Judging!
Posted April 12, 2008 by Steve
Shawn called me the other day apologizing that he did not win a gold medal at the Finger Lakes International Wine Competition (FLIWC). Over two hundred wineries were represented with over 2400 wines judged. Forty-Five North has entered multiple wine competitions including the FLIWC, Pacific Rim, Indianapolis, etc., with the first being Finger Lakes. Those wines submitted were barrel samples and not completely finished wines, and this, honestly, sounds like an excuse, but nevertheless the truth. These wines were no more than four months old. Shawn is more than tough on himself as each wine entered received a medal with five of them being silver, exhibiting accurate varietal characteristics of each wine. Among the silver awards were Cabernet Franc, Pinot Gris, Chardonnay, and Riesling with bronze medals going to Vignoles, 45 White and Pinot Noir. Those same wines, now finished, are being judged as we speak. Above all, I am extremely pleased with Shawn’s efforts and am proud of those results. Maynard, too, commented and was somewhat surprised at the placing of the Riesling, which he feels will do much better as it ages. As an aside, I looked at the vintages, and many of the wines ahead of Forty-Five North were several years older. To be sure, I will keep you abreast of future competitions and I, for one, will raise my glass to Shawn in his present and future accomplishments.
More photos → 
John Warren
April 18, 2008 at 5:41 pm
Congratulations on the fine showing at Finger Lakes. If the other varietals are as good as the Chardonnay then Forty-Five North will have many more success stories to share.
Remember to drink more wine !
John & Carol Clay
April 28, 2008 at 6:16 am
WOW! Congrats on 45-North’s tremendous success at the Pacific Rim
Wine Competition. Best “White Wine”, 3 Best of Class, 3 Silver and a Bronze. Lori, Steve, Shawn and all the ee’s should be very proud. This will further the efforts of putting Leelanau County on the wine map. Carol and I can’t wait to raise a glass of the winners. Also, waiting on the introduction of your “Oaked” Chardonnay. Congrats again!! Rookie of the year?? John and Carol
Forty-Five North Vineyard & Winery
April 28, 2008 at 12:57 pm
[…] farce, indicates that the results from the Pacific Rim Wine Competition, as in the afore mentioned Judging! entry, are in and I am overwhelmed. Shawn was called by the head judge and given the news that his […]