Another Big Win for 2008 Reserve Cabernet

McGrail Vineyards and Winery Cabernet Wins Best Cabernet for the Ladies in Cabernet Shootout 2012

LIVERMORE, CA – January 31, 2012  – McGrail Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve from McGrail Vineyards and Winery, a family-owned producer of premium wines in the Livermore Valley, recently placed in the top thirty at the 7^th Annual Cabernet Shootout and was then voted the number one wine for women by the three hundred consumers that showed up at The Winery SF on Treasure Island.

The 7^th Annual Cabernet Shootout hosted by Affairs of the Vine and the Bay Area Wine Society included 287 Cabernet Sauvignon entrants from 56 different appellations. This prestigious blind tasting was conducted by two panels—one all male and one all female. The wine writers, sommeliers, winemakers and wine professionals blindly taste over a period of 6 to 12 weeks.  

McGrail Vineyards’ 2008 Reserve Cabernet was among the top ten wines selected by both the male and female panelists, scoring a 91 and 4 hearts, the highest honor.  The top 32 wines were then invited to San Francisco for a large consumer tasting event and competition.

The 2008 McGrail Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve from McGrail was voted the number one wine for women by Bay Area Wine Society and placed in the top 4 for men’s favorite Cabernet. The wine is well balanced with notes of black cherries, vanilla, blackberries, dark caramel, cola and toasted marshmallows.

McGrail Vineyards and Winery, located in the Livermore Valley American Viticultural Area in Northern California, is owned by the McGrail family.  The 2008 Reserve Cabernet took home the Sweepstakes Red Wine Win for the SF Chronicle just two weeks before winning with the Bay Area Wine Society.

Red Sweepstakes Award for McGrail Vineyards

McGrail Vineyards and Winery Cabernet 

named Best Red Wine in SF Chronicle Wine Competition

LIVERMORE, CA – January 31, 2012  – McGrail Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve from McGrail Vineyards and Winery, a family-owned producer of premium wines in the Livermore Valley, won the Sweepstakes Red Wine Award from the 2012 San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition.

McGrail Vineyards and Winery was one of six Sweepstakes wine winners in the competition.  Categories include Sparking, Rose, White, Red, Dessert, and Label Design.

The San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition has awarded Sonoma Valley, Russian River, and Paso Robles the Sweepstakes Red Wine Award in the past few years, but this is the first time Livermore Valley has achieved the highest accolade at the largest domestic wine competition in the US, with over 5,500 entrants.

The 2008 McGrail Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve from McGrail is well balanced with notes of blackberry, dark cherry, cassis, vanilla, dark caramel, and chocolate covered cherries.  The tannins give nice structure and the finish is velvety smooth. 

McGrail Vineyards and Winery, located in the Livermore Valley American Viticulture Area in Northern California, is owned by the McGrail family. The tasting room opened four years ago on the Greenville Hill with expansive views of the Valley.

Upcoming Wine Club Party at McGrail Vineyards

Saturday, June 25^th

Sunset Appreciation Party and Release of The Good Life Cabernet

5:30-8pm

We have traditionally held our “appreciation” party in the winter, but the biggest complaint is that the weather is cold.  So we are holding this fabulous night in June in hopes that we will have a beautiful evening outside.

You will get to taste our newest Release, 2008 A Jo Elet, The Good Life Cabernet, you will enjoy a glass of wine on us and you get to watch the sunset from our patio.  Wood-fired gourmet pizzas by Soleil will be available for purchase, so come with an appetite! 

We will have live music by Top Secret Band, so bring your dancing shoes.

As a special thank you, for your continued support, we will offer a 30% discount on case purchases of the following wines:

2007 Patriot Cabernet Sauvignon

2008 Wisner Vineyard Chardonnay

2009 McGrail Family Chardonnay

**Only available the evening of June 25^th**

Email your pre-orders, so we have your case ready.

MCGRAIL VINEYARDS AND WINERY AND TERRA MIA RESTAURANT ANNOUNCE FIRST WINEMAKERS DINNER

--Event to coincide with AMGEN Tour of California 4^th Stage Start

LIVERMORE, CA ––McGrail Vineyards and Winery, a family-owned producer of premium wines in the Livermore Valley, will partner with Terra Mia, local Livermore independent restaurant, for a Winemakers Dinner on Wednesday, May 18, 2011—perfect timing for cycling enthusiasts who plan to enjoy the AMGEN Tour in Livermore the same day.

Terra Mia and McGrail Vineyards and Winery are teaming up to offer authentic Italian cuisine and premium local wine.  Terra Mia, prides itself on traditional dishes made from scratch, with fresh, local ingredients so plan to “slow” down and enjoy a delicious four course meal paired with award-winning McGrail wines. 

Guests will start with caprese salads paired with newly released 2010 McGrail Vineyards Rose, then will enjoy a pasta or risotto dish with the 2007 Patriot Cabernet Sauvignon. For your entrée enjoy Sole with 2009 Chardonnay and Prime Rib with the exclusive 2007 Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve (sold out at the winery). Finish off with a dessert paired with McGrail’s first ever Petite Sirah from Casa de Vinas.

Italian tradition links food, wine, and quality time with family and friends, and McGrail Vineyards focuses on making great memories with good wine and friends.  Plan for an experience truly unique to the Livermore Valley.

Seats are limited and reservations are required for this event. The cost is $85 per person.  For reservations, please call (925) 456-3333.

Summer Concert Series at McGrail

It seems like more and more Livermore wineries are starting to have live music for you to enjoy. Well McGrail Vineyards is going to offer a new outdoor bar with the Music in the Vines Summer Concert Series. Here is the lineup so far:

May 28th

1:30-4:30PM

Hurricane Band

Alternative Rock, Classic Rock, Blues and Country

http://www.thehurricaneband.com/

June 19th

1-4PM

James Nagel

Singer/Songwriter Soulfoul Rock

http://www.jamesnagel.com/

July 9th

1:30-5PM

Bacchus Brothers

July 23rd

4-7PM

John Wayne Zink Band

Top 40 and Country

August 20th

1-5PM

Bay Area Heat

Bay Area’s Hottest Dance Band

http://www.thebayareaheat.com/

September 3rd

2-5PM

Sage Band

Funk

http://www.sagemusic.com/

Check out the website for more events: www.mcgrailvineyards.com

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.