August 7th, 2021 proved to be a beautifully bewitching night for attendees of the Bacchus Awards, Hallowine Edition. 400 guests attended this annual tradition hosted by Grape Expectations School of Winemaking at The Orleans Hotel & Casino Ballroom. Unlimited red wine, an incredible feast, entertainment, and live music were enjoyed by all. Beyond the decadence & festivities enjoyed, the crescendo for most was the announcements of the top wine honors of the 2020 varietal year for winemakers at Grape Expectations.
Hundreds of wines were submitted to the American Wine Society East Las Vegas Chapter for evaluation. 14 categories of wines were judged. Gold, Silver, Bronze & Meritorious medals were awarded. Gold winners in each of the 14 categories then went head to head for a Best in Show showdown. The following are the results of the competition:
BACCHUS AWARD WINNERS
BEST OF SHOW, 2020 VINTAGE
MERITORIOUS
Ken Lillestrand
60% Cabernet, 25% Merlot, 5% Cab Franc, 5% Malbec, 5% Petit Verdot
BRONZE
Deanna Paquette
45% Cab Franc, 30% Malbec, 15% Cabernet, 10% Merlot, 10% Tempranill0
SILVER
Melissa Campanella 85% Cabernet, 15% Merlot
GOLD
Vince Cuomo, 80% Sangiovese, 20% Petite Sirah
BACCHUS AWARD MEDAL WINNERS, 2020 VINTAGE
CHILEAN WINES
Gold: Mark Swaffer
Silver: Linda Faulk
Bronze: Social Barrel #11
Meritorious: Ryan Bowen
SOUTH AFRICAN WINES
Gold: Chrystee Hill
Silver: Social Barrel #12
Bronze: Don Oldenburg
Meritorious: Steve Hamlin
CALIFORNIA WINES
Adventurous Blends
Gold: Linda Faulk
Silver: Tara Traynor-Grimes
Bronze: April Larsen
Meritorious: Curtis Obi
Bordeaux Style Blends
Gold: Ken Lillestrand
Silver: Theresa Saucier
Bronze: Social Barrel #15
Meritorious: Tony Mahoney
Zinfandel/OVZ
Gold: Susan Roske
Silver: Chris Carroll #2
Bronze: Bob Path #1
Meritorious: Patty Bowman #1
Cabernet Sauvignon
Gold: Melissa Campanella
Silver: John Pellissier
Bronze: Don Pike
Meritorious: Jay Bullard
Italian Blends
Gold: LVEA
Silver: Jon Bradford
Bronze: Dave Carter
Meritorious: Candice Tung
Cabernet Sauvignon Blends
Gold: Deanna Paquette
Silver: Curt Francois
Bronze: Randy Donald #1
Meritorious: Mike Scott
Sangiovese
Gold: Vince Cuomo
Silver: Lisa Lucchese #1
Bronze: Chris Carroll #1
Meritorious: John Silva #3
Rhone Style Blends
Gold: Jim Caviola
Silver: Jenah Victor
Bronze: Jill Tillmon
Meritorious: Kim Farkas
Syrah
Gold: Darren Gillett #1
Silver: Linda Perez/Shade Tree
Bronze: Cindy George
Meritorious: Linda Spacil
Zinfandel Blends
Gold: Mary Arlint #1
Silver: Jay Sawyer
Bronze: Gena Allison
Meritorious: Andrea Johnson
Rioja Blends
Gold: Mary Arlint #2
Silver: Adam Burns
Bronze: Randy Donald #2
Meritorious: Tom Wagner
Malbec
Gold: Nicole Sharp #2
Silver: Bob Path #2
Bronze: Sheila Grosse
We send a big congratulations to all the winemakers for participating & to the winners for their excellent wines. Medals were awarded to Barrel Leaders. If an additional medal for winemakers on the winning barrels is desired, please email umakeadawine@grapexlv.com.
