Current Bachelor Wins Gold

Ben Flajnik isn’t just a charming gentleman looking for love on ABC’s hit series, “The Bachelor,” he also makes award-winning wines and is a co-owner of Envolve Winery (formerly Evolve Winery). We are pleased to announce that winemaker Ben Flajnik won gold for his 2010 Sonoma Valley Sauvignon Blanc at the 2012 San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition, the largest competition of American wines in the world.

Over 60 professionals from many aspects of the wine industry joined together earlier this month in Cloverdale, CA to judge a record-breaking number of entries, over 5,500 wines from 1,379 wineries from 25 states. Among the many winners, Flajnik’s wine took home gold.

"This medal is a testament to the vineyard we work with, our winemaking mentors and our dream to make world class wines. We are humbled and grateful,” said Flajnik, winemaker and co-owner, Envolve Winery.

A native from Sonoma, Calif., Flajnik co-owns Envolve Winery with his childhood friends, Mike Benziger, and later, Danny Fay. Together they work to ensure excellence in their wines by focusing on friendship, quality and sustainability in their winemaking. True love is important to him in all aspects of his life. He initially appeared as a suitor during season 7 of “The Bachelorette.” However, after failing to find love there, Flajnik now stars in the 16th season of “The Bachelor.”

Due to Flajnik's extremely busy schedule, he will not be able to attend the Public Tasting on Feb. 18th at Fort Mason Center. But, there will be thousands of other exceptional wines to savor, along with delicious food. For tickets go to www.winejudging.com.

2012 SFCWC Sets New Record

The 2012 San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition has set a new American wine competition record with an astounding 5,500 entries, surpassing its previous record of 5,050 last year. For nine consecutive years, this prestigious competition holds strong as the “Largest Competition of American Wines in the World.”

“This new record serves as an affirmation that every year wine consumers look toward the SFCWC award medal winning wines as a barometer when purchasing their wines," said Bob Fraser, SFCWC Executive Director. "We are thrilled that wineries all over the United States understand and respect the outstanding caliber of our 65 judges from throughout the wine industry and the country."

Results were announced online at www.sfgate.com and www.winejudging.com on Friday afternoon, January 6, 2012. A public tasting of these award winning wines will be at the Festival Pavilion, Fort Mason Center in San Francisco from 2-5 pm on February 18, 2012.

Public Tasting in San Francisco Continues its Tradition

The SFCWC is proud to invite people from across the country to join them in their annual tradition of enjoying family, friends and wonderful food and wine.  This year we are raising our glasses in cheer of the recognition of the 75th anniversary of the Golden Gate Bridge at the annual Public Tasting held at Fort Mason Center in San Francisco with stunning views of the structure on Saturday, February 18th from 2-5 p.m.

Over 5,000 people converge to enjoy breath taking views of the Golden Gate Bridge as they interact with colleagues and loved ones, reuniting at the annual Public Tasting and reinforcing the tradition of this special day for many wine lovers around the country.  Everyone enjoys outstanding food, conversations and a bit of education, as the peruse samples from over 800 wineries.

Tickets are available now, and they make the perfect Stocking Stuffer for your loved ones.  Turn the annual Public Tasting into your college or family reunion.

"This competition is the biggest deal in American wine," said Paul Lukas, columnist, author and wine educator.

San Francisco's KGO 810 Media Sponsor

KGO 810 has been the exclusive radio sponsor for the San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition since its inception, reports Bob Fraser. "The media support of promotional spots on KGO and the recognition of the Sweepstake Winemakers has been tremendous for the consumers of not only the Bay Area but throughout California and into some areas of the Pacific Northwest. They add special excitement to the San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition..."

NBC Bay Area is proud to be the Television media sponsor of the 25th anniversary of the San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition. NBC Bay Area has supported SFCWC for the past six years and you can see the last year’s webisode just visit NBC Bay Area.com and search San Francisco Wine Competition 2010.

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Wine & Spirits Magazine is the official magazine of the competition.

Keeping with the liveliness of the Public Tasting, our magazine partner invites everyone to “Live well, Drink well”! Wine & Spirits Magazine is back as the official magazine of the 2011 Public Tasting, presenting best of more than 10,000 wines screened by panels and critics, along with top destinations for wine and food, perspectives on distinctive wine regions and news. Subscribe today and gain immediate access to their online database of ratings and reviews. In addition, they have generously provided a *SPECIAL OFFER* 2011!

Visit www.wineandspiritsmagazine.com/subscriptions, and enter SFC11 code for a discount subscription rate of $19.95 (Regular price $29.95).

Please see more of our Sponsors »

SFCWC Announces Winners

The 2012 San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition Sweepstake winning wineries hail from three different states! Dr. Konstantin Frank 2010 Finger Lakes Gewürztraminer Reserve $24.99 from New York took the White Sweepstake Award. Barnard Griffin 2011 Columbia Valley Rose of Sangiovese $12.00 from Washington state won the Sweepstake Pink category. Four wineries representing four different American Viticulture Areas took the four remaining Sweep Awards. Gloria Ferrer Caves & Vineyards 2006 Blanc de Blancs Sparkling Wine $28.00 from the Carneros region of California took the Sparkling Sweepstake category. McGrail Vineyards & Winery 2008 Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve $36.00 from the Livermore AVA of California captured the Red Sweepstake Award. Castello di Amorosa from the Napa Valley took the Dessert Wine Sweepstake Award with their 2010 Anderson Valley Late Harvest Gewurztraminer $35.00. Sweepstake Wine Label Winner Mutt Lynch Winery from Healdsburg, California 2009 Out of Reach, Muttitage takes the second year Sweepstake Wine Label Contest. All sweepstake, Best of Class, Double Gold, Gold, Silver, and Bronze medal winning wineries from over 5,500 entries are listed on the site.

	Gloria Ferrer Caves & Vineyards 2006 Carneros Blanc de Blancs Sparkling Wine $28.00
	Dr. Konstantin Frank 2010 Finger Lakes Gewürztraminer Reserve $24.99
	Barnard Griffin 2011 Columbia Valley Rose of Sangiovese $12.00
	McGrail Vineyards & Winery 2008 Livermore Valley Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve $36.00
	Castello di Amorosa 2010 Anderson Valley Late Harvest Gewurztraminer $35.00
	Sweepstake Wine Label Winner Mutt Lynch Winery 2009 Out of Reach…Muttitage

A comprehensive list of the wines & awards »

Taste many of these wines at the San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition Public Tasting at Fort Mason Center on February 18th. Tickets are available on this site.

2012 Judges' Dinner Hosted by Hess Collection

The 2012 San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition Judges' Dinner was hosted by The Hess Collection, in their historic stone winery atop Mount Veeder in Napa. see more photos »

Judges Dine with the Frasers

Host Bob Fraser invites the judges to relax at his home after the completion of the first day of the 2012 judging.

Watch a video overview of the wine judging!