The Fresno State Winery continued its string of success at the San Francisco Chronicle International Wine Competition by winning six medals for its wines, many of which will be featured at its next wine club pick-up party from 5 to 8 p.m. on Friday, March 13.
Two of the wines crafted by Viticulture and Enology Department students received double gold honors — the 2023 Alicante Bouschet and Pinot Noir vintages.
The winery’s 2024 Dean’s List Grenache Rosé also won a gold medal, while its 2024 Chardonnay and Muscat Canelli Late Harvest vintages both won silver medals.
Its 2024 Sauvignon Blanc added a bronze medal to increase its all-time tally of award-winning wines since it officially opened in 1997.
The contest is the world’s largest and most complex evaluation of North American wines. Over 50 judges evaluated over 5,500 wines from the U.S., Canada and Mexico that were produced by 1,100 wineries.
Fresno State’s medal total is its highest at the event since it claimed seven in 2016.
“Our students have created some of their best wines in recent years from some of the finest vineyards in California. From the Napa Valley to the Central Valley and Central Coast, they have mastered their education, allowing them to apply their craft in many of the best winegrowing regions of the world,” said Tom Montgomery, Fresno State winemaker.
The double-gold-medal-winning Pinot Noir will also be featured in the next campus wine club shipment. The winery’s pick-up and tasting event on March 13 is open to the public, and all those attending should RSVP in advance by Monday, March 9.
Other wines in the Cellar Dogs package include the 2021 Cabernet Sauvignon, 2024 Albarino and 2023 Chardonnay. Other four-bottle options offer red- or white-only options.
The deadline to sign up for this shipment is Tuesday, March 3, and members receive a 20% discount on the four-pack of student-produced wines, which are released three times a year, plus other special benefits.
All of the wines are also available online and in person at the Gibson Farm Market.
A special wine club, alumni vintner add-on is available with the next shipment, which features 2024 Estate Chardonnay and 2021 Cabernet Sauvignon vintages produced by Midnight Cellars in Paso Robles, where Fresno State alumna Brenna Pratt serves as the head winemaker.
The Fresno State Winery is the first and largest bonded winery on a college campus, and produces over 4,000 cases and about 20 varietals each year.
More information is available at winery_info@mail.fresnostate.edu or 559.278.6070.
