Yonah Mountain Vineyards’ Genesis 2 was the judges’ pick at a cloaked wine tasting at the vineyards’ tasting room on Saturday, January 15. The Georgia vineyards’ red blend – a unique Bordeaux-style blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Petit Verdot, Cabernet Franc and Malbec ‑ was the toast of the evening.
From a selection of 10 panelists, including the Atlanta Journal-Constitution’s wine columnist Gil Kulers and freelance wine journalist Jane Garvey, Yonah Mountain Vineyard’s Genesis 2 scored higher than Jordan Winery’s 2006 Cabernet Sauvignon –one of the most popular wines on restaurant lists in the country. The vineyards’ 2006 Genesis was among the most popular wines of the evening, as was the vineyards’ offerings of Chardonnay – all placed higher in popularity than the California wines in their categories.
Noted wine experts, including Harry Constantinescu, wine director of the St. Regis, Atlanta, helped evaluate three wines in a closed event from renowned California wineries Jordan Winery, Darioush Winery, Ghost Horse Vineyards and Kistler Vineyards against this Georgia newcomer’s two vintages of three wines.
“There really is no loser here,” said Michael Bryan, executive director of the Atlanta Wine School, and the director of the event, which used the University of California at Davis 20-point system to evaluate the wines. “This really proves that Yonah is producing world-class wines, and that Georgia is in range of recognition as a serious wine-producing state.”
Yonah Mountain Vineyards tasting room is located at 2454-B Highway 17, Sautee, Ga., and is open to the public in winter Fridays noon to 5 p.m., Saturdays noon to 6 p.m. and Sundays from 12:30 to 5 p.m. For more information and directions, call the tasting room at 706-878-5522 or visit the Yonah Mountain Vineyards website, www.yonahmountainvineyards.com.
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