Most medals awarded a Southern Oregon winery at the San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition

SCHMIDT FAMILY WINERY IN THE APPLEGATE VALLEY TAKES SEVEN MEDALS AT THE LARGEST WINE COMPETITION OF AMERICAN WINES IN THE WORLD

Most medals awarded a Southern Oregon winery
at the San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition

Applegate Valley, OR -- Jan 17, 2011 | (http://www.sfvineyards.com/) -- Schmidt Family Vineyards wins big at the 2011 San Francisco Chronicle wine competition, bringing home seven
medals - including two golds! The only Southern Oregon winery to take home more than one gold medal, this small production, family owned and operated winery from an emerging wine region is raising the bar for other producers in the region.

The San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition broke records with 4.913 entries in 2010 and now in 2011, it continues to uphold the title of "Largest Competition of American Wines in the
World" with a staggering number of entries, 5,050 from 23 states. Wines made by Southern Oregon fruit or wineries took home 58 medals (1 best of class, 4 gold, 29 silver and 25 bronze medals this year - up 4 medals from last year). This spectacular representation will expose more people to our outstanding Southern Oregon wines.


Schmidt Family Winery was awarded:

Gold Medal Winners
Schmidt Family Vineyards, Applegate Valley, 2008 Syrah, $34
Schmidt Family Vineyards, Applegate Valley, 2008 Cabernet Sauvignon, $38

Silver Medal Winners
Schmidt Family Vineyards, Applegate Valley, 2008 Merlot, $32
Schmidt Family Vineyards, Applegate Valley, 2008 Malbec, $30
Schmidt Family Vineyards, Applegate Valley, 2008 Soulea $34
Schmidt Family Vineyards, Applegate Valley, 2008 Tempranillo, $32

Bronze Medal Winner
Schmidt Family Vineyards, Applegate Valley, 2008 Zinfandel, $32


Cal Schmidt grew up on a wheat farm in Kansas. Successful in business he missed his roots & longed to farm the land, thus Schmidt Family Vineyards began with a dream of farming. Cal tells the story with passion in his eyes. "One lucky Thursday in 2000, our realtor called Judy and I asking if we would be interested in the old Bennett Ranch that rested on a prime spot of the coveted and fertile Kubli Bench, in the Applegate Valley. The next morning, the property was ours." Realizing that their dreams were coming true faster than they could have planned, Cal began taking classes in viticulture and wine making by taking extension courses at UC Davis continuing as a student through 2008, simultaneously building & opening a winery between classes.

In talking with the family about this competition, and their overwhelming success Cal says, "To win gold on my Cabernet Sauvignon in Cab country is huge, particularly in a vintage that started out all wrong with an early frost in mid October that took out the canopy with all of the fruit still hanging. It's easy to make wine on a perfect vintage but this took all of us a full vintage to ensure the quality to the consumer." Schmidt Family Winery is truly a family winery. Rene, Cal's daughter is the tasting room manager and both she and her son help out in the cellar. Duncan Cal's grandson built the spectacular new tasting room while Judy (mom & master gardener) tends lovingly to the gardens and seamlessly combines the wine making & hospitality with the gardening. When asked about the recipe for their overall success, Judy says, "We feature a herb on most of our wine labels and when we release that wine we use that herb in a food pairing that compliments that wine. We try not to make life about wine but rather wine about life."

In 2001 Schmidt Family Vineyards planted Merlot, Syrah & Cabernet Sauvignon with new vines being planted with each succeeding vintage. Humbly starting their first vintage producing a mere 300 cases, the Schmidt Family has steadily increased their production to its current 3000 case annual production. Along with the fertile vineyards, and a large picturesque pond, several acres of herb and  flower gardens have been created which are available for private events. The tasting room of understated elegance and craftsmen style is a very welcoming place to sit and enjoy Southern  Oregon. They invite you to come and lift a glass!!    

Owned and managed by Judy and Cal Schmidt, our tasting room is located at 330 Kubli Drive ~ Grants Pass, OR 97527.  Regular tasting room hours are 7 days a week from noon to 5pm, and private appointments can be made by calling 541-846-9985. http://sfvineyards.com/

Liz's Suggestions...
For those of you who have not stopped by, this is a "not to miss" spot in Southern Oregon.
For those of you who plan to stop by, please congratulate the family - winning medals at large competitions is not only a victory for the winery but also one for the region. The best way to say "thank you" is to become a patron and support the efforts of those who strive for excellence.