Farfelu Vineyards (Virginia) Wins Big in California Wine Competitions

Farfelu Vineyards, Virginia's first winery, proves Virginia wines can compete on an international scale after taking high honors in three California wine competitions this summer -- the Long Beach Grand Cru, the Los Angeles County Fair and the San Francisco International Wine Competition.

(PRWEB) August 10, 2004 -- In June, Farfelu was awarded two bronze medals (for the 2002 Barrel Select Chardonnay and 2002 Riesling) from the largest and most prestigious wine competition in the nation, the San Francisco International Wine Competition. Over 946 wineries from 21 countries submitted entries, including some of the most well-known and respected wineries in California, France, Spain and Australia. Farfelu's 2002 Barrel Select Chardonnay and 2002 Riesling both took Bronze medals.

Then, going head-to-head with 3,792 wines from 782 wineries, Farfelu took home three medals from the Los Angeles County Fair Wine Competition. In a letter noting our accomplishment, the organization complemented Farfelu on "our ability to produce fine wines of outstanding tastes, character and complexity." The 2002 Riesling was awarded a Silver medal, and the 2002 Barrel Select Chardonnay and 2002 Syrah took Bronze.

Two weeks later, Farfelu was awarded a gold, silver and bronze medal in the Long Beach (CA) Grand Cru. The Los Angeles Times calls the Grand Cru "the fastest growing, up-and- coming competition of the millennium." The 2002 Syrah took GOLD, while the 2002 Barrel Select Chardonnay was honored with a Silver, and the 2002 Chardonnay ("Unwooded") received a Bronze.

Now, the Vinifera Wine Growers Association, a prestigious competition among Virginia vintners, has selected Farfelu wines for a Silver medal for the 2002 Barrel Select Chardonnay and a Bronze medal for the Folly, a late harvest Vidal Blanc.

Farfelu Vineyards, Virginia's oldest licensed farm winery, was purchased in 2000 by Caroline and John Osborne and has just completed an ambitious three-year revitalization and expansion program that included moving the vineyard to sustainable and biodynamic farming. After updating the winery and vineyard, Farfelu has just launched a new web site that allows visitors to buy wine and gifts, take a photo tour of the winery, download wine-friendly recipes and read about "a year in the life of a vine."

Farfelu Vineyards, Virginia's first winery, produces premium wines using eco- friendly sustainable farming practices in scenic Rappahannock County. Farfelu (pronounced "far-fuh-loo") means eccentric in old French, which is what people thought we were when we planted grapes in Virginia in 1967. Wine tastings and tours of Farfelu's 1860s dairy barn-turned-tasting room are available daily except Tuesday and Wednesday, 11:00 am - 5:00 pm. For more information, visit www.farfeluwine.com, email info@farfeluwine.com or call 540/364-2930.

# # #