HUNT CELLARS CAPTURES AWARDS
Paso Robles winery has another grand showing in annual Food & Beverage World California Wines of the Year competition
California winery Hunt Cellars won three awards in Food & Beverage World’s 2016 California Wines of the Year competition.
Hunt Cellars took home the top prizes for California Pinot Noir of the Year (Hunt Cellars 2014 “Imagination” – Santa Rita Hills); California Red Bordeaux of the Year (Hunt Cellars 2012 “Rhapsody in Red” Blend – Destiny Vineyards, Paso Robles); and California “Other” Red Wine of the Year (Hunt Cellars 2012 “Thriller” Blend – Destiny Vineyards, Paso Robles).
The winery also was first runner-up in several other categories. Hunt’s 2010 Sao Soul Port – Paso Robles placed as the first runner-up for California Port/Dessert Wine of the Year. Their 2012 “Hilltop Serenade” Syrah finished as first runner-up in the California Red Rhone of the Year category. Hunt’s 2012 Cabernet “Cabovation” Reserve took home runner-up honors in the California Cabernet Sauvignon of the Year race.
“This says a lot about the quality of Destiny Vineyards and Paso Robles wineries,” said Hunt Cellars winemaker and owner David Hunt. “It’s a win for Paso Robles wine country.”
Hunt Cellars wines are produced at their Destiny Vineyards estate in Paso Robles. Their wines are hand crafted in small lots and aged in Grand Reserve style.
Wineries from Paso Robles, Napa, Sonoma, Lake County, Santa Barbara, Central Coast, and other regions were invited to compete in Food & Beverage World’s annual contest. Participants submitted their best wines to Food & Beverage World editor Jason Barlow and his panel for ratings and reviews. Each winery was allowed to compete in up to six categories ranging from Bordeaux to Ports.
Hunt Cellars finished in first place numerous times the past four years – more than any other California wineries that competed.
“We know from over twenty years experience in wine making that the secret to quality starts with one of California’s top and consistent world class vineyards,” Hunt responded when asked what makes Hunt Cellars wines perennial award-winners. “Our philosophy is to let the vineyards produce the wine through attentive farming and handcrafting the wine in small lots.”
“Hunt Cellars’ premium quality wines are attributable to the varietal purity of flavors and its highly concentrated, low yields of fruit per acre,” Hunt said. He explained that is a direct result of the terroir, world-class soils drainage, coastal influences from both the
Templeton gap and proximity to Morro Bay, which creates diurnal swings of 50 degrees or more during the growing season.
“Because the fruit is so concentrated, most of the big, hearty red wines are on our Grand Reserve program – up to three years in the barrel plus two or more years bottle aging before release.
“Even when the critics declare a less than great vintage,” Hunt continued, “the top wines will be consistently produced from the greatest vineyards. Destiny Vineyards is certainly one of the top.”
A complete list of Food & Beverage World’s 2016 California Wines of the Year competition winners may be found at http://fbworld.com/2016/12/27/food-beverage-worlds-2016-california-wines-of-the-year.
ABOUT HUNT CELLARS
Award-winning Hunt Cellars was founded more than 20 years ago on the philosophy of producing wines that people will look forward to simply sipping by a cozy fireplace or pairing with a favorite meals to enhance that special event or moment in time. Hunt uses only the best and rarest mountain-grown fruit from their world class Estate, Destiny Vineyards, to produce the best, highly concentrated varietal wines. Their Destiny Vineyard location was specifically chosen for its soil composition and terroir diversity – every step of the production process is designed so Hunt Cellars produces the highest caliber of wine for consumers to enjoy.