2023 San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition

We’re thrilled to announce that Cultivar Wine and Caspar Estate have both been honored in the 2023 San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition!
 
🥇GOLD: 2021 Cultivar Rosé
🥇GOLD: 2021 Cultivar Pinot Noir, Santa Lucia Highlands
🥇 GOLD: 2018 Cultivar Cabernet Sauvignon, Leaky Lake, Napa Valley
🥈 SILVER: 2021 Caspar Estate Sauvignon Blanc
🥈 SILVER: 2019 Caspar Estate Cabernet Franc
 
We’re incredibly proud to have been recognized in this year’s San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition, and we can’t wait to share these award-winning wines with you! There were over sixty judges, representing various North American wine regions, evaluating 5,500 wines from nearly 1,000 wineries for the 2023 San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition.

 

SF Wine Competition

For those looking for a treat amidst the sea of reds and whites, we highly recommend giving rosé a sip. Cultivar Wine’s Rosé, in particular, is a standout. Made from hand-selected grapes grown in the picturesque Sierra Foothills of California, this wine embodies a perfect balance of juicy fruitiness and crisp acidity since it is made from 71% Grenache, 25% Syrah, 4% Cinsault Noir grapes.

But it’s not just the delectable taste that makes Cultivar Wine’s Rosé a must-try. The winery’s dedication to sustainable farming practices ensures an environmentally-friendly harvest. Additionally, Cultivar Wine’s commitment to producing small batches means that each bottle of Rosé has been carefully crafted with quality in mind.

Julien Fayard has brought a Provencal flair to this incredible blend of southern Rhone varietals, mostly sourced from the unique terroir of the Sierra Foothills in California. Rosé is one of the most food-friendly wines you can find, so pair this with everything from seared scallops to grilled pork chops.

As we move from Rosé to Pinot Noir, it’s important to understand that this grape is notoriously difficult to cultivate. However, when grown successfully, it produces some of the most exquisite wines.

Let’s start with the Santa Lucia Highlands. This small appellation, located in Monterey County, boasts a unique climate that produces elegant and complex Pinots. The 2023 competition saw a standout performer in the 2021 Cultivar Santa Lucia Highlands Pinot Noir. This wine has a beautiful garnet color and is bursting with flavors of black cherry, raspberry, and spice. It also has a silky texture and a long, satisfying finish.

Moving north to Napa Valley, we find another region that excels in producing top-quality ruby color and is loaded with flavors of ripe blackberries, cherries, and a subtle hint of smoky oak. It also has a smooth and velvety texture.

Leaky Lake
The Leaky Lake vineyard is in the Napa Valley in hills between Rutherford and St. Helena. The winery’s dedication to sustainable farming practices ensures an environmentally-friendly harvest. Additionally, Cultivar Wine’s commitment to producing small batches means that each bottle of wine has been carefully crafted with quality in mind.

Whether you’re a fan of Santa Lucia Highlands’ complexity and elegance there’s a wine  for every preference at the 2023 SF Chronicle Wine Competition. So, sit back, relax, and enjoy a glass of one of these exceptional wines.

Try these pairings at Cultivar San Francisco.

Join the Cultivar Wine Club for first choice of these highly desirable small production wines delivered to your door! ​

Behind the scenes -glasses of wine laid out waiting for the judges at the SF Chronicle Wine Competition – photo from SF Chronicle.

The 2023 SF Chronicle Wine Competition has revealed the best wines of the year, and they are not to be missed. From the award-winning taste of Cultivar Wine’s Rosé to the exquisite flavors of Leaky Lake’s Cabernet Sauvignon, there’s a wine for everyone. These winning wines are a testament to the hard work and dedication of our winemaker Julien Fayard who strives for excellence. So why not treat yourself to a bottle or two and experience the greatness for yourself? As one of the judges put it, “Wine is bottled poetry.” Cheers to the beauty of wine and the art of winemaking.