Chicago Loves McGrail Wine!

 McGrail Vineyards and Winery www.mcgrailvineyards.com, family owned producer of premium wines from the Livermore Valley, chosen in the top 10 for Cabernet Shootout.

Affairs of the Vine hosted its 6^th Annual Cabernet Shootout, with 217 Cabernet Sauvignon entrants from 43 different appellations.  The shootout was a blind tasting from both a male and female panel of wine writers, sommeliers, winemakers, and wine professionals, including Wine Enthusiast Magazines, Steve Heimoff.  McGrail Vineyards placed in the top 10 for both the male and female panelist, scoring a 92 and 4 hearts, the highest honor.  The top 35 wines were invited to Chicago for a consumer based tasting event.

The Chicago Wine Club, an 80,000 member organization, for wine lovers, collectors, educators, sommeliers, and drinkers, hosted the Cabernet Grand Tasting on September 29^th, 2010 at the Blue Star Wine Bar in Chicago, Il. Over 200 members showed up to rate 34 Cabernet Sauvignons and Cabernet blends.  The men and women were supposed to vote for their top 3 favorite wines.  McGrail Vineyards and Winery won the top honors as the number 1 wine for the women of the Chicago Wine Club.  For more information please visit: http://www.affairsofthevine.com/

Here's what the expert panel had to say about McGrail Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve (the 4 hearts were the highest honor):

(92) Red

Female: This wine displays soft and beautiful rich fruit with eucalyptus accents peeking through. Predominantly cherry and plum flavors accented by caramel. Well integrated with nice acidity on the finish.

(92) Red

Male: Cedar, tobacco, and coffee with a touch of mocha lead the way to the lush mouthfeel ripe with cherry flavors. A very elegant wine.

McGrail Vineyards and Winery Wins Gold Medal at Indy Wine Competition

McGrail Vineyards and Winery, www.mcgrailvineyards.com, family owned producer of premium wines from the Livermore Valley, took home a Gold Medal at the recent Indy International Wine Competition.

McGrail Vineyards winning entry was among nearly 2,700 wines in the competition. Wine from 15 countries including France, Australia, Chile, and Spain were judged on appearance, aroma, taste, and aftertaste by 14 panels of judges. In all, 52 judges from the United States and Canada evaluated the entries, led by Professor Christian Butzke.

The Gold medal was awarded for their 2007 McGrail Vineyards Cabernet Reserve, a complex, rich, red wine that was aged in 90% new French, Hungarian, and American oak. The Indy International Wine Competition is the first gold medal received by McGrail Vineyards.

“With, Mark Clarin, our winemaker on board, we are hoping to see many more gold medals,” said Heather McGrail, McGrail’s president. “His 30 years of experience and knowledge in premium wines will only help elevate our brand. We couldn’t be more excited!” exclaims Jim McGrail, McGrail’s owner.

McGrail Vineyards and Winery, located in the Livermore Valley, is owned by the McGrail family and specializes in their estate grown Cabernet Sauvignon. The McGrail’s invite you to visit the tasting room between noon and 4:30 Friday, Saturday, Sunday, Monday. For more information, please visit www.mcgrailvineyards.com.