Jefferson Cup

All of you who know me, those of you who have been reading my blog for some time, know about my connection to Somerset Ridge Vineyard and Winery. My daughter and son-in-law, Cindy and Dennis Reynolds, own the vineyard. I have been the chef for the vineyard since 1998. In fact, it was April 1, 1998 when Arch and I went out to what was then called "the farm" in Miami County, Kansas, and helped plant the first 300 vines on the hillside. Arch and I discussed this on the way out to the farm and on our return drive home. We were convinced Cindy and Dennis had lost their minds! After all, who ever heard of a vineyard in Kansas?!? Who in the world would drink Kansas wine?!? Were they nuts?
I have written about the success of the vineyard many times. I have described events, parties, harvest lunches. I have shared photos of many of these events. I have invited you to release parties when we introduce a new wine. I have invited you to Art in the Vines several times over the last 3 years. Well, friends, it is with the greatest pleasure that I share the following with you now.

Somerset Ridge Wins 2010 Jefferson Cup!

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Somerset Ridge Oktoberfest Wins Coveted Jefferson Cup!
Many consider the Jefferson Cup Invitational wine competition to be the most prestigious in the United States. It is run by Doug Frost, one of only three people in the world to hold both Master of Wine and Master Sommelier credentials. The other judges constitute a who's who of wine professionals from around the U.S.
This is an invitation-only competition; you must be pre-selected to participate. This year, over 600 wines were invited. Out of those, only 20 wines were selected as the best-of-the-best in their category and awarded the Jefferson Cup.
Much to our delight, our Oktoberfest was awarded a Cup in the category of Non-Vinifera White Wine. And to add icing to the cake, all five of our other entered wines won medals as well! Traminette and Citron won Example of American Greatness gold medals, while Ruby Red, Chardonel and Ambrosia won Sliver Medals.

Even more extraordinary, however, is the fact that of the 20 Jefferson Cups awarded this year, four were from Eastern Kansas wineries! To put this into perspective, six cups were awarded to California (3,005 wineries), five cups to New York (246 wineries) and two to neighboring Missouri (98 wineries). Compared with Kansas' relatively fewer 25 wineries, we knocked it out of the park! Congratulations to the other Kansas Cup winners, Blue Jacket Crossing and Holy-Field!
This is truly a validation of our region as a world class wine producing area.
There is a reason why most of the wine produced in the U.S. prior to prohibition came from Missouri and Eastern Kansas: we grow great grapes here!

How do you like them apples! I mean grapes! And, as a chef and your friend, I should tell you, there is no better wine to have during the holidays. It goes beautifully with holiday foods!