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Enology Wins International Wine
Awards for Second Year

Enology students Brian Cheeseborough and Gina Oberti with Winemaster Kenneth Fugelsang.

By Tom Uribes

The 2001 California Rose' - with a gold medal and best of class - led six Fresno State student-produced wines in winning honors at the recent 12th Annual Jerry Mead 2002 New World International Wine Competition.

A total of 10 awards - the gold, best of class, five silver medals and a bronze, and two awards for bottle labels - were presented to Fresno State's Department of Viticulture and Enology representatives on April 14 at the "Jerry D. Mead Inland Empire Wine Extravaganza, Gold Medal Showcase and Auction" in Ontario.

Fresno State winemaster Ken Fugelsang said the 2001 California Rosé, grown from a blend of Fresno County vineyards and produced by students in the enology program at Fresno State, is a slightly sweet, light red wine featuring vibrant colors coupled with fresh fruit aromas.

"The California Rosé's bright cherry and strawberry flavors tantalize the palate," Fugelsang said. "Served chilled, our 2001 Rosé is the perfect companion to light lunch venues."

Fresno State's Jerry Mead award-winning wines are:

o The 2000 President's Reserve Primitivo (Silver Medal) - produced from grapes grown by Duarte Nursery's Linden Hills Ranch near Stockton in San Joaquin County. This is a new wine released last fall in honor of Fresno State President Dr. John D. Welty.

o The 1999 California Syrah, 14.35% alcohol (Silver Medal) - produced from grapes grown by the John Diener Vineyard in western Fresno County.

o The 2000 California Syrah (Silver Medal) - produced from grapes grown in the Fresno State Vineyards.

o The 2001 White Zinfandel (Silver Medal) - produced from grapes grown in Stanislaus and Fresno counties, including the Fresno State Vineyards.

o Fresno State Red Wine Vinegar (Silver Medal) - a blend from grapes grown in Fresno County, including Fresno State Vineyards.

o The 1999 California Syrah, 13.75% alcohol (Bronze Medal) - produced from grapes grown by the John Diener Vineyard in western Fresno County.

In the Associates Label Competition, two student-designed labels won silver medals: the President's Reserve Primitivo and the John Diener Syrah Series.

The Primitivo label was designed by Sally Norcross, who won an annual label design contest held in conjunction with the university's Art and Design Department.

The John Diener Syrah series labels were developed by the department and illustrated by Adriana Shmahalo, who graduated in 1999 with a master's degree in art (graphic design option) from Fresno State.

Fresno State is the only university in the nation with a facility licensed to operate as a "commercial" winery as part of its overall educational program. Operated independent of the university by the Agricultural Foundation, the state received its license in 1998 and now also sells its products in local retail outlets.

All proceeds from the market benefit the College of Agricultural Sciences and Technology programs.

The Jerry Mead competition, held Feb. 17-18 in Ontario, was open to wines produced anywhere in the "New World," including all of North America, Central America and South America, Australia, New Zealand and South Africa.

Back to University Journal, 5/03 Issue