Vines & Wines Competition Judging Complete, Vinny Awards Planned for Spring of 2022
A panel of three judges completed the Nevada Vines & Wines annual competition judging in a two-day session earlier this month. The competition drew 101 entries from across the state, including commercial and home winemakers. There were also for the first time competitors from the Grape Expectations School of Winemaking in Las Vegas.
Story continues below…
Cellar Rat Liane DeGiovanni unpacks entries on December 4, 2021. Photo: Grape Basin News
Cellar Rats Renee Andrini and Liane DeGiovanni pour for judges Roger and Colleen Stockton on December 4, 2021. Photo: Grape Basin News
Vines & Wines was pleased with the quality of the entries, said event organizer Kathy Halbardier. “We have experienced nothing but improvement over the years,” she said. “The quality has gone up.”
Halbardier says Nevada’s winemakers have gained experience, and the state’s vines have matured, producing better grapes. Maturing vines and growing expertise in the community of winemkaers have made a notable difference in the products, she told Grape Basin News
Vines & Wines expects to host the Vinny Awards early next year. The first Vinny Awards was held in 2019. COVID-19 prevented a Vinny Awards show in 2020. The competition encountered hurdles in 2021 that delayed judging, and pushed the awards presentation into 2022.
More photos below…
Cellar Rats, clockwise from left: Renee Andrini, Liane DeGiovanni, Craig DeGiovanni. Photo: Grape Basin News
Kathy Halbardier prepares glasses for wine judging on December 4, 2021. Photo: Grape Basin News
Wine judges from left: Roger Stockton, Colleen Stockton and Bill Staehlin on December 4, 2021. Photo: Grape Basin News
