Around Town … with Robert Airoldi: Local wineries take home medals in prestigious competition

The 2024 San Francisco Wine Competition shows the South Valley has wonderful wine

Photo by Marty Cheek

By Robert Airoldi

Robert Airoldi

Those of us who live in the South Valley have long known we have many award-winning wineries that rival those in other, perhaps more well known regions.

The 2024 San Francisco Wine Competition just reinforced that notion with many local wineries taking home medals.

Guglielmo Winery earned a Silver for their 2021 Private Reserve Chardonnay. Martin Ranch scored Gold for the 2022 Therese Vineyards Sauvignon Blanc and Silver for the 2018 Therese Signature Selections Cabernet Sauvignon. The 2020 JD Hurley Cabernet Sauvignon, 2020 JD Hurley Pinot Noir and 2020 JD Hurley Santa Clara Valley Merlot, all scored Silver.

Kirigin Cellars scored Double Gold for their Vino de Mocca and Owner’s Reserve Cab blend and Silvers for their Santa Clara Valley 2019 Barbera, 2022 Chardonnay, 2022 Malvasia Bianca, 2019 Petite Sirah, 2022 Pinot Grigio, Estate Red, NV Kirigin’s Delight, NV Kirigin’s Red, 2019 Syrah and 2020 Tempranillo. (NV means “non-vintage,” or generally a blend of two or more vintages.)

L&M Vineyard scored Silver for their 2020 Cabernet Franc. Little Uvas, owned and operated by former Rosy’s at the Beach proprietors Rich and Rosy Bergin, entered four wines and won three Golds and a Silver, including a Double Gold for the 2020 Merlot, Gold for the 2021 Barbera, Gold for the 2020 Cabernet Sauvignon, and Silver for the 2022 Sauvignon Blanc.

P & V Winery scored Double Gold for their 2020 Aram Cab Sauv, Gold for their 2019 Santa Clara County Zinfandel, and 2021 for their Santa Margarita Ranch Chardonnay.

Sarah’s Vineyard scored Gold for their 2020 Estate Cabernet Sauvignon and Gold for the lively 2021 Rose d’Ella-Rae sparkling wine. They also scored Silver for the 2021 Estate Pinot Noir.

Solis Winery scored Silvers for their 2021 Reserve Cabernet Franc, 2021 Cabernet Sauvignon, 2022 Fiano, 2019 Syrah and 2019 Zinfandel. Moose Mountain scored Gold for the 2020 Prodigal Son Merlot-leading blend and Silver for the 2020 Merlot.

There were more than 5,700 entries from more than 1,000 wineries in North America, Mexico and Canada. Congratulations to all.

The complete results can be viewed at winejudging.com.

The city of Gilroy will receive $200,000 to build a new 4,500-linear-foot, multi-use trail — known as the Lions Creek Trail — as part of the Federal Highway Administration’s Recreation Trails Grant Program. This is according to a press release from the State Parks, which recommended the project.

The trail will include educational signage and distance markers from Kern Avenue to Day Road. Grant programs help promote outdoor access by providing funds to local, state, federal and nonprofit organizations to develop non-motorized recreation trails (paved, non-paved, and backcountry) and trail-related facilities projects as well as acquire trail corridors.

Since 1993, about 300 RTP non-motorized trails and facilities throughout California have been created or improved from $60 million in grants.

A Gilroy artist will see her creation go to the moon. Louise Shields was selected to have a digital copy of her work as part of a time capsule that will be brought on board a lunar lander scheduled to launch in May.

LunARC, a global not-for-profit initiative, worked with various worldwide organizations to gather submissions of 30,000 pieces of artwork. Data of the artwork will then be nano etched on glass.

Shields submitted “Majestic and Mysterious,” a gel medium and acrylics on canvas. “The legacy of having a piece of my artwork eternally on the moon is an extremely incredible feeling and blessing. For information about LunARC, visit lunarc.org.

Are you a young woman who might like to go to the Azores this summer? The Gilroy Sister Cities Association has an opportunity for you. But you need to act fast. The deadline to apply is Feb. 29!

Dave Peoples, president of the GSCA, wants Gilroyans to know the nonprofit is seeking residents to represent our community in the San Joaninas Festival, which takes place from June 21 to June 30 in Gilroy’s Sister City of Angra do Heroísmo.

“Our representative will receive round-trip airfare, lodging and meal vouchers,” he said. “And they’ll be expected to attend and participate in festival events.”

Applicants must be adult females age 18-24, and a Gilroy resident or resident in the 95020 ZIP code for at least five years. They may be a senior in high school or enrolled in a college in the region. They must be available for travel to the Azore islands from June 18 to July 2 and must possess a current U.S. passport with an expiration date after January 2025.

The applicants must submit a questionnaire and a letter of recommendation from a non-family member before Feb. 29 and be available for an in-person interviews by March 1.

Contact Dave at [email protected] for info.