CATOCTIN BREEZE VINEYARD WINS 2019 COMPTROLLER’S CUP WITH 2017 ESTATE CABERNET FRANC
Catoctin Breeze Vineyard takes top honors with an Estate Cabernet Franc for second year
(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.