On Saturday, February 16, Fort Mason in San Francisco once again houses the San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition Public Tasting.  If you want to try wines that are part of the largest competition of American wines in the world, then click here to buy your tickets, and plan on being at Fort Mason between 2:00 and 5:00 p.m. on the 16^th.  Tickets are $70 in advance. You could wait and try to buy tickets at the door for $85, but the event usually sells out so that may not be a good plan.  This popular event encourages guests to taste, learn, and enjoy.

For the 2013 SF Chronicle Wine Competition, any wine bottled in the United States was eligible for consideration.  The Wine Competition results will be published in a special section of the San Francisco Chronicle on February 10, 2013, or you can take a sneak peek at the online listing here.  These are the Sweepstake Winners for 2013: 

• Sparkling Wine – Korbel Champagne Cellars, nv Blanc de Noirs
• White Wine – Keuka Spring Vineyards, 2011 Riesling
• Pink Wine – Sorelle Winery, 2011 Sangiovese Rosato
• Red Wine – Terlato Family Vineyards, 2010 Pinot Noir, and Wilson Winery, 2009 Petite Sirah, Molly’s Vineyard
• Dessert Wine – Castello di Amorosa, 2011 Late Harvest Gewurztraminer

The Sweepstake Winners came from over 100 individual Best of Class Award Winners declared at the Competition. For some varietals (such as Pinot Blanc, Gewurztraminer, and Barbera) there was only one Best of Class Award given out.  However, other varietals such as Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Zinfandel had between 7 and 9 different Best of Class Awards depending on retail price ranges.

The wines available for you at the Public Tasting will be based on the 2013 San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition results as well as the wineries’ choices.  All Gold Medal winning winery brands will have at least one case each of the Gold Winning Wines at the Public Tasting.  Sweepstake Winning wineries also provide a case each of the winning wines.  All of the wineries at the Public Tasting are also invited to pour any of their other wines.

The Public Tasting also features a sampling of hand crafted creations from premier food purveyors.  Regional gourmet website SavorCalifornia.com has arranged for many of its partners to provide and sell their products during the event including artisan breads, hand crafted cheeses, meats, sauces, and desserts. Staff and students from the California Culinary Academy and the Santa Rosa Junior College Culinary Arts program will be showing off their skills as well.

This wine judging event originally started back in 1983 as the Cloverdale Citrus Fair Wine Competition. Over the years it has broadened its geographical base of candidates to include all of America, and in 2000 the name was changed to the San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition.  Proceeds help support the non-profit Cloverdale Citrus Fair and wine and food education at educational institutions and non-profit organizations.

If you are coming to the 2013 SF Chronicle Wine Competition Public Tasting, you should consider staying at the Hilton San Francisco Fisherman’s Wharf, the Host Hotel for the event.  Their location (2620 Jones Street) and service make them a great hotel destination for Public Tasting attendees.  They are offering a special rate of just $159 single/double for reservations made before February 1, 2013.  Call (800) 445-8667, and refer to the SF Chronicle Wine Competition Rate.

If you decide to attend, be sure to plan ahead for your transportation and parking.  There is only limited parking available at Fort Mason, and about 5000 guests are expected to attend the SF Chronicle Wine Competition Public Tasting.  There is also parking at the Marina Middle School for $10 (you can access the lot on Bay Street near Webster Street).  If you stay at the Hilton, it’s an easy walk of about a mile between the hotel and the tasting venue.  For complete details about the Wine Competition and the Public Tasting, please go here.