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Accolades
Our commitment to distinctive, cool-climate Carneros wines made to pair perfectly with food has caught the attention of more than a few wine lovers over the years. Following are just some of our most recent accolades and reviews for our current vintages.
Food & Wine names Gloria Ferrer one of the world's most pivotal wineries!
"Spanish wine maven Jose Ferrer founded this lovely estate in Sonoma in 1986, naming it after his wife, Gloria. The estate vineyards are heavily planted to Pinot Noir, which often takes the lead role in the finest wines, such as the Royal Cuvee."
- Food & Wine Magazine, Wine Guide 2012
Wine & Spirits recognizes the Ferrers are one of the great families in wine.
- Wine & Spirits, Fall 2011
2000 Carneros Cuvee
97 POINTS
- Wilfred Wong, December 2011
95 POINTS
"The winery held back this brutstyle
wine for eleven years. Even at this great age, the wine tastes young and vibrant in acidity, with rich strawberry, orange, lime and yeast flavors, finished with sweet vanilla. Tastes beautiful now, but extraordinary as it is, it should gain traction over the next ten years."
- Wine Enthusiast Magazine, December 15, 2011
90 POINTS
"Lush and elegant, with baked apple tart aromas and complex, layered flavors of Asian pear, cinnamon and lemon custard. Drink now through 2014."
- Wine Spectator Insider, October 19, 2011
TOP 100 WINES
"This long-aged reserve bottle from Ferrer shows its commitment to the potential of Carneros. After a full decade on its lees, this is simultaneously opulent and precise. Aromas of citrus pith, thyme, pear skin and yeast underscore remarkable youth for a 10-year-old wine."
- San Francisco Chronicle, Top 100 Wines 2011
2007 Brut Rose
91 POINTS
"A really nice sparkling wine from Gloria Ferrer. Mostly Pinot Noir, with some Chardonnay, it has a dark copper color and is full-bodied and rich in raspberry and strawberry flavors. Feels crisp and satisfying. Best over the next few years"
- Wine Enthusiast Magazine, December 15, 2011
90 POINTS
"Floral strawberry, apple and graham cracker aromas lead to crisp, vibrant watermelon and citrus flavors that end with a crisp mineral finish. Drink now."
- Wine Spectator Insider, October 19, 2011
2011 Gold Medals
Sonoma County Harvest Fair - Mike Lee Memorial Award
Sonoma County Harvest Fair - Sweepstakes Specialty Wine
Anniversary Cuvée
91 POINTS
"This is beautiful bubbly for celebration, recreation or quiet contemplation. With all the delicate, lacey attributes one expects from fine blanc de blancs, Anniversary Cuvée has plenty of flash and substance as well. From its tantalizing slightly floral aroma to its long and memorable finish, this is among the very top California sparkling wines. Created to celebrate the winery’s 25th anniversary, it’s a perfect pour for any commemorative occasion--or for no special reason other than the desire to enjoy a lovely bubbly."
- Marguerite Thomas, WineReviewOnline.com, October 2011
2004 Royal Cuvée
"Make your mother feel like a queen with this sparkling wine, whose first vintage was served to the King and Queen of Spain when they visited California in 1987. The 2004 vintage is a blend of two-thirds Pinot Noir and one-third Chardonnay grown on the winery's estate vineyard in the Carneros region of Napa Valley. On the nose, it offers a bouquet of peach and toast. In the mouth, it reveals apple and pear flavors with a hint of butterscotch."
- Gayot, "Top 10 Mother's Day Wines", April 2012
2006 Blanc de Blancs
89 POINTS
"Chardonnay grapes star in this
rich bubbly. It’s attractive in pear, orange, papaya and toast flavors, with a fine edge of sourdough yeast. The bubbles are a little scoury, but otherwise this is a good price for a vintage sparkling wine."
- Wine Enthusiast Magazine, December 15, 2010
2011 Gold Medals
Winemaker Challenge International Wine Competition
Florida State Fair
Monterey Wine Competition - Best of Show Sparkling Wine
Va de Vi
92 POINTS
"Pretty gold hue with very small, active bubbles. Intriguing scents of pear nectar, peach juice and light floral fragrances. Creamy entry with a nice spiciness that accents continuing pear, vanilla and a touch of red fruit. Tangy finish marked by minerality and sweet citrus acidity."
- Wine News, Winter 2010
90 POINTS
"Va de Vi is pure hedonism in a glass. It envelops the palate in luscious, sweet flavors and textures, then sweeps everything clean with a stimulating rush of tiny, tangy bubbles. The wine is saturated with pear, cherry and apple perfumes plus down-to-earth toasty, yeasty elements, with everything balanced by beguiling sweetness."
- Marguerite Thomas, WineReviewOnline.com, October 2011
2011 Gold Medals
San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition
Florida State Fair
Grand Harvest Awards
Blanc de Noirs
90 POINTS - EDITORS' CHOICE
"There’s a lot going on for the price in
this honeyed, rich blush wine. Pinot Noir gives hints of strawberries, while Chardonnay contributes limes and oranges. The result is a smooth, crisp sipper for drinking now."
- Wine Enthusiast Magazine, December 15, 2011
91 POINTS, Editor's Choice
“More full-bodied than
the winery’s brut, this Pinot Noir based bubbly also is richer. It’s just beautiful in raspberries and strawberries, with brighter touches of lime, and although the wine has a honeyed sweetness, its zesty acidity makes it finish dry.”
- Wine Enthusiast, December 15, 2010
2012 Gold Medals
Pacific Rim Wine Competition - Sweepstakes
2011 Gold Medals
International Womens' Wine Competition - Best Sparkling
Sonoma County Harvest Fair
Florida State Fair - Double Gold, Best of Show Sparkling Wine
Grand Harvest Awards
Monterey Wine Competition
Sonoma Brut
88 POINTS
"This bubbly bursts with fresh apple and citrus fruit and lively, spicy lemon, tart pear and anise flavors."
- Wine Spectator, December 31, 2010 - January 15, 2011
90 POINTS
"A wonderfully drinkable sparkling wine that appeals immediately for its balanced texture and rich flavors."
- Wine Enthusiast, December 15, 2010
2011 Gold Medals
Winemaker Challenge International Wine Competition - Best of Show Sparkling Wine
Floria State Fair
Grand Harvest Awards
Monterey Wine Competition
2005 Rust Rock Terrace Pinot Noir
2009 Gold Medals
North of The Gate Wine Competition
2006 Gravel Knob Vineyard Pinot Noir
2011 Gold Medals
San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition
2005 José S. Ferrer Pinot Noir
2009 Gold Medals
Sommelier Challenge
2008 Carneros Pinot Noir
91 POINTS, EDITOR'S CHOICE
"What a great price for a Pinot Noir with this charm and integrity. It's a wonderful wine, dry and rich in raspberry, cherry and spice flavors. Feels svelte and silky in the mouth, just like you want Pinot to be."
- Wine Enthusiast, April 2012
91 POINTS
"A California Pinot Noir that emphasizes elegance over sheer power. It conveys a refreshing delicacy often lacking in California Pinot Noir and marries spice with bright red fruit flavors...it allows the magic of Pinot Noir to bloom in the glass."
- Michael Apstein, Wine Review Online, December 27, 2011
2005 Carneros Merlot
"Wine of the Week: Merlot: Scouting for the most appealing, seamless Merlot"
3 1/2 stars! Juicy, with aromas and flavors of currant, herbs, pepper and licorice. Firm tannins..."
- The Press Democrat, December 3, 2008
2011 Gold Medals
Florida State Fair
Grand Harvest Awards
2008 Carneros Chardonnay
89 POINTS
"Another solid Chardonnay from Gloria, continuing a string of recent successes...with oak, buttered toast, pineapple, creme brulee and custard spice flavors, brightened with exceptionally brisk acidity."
- Wine Enthusiast, April 2012
"A round chardonnay with tasty aromas and flavors. Notes of baked apple, pear, honey and spice. Layered flavors. Nice length."
- Press Democrat, March 2012
2008 Carneros Pinot Noir Rose
WINE OF THE WEEK
Dan Berger's Vintage Experiences name 2008 Gloria Ferrer Pinot Noir Rose as Wine as the Week.
- December 3, 2009
