The Alameda County Fair proudly announces this year’s top awards for the Best of the Bay Wine Competition & Zin Challenge, which took place May 17-18, at the fairgrounds in Pleasanton.

Best of White Bay Wine - Wente Vineyards 2008 Chardonnay Riva Ranch, Arroyo Seco

Best of Bay Red Wine - J. Lohr Vineyards 2007 Merlot, Los Osos, Paso Robles

Best of Bay Dessert - Chouinard 2006 Petite Sirah Port, Mohr-Fry Ranch, Lodi

Best of Zin Challenge - Rock Wall Wine Co. 2008 Zinfandel, Sonoma County

This year 274 wines were entered and judged from 64 wineries by three panels of judges.

A total of 18 Gold medals were awarded to wineries who entered the Best of the Bay Wine Competition, which is open to all commercially bonded wineries located in Alameda, Contra Costa, Marin, San Benito, San Francisco, San Mateo, Santa Clara, Santa Cruz and Solano counties.

2010 marks the fourth year for the Zin Challenge, a unique “competition within a competition”. Celebrating one of California’s most popular red wines, the Zin Challenge attracted 79 entries from 45 wineries. A total of 8 Gold medals were awarded in the Zin Challenge, which is open to all commercially bonded wineries within the United State producing Zinfandel.

A complete list of all the medal winners can be viewed by Clicking Here

The public is invited to mingle with the winemakers and taste the gold medal wines at the upcoming Best of the Bay Wine Competition & Zin Challenge Awards Reception & Wine Tasting Event, slated for Wednesday June 30, from 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm, at the Alameda County Fair Palm Pavilion.

Tickets for this special wine tasting event are $50.00 per couple, which also includes Preferred Parking and Fair Admission for two adults. This event will most likely sell out so reserve your ticket now at: 925-426-7678 or email wine@alamedacountyfair.com

All wines entered into both competitions will be displayed in the Wine Garden throughout the Alameda County Fair, June 23 through July 11 (closed Tuesdays).

Conveniently located off of the Bernal Exit from the 680 Highway in Pleasanton California, the 267 acres of beautifully-landscaped, park-like grounds is host to over 3 million visitors annually, for events which include trade and consumer shows, festivals, corporate picnics, and much more. For more information about the Alameda County Fairgrounds, the annual Fair, and the 2010 Fair Concert Series, please Click Here or call 925-426-7600.