Medals displayed at South Stage Cellars in Jacksonville
Traute Moore glided into South Stage Cellars in Jacksonville this afternoon, brandishing three medals her wine just earned at the coveted Finger Lakes International Wine Competition.
“We got a call telling us we received double gold for our Early Muscat,” says a twinkling Traute, after lacing the medals around the necks of the 2008 Early Muscat, 2007 Alchemy and 2007 Vintners Select. “We learned later that we received silvers on the other two, making us three for three.”
As jubilant as Traute was, frankly, she should be used to it by now. Only seven years after Traute and her husband Don Moore arrived in the Rogue Valley in 1989, Wine Spectator named their Griffin Creek Merlot as the best wine in Oregon. A string of praise pearls have enwrapped the Moores as they have expanded their grape growing and winemaking empire.
Originally, the Moores established Quail Run Vineyards across 13 acres. Today, 27 different varietals grow on 10 vineyards that span 280 acres. Quail Run’s fruit is transformed into distinctive wines by winemakers for the South Stage Cellars Estate Label, Dobbes Family Estate, Francis Tannahill, Volcano Vineyards, Griffin Creek, Spangler Vineyards, Chateau Lorane and Belle Vallee Cellars.
Spangler Vineyards of Roseburg received five medals in the competition; one gold, two silvers and two bronzes. Chateau Lorane of Lorane was awarded six medals; four silvers and two bronzes.
This was the first time the Moores entered the Finger Lakes Competition. After the 2008 South Stage Cellars' Early Muscat was named Best in Show at the World of Wine Competition (WOW) last August, “we thought, why not try it in other competitions?” explains Traute.
Traute had a larger audience than a typical Spring day at the South Stage Cellars Tasting Room today. The historic building and its gardens were overflowing with wine club members picking up in their quarterly packages.
But first they were treated to their wine trio paired with dishes specially created by Chef Platon Mantheakis of the Jacksonville Inn: Prosciutto-wrapped asparagus for the 2007 South Stage Cellars Alchemy (Tempranillo, Carmenere and Cabernet Sauvignon); teriyaki-and-ginger black beans for the 2009 South Stage Cellars Morning Blush; and gorgonzola polenta for the 2007 Francis Tannahill Sundown (Grenache and Syrah).
Never mentioned by the always-gracious Traute Moore was that her 100% Muscat was the only Oregon double gold medal winner in this competiton, which attracted 3,010 wines from 15 countries. For the first time in a wine competition, there was an entry from each of the 50 states. Although the competition is based in New York, there were five times more entries from outside the state.
Other Southern Oregon wines that took home medals:
GOLD
- HV Cellars’ Oregon Blackberry (non-vintage)
- Reustle Prayer Rock Vineyards’ 2008 Tempranillo
- Sea Mist Winery’s Oregon Cranberry-Raspberry (non-vintage)
- Spangler Vineyard’s 2007 Claret
SILVER
- Agate Ridge Vineyard’s 2007 Petite Sirah
- Brandborg Vineyard’s 2008 Riesling, 2008 Gewurztraminer
- Chateau Lorane’s 2007 Pinot Gris, 2008 Gewurztraminer, 2006 Baco Noir, 2005 Malbec
- Cliff Creek Cellars’ 2005 Syrah, 2004 Claret, 2008 Red Red Table Wine
- HV Cellars’ Oregon Cranberry (non-vintage)
- Lorelli Vineyards’ 2006 Amantea Sauvignon, 2006 Quattro Foglie
- Reustle Prayer Rock Vineyards’ 2009 Sauvignon Blanc, 2009 Viognier, 2008 Noir
- South Stage Cellars’ 2007 Alchemy, 2007 Vintner’s Select
- Spangler Vineyards' 2008 Cabernet Franc, 2008 Petite Sirah
BRONZE
- Agate Ridge Vineyard’s 2008 Pinot Gris, 2008 Marsanne, 2007 Syrah, 2007 Primitivo
- Chateau Lorane’s 2006 Leon Millet, 2006 Marechal Foch
- Delfino Vineyards’ 2007 Syrah, 2007 Zinfandel, 2008 Zinfandel
- Girardet’s 2008 Zinfandel Bonnie’s Barrel, 2008 Pinot Noir Barrel Select, 2008 Chardonnay
- HV Cellars’ 2008 Pinot Noir
- Reustle Prayer Rock Vineyards’ 2008 Syrah, 2008 Grenache
- Sea Mist Winery’s Oregon Cranberry (non-vintage), Oregon Cranberry-Blueberry (non-vintage)
- Spangler Vineyards' 2006 Syrah, 2009 Viognier
Coming up at South Stage Cellars: Tonight's the Night, April 24 starting at 7 p.m., with six different wines (Viogniers, Cabernet Sauvigons and red blends) paired with small plates created by the culinary staffs at the Jacksonville Inn, Elements Tapas Bar in Medford and Tease in Ashland. $38. Make reservations by calling (541) 840-5453.
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