STRATHMORE ALBERTA (June 1, 2011)

Field Stone Fruit Wines, Alberta’s first cottage wine company, reached another milestone this week as it was awarded a record nine medals from two prestigious wine competitions.

At the NorthWest Wine Summit, an international competition held annually at Hood River Oregon, Field Stone was awarded two gold medals, two silver medals and three bronze medals to add to its previous honours.

Field Stone’s popular BUMBLEBERRY FRUIT WINE and its unique STRAWBERRY-RHUBARB FRUIT WINE were awarded gold medals. Last year’s newcomer to the wine list, BLACK CURRANT TABLE WINE, and the well-awarded WILD BLACK CHERRY DESSERT WINE took home Silver Medals. The Bronze Medals were awarded to the prairie favourite SASKATOON DESSERT WINE, as well as the RASPBERRY FRUIT WINE and BLACK CURRANT DESSERT WINE.

The NorthWest Wine Summit Competition, which includes wines from the Pacific Northwest region, is one of the region’s oldest and most prestigious contests. More than 1200 wines are judged over a period of three days. Wineries from British Columbia, Alberta, Montana, Washington, Oregon and Idaho are represented.

“We are very excited to have our two most unique wines awarded gold,” says Marvin Gill, Partner at Field Stone Fruit Wines. “Our Bumbleberry Fruit Wine, with its unique blend of Alberta’s best berries, along with our Strawberry-Rhubarb Fruit Wine clearly represent the best flavours of the prairies. These wines are the perfect fit for Canadian patios.”

At the other end of the continent, Canada’s own “All-Canadian Wine Championships” announced a Silver Medal for Field Stone’s SASKATOON DESSERT WINE and another Bronze Medal for its RASPBERRY FRUIT WINE.

This year’s competition marked three decades of critiquing Canadian wines with 36 judges, including wine writers, sommeliers and accredited wine judges from coast to coast and beyond. Nearly 200 Canadian wineries participated in this year’s contest.

“We are always thrilled to receive recognition from this competition,” says Gill. “We’re honoured to be awarded medals among such esteemed company.”

Field Stone’s medals come just as the Summer Farmers Markets around the province begin. Field Stone staff will be offering tastings of the medal winners and all other wines this summer at the Red Deer, Sylvan Lake, Airdrie, Chestermere, Bearspaw, Millarville, Grassroots Calgary, High River, Medicine Hat and Lethbridge Farmers Markets.

All wines are also available directly from Field Stone Winery in Strathmore from May to September.

In addition, Field Stone wines are available Year-Round in Calgary at the Kingsland Farmers Market and at the Calgary Farmers Market.

Those unable to visit directly can purchase all wines on-line at  www.fieldstonefruitwines.com

Please visit the website for more information, recipes and newsletter sign-ups.

ABOUT FIELD STONE FRUIT WINES

In 2005 Field Stone Fruit Wines was the first business to be granted a license under the Government of Alberta’s new cottage winery regulations, allowing fruit growers to manufacture and sell fruit wines. Since July 1st, 2005, Field Stone has been a popular destination drawing visitors and customers from around Alberta, Canada, and beyond.

All Field Stone fruit wines are vinified from 100% Alberta-grown fruit, 90% of which is grown on the family’s Bumbleberry Farm south of Strathmore. Field Stone’s winemaker is Dominic Rivard, a noted world expert in fruit wines. Since 2005, the winery has been awarded 25 medals across its 10 varieties of fruit and dessert wines.

FIELD STONE FRUIT WINES CONTACT INFO

Marvin Gill, Partner
(403) 934-2749
(403)901-8241
info@fieldstonefruitwines.com