By Jim Bauckman, marylandwine.com
(BALTIMORE, MD) – Following the success of the their 2016 Cabernet Franc, Catoctin Breeze Vineyard in Thurmont has won the 2019 Comptroller’s Cup with their 2017 Estate Cabernet Franc. Standing out from 165 competing wines from 31 wineries, this Cabernet Franc took top honors in its own style category before being selected as “Best in Show.”
“We feel incredibly honored to have won the Comptroller’s Cup again,” says Voytek Fizyta, Partner at Catoctin Breeze Vineyard. “Being recognized two years in a row with our Estate Cabernet Franc leaves us very proud and humbled, especially when there are so many great producers here in Maryland.”
Other high honors were awarded to wines that earned the “Best in Class” designation. These winning entries are indicative of the quality wines being produced in Maryland and showcase the care and intent of the state’s wine makers.
Fizyta said, “this 2017 Cabernet Franc truly started in the vineyard and is a representation of a great growing season in harmony with our goal to produce high quality terroir-driven wines. It was produced with minimal intervention and our unique cellar practices.”
The 2019 Comptroller’s Cup Competition was hosted in Towson on Wednesday, May 22, 2019. Each year, wineries from throughout Maryland submit wines for review by a panel of judges. Local radio and television host, Al Spoler of WYPR’s Cellar Notes directs the competition.
2019 Maryland Wine Comptroller’s Cup Results
BEST IN SHOW
- Comptroller’s Cup: Catoctin Breeze Vineyards • Estate Cabernet Franc 2017
BEST IN CLASS
- White: Robin Hill Farm & Vineyards • Legacy 2017
- White Blend: Big Cork Vineyards • Russian Kiss 2018
- Rosé: Port of Leonardtown Winery • Chaptico Rosé
- Red: Catoctin Breeze Vineyard • Estate Cabernet Franc 2017
- Red Blend: Port of Leonardtown Winery • Captain’s Table 2016
- Off-Dry: Big Cork Vineyards • Vidal Blanc 2018
- Sweet: Far Eastern Shore Winery • Ruby NV
- Dessert: Janemark Winery & Vineyard • Sweet Heidi 2017
- Mead Blend: Loew Vineyards • Honey & Grape NV
- Fruit: Red Heifer Winery • Blueberry NV
GOLD MEDALS
- Big Cork Vineyards • Black Label Vintner Select Cabernet Franc 2016
- Big Cork Vineyards • Cabernet Franc 2017
- Big Cork Vineyards • Meritage 2017
- Big Cork Vineyards • Muscat Cannelli 2018
- Big Cork Vineyards • Russian Kiss 2018
- Big Cork Vineyards • Russian Kiss 2017
- Big Cork Vineyards • Saignee Rosé 2018
- Big Cork Vineyards • Vidal Blanc 2018
- Boordy Vineyards • Chardonnay 2017
- Cabin Vineyard • Cabin Vineyard Red 2016
- Cabin Vineyard • Guest 2014
- Catoctin Breeze Vineyard • Estate Cabernet Franc 2017
- Crow Vineyard & Winery • Crow Club Select NV
- Far Eastern Shore Winery • Ruby NV
- Janemark Winery & Vineyard • Sweet Heidi 2017
- Knob Hall Winery • Prestige 2015
- Loew Vineyards • Honey & Grape NV
- Port of Leonardtown Winery • Captain’s Table 2016
- Port of Leonardtown Winery • Chaptico Rosé
- Port of Leonardtown Winery • Red Lot 16 NV
- Red Heifer Winery • Blueberry NV
- Robin Hill Farm & Vineyards • Legacy 2017
- Sugarloaf Mountain Vineyard • Comus 2016
- Sugarloaf Mountain Vineyard • Pinot Grigio 2017
SILVER MEDALS
- Basignani Winery • Chardonnay 2016
- Basignani Winery • Lorenzino Reserve 2014
- Big Cork Vineyards • Black Label Reserve Select Petit Verdot 2016
- Big Cork Vineyards • Chardonnay 2018
- Big Cork Vineyards • Malbec 2017
- Big Cork Vineyards • Petit Verdot 2017
- Big Cork Vineyards • Sauvignon Blanc 2018
- Big Cork Vineyards • Syrah Rosé NV
- Boordy Vineyards • Ruby Port 2014
- Broken Spoke Vineyard & Winery • Witty White Merlot NV
- Cabin Vineyard • Cabin Vineyard Red 2017
- Cabin Vineyard • Cabin Vineyard Red 2015
- Cabin Vineyard • Guest 2016
- Cabin Vineyard • Guest 2015
- Catoctin Breeze Vineyard • Concerto Bordeaux Blend 2016
- Catoctin Breeze Vineyard • Estate Syrah 2017
- Celebration Cellars Winery • Cabernet Sauvignon 2017
- Chateau Bu-De Winery & Vineyard • Augustine Herman Rosé 2018
- Cool Ridge Vineyard • Cabernet Franc 2016
- Cool Ridge Vineyard • Cool Red 2016
- Cool Ridge Vineyards • Petit Verdot 2016
- Crow Vineyard & Winery • Sparkling Vidal Blanc NV
- Far Eastern Shore Winery • Dragonfly NV
- Great Shoals Winery • Tropical Shoals Passion Fruit 2018
- Great Shoals Winery • Tropical Shoals Tangerine 2018
- Harford Vineyard • Crimson Moon 2016
- Harford Vineyard • Peach Kissed NV
- Hidden Hills Farm and Vineyard • Reserve Bay Roan 2015
- Janemark Winery & Vineyard • Albariño 2017
- Janemark Winery & Vineyard • Chardonnay 2017
- Knob Hall Winery • Cabernet Franc 2015
- Knob Hall Winery • Cuvee Josephine 2014
- Knob Hall Winery • Jealous Mistress NV
- Knob Hall Winery • N39 2016
- Mazzaroth Vineyard • Tannat 2017
- Port of Leonardtown Winery • Albariño 2018
- Port of Leonardtown Winery • Chambourcin 2017
- Port of Leonardtown Winery • McIntosh Run NV
- Port of Leonardtown Winery • Old Line Red 2015
- Port of Leonardtown Winery • Vidal 2018
- Red Heifer Winery • Red Heifer Red 2017
- Robin Hill Farm & Vineyards • MD-32 2017
- Robin Hill Farm & Vineyards • October Glory 2017
- Romano Vineyard & Winery • Traminette 2017
- Sugarloaf Mountain Vineyard • Cabernet Franc Reserve 2016
- Sugarloaf Mountain Vineyard • Penelope 2017
- Sugarloaf Mountain Vineyard • Rosé 2017
- Sugarloaf Mountain Vineyard • Viognier 2017
- The Urban Winery • Wine Maker Helpers 2016
- Turkey Point Vineyard • Rosé 2018
- Windridge Vineyards • Cabernet Franc Reserve 2017
- Windridge Vineyards • Portrayal 2018
- Windridge Vineyards • Seneca 2017
BRONZE MEDALS
- Big Cork Vineyards • Viognier 2018
- Blue Mountain Wine Crafters • Seyval Blanc Barrel Aged Blush 2018
- Broken Spoke Vineyard & Winery • Fill in the Blanc NV
- Cabin Vineyard • Breeze 2018
- Catoctin Breeze Vineyard • Opera Merlot 2016
- Catoctin Breeze Vineyard • Oratorio Barbera 2017
- Charm City Meadworks • Black Currant Red Raspberry 2019
- Charm City Meadworks • Mango Comapeño 2019
- Charm City Meadworks • Sweet Blossom 2019
- Chateau Bu-De Winery & Vineyard • Shoreline 2018
- Far Eastern Shore Winery • Black NV
- Far Eastern Shore Winery • Harvest 2018
- Far Eastern Shore Winery • Winter Non-vintage
- Great Shoals Winery • Tropical Shoals Kiwi 2018
- Great Shoals Winery • Tropical Shoals Pineapple 2018
- Harford Vineyard • Chambourcin 2014
- Harford Vineyard • Harford Blush NV
- Harford Vineyard • Merlot 2015
- Harford Vineyard • Traminette 2017
- Hidden Hills Farm and Vineyard • Blue Roan NV
- Hidden Hills Farm and Vineyard • Perlino 2018
- Janemark Winery & Vineyard • 1877 2017
- Janemark Winery & Vineyard • Cabernet Franc 2017
- Janemark Winery & Vineyard • Mean Jane 2017
- Layton’s Chance Vineyard & Winery • BoBerry Strawberry Wine 2018
- Layton’s Chance Vineyard & Winery • Lazy Day Rosé 2014
- Loew Vineyards • Two Consenting Grapes 2016
- Olney Winery • Origin 2017
- Olney Winery • Piña Colada NV
- Port of Leonardtown Winery • The PORT of Leonardtown 2015
- Robin Hill Farm & Vineyards • Bliss 2017
- Robin Hill Farm & Vineyards • Home Sweet Home NV
- Robin Hill Farm & Vineyards • Pi’goat Blanc 2017
- Robin Hill Farm & Vineyards • Pier Pleasures 2017
- Robin Hill Farm & Vineyards • Red Barn 2017
- Robin Hill Farm & Vineyards • RHF Russell’s Reserve 2016
- Running Hare Vineyard • Jack Rabbit Red NV
- Running Hare Vineyard • Malbec NV
- Running Hare Vineyard • Malbec NV
- Running Hare Vineyard • Sangiovese NV
- The Urban Winery • Bayhouse 2016
- The Urban Winery • Blue Eyed Good Boy 2016
- The Urban Winery • Georgia’s Reserve 2016
- The Urban Winery • Silver Spring 2017
- Turkey Point Vineyard • Peachy Keen 2018
- Windridge Vineyards • Chambourcin
- Windridge Vineyards • Riesling 2018
- Windridge Vineyards • Seneca 2017
- Xella Winery and Vineyard • Bad Barn Red 2017
- Xella Winery and Vineyard • Zin 2017
About the Competition. The Maryland Comptroller’s Cup Competition awards high quality Maryland wines entered into nearly three dozen varying style categories. This annual competition is organized by the Maryland Wineries Association.
About the Maryland Wineries Association. The Maryland Wineries Association (MWA), formed in 1984, is the non-profit trade association that represents more than 85 member wineries in Maryland. MWA’s mission is to develop and expand the grape and wine industry in Maryland – through education and promotion.