Merritt Winery

FORESTVILLE, N.Y. (April 3, 2009) – Merritt Estate Winery competed in the annual Finger Lakes International Wine Competition in March and won a medal for every wine that was entered. The wine competition featured wines from across the United States and other wine producing countries including Australia, Italy and France.

The Finger Lakes International Wine Competition was held March 28 and 29 in Rochester, New York. Proceeds from the competition went to benefit Camp Good Days and Special Times of Central New York.
The FLIWC began in 2000 and has established a strong reputation in the wine industry with a diversified group of experts from six countries and twelve US states. Each wine is judged solely on its own merits in terms of presence, balance and varietal character. The wine is presented to the blind panel of judges with no labels or brands to differentiate between companies. Merritt Estate Winery has entered the FLIWC for the past three years and has won at least three medals in the competition each year.

Last fall, Merritt created Bella Ice, a dessert wine made with Concord grapes. It was created in the image of the winery’s best selling Bella Rosa, also of the same grape. Each year Bella Rosa wins awards across the nation, and now the Bella Ice is following in the same path. The Bella Ice was awarded a gold medal, followed by silver medals for Pinot Grigio and Vidal Ice wine, and bronze medals for Bella Rosa, Chautauqua Blush and Riesling.

“The Bella Ice is one of the newest wines at our winery, and it has become one of our best sellers,” said Edwin Rodriguez, Marketing and Promotions Director for Merritt Estate Winery. “We are proud that the wine has gotten off to a quick start, winning a gold medal at this competition and a silver medal at the 2009 Grand Harvest Awards held in Sonoma, California,” said Rodriguez.

“The Finger Lakes International Wine Competition is the largest wine competition in New York State,” said Rodriguez, “and it is important to do well there because it is in our own backyard. We do very well in California and others state competitions, but we want to make sure consumers remember the Merritt name in our own region.”

For more information on Merritt Estate Winery news and events, call 888-965-4800 or visit www.merrittestatewinery.com.

Merritt Estate is located in the largest grape growing region of New York State. The grapes and wines produced under Merritt rival the quality of premium vintages throughout the world.