Sunset Magazine features program

Fresno State ’s viticulture and enology program gained prominent attention with a feature story in the September issue of Sunset Magazine.

Sunset reporter Charity Ferreira visited the campus in late March on an assignment coordinated through the University Communications office. She toured the campus farm but focused on the winery and interviews with Dr. Robert Wample and winemaster Kenneth Fugelsang.

The story was prompted as part of the reporter’s coverage of the Winemaster’s Weekend at Tenaya Lodge in March.  The 2005 event has been schedule for March 4 and 5.

The wine program recently won a rare Double Gold Medal at the 2004 California State Fair for its Muscat Canelli.

The state fair medals --10 won by five wines -- were presented to the university in September, prior to the Department of Viticulture and Enology’s “Welcome Back BBQ.”

The ceremony will also acknowledge the contributions of several San Joaquin Valley growers who have produced grapes for many of the university’s top wines this season.  Ralph Fasi ( Fasi Vineyards, Madera County), John Duarte (Duarte Linden Hills Vineyards, San Joaquin County), John Diener (John Diener Vineyards, Fresno County), and Ralph Saroyan (George Saroyan Vineyards, Fresno County) are among the growers who were recognized.

In 2004, the Fresno State Winery participated in seven wine competitions throughout the state with 13 wines receiving 59 medals: the California State Fair, New World International, Los Angeles County Fair, Orange County Fair, Long Beach Grand Cru, San Francisco International and West Coast Wine Competition.