Kentucky Department of Agriculture

Jean Farris Winery earned a double gold medal for its 2007 Cabernet Sauvignon from the 2012 San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition. The double gold is the greatest achievement to date of any Kentucky wine in the Chronicle competition, the nation’s largest competition of American wines.

“This award of double gold for our Cabernet Sauvignon at such a prestigious competition is a true honor," owner Jeanie O'Daniel said. "We are very proud to have earned this double gold medal for Kentucky."

Jean Farris Winery will pour its winning wine at a public tasting Feb. 18 at the Fort Mason Center in San Francisco. The Lexington winery also won a silver medal in All Other Varietals/Blends $20 and over for its Cuvee.

Jean Farris also operates an elegant bistro in the vineyards and has been recognized by New York’s James Beard Foundation for its wines and food.

Smith-Berry Vineyard and Winery of New Castle won a silver medal and two bronze medals at the Chronicle competition.

The 2012 San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition set a record with 5,500 entries from across America and has been the largest competition of American wines in the world for nine consecutive years. Sixty-five judges from all ranges of the wine industry and country were brought to San Francisco to assess the entries.

Winemaker Ben O’Daniel is a native Kentuckian who fell in love with wine and the vineyards growing up in his family’s winery in Springfield. Ben has been producing wines commercially for the past 17 years. He and Jeanie live on the vineyard property. When asked about “living” on the job, O’Daniel replied, “It is a joy going to work each day. My office is the beauty of Kentucky, my commute is a walk in the vineyards, and my only project is creating things I love.”

 

Click here for a complete list of winners in the 2012 San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition.