Local winery brings home gold at Jefferson Cup Invitational

Augusta Wine Company and Tony Kooyumjian, owner and winemaker for Augusta and Montelle wineries, took home three Jefferson Cup awards at this year’s Jefferson Cup Invitational.  Augusta Winery was one of only two wineries to receive more than one Jefferson Cup.

The Jefferson Cup Invitational is a 13-year-old competition founded by Doug Frost, one of only three individuals in the world to have achieved the titles of Master Sommelier and Master of Wine.

“In most other competitions there is ‘open’ seating, andCaliforniarepresents 90 percent of the entries,” Frost said. “As a result it usually captures 90 percent of the honors. I can now foresee a time when that will not happen.”

The invited wines have all proven their excellence throughout the year in competitions and tastings. The Jefferson Cup Invitational is an opportunity to narrow down the ‘best of the best’ and grab the nation’s attention for those wines that are deserving of such an honor.

Out of more than 700 wines in this year’s competition, the judges selected 79 wines as Jefferson Cup nominees. Out of those 79 honored wines, just 29 wines were awarded the Jefferson Cup. Both vinifera and non-vinifera wines were selected, reflecting one of the goals of this particular competition of respecting the diversity of American viticulture and Jefferson’s own acceptance of native varieties and hybrids.

Augusta Winery’s 2010 Estate Bottled Norton and 2011 Seyval Blanc were awarded the Jefferson Cup. Both of these wines are only available at this time in a special Jeffersonian Holiday gift pack.

Montelle Winery’s 2011 Chardonel received a Jefferson Cup and is currently available at the winery. Other awards received were the Medal of Merit (equivalent to Silver) for Augusta 2009 Estate Chambourcin, Augusta 2011 Estate Vidal Blanc, Montelle 2010 Norton and Medals of Excellence (equivalent to Gold) for Montelle 2011 Chambourcin and Montelle 2011 Dry Vignoles.

Augusta Winery was founded in 1988 by owner and winemaker Tony Kooyumjian. Located inAugustaon the corner ofJacksonand High streets off of Hwy. 94.

Montelle Winery was founded in 1970 by Clayton Byers and later purchased by present owner and winemaker Tony Kooyumjian in 1998 to become part of Augusta Wine Company. Montelle Winery is off Hwy. 94 in Augusta.