Best Western Plus Black Oak Blog

Image: Kumweni
 
We all know that California’s gorgeous central coast is overflowing with mind-blowing options when it comes to fine wines, but if you really want to sample the best of the best, it’s well worth paying attention to the winners of the 2018 Central Coast Wine Competition.
 
Taking place at the California Mid-State Fair earlier this month, the prestigious Central Coast Wine Competition promotes the excellent quality and diversity of commercial wineries and grape growers in the fastest growing wine region in California.
 
Now in its 16th year, the competition consists of a public tasting of the 150 top-winning wines, along with the unveiling of Winery of the Year and other industry awards.
 
Best in Show went to Alara Cellars’ 2017 Grenache Blanc, sourced from San Benito County. The honour came after judges awarded it a Double Gold Medal and deemed it both Best in Class (Grenache Blanc) and overall Best White Wine. 
 
Alara’s win marks the first time a Grenache Blanc – a variety that has become a fixture of Central Coast wine – has ever been bestowed Best in Show in the competition’s 16-year history. There were nine total Grenache Blanc entries this year. 
 
In recent years, Grenache Blanc has become synonymous with the Central Coast wine region. It grows extremely well in practically all the Central Coast appellations.
 
The Best Red Wine was awarded to Cass Vineyard & Winery’s 2016 Mourvèdre. The Paso Robles winery also won a Gold Medal and was awarded Best in Class for the same wine. 
 
Best Pink Wine went to Opolo Vineyards 2017 Rosé. The Rosé from the Paso Robles winery also won a Gold Medal and was awarded Best in Class for the Any Rosé Blends category.
 
Best Sparkling Wine was awarded to Laetitia Vineyard & Winery’s 2015 Brut Rosé. The same bubbles from the Arroyo Grande winery also claimed a Gold Medal. It was also awarded Best in Class in the Méthode Champenoise category.
 
Best Dessert Wine was awarded to Glunz Family Winery’s Mission Angelica. The wine from the Paso Robles winery also won a Gold Medal and was awarded Best in Class in the Fortified Wine category. This is the second year in a row that Mission Angelica has been awarded Best Dessert Wine.
 
Of the more than 700 wine entries, a record number – that’s nearly 150 Gold Medals - were awarded to wineries located in the Central Coast counties of Alameda, San Mateo, Contra Costa, San Benito, Monterey, San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara, and Ventura.
 
If you’re heading off to sample the fine wines of California’s Central Coast, the BEST WESTERN PLUS Black Oak Hotel is a perfect accommodation. The property features a variety of well-appointed rooms and suites, along with an on-site restaurant, heated pool, sauna, hot tub and fitness center.