News Release, August 2009

Vintner’s Circle Wins Seven Medals at Two National Wine Making Competitions

David Schmeltzle, President of Vintner’s Circle, won a total of seven medals at this year’s AWCI and INDY Awards. The AWCI and INDY are national amateur wine making competitions held annually. HACKETTSTOWN, NJ, August 2009 — David Schmeltzle put his money (and a few bottles) where his mouth is, and submitted a variety of wines crafted at Vintner’s Circle to two wine making competitions. He was rewarded at whopping seven medals.

The judges at the Annual Amateur Wine Makers Competition (AWCI) awarded David five medals for five wines submitted, including a Silver Medal for his 2007 Montepulciano. Montepulciano is an Italian wine, made from the Montepulciano grape; David’s version offered flavors of blueberry, pepper, and spice. “A classic Montepulciano, with a very nice finish,” one of the judges stated. A second judge commented on the wine’s “great nose, nice balance, and good tannin.” David’s other award-winning wines included a 2008 Carménère, a 2008 Pinot Noir, a 2007 kiwi fruit wine, and a 2006 apple fruit wine.

Held each spring at Alto Vineyards in Champaign, Illinois, the Annual Amateur Wine Makers Competition is one of the largest competitions in the Midwest. The judges at the AWCI base their scores on the UC David 20 Point Scale, which takes into consideration factors like clarity, color, aroma and bouquet, taste, and aftertaste.


At the INDY International Wine Competition, judges awarded David two silver medals for two wines submitted: a 2007 kiwi fruit wine, and a 2006 apple fruit wine. The kiwi fruit wine received high scores for both its aroma and taste. The apple fruit wine, which had been aged in oak, also received accolades: “An excellent wine with an outstanding taste and delicate mouthfeel,” commented an INDY judge.

The INDY International Wine Competition is one of the largest independent wine competitions in the United States. 2009 was the competition’s eighteenth consecutive year, taking place at the Indiana State Fair. Each year, hopeful home wine makers submit more than 3,000 bottles; judges base their evaluations on a wine’s appearance, aroma, taste, and aftertaste.

About Vintner’s Circle
Vintner’s Circle is a place for friends and family to gather, spend time with one another, and enrich their lives through making, tasting, and enjoying wine.
Phone number: 908-979-9463

Contact:
Jolan Turkington, Director of Communications

www.vintnerscircle.com

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