Wine Enthusiast 92 Rating & Editor’s Choice

2014 The Smuggler’s Son was awarded a 92 Rating and Editor’s Choice designation in the November, 2017 edition of Wine Enthusiast.  See full review:  https://virgilsvineyard.com/wine-enthusiast-92-rating-editors-choice-11117/

Gold Medal & Best of Class for Region – California State Fair Commercial Wine Competition

2013 The Smuggler’s Son earned a 95 Point Rating, Best of Class for Region, and won a Gold Medal at the 2016 California State Fair Commercial Wine Competition which took place June 1-3, 2016.  First held in 1854, this is the Nation’s oldest and most prestigious wine judging.  The 2016 commercial competition included 2,854 wines entered from 749 of California’s finest wineries.

Gold Medal & Best of Class Zinfandel – Indy International Wine Competition

2013 The Smuggler’s Son won Best of Class Zinfandel and a Gold Medal at the 2016 Indy International Wine Competition which took place August 3-4, 2016 in Sacramento, California.  The Indy International is the largest independent wine contest in the U.S.  The 2016 commercial competition included more than 2,000 wines entered from 40 states and 11 countries.

The Smuggler’s Son Award History

2014  The Smuggler’s Son – Wine Enthusiast 92 Rating & Editor’s Choice

2014 The Smuggler’s Son – Gold Medal (Indy International) & Bronze Medal (California State Fair)

2013  The Smuggler’s Son – 95 Point Rating, Best of Class for Region & Gold Medal (California State Fair) & Best of Class Zinfandel & Gold Medal (Indy International)

2012  The Smuggler’s Son – 90 Point Rating & Silver Medal (California State Fair) & Silver Medal (Indy International)

2011  The Smuggler’s Son – Silver Medal (California State Fair) & Bronze Medal ( Indy International)

2010  The Smuggler’s Son – Gold Medal (Indy International) & Silver Medal (California State Fair)

2009  The Smuggler’s Son – Silver Medal (Indy International) & Silver Medal (California State Fair)

2008  The Smuggler’s Son – Silver Medal (Indy International) & Bronze Medal (California State Fair)

Amateur Award History

Matthew Kipper,  Virgil’s Vineyard winemaker, has won 28 medals since 2003 in the amateur competitions of the Indy International Wine Competition, the California State Fair, and the Orange County (California) Fair.  His wines have earned a Best In Show, 3 Double Gold Medals and 11 Silver Medals from 2003-2010.   Highlights include:

2007  Napa Cabernet Sauvignon    Double Gold Medal  (2009 Indy International)

2000  Raspberry Wine                   Double Gold Best In Show  (2004 Indy International)

1999  Cabernet Sauvignon             Double Gold Medal  (2003 Indy International)