For the second time in two years, Cazenovia’s Owera Vineyards has won two medals at the annual San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition.
Out of 6,417 entries from more than 1,500 wineries from over 28 states in America — in what is billed as the largest competition of wines in America — Owera received a double gold medal for its 2013 Dry Riesling and a silver medal for its 2013 Solo Chardonnay.
These were the only two wines Owera entered in the competition.
“We were thrilled when we heard the news of the awards,” said Owera Winemaker Amy Heiderich.
Owera Vineyards has been making wine since 2008 using a combination of grapes grown in their four-acre Cazenovia vineyard and grapes from other Finger Lakes vineyards. The winery, which currently offers 12 varietals, produced about 14,000 gallons of wine in 2014, according to Heiderich.
“Production between 2013 and 2014 nearly doubled due to increased demand for local beverages,” she said.
Owera’s Dry Riesling, Heiderich’s personal favorite, has sold well in local restaurants as one of the most frequently requested wines; while the 2013 Solo Chardonnay was Owera’s first production of “un-oaked” — or fermented solely in stainless steel — Chardonnay, she said.
The judging portion of the San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition occurred Jan. 5 through 9. The competition’s annual public tasting event at Fort Mason Center in San Francisco is scheduled for Feb. 14.
Owera wines are currently available in restaurants and wine shops across the Central New York region.
For more information about Owera Vineyards, its wines and previous awards, visit oweravineyards.com.
Jason Emerson is editor of the Cazenovia Republican. He can be reached at [email protected].
