The Lescombes family’s 2007 D.H. Lescombes Limited Release Cabernet Franc was honored at the 2009 San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition last month. It was one of only six wines given a best-of-the-best “Sweepstakes Award”. The Cabernet Franc won in the “Red Sweepstakes” category, making Lescombes Family Vineyards the first New Mexico winery to win this coveted award. As a Sweepstakes winner, the Cabernet Franc will be among the wines showcased at the Annual Public Tasting, held at Fort Mason Center’s Festival Pavilion in San Francisco, on February 28, 2009.

“In a competition traditionally dominated by West Coast wines, the Cabernet Franc from Lescombes Family Vineyards has demonstrated the potential and the capability of New Mexico wine growers to create outstanding wines,” said Ray Johnson, Assistant Director of the San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition.

“We congratulate the Lescombes family for their win… hand-selected out of 4,765 wines entered,” said Executive Director Bob Fraser. Lescombes Family Vineyards recieved 17 medals overall, including two gold medals for the 2007 D.H. Lescombes Limited Release Mourvèdre and St. Clair Winery Port.

“Much like the Judgment of Paris in the ’70s, when California wines were first honored at an international tasting, this competition has drawn attention to the excellence of the wines being produced in the Southwest,” said Hervè Lescombes, President of Lescombes Family Vineyards.

For information about the judging and the Public Tasting, visit www.winejudging.com

Lescombes Family Vineyards has been receiving top honors since 2005, including unanimous gold, double gold, and gold medals, the 2008 Vina Cum Laude Award (for D.H. Lescombes Syrah) at the Wine Literary Awards (San Francisco), and a Gold Medal for the D.H. Lescombes Limited Release Cabernet Franc at the 2008 American Fine Wine Competition.