Solune News

Have glass, will travel.

This article published in the The Union (April 14, 2010) describes Jacques' Paris wine odyssey, where he was invited for the 4th year to judge at Vinalies Internationales, France's most prestigious wine competition.  A daily log of this journey can be found on Solune's facebook page (scroll down to Feb. 22, 2010 posts).  Jacques also submitted a Solune 2004 Cabernet Franc to this competition and it won a silver medal ! (and no, he did not judge his own wine, thank god)

Jacques was selected/invited to judge at the prestigious "Vinalies Internationales" wine competition in France (Paris, March 2-6).

Approximately 3000 wines from 38 countries were submitted to this competition. Jacques joined 125 judges coming from 35 countries who evaluated the wines during the 5 days of tasting.  The competition was organized by the "Union des Oenologues de France", under the O.I.V. ("Organisation Internationale de la Vigne et du Vin") strict rules and the sanction of Vinofed ("Fédération Mondiale des Grands Concours Internationaux de Vins et Spiritueux").

The Best-of-Show was a 1927 Pedro Ximenez (name of the grapes) dessert wine from Bodegas Robles located in the south of Spain (Andalusia), which received a perfect

100 point score, a first in the history of this competition.

Foreign judges were then treated to a 2-day wine

region discovery trip to the Languedoc-Roussillon wine area in the South of France. All in all, a very enriching

and enjoyable trip !

In the past, besides judging

in local competitions (CA

State Fair as well as El Dorado, Amador, Orange

and Sonoma counties), Jacques has also judged at a number of international competitions (Argentina, Spain, Switzerland, Canada).  This exposure to international wines combined with access to world class wine experts also judging at these competitions, plays an important role in developing Solune wines.

Solune Winegrowers - A place where science meets art.

Article published in the The Union (Nevada City, June 7, 2006) by wine columnist Rod Byers.  Tells the story of the long path followed by Jacques and Andrea to start Solune Winegrowers.  Includes a review of all six wines being released at the June 24, 2006 Grand Opening.