2006 Newport Seafood & Wine Festival Next Weekend

Results are in for the 2005 Commercial Wine Competition; winners will be in the spotlight during Newport's annual event, drawing thousands to the Oregon Coast.

Photo Courtesy: seafoodandwine.com

(Newport) - Winter on the Oregon Coast is becoming more popular with visitors, with storm watching, big wave surfing, and always a big draw, the annual Newport Seafood & Wine Festival. It's the premier seafood & wine event of the west coast, the original Northwest seafood and wine festival, and certainly a great choice for a destination this weekend.

Since 1978, the Newport Seafood & Wine Festival has attracted visitors from around the world to the central Oregon coast. This year's Festival is being held February 25th, 26th & 27th, at 2320 OSU Drive in Newport.

"The envelope please..."

On February 15th, a panel of five judges selected the medal winners of the Newport Seafood & Wine Festival`s Commercial Wine Competition. From 134 entries, 66 medals were awarded - 13 Gold, 23 Silver and 30 Bronze. This year`s Best-of- Show was awarded to Springhill Cellars for a 2001 Pinot Noir Reserve (Willamette Valley).

The medal winning wines will be available for the public to taste at the Festival. Gold medals for Pinot Noir were given to Airlie Winery 2002 Dunn Forest Vineyard (Willamette Valley); King Estate Winery 2001 (Oregon); Springhill Cellars 2001 Pinot Noir Reserve (Willamette Valley).

Two golds went to Pinot Gris from Willamette Valley Vineyards 2003 (Willamette Valley) and Wine By Joe 2003 (Willamette Valley). LaVelle Vineyards received a gold medal for their 2004 Riesling (Willamette Valley) and a gold was awarded to Laurel Ridge Winery for their 2002 Chardonnay (Willamette Valley).

Accolades also to Eola Hills Winery (Willamette Valley), awarded a Silver Medal for their 2004 Late Harvest Sauvignon Blanc, Vin d'Or.

The Newport Seafood & Wine Festival is a tradition you will be glad to repeat year after year. See their site at www.newportchamber.org/sfw.