Carlson wins World Cup Riesling Award

Click here to see the newspaper article, "Riesling from Colo. honored as best in world" - Denver Business Journal.

Carlson Vineyards 2003 Riesling has been awarded the World Riesling Cup at the 28th International Eastern Wine Competition (IEWC). Results of the May 15-17 wine competition were announced June 18 at “Summer Bouquet,” a public tasting and IEWC Awards Gala held each year at the Corning Museum of Glass in Corning, New York.

The competition included 156 Rieslings from nine countries, 17 states, and two Canadian provinces. The wines competed in one of four Riesling categories -- dry, semi-dry, semi-sweet, or sweet. In addition to being named the top Riesling in the competition, Carlson’s Riesling received a Double Gold medal and was named “Best of Class” in the semi-sweet category.

Carlson Vineyards is the first Colorado winery to earn the World Riesling Cup and the first to win any Riesling award in the prestigious IEWC World Riesling Championship, explained competition chairman Richard Leahy. “It’s encouraging to see this quality of Riesling coming from emerging wine regions … regions not particularly known for Rieslings,” says Leahy.

Carlson Vineyards owners, winemaker Parker Carlson and his wife Mary, attended the IEWC gala event held in the Finger Lakes region of New York, an area renown for producing quality Riesling wines. “This is quite an honor for us and the Colorado wine industry,” says Parker Carlson. “Of course, every year’s grape crop and wine production are different, but we are looking forward to an excellent 2004 Riesling as well.” The winery’s 2004 Riesling should be available for purchase in spring of 2005.

Several other Carlson wines received medals at the IEWC: 2003 Gewurztraminer received a Silver medal and 2003 Prairie Dog Blush and Cherry received Bronze medals. The trade magazine Vineyard & Winery Management sponsors the International Eastern Wine Competition.

Early pioneers in the Colorado wine industry, both Mary and Parker served on the Colorado Wine Industry Development Board. Planting their Riesling vineyard in 1981, they started their Palisade winery in 1988, making Carlson’s the fourth commercial winery established in Colorado. The state now boasts more than 50 wineries. Carlsons have always been dedicated to developing regional wines of 100 percent Colorado-grown grapes and fruit. A line of premium wines is bottled under the “Cougar Run” label. Carlson wines are available in liquor stores and wine shops across the state and through www.carlsonvineyards.com.

Carlson Vineyards, located at 461 35 Road in Palisade, is open year ‘round for tours, tasting, and retail sales, 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., except Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s Day. More information is available by calling 970-464-5554, 888-464-5554, and at www.carlsonvineyards.com.