Chik Brenneman, Woodbridge production Lab manager, checks the bouquet of a white wine at the San Joaquin Fair Amatuer wine judging at the Woodbridge Winery in Acampo Friday morning. (Casey Freeman/News-Sentinel)

Lodi couple wins amateur winemaking competition

A Lodi couple's 2003 Cabernet Sauvignon took best of show for red varieties in the San Joaquin County Fair Amateur Winemaking Competition. Several of their other wines received medals as well at last week's contest.

Aaron and Linda Kidder's cab received the gold medal, along with top honors. Their 2003 Merlot, 2003 Syrah and 2003 Cabernet Sauvignon/Syrah blend received silver medals as well.

Other Lodi vintners who took high honors included Craig Leoni, who received a double gold medal and best of class honors for his 2003 Petite Syrah; and the wine-making team of Tom Hoffman, Fred Hicks and Konradt Bartlam who received double gold and best of class for their 2003 Cabernet Sauvignon and Syrah blend.

Judges swirled, sniffed and tasted 140 different wines entered into the competition and made their decisions at a tasting held at Woodbridge Winery last Friday.

Best of show white wine honors went to a 2004 Sauvignon Blanc made by Mark Jurgens, of Angels Camp.

In the dessert wine category, a late harvest 2003 Viognier crafted by Lodi resident David Huecksteadt took best of show honors and a gold medal.

Other winemakers receiving best of class honors included:
• Steve Giannecchini, Stockton, 2004 Chardonnay
• Mike Atwood, Stockton, 2004 Columbard Chardonnay (other whites class)
• Jerry Jardine, Galt, 2003 Barbera
• David Dart, Lodi, 2003 Merlot
• Hoffman, Hicks, Bartlam, Lodi, 2003 Sangiovese
• Jurgens, Angels Camp, 2002 Syrah
• Nancy Freire, Palo Alto, 2002 Zinfandel
• Jerry Manzel, Lodi, 2003 Tempranillo (miscellaneous red class)
• David Ingram, Waterloo, 2004 Syrah Rosé

In the computer drawn wine label competition, Camino Springs Vineyard in Camino took the gold medal for its label.