Sonoma County winemaker takes home top prize at prestigious wine competition

The Los Angeles Invitational Wine & Spirits Challenge announced the winners of its second annual competition this week, and Sonoma County winery Russian River Vineyards took home the Best of the Best in the wine category. Their 2018 Austin Vineyard pinot noir wins the top red wine, earning a Double Gold rating and 99 points. The judges described the wine as "age-worthy," "complex," "very round with great acidity," "full-bodied," and "savory." The wine comes from grapes grown in a vineyard planted by world-renowned winemaker Anthony Austin. Giovanni Balistreri, the winemaker and CEO of Russian River Vineyards, expressed his pride in winning the competition with a wine made from his mentor's vineyard.

Winning the competition means a lot to Sonoma County residents and consumers, as it highlights the region's quality wine production and brings exposure to the area. The Los Angeles Invitational Wine & Spirits Challenge is a prestigious competition that attracts entries worldwide, making the competition fierce.

Giovanni Balistreri was thrilled to be named Best of the Best, as it was a tribute to his mentor and friend Anthony Austin. The grapes used to make the wine were grown in a vineyard planted by Austin, a world-renowned winemaker. Balistreri has dedicated himself to upholding the same standards set by Austin when it comes to wine production.

Balistreri has been able to showcase his skills in winemaking by creating a wine that stood out in a competition with over 1,000 entries. The wine's description by the judges as "age-worthy," "complex," "very round with great acidity," "full-bodied," and "savory" is a testament to Balistreri's commitment to producing top-quality wine.

Winning the competition also brings recognition to Sonoma County's wine production, highlighting the region's ability to produce wine that can compete with the best in the world.