GILROY, CA, July 08, 2009 – For the award-winning Gilroy winery, as the temperature rises this year, so does the acclaim. It is certainly turning out to be the ’summer of Solis’ – contending in two of the most notable wine competitions, the winery was a standout among thousands of entries, adding to its trophy case and expanding its esteemed reputation even farther.

At this year’s California State Fair Wine Competition, held in June, the winery was awarded the highest honor for its 2008 Fiano, Estate ($18): “Best of California” Gold Medal. It also received a top “Best of Class of Area” and Gold Medal for both its 2005 Cara Mia, Reserve ($30) and 2006 Sangiovese, Estate ($18), and a Silver Medal for its 2005 Syrah ($20).

Only days later, at the 2009 San Francisco International Wine Competition, Solis Winery was awarded a Gold Medal for its 2008 Fiano, Estate ($18), a Silver Medal for its 2006 Sangiovese, Estate ($18), and a Bronze Medal for its 2008 Vino Roséo di Sangiovese ($12).

“I’m overwhelmed by the tremendous accolades bestowed upon our local winery at two of the finest wine competitions around,” said owner Vic Vanni. “For our varietals and proprietal blends to receive such a warm reception is a testament to our commitment to producing world-class wine, with a passion that’s based on family tradition. I am beyond proud at this moment.”

In what is recognized as the oldest, most prestigious wine contest in North America, the 2009 California State Fair Commercial Wine Competition is the most meaningful of the major competitions restricted to California wines. First held in 1855, is the only competition requiring all wines to be entered based on the viticulture area, or appellation, where the grapes are grown, and not where the winery is located. Entries are limited to California bonded wineries selling retail. Distinguished panels of judges, ranging from wine educators, wine makers, wine journalists, retailers and wholesalers to wine collectors and those from the restaurant trade, determined the winners among the thousands of entries over three days, June 10-12. For more information about the California State Fair Commercial Wine Competition, visit www.thebestcaliforniawine.com.

As for the 2009 San Francisco International Wine Competition is the largest, it is recognized as the most influential international wine competition in America. Over 1,200 wineries from 21 countries entered in this year’s contest. The wines where evaluated by a prestigious panel of nationally recognized wine experts over three days, June 19-21, at The Hotel Nikko in downtown San Francisco. Judging was based on a blind, consensual procedure, ensuring that the leading wine competition continues to maintain the highest level of integrity and respect. For more information, visit www.sfwinecomp.com.

Solis Winery’s award-winning wines are available locally. Guests are encouraged to sample them by personally visiting the winery’s tasting room, located at 3920 Hecker Pass in Gilroy. To learn more, visit www.soliswinery.com.

About Solis Winery

Solis Winery lies in the heart of Santa Clara Valley’s rich wine-growing region. Originally planted by Italian immigrants in the 1920s, the vineyard changed hands in 1980 when the Vanni family purchased the land. Since then, the Vannis have continued to marry tradition with modern technology and art with innovation to produce award-winning wines.

GILROY, CA, January 19, 2009 – Solis Winery announced the acceptance of four awards from the San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition. The event is the largest competition of American wines in the world and took place during the week of January 5, 2009 at the Cloverdale Citrus Fair. Professional wine judges from around the United States evaluated a record 4,736 wines from 26 states.

Solis Winery won a Bronze for its Cabernet Sauvignon, Reserve 2004, Silver for its Cara Mia, Reserve 2005, another Silver for its Chardonnay, Estate 2007, and the very prestigious Best of Class for its Fiano, Estate 2007.

“We are thrilled to be honored with these awards from such distinguished competition. I thank our entire team for their dedication and talent, and the judging body for recognizing our winery,” stated Solis Winery vintner, Michael Vanni.

About Solis Winery
The Solis Winery vineyard is located on the historical Rancho de Solis, an 1830’s Mexican land grant that originally spread over 8,800 acres. Today, the Winery is located in one of the oldest wine-growing regions in California’s Central Coast ­ just west of downtown Gilroy.

In the mid-1980s, the Vanni’s broke new ground by planting Chardonnay and Merlot, and later adding Syrah, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Sangiovese.

Solis Winery’s tasting room is open daily from 12PM – 5PM and located at 3920 Hecker Pass Highway in Gilroy California. You can also call them at 408-847-6306.

GILROY, CA, July 22, 2008 – In what is recognized as the oldest, most prestigious wine contest in North America, Gilroy’s award-winning Solis Winery received two of the highest awards handed out at the 2008 California State Fair Commercial Wine Competition. The Santa Clara Valley winery’s 2004 Cabernet Sauvignon, Estate ($34) and 2004 Sangiovese, Estate ($18) were individually recognized with the esteemed ‘Best of Class of Region’ awards, making them the highest scoring varietals from their region.

“These awards are truly incredible, considering that the wines received the best score in all the appellations represented,” said Vic Vanni, owner of Solis Winery.

The ‘Best of Class of Region’ award is calculated after all the awards and numeric scores have been given, determining the winning varietals in each of the 11 regions designated throughout California. Solis Winery was recognized in the massive Greater Bay Appellations Region, which consisted of San Francisco Bay, Alameda County, Livermore Valley, Contra Costa County, San Francisco County, San Mateo County, Santa Clara County, Santa Clara Valley, San Ysidro District, Santa Cruz County, Ben Lomond Mountain and Santa Cruz Mountains.

In addition to the coveted ‘Best of Class of Region’ award, Solis Winery took home a Gold Medal for its 2004 Cabernet Sauvignon, Estate ($34) and a Silver Medal for its 2004 Sangiovese, Estate ($18).

First held in 1855, the California State Wine Competition is, by far, the oldest wine competition and most meaningful of the major competitions restricted to California wines. It is the only competition requiring all wines to be entered based on the viticulture area, or appellation, where the grapes are grown, and not where the winery is located. Entries are limited to California bonded wineries selling retail. Distinguished panels of judges, who must first pass a Qualification Test designed specially for the California State Fair, determine the winners among the thousands of entries. The selected judges range from wine educators, wine makers, wine journalists, retailers and wholesalers to wine collectors and those from the restaurant trade. For more information about the California State Fair Commercial Wine Competition, visit www.thebestcaliforniawine.com.

Following the announcement of the awards, all winning wines are featured and available Save Mart markets. Solis Winery’s award-winning wines are always available locally. Guests are encouraged to sample them by personally visiting the winery’s tasting room, located at 3920 Hecker Pass in Gilroy.

About Solis Winery

Solis Winery lies in the heart of Santa Clara Valley’s rich wine-growing region. Originally planted by Italian immigrants in the 1920s, the vineyard changed hands in 1980 when the Vanni family purchased the land. Since then, the Vannis have continued to marry tradition with modern technology and art with innovation to produce award-winning wines.

GILROY, CA, July 14, 2008 – Like their award-winning wines, Solis Winery just keeps getting better with age. Continuing to make a name for itself and the Santa Clara Valley region, the Gilroy winery was awarded with four top medals in the world-renowned 2008 San Francisco International Wine Competition – two Silver Medals for its 2004 Syrah ($20) and 2005 Merlot, Estate ($24), and two Bronze Medals for its 2004 Cara Mia ‘Meritage’ ($30) and 2004 Sangiovese, Estate ($18).

“We’re blown away that our family-owned winery was praised so highly in an event competing against wines from all across the world,” said winery owner Vic Vanni. “I’m filled with pride to see that people enjoy and respect what we’re producing.”

The 2008 San Francisco International Wine Competition is the largest, most influential international wine competition in America. Over 1,150 wines from 21 countries where entered in this year’s contest, making the 2008 competition the largest and most successful in the event’s history. The wines where evaluated by a prestigious panel of 45 nationally recognized wine experts over three days, June 13-15, at The Hotel Nikko in San Francisco. Judging was based on a blind, consensual procedure, ensuring that the leading wine competition continues to maintain the highest level of integrity and respect. For more information, visit www.sfwinecomp.com.

Solis Winery’s award-winning wines are available locally. Guests are encouraged to sample them by personally visiting the winery’s tasting room, located at 3920 Hecker Pass in Gilroy.

About Solis Winery

Solis Winery lies in the heart of Santa Clara Valley’s rich wine-growing region. Originally planted by Italian immigrants in the 1920s, the vineyard changed hands in 1980 when the Vanni family purchased the land. Since then, the Vannis have continued to marry tradition with modern technology and art with innovation to produce award-winning wines.

GILROY, CA, June 27, 2008 – For Gilroy’s award-winning Solis Winery, life’s a beach. At the 2008 Orange County Fair Commercial Wine Competition, the Santa Clara Valley winery was honored with a prestigious Gold Medal for its 2005 Merlot, Estate ($24), and a Silver Medal for its 2004 Cabernet Sauvignon, Estate ($34).

“We’re thrilled to have our local winery praised at such a noteworthy competition in Southern California,” said winery co-owner Michael Vanni. “It’s an honor for us to be able to share our family’s tradition of winemaking, and our flourishing Santa Clara Valley wine region, with wine lovers throughout our state.”

The Orange County Fair Commercial Wine Competition is co-sponsored and supported by the Orange County Wine Society, a non-profit educational corporation that promotes the knowledge and understanding of winemaking, viticulture and appreciation of wine. A total of 3,287 wines were entered and judged this year’s competition.

Wine lovers will have the opportunity to quench their thirst in the summer heat by sampling Solis Winery’s acclaimed wines at the 2008 Orange County Fair, from July 11 through August 3 at the Orange County Fairgrounds. The wines will be featured at the public tasting held in the Wine Courtyard at the Fairgrounds, which is presented by the Orange County Wine Society. For more information, visit www.ocws.org.

Solis Winery’s award-winning wines are available locally. Guests are encouraged to sample them by personally visiting the winery’s tasting room, located at 3920 Hecker Pass in Gilroy.

About Solis Winery

Solis Winery lies in the heart of Santa Clara Valley’s rich wine-growing region. Originally planted by Italian immigrants in the 1920s, the vineyard changed hands in 1980 when the Vanni family purchased the land. Since then, the Vannis have continued to marry tradition with modern technology and art with innovation to produce award-winning wines.

GILROY, CA, June 18, 2008 – Gilroy’s award-winning Solis Winery reached celebrity status at the 2008 Los Angeles International Wine & Spirits Competition, scoring a total of three prestigious awards at the internationally acclaimed event.

The Santa Clara Valley winery rolled out the red carpet, honored with a Gold Medal for its 2004 Cara Mia ‘Meritage’ ($28), a Silver Medal for its 2004 Cabernet Sauvignon, Estate ($34), and a Bronze Medal for its 2004 Sangiovese, Estate ($18).

“It’s an immense honor for our family winery to be hailed at a competition of such global stature,” said winery owner Vic Vanni. “We’re pleased to see that wines from our local area are receiving such high recognition, as the Santa Clara Valley has been labeled as the next reputable winemaking region, like Napa or Paso Robles. We hope these tremendous accolades will broaden the reach of our label and bring greater exposure to our exceptional tradition of winemaking.”

In its 69th year, the Los Angeles International Wine & Spirits Competition is one of the most prominent contests in the United States. A total of 3,789 wines were entered in the 2008 competition from 16 different countries around the world. Evaluating the wines was a panel of nearly 100 international experts called in to determine the winners over a three-day judging period, from May 28-30. The awards were announced on Saturday, June 14 at the Wine & Cars Under the Stars fundraising event, held at the Wally Parks NHRA Motorsports Museum at Fairplex in Southern California. The world-renowned Los Angeles International Wine & Spirits Competition continues to be praised as one of the Top 5 wine contests in the United States by USA Today. For more information, visit www.lawinecomp.com.

Solis Winery’s award-winning wines are available locally. Guests are encouraged to sample them by personally visiting the winery’s tasting room, located at 3920 Hecker Pass in Gilroy. To learn more, visit www.soliswinery.com.

About Solis Winery

Solis Winery lies in the heart of Santa Clara Valley’s rich wine-growing region. Originally planted by Italian immigrants in the 1920s, the vineyard changed hands in 1980 when the Vanni family purchased the land. Since then, the Vannis have continued to marry tradition with modern technology and art with innovation to produce award-winning wines.

GILROY, CA, June 4, 2008 – Gilroy’s award-winning Solis Winery scored three top medals at the 2008 Best of the Bay Wine Competition, held on May 19-20, 2008 at the Alameda County Fair in Pleasanton.

The Santa Clara Valley winery was honored with a Gold Medal for its 2005 Merlot, Estate ($24), a Silver Medal for its 2004 Syrah ($20), and a Bronze Medal for its 2004 Sangiovese, Estate ($18).

“We’re truly grateful that our wines were honored at a competition so close to home,” said winery owner Vic Vanni. “It’s really special to have our family’s tradition of winemaking recognized as one of the best in the Bay Area.”

The Best of the Bay Wine Competition is a regional competition open to all commercially bonded wineries located in Alameda, Contra Costa, Marin, San Benito, San Francisco, San Mateo, Santa Clara, Santa Cruz and Solano counties. A total of 280 wines from 75 wineries were judged in the competition, and only 15 Gold Medals were awarded to winning entries. Evaluating the wines were three panels of judges, including wine professionals from restaurants, wineries, wine retail stores, and other wine-related professions that are in direct contact with the wine consumer.

The public will have the opportunity to taste Solis Winery’s celebrated wine and mingle with the winemakers at the Best of the Bay Wine Competition Awards Reception & Wine Tasting Event, to be held on June 24 from 6:00-8:00PM at the Alameda County Fair Palm Pavilion. For more information on the wine competition, visit www.bestofthebaywinecomp.com.

Solis Winery’s award-winning wines are available locally. Guests are encouraged to sample them by personally visiting the winery’s tasting room, located at 3920 Hecker Pass in Gilroy.