San Diego County Medals Awarded by Lum Eisenman Wine Competition

San Diego County Medals Awarded by Lum Eisenman Wine Competition

Sponsored by Ramona Valley Vineyard Association (RVVA)

Ramona, Calif., June 21, 2018

San Diego County winemakers picked up medals for outstanding wine at the Ramona Valley Vineyard Association (RVVA) Awards Dinner for the tenth San Diego County Lum Eisenman Wine Competition on Wednesday, June 19, 2019 held at the Ramona Mainstage.

Four panels of four judges tasted a record number of 128 red, white, and rosé wines—increased from 77 entries three years ago—made from grapes grown in San Diego County. Wineries located in Escondido, Fallbrook, Julian, La Mesa, Lakeside, and Ramona Valley participated. Judges awarded four double gold and 25 gold medals.

The keynote speaker was Maurice DiMarino, Sommelier; Wine Director of the Cohn Restaurant Group; San Diego Restaurant Associate Board Member; and Wine Educator. He encouraged various vineyard/winery associations within the county to form an alliance to better represent San Diego County’s wine-making interests with the various government agencies that control the wine-grape industry. He also recommended increased production.

Don Bartick, Chair of the San Diego County Lum Eisenman Wine Competition, said, “We are pleased to see the increased interest in this competition which shows the growth of the San Diego County Wineries and their contribution to the local economies. I’d also like to express my appreciation to the Ramona Mainstage for providing a great venue for our wineries to receive recognition.”

Expanded Four Panels of Four Judges Each

Ron Nowak, Judge Coordinator and Chief Judge, recruited an expanded group of judges for this year’s competition of 128 entries. They included representatives from the American Wine Society, sommeliers, wine education, and winemakers. Based on their background, the judges were evenly distributed in four panels for judging.

About the San Diego County Lum Eisenman Wine Competition

The San Diego County Lum Eisenman Wine Competition, chaired the last three years by Don Bartick, was created and is sponsored by the Ramona Valley Vineyard Association to give individual winemakers constructive feedback on their techniques and results in order to improve winemaking throughout San Diego County. Don is a retired mechanical engineer. He and his wife Arline became interested in growing wine grapes and making wine in 2005. They planted four varietals of grapes and built a small winery within their home property as a hobby. In 2010 they converted their home into a small B&B that provides guests with a winegrower experience on a small scale. Today they are considered amateur winemakers.

Lum Eisenman, was born and raised in Riverside, Calif.  A physicist by profession, he migrated to Del Mar in 1971 with his wife. From youth he was an amateur winemaker, and became a mentor for San Diego vineyard owners, and the founder of the San Diego Amateur Winemaking Society—and he is always a teacher. He has written dozens of articles and The Home Winemakers Manual is considered an authority by many throughout the United States.

About Ramona Valley Vineyard Association (RVVA)

The Ramona Valley Vineyard Association (RVVA) was founded in 2001 “to promote, protect and enhance the Ramona Valley AVA, our wines, vintners, and community.”  The RVVA helped to drive the creation of the Ramona Valley American Viticulture Area (AVA) in 2006 and was the sponsoring organization for the effort to create the Boutique Winery Ordinance in 2010.

Current President: Bill Schweitzer.

For more information see: https://ramonavalleyvineyards.com

Media contact: Joyce Strand 408-210-2422