Merritt Estate Winery’s Vidal Ice Wine placed in the top five winners out of almost 7,000 entries in the 2018 San Francisco Chronicle Wine competition. The Vidal Ice Wine was awarded the Double Gold, Best of Class and Best All-Around Dessert Wine. Submitted photo

FORESTVILLE — Merritt Estate Winery’s Vidal Ice Wine placed in the top five winners out of almost 7,000 entries in the 2018 San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition.

The largest competition of American wines in the world brought a panel of more than 67 judges from across the country. Held over a span of four days, Jan. 9-12, the SFCWC judges determined the best in each category using their knowledge, passion and trained palates. Merritt Winery’s Vidal Ice Wine takes it all in a Sweepstakes Win, which includes a Double Gold, Best of Class and the Best All-Around Dessert Wine. The designation of Sweepstake Winner is the highest honor available at the SFCWC. Merritt Winery continued to reel in medals including three silver awarded to our Raspberry Truffle, Bella Ice and best seller, Bella Rosa.

The San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition uses an extensive process that divides varietals into several categories and subcategories because it receives such diverse entries from 36 states across the country. The SFCWC was founded in 1983 as the Cloverdale Citrus Fair Wine Competition and has truly evolved over the years. Not only is the SFCWC a great influence in the winery world, but they are actively committed to spreading knowledge through donating the proceeds of this festival to support wine and food education at educational institutions and nonprofit organizations including Santa Rosa Junior College wine studies program and culinary arts program, Fresno State University enology program and California Polytechnic State University enology program at San Luis Obispo

Come visit the winery for specials on Vidal Ice Wine and all other Merritt wines. Come hang out Monday through Saturday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday 12-5 p.m.

Merritt Estate Winery was established by William Merritt in 1976 on a farm that had been in his family since the 1860s. Merritt Winery produces 27 different varieties of award winning wines that have been enjoyed by people around the world. Merritt Winery is located on King Road in Forestville. For more information, visit MerrittEstateWinery.com.