About the Competition

CAVE’s Amateur Winemakers Competition is held every year to encourage amateur winemakers and is open to any amateur home winemaker. The Competition will be run by Monty Haltiner. Monty has over 20 years of experience in the adult beverage industry in Colorado. He became a Certified Sommelier through the Court of Master Sommeliers in 2007. From 2010 to 2011, he served as a retail representative of the Colorado Wine Industry Development Board, appointed by Governor Bill Ritter. He has volunteered to run the Wine Aroma Wheel at the Colorado Mountain Festival and has judged amateur and professional wine competitions for several years. Monty has been a CAVE Board member since 2015.

Judging is done by blind tasting. Entrants will receive written comments from judges. An Awards Presentation will be held in conjunction with the VinCO Conference and Trade Show (VinCO Registration is not included with competition entry) Amateur winemakers and their guests are invited to attend the Reception, panel discussion, and luncheon free of charge.

2023 Amateur Winemakers Competition Results

BEST OF SHOW

Len Kusovac ● 2021 ● Vasilika

GOLD

Lars Eriksson ● 2022 ● Zweigelt
Chuck Gower ● 2019 ● Cab/Zin
Chuck Gower ● 2021 ● Cabernet Sauvignon
Len Kusovac ● 2021 ● Vasilika

SILVER

Lars Eriksson ● 2022 ● Syrah
Chuck Gower ● 2022 ● Pinot Noir
Chuck Gower ● 2019 ● Zinfandel
Chuck Gower ● 2017 ● Retirement Red
Dwight Kinnes ● 2022 ● Chardonnay
Kathleen Ondrus ● 2022 ● Viognier
Kathleen Ondrus ● 2020 ● Crimson Cabernet Hungarian Barrel
Kathleen Ondrus ● 2020 ● Crimson Cabernet French Oak Barrel
Kathleen Ondrus ● 2022 ● Italian/Wild Plum
Kathleen Ondrus ● 2022 ● Bing Cherry
Kathleen Ondrus ● 2022 ● Primativo B
Bob Roukema ● 2022 ● Cinsault/Mouvedre (Rose’)
Greg Stricker ● 2022 ● Chardonel
Greg Stricker ● 2022 ● Vignoles

BRONZE

Andrew Boal ● 2022 ● Rochoso Peach
Andrew Boal ● 2022 ● Rochoso Peach UTAO
Andrew Boal ● 2022 ● Rochoso Peach LTAO
Andrew Boal ● 2022 ● Rochoso Peach LTFO
Andrew Boal ● 2022 ● Vin Plum
Andrew Boal ● 2022 ● Rochoso Plum
Andrew Boal ● 2022 ● Rochoso Plum LTAO
Andrew Boal ● 2022 ● Rochoso Plum LTFO
Andrew Boal ● 2022 ● Vin Raspberry LTAO

BRONZE (continued)

Andrew Boal ● 2022 ● Vin Raspberry LTFO
Andrew Boal ● 2022 ● Blue Razz
Andrew Boal ● 2022 ● Around Midnight
Andrew Boal ● 2022 ● Deep Plum
Shad Dirks ● 2022 ● 34 Ravat
Lars Eriksson ● 2020 ● Cabernet Franc
Ronald Faleide ● 2022 ● White Chard
Ronald Faleide ● 2018 ● Old Vine Zin
Ronal Faleide ● 2019 ● Red Blend
Chuck Gower ● 2018 ● Cabernet Sauvignon
Chuck Gower ● 2018 ● Cab/Zin
Kevin Harney ● 2022 ● Here Comes the Sun
Kevin Harney ● 2021 ● Ain’t No Mountain High Enough
Lucas Russel ● 2023 ● Ruby Red
Lucas Russel ● 2023 ● Pumpkin
Kathleen Ondrus ● 2022 ● Gewurztraminer
Kathleen Ondrus ● 2022 ● Gewurztraminer Ice Wine
Kathleen Ondrus ● 2022 ● Traminette
Kathleen Ondrus ● 2022 ● Traminette Ice Wine
Kathleen Ondrus ● 2022 ● Ranier Cherry
Kathleen Ondrus ● 2022 ● Primativo E
Kathleen Ondrus ● 2022 ● Bavarian Crème Ranier Cherry
Kathleen Ondrus ● 2022 ● Crème de Cocoa Ranier Cherry
Kathleen Ondrus ● 2022 ● Chocolate Crème Bing Cherry
Greg Ross ● 2020 ● 50 Shades of Green
Greg Ross ● 2022 ● Walker River Gracie’s Cuvee
Greg Ross ● 2022 ● Walker River Belgo Red
Greg Ross ● 2022 ● Bulldog Red Porto
Rob and Jayne Scribner ● 2022 ● Cab Franc/Malbec
Rob and Jayne Scribner ● 2022 ● Malbec
Greg Stricker ● 2021 ● Chardonel Bin 3
Greg Stricker ● 2022 ● Seyval
Greg Stricker ● 2022 ● Traminette
Greg Stricker ● 2020 ● Chambourcin Bin 2
Shauna Runchey and TsenYing ● 2022 ● Hapa Gentil

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