Image by Rudy and Peter Skitterians from Pixabay

Local wineries took top awards at the recent Sunset International Wine Competition held in Santa Rosa the week of June 22.

The competition saw a 10% increase in entries from last year, requiring a record 12 judging panels.

Madera’s CRU Winery performed exceptionally well, earning both Best of Class and Double Gold honors for its 2017 Vineyard Montage Pinot Noir as well as its 2017 Unoaked Chardonnay. CRU’s 2018 Sierra Madre Pinot Noir and 2017 Vineyard Montage Chardonnay also took gold, followed by two silver awards.

Cardella Winery’s Rose of Sangiovese took a gold award, followed by six silver awards for varieties including its pinot grigio, petite sirah and chardonnay.

Engelmann Cellars near Fresno took three silver awards — for its 2018 Sangiovese, 2018 Pinot Noir and its 20th anniversary red blend.

Fresno-based Moravia Wines saw its 2019 Symphony win gold, with seven other silver showings.

Several Madera County wineries received high recognition. Ficklin Vineyards received double gold for both its Aged 10 Years Tawny Port and the Old Vine Tinta Port. It also received silver.

O’Neil Vintners & Distillers, which has its winery and distillery in Parlier, took more than two dozen awards, including gold for its Charles Woodson’s Intercept Red Blend, its Day Owl Rose and Line 39 Sauvignon Blanc.

PR Farms, Inc. in Clovis won a gold and silver award for its 2016 and 2015 My Italian Cousin – Eugenio.

Westbrook Wine Farm’s 2015 Fait Accompli, a co-fermented field blend of six grape varieties, earned gold for the Madera county winery.

The Sunset International Wine Competition also awarded San Joaquin Winery silver for its 2018 Moody Press Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon, 2018 Paul Lorry Merlot, 2018 Toschi Vineyards Pinot Noir and 2019 Moody Press Cellars Sauvignon Blanc.