Honoring America’s wine-making prowess, The American Fine Wine Invitational (AFWI), one of the nation’s most prominent and prestigious wine events, has announced the stunning results! This year 850 wines from 230 wineries were included.

THE JUDGING took place over MLK weekend on January 15 & 16 at FIU’s Chaplin School of Hospitality & Tourism Management. Over the course of two full days, 24 judges tasted and awarded medals to the invited wines.

BEST OF CLASS

BOC Sauvignon Blanc-               ’14 Marston Family Vineyard, “Albion”, Yountville         $50

BOC Chardonnay-                        ’13 Mi Sueno, Sonoma Mountain                                            $54

BOC Riesling-                                ’15 Glenora Wine Cellars, Finger Lakes, NY                         $15

BOC Dry Rose-                              ’15 Fulcrum, “Cloisonne”  Lake County                                $24

BOC Pinot Noir-                           ’14 Benovia Winery, Tilton Hill, Sonoma Coast                  $60

BOC Malbec-                                 ’13 Kestrel Vintners, Yakima, WA                                            $45

BOC Merlot –                                 ’13 Tenor Columbia Valley, WA                                                $58

BOC Other Red Blend-              ‘13 Maldonado Family Vineyards, Proprietary Red, Napa $38

BOC Zinfandel-                           ’13 Jeff Cohn Cellars, Cassata Vineyard, Sonoma                $42

BOC Sangiovese-                        ‘14 Luna Vineyards, Napa                                                           $42

BOC Grenache-                           ’15 Oak Farm Vineyards, Lodi                                                    $27

BOC Red Bordeaux StyleBlend’13 Alpha Omega Propriety Red Blend, Napa                        $98

BOC Cabernet Franc-                ’13 Vinoce Vineyards, Mt. Veeder                                             $75

BOC Petite Sirah-                        ’13 Robert Biale “E.B.A.”, Napa                                                $75

BOC Syrah-                                   ’13 VIE Las Madres Vineyard, Los Carneros                           $49

BEST OF SHOW

BOS Sparkling-                NV Mumm Napa, “Santana” Brut, Napa                                            $50

BOS Dessert Wine      ’11 John y Vineyards Late Harvest Sauvignon Blanc, Napa                $65

BOS White-                ’15 Chehalem Vineyards,  Gruner Veltliner, Ribbon Ridge, OR          $24

BOS Red-                    ’13 Baldacci Family, Cabernet Sauvignon “Ruppert”, Napa               $125

All of the wines entered into the judging will be available for tasting at the highly anticipated AFWI Charity Wine Gala being hosted this year at the DCOTA, and taking place on April 29^th.

The Gala includes a “Sparkling” reception, The Wine Walk, and a magnificent wine-centric dinner, during which, the award winning wines will be poured by the AFWI “Wine Angels”.  There will be a live auction, a silent auction and a “Premium” wine auction, as well as live entertainment and the opportunity to dine with your favorite Dolphin player all while raising money to support The Dolphins Cancer Challenge.

AFWI WINERIES AND WINEMAKERS OF THE YEAR

• Violet Grgich, COO, Grgich Hills Estate, Rutherford, CA
• Pam Starr, proprietor and winemaker, Crocker and Starr, St. Helena, CA
• Greg La Follette, winemaker, La Follette Wines, Sebastapol, CA
• Ron Fenolio, CEO, Veedercrest Wines

The Gala will be preceded by a ZAP (Zinfandel Advocates & Producers) tasting on April 28^th.