Gowan’s Gravenstein Wins Two Best-in-Class Awards at 2020 San Francisco Chronicle International Wine Competition

At the largest wine competition in America, Gowan’s was the only entry to win two Best-in-Class awards—both for what’s on the outside and the inside of the bottle. At the 2020 San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition over 65 expert judges evaluated nearly 6,700 of the best wines produced in North America.

For the second year in a row that Gowan’s Gravenstein Cider garnered Best-in-Class for this single varietal cider made from apples grown on the 6 generation family farm.

Expert wine critic Michael Dunne had this to say about Gowan’s Gravenstein:

2020—“Ciders just don’t come any more direct, faithful and refreshing than this release from Gowan’s. It seizes all the focused fruit for which Gravenstein apples are celebrated.

2019—“By its freshness, spiciness and balance of sweet and tart, Gowan’s Gravenstein Cider provides a persuasive argument for growers to maybe pull out some vineyards and replace them with orchards.”

Gowan’s Ciders also received Best-in-Class for the packaging of their Gravenstein Cider, and the rest of the Gowan cider line-up. The award-winning Classic-Ornate packaging features bespoke illustrations of the historic family orchards, classic gold foil touches, and an elegant custom glass bottle. With only five wineries in the entire competition recognized for Best-in-Class Packaging, Gowan’s ranks among the best package designs in the wine industry.

“With every bottle we hope to bring people to this special place—with the purest flavors from heirloom trees, the magic of heritage orchards, and a family’s 144 year love affair with this land,” said Sharon Gowan.

“We choose to bottle our ciders right at the orchard where the apples are grown,” added Don Gowan, owner/cidermaker, “so our customers experience the purest blossom-to-bottle flavor. Our family has been growing Gravensteins since 1876 on this land. It’s great to see our local Gravenstein cider so appreciated such a prestigious competition.

Gowan’s produces rare estate applewine ciders from one of the oldest stands of heirloom apples in the western US region, currently growing over 80 varieties curated over six generations. Over a century ago Gowan’s delivered fresh apples from these orchards to communities along the California coast by horse and wagon. Today, Gowan’s Heirloom Cider continues this farm-to-table tradition, delivering direct to stores, bars and restaurants. Gowan’s Cider is also gluten free, vegan friendly, and non-GMO.

“Our orchards are certified organic,” said Don Gowan. “And our cider is certified Real California Cider—100% California grown. That’s important because people have a right to know where their food comes from—and California has some of the highest standards.”

In January, two of Gowan’s also received top honors from the Good Food Awards, which recognizes quality foods for flavor as well as for sustainability. And in the largest cider competition in the world, GLINTCAP, both Gowan’s Gravenstein and Gowan’s Macintosh garnered First-Best-in-Class in their respective classes. Gowan’s was the only cidery to achieve two top rankings at this prestigious competition as well.

Gowan’s Gravenstein was also the top ranked cider, for two years, in these competitions

  • Best of Show — Women’s International Wine Competition, 2018 & 2019
  • Best of Show — California Cider Competition 2018 & 2019
  • Top Ranked—California State Fair Wine Competition 2018 & 2019

Named one of the “Best Luxury Experiences” at TASTE TV, 2019, Gowan’s other ciders have also garnered top awards among the largest and most prestigious wine competitions, including; Best Cider of 2018 San Francisco International Wine Competition, North Coast Wine Challenge 2018, California Cider Competition 2016-2019, Nor Cal Beer Competition 2018-2019, and wine judge scores reaching 98 points.

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