State Fair ‘Double Gold’ Presentation is Thursday (Aug. 26)
Valley Growers, Fresno State Winemakers to Present 2004 Wine Awards

NOTE: Fresno State’s Viticulture Enology program is featured in the September issue of Sunset Magazine.

As the wine-grape crush season moves into full swing, California State University, Fresno’s enology program and Valley growers will present the latest awards from this year’s wine competitions -- including a rare double gold medal won at this summer’s California State Fair competition -- on Thursday, Aug. 26, on campus.

Fresno State’s wines have garnered a record 59 medals for the 2003- 04 judging season, reinforcing once again the Central Valley’s status as a producer of top wines in the state and the world.

The state fair medals -- 10 won by five wines -- will be presented to the university at the presentation while the program and its students and grower partners will be honored for all the awards won this past year. The 30-minute ceremony will be held prior to the Department of Viticulture and Enology’s “Welcome Back BBQ” on the lawn west of the viticulture and enology facilities.

An audience of new and returning viticulture and enology students are expected to attend this event lead by Ken Fugelsang, winemaster and associate professor of enology; John Gianinni, the winery’s new winemaker; and Robert Wample, department chair and director of the Department of Viticulture and Enology and Viticulture and Enology Research Center, respectively.  

The ceremony will also acknowledge the contributions of several San Joaquin Valley growers who have produced grapes for many of the university’s top wines this season.  Ralph Fasi (Fasi Vineyards, Madera County), John Duarte (Duarte Linden Hills Vineyards, San Joaquin County), John Diener (John Diener Vineyards, Fresno County), and Ralph Saroyan (George Saroyan Vineyards, Fresno County) are among the growers who will be recognized.

In 2004, the Fresno State Winery participated in seven wine competitions throughout the state with 13 wines receiving 59 medals: the California State Fair, New World International, Los Angeles County Fair, Orange County Fair, Long Beach Grand Cru, San Francisco International and West Coast Wine Competition.

The California State Fair opened Friday, Aug. 20 and runs through Sept. 6 at the Cal Expo grounds in Sacramento.  

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EDITORS and NEWS/PUBLIC AFFAIRS DIRECTORS: Press releases can be downloaded at www.fresnostatenews.com. University Relations also provides releases for news media companies via e-mail. To be added to the distribution list, send your e-mail address to tomu@csufresno.edu.