Winners of Central Oregon Coast Wine Competition Announced

Published 02/23/2018 at 4:55 AM PDT
By Oregon Coast Beach Connection staff

(Newport, Oregon) – One of the state's most high profile wine competitions is centered not in wine country but on the Oregon coast. The 2018 Newport Seafood & Wine Festival Commercial Wine Competition took place early in February, in advance of the festival which is happening right now. The winners list is out.

This time around, Bradley Vineyards entered their 2015 Pinot Noir, and the judges awarded it a Gold Medal and the Joseph H. Swafford trophy for Best-Of-Show.

To enter the famed Oregon coast competition, a winery must be a vendor at the festival, which is open to the three Northwest states of Oregon, Washington and Idaho. This year, 153 entries were received, and 92 medals were awarded (26 gold, 39 silver, and 27 bronze).

The competition was founded 32 years ago to showcase an early look at Northwest wines.

There was also the amateur winemaker competition held earlier this year as well. The winners there were Portlanders Harry and Parker Craig with their 2015 Marionberry port.

Newport businessman and wine expert Joseph Swafford headed up the contest again, and said it was noteworthy that this year's winner was from the Elkton area of the Umpqua Valley – just as the 2016 winner hailed from that area as well. Swafford said this is an exceptional viticultural area and a region to keep an eye on.

Also noteworthy was that Bluebird Hills Cellars out of the Willamette Valley came very close to winning with a stellar chardonnay.

A panel of five expert judges descend on the central Oregon coast for this every year, each selected from such backgrounds as food-and-wine writers, wine educators, wine makers, wine merchants and restaurant wine cellar masters. From the Seattle area comes Brooks Tish and Gerry Warren. Georgia Ross is from Boulder, Colorado, Lorn Razzano comes up from Ashland and the fifth judge is Thomas McLaren from right here in Newport.

Bradley Vineyards was founded in 1983, and around the turn of the millennium began producing wines at the nearby River's Edge Winery facilities on the west end of Elkton. Since the passing of John Bradley, one of its founders, his wife Bonnie continues to operate the winery, thriving under her leadership. Their son Tyler cares for the vineyard and makes the wines.

Another stipulation of the Newport Commercial Wine Competition is that a winery may enter no more than three wines.

There are plenty of outstanding wines to enjoy at the Newport Seafood & Wine Festival. For a complete list of medal winners, go to www.seafoodandwine.com/wine-competitions - or click on the PDF.

Medal winners will be displayed at the Newport Seafood and Wine Festival presented by Chinook Winds Casino Resort. Newport Hotels for this event - Where to eat - Map and Virtual Tour

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