Washington, DC – On November 7, 2016 on the eve of Election Day, a panel of judges convened in the Cabinet Room at the Old Ebbitt Grill for the final round of the Old Ebbitt Grill International Wines for Oysters Competition. Their task was to select gold medal winners from among twenty finalists. The remaining wines earned silver medals, while the bronze medal winners were chosen during the semi-final round a week earlier.

An impressive 233 wines from all over the world were entered in this year’s Competition.
Within the United States, 94 wines were submitted from five states. Wineries from twelve
other countries entered a total of 139 wines— Argentina, Australia, Austria, Bulgaria, Chile,
France, Germany, Italy, New Zealand, Portugal, South Africa, and Spain.

Our Distinguished Panel of Judges

José Andrés, David Del Bene, James Dinegar, Bart Farrell, Michael Franz, Mike Friedman, Stephen Heald, Paul Lukacs, Tommy McFly, Tom Meyer, Luca Paschina, Anna Speigel, Sally Swift, Marguerite Thomas, Robert Weidmaier

2016 GOLD MEDAL WINNERS

Grand Champion
Kono Sauvignon Blanc 2015, Marlborough, New Zealand

First Runner-Up
Villa Maria Estates Private Bin Sauvignon Blanc 2016, Marlborough, New Zealand

Best American
Ste. Michelle Wine Estates Michelle Brut NV, Columbia Valley, Washington

Best French
Patient Cottat Sancerre Anciennes Vignes 2015, Loire Valley, France

Best Italian
Pighin Sauvignon 2015, Friuli Grave, Italy

Best Spanish
Gotas de Mar Albarino 2015, Rias Baixas, Spain

Best Portuguese
Adega do Salvador “Portal da Calçada” Reserva Vinho Verde 2015, Portugal

Best South African
Essay Chenin Blanc/Viognier 2015, Western Cape, South Africa

Gold Medal
Huntaway Reserve Sauvignon Blanc 2014, Marlborough, New Zealand

Gold Medal
Starborough Sauvignon Blanc 2015, Marlborough, New Zealand

2016 SILVER MEDAL WINNERS

Sauvignon Blanc, Sea Pearl, Marlborough, New Zealand, 2016
Sauvignon Blanc, Three Brooms, Marlborough, New Zealand, 2016
Sauvignon Blanc, Wairau River Winery, Marlborough, New Zealand, 2015
Sauvignon Blanc, Kim Crawford, Marlborough, New Zealand, 2016
Sauvignon Blanc, Sileni Estates Cellar Selection, Marlborough, NZ, 2016
Sauvignon Blanc, Ranga Ranga, Marlborough, New Zealand, 2015
Albarino, Bodegas as Laxas, Rias Baixas, Spain, 2015
Sauvignon Blanc, Neil Ellis Sincerely, Western Cape, South Africa, 2015
Albarino, Martin Codax, Rias Baixas, Spain 2015
Pinot Grigio, Maso Canali, Trentino, Italy, 2015

2016 BRONZE MEDAL WINNERS

Sauvignon Blanc, Casablanca Nimbus, Casablanca Valley, Chile, 2015
Sauvignon Blanc, Le Charmel Touraine, Loire Valley, France, 2015
Cava, Cavas Masachs Mas Fi Cava Brut, Penedes, Spain, NV
Riesling, Trefethen Family Vineyards Dry Riesling, Oak Knoll/Napa Valley, California, 2015
Riesling, Chateau Ste. Michelle Dry Riesling, Columbia Valley, Washington, 2015
Sauvignon Blanc, Glen Manor Vineyards, Virginia, 2015
Sauvignon Blanc, Santa Rita 120, Central Valley, Chile, 2016
Riesling, Van Duzer, Ribbon Ridge, Oregon, 2015