodega Pierce (AZ) 2018 Rolling View Vineyard, Malvasia Bianca, Willcox.
86 • Keeling Schaefer Vineyards (AZ) 2019 Best Friends, Viognier, Cochise County, Arizona.
85 • Carlson Creek Vineyard (AZ) 2018 Chardonnay, Willcox.
BRONZE MEDAL
82 • Copper Horse Vineyard (AZ) 2017 Viognier, Cochise County, Arizona.
82 • High Lonesome Vineyard (AZ) 2018 PicPoul Blanc, Cochise County, Arizona.
82 • Carlson Creek Vineyard (AZ) 2018 Malvasia, Willcox.
Rescue Arizona Wine trapped in a Bottle!
Great video from Arizona Farm Bureau and Julie Murphree (Click for more videos)
What is your favorite Willcox Winery and Wine? Leave your answer in the comments.
Golden Rule Tasting
Golden Rule Tasting with Mark Phillips. Mark has started a YouTube channel to do virtual tastings.