Michigan’s own Shady Lane Cellars earned a total of five awards in the prestigious 41st annual San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition held last week at Cloverdale Citrus Fair in northern Sonoma County, California.
Topping the list was Shady Lane Cellars’ 2022 Pinot Gris, which earned Double Gold.
“I was so happy to see that Double Gold in such a competitive category, for such a familiar wine,” said Kasey Wierzba, executive winemaker and general manager for the Suttons Bay, Michigan-based estate winery. “It’s truly an accomplishment to see our Pinot Gris shine through.”
In total, Shady Lane Cellars wines earned the following medals:
2022 Pinot Gris – Double Gold
2022 Late Harvest Riesling – Double Gold
2022 Gruner Veltliner – Silver
2022 Gewurztraminer – Silver
2021 Sparkling Riesling – Silver
The San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition is North America’s largest wine competition. Only bonded wineries and wines grown and produced in the United States, Canada, and Mexico are eligible to enter the wine competition. This year, 55 judges – from a variety of North American wine regions – evaluated more than 5,500 wine entries representing 1,000 wineries. A public tasting is set for Feb. 17, 2024.
Pinot Gris and Pinot Grigio are well-known and derived from the very same grape. Shady Lane Cellars’ Pinot Gris outperformed competitors throughout North America, including many West Coast producers.
“Warmth and sunshine are conveyed in this wine, which comes from the hillside of our Hennessy Vineyard,” added Wierzba, about Shady Lane’s Alsatian style Pinot Gris. “The south facing slope receives all day sun, enhancing the aromas and flavors of ripe melon, Honeysuckle and green apple. The round acidity lends itself to an almond finish.”
Only 625 cases of this wine were crafted. To celebrate this achievement, the team at Shady Lane Cellars is offering $4 off bottles and half-off glass pours of 2022 Pinot Gris all February at the tasting room, at 9580 E. Shady Lane in Suttons Bay, Mich.
