Hocking Hills Winery announced a slate of medals won at the 2023 San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition in California, the largest competition of North American wines in the world. All 11 wines entered earned a medal: one Best of Class for the white blend category, four gold, four silver, and two bronze. The winery also received gold medals for rosé, white and red wines, earning the coveted “winemaker’s hat trick,” a difficult task by itself and a rare occurrence at a single competition. Hocking Hills Winery’s highest awarded wine of the competition was the 2021 Ohio Honeysuckle, a semi-sweet white blend with the principal grape Elvira from Dowalter Vineyards of Fredericktown. It was one of only 206 wines to receive a Best of Class out of over 5,800 wines entered into the contest. 

“We are stunned and beyond thrilled with the results we received from the Chronicle!” says Ryan Scott, Hocking Hills Winery winemaker. “The Chronicle is the pinnacle of wine competitions in the United States. To receive a Best of Class feels as if we took a gold at the Olympics. From ownership to our one-day-a-week cellar staff, this happened thanks to working together in harmony. We are excited to continue this tradition of good vibes and teamwork at our new location at 58 West.”

In addition to the outstanding performance of Scott, Hocking Hills Winery assistant winemaker, Maya Kraus, received a gold medal in her very first solo wine, estate grown Brianna. The Hocking Hills Winery ownership team is incredibly proud of both Scott and Kraus.

About the Competition:

The San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition was held in January. A panel of 45 professional judges from a variety of fields including trade, education, media, retail, and hospitality gathered to deliberate more than 5,800 entries from across North America.

Hocking Hills Winery 2023 San Francisco Chronicle Award Winners 

• White Blend 2021 Ohio Honeysuckle                                      Best of Class
• White Native American/Hybrid 2022 Ohio Catawba           Gold
• White Native American/Hybrid 2022 Ohio Brianna             Gold
• Dry Rosé 2022 Ohio Léon Millot Rosé                                    Gold
• Red Natives/Hybrid Varietals 2021 Ohio Léon Millot           Gold
• Sauvignon Blanc 2021 American Sauvignon Blanc              Silver
• White Native American/Hybrid 2021 Ohio Vidal Blanc       Silver
• White Blend 2021 Ohio Trillium                                                Silver
• Dry Rosé 2021 American Pinot Grigio Rosé                           Silver
• White Native American/Hybrid 2022 Ohio La Crescent     Bronze
• Pinot Noir  2021 Ohio Pinot Noir                                               Bronze

Additional Recent Accolades:

2022 Harvest Terroir Challenge International Wine Competition

• 100% of all 13 wines entered awarded silver or higher
• A winemaker’s hattrick (golds on rosé, white, and red)
• 2021 Ohio Léon Millot received Best of Region Ohio, Best of Class, and double gold

2022 Dan Berger International Wine Competition

• 2021 Ohio Léon Millot received Best of Class and triple gold

2023 the American Fine Wine Invitational

• A winemaker’s hattrick (golds on white, red, and dessert)
• 2022 Ohio La Crescent double gold