Issue link: https://digital.copcomm.com/i/597666
With no background in wine, owners of Tao Vineyards in Nikki and Michael McRory decided to turn their estate in Los Angeles into a vineyard after consulting with wine experts. Their decision was validated this year as their 2013 Eternal Bliss Cabernet Sauvignon—their very first vintage—won a Double Gold. "People see the L.A. County on the label and love to hear the story," Nikki explains. "Now that we have a Double Gold, it is really opening doors for us and we have started to reach out to restaurants all over the city." 64 / the tasting panel / november 2015 SAN FRANCISCO COMPETITIONS DOUBLE GOLD TOUR Named after Tepoztecatl, the Aztec god of merriment, Tepoz Silver Tequila is triple- distilled and cold-filtered, giving it an elegant finish. "Our feet did not touch the ground for days after we learned about our Double Gold medal," says owner Denise Morocco. "We were in such disbelief that for a while we thought it was our friends playing a joke on us!" Husband and co-owner Stephen Morocco adds, "Winning a Double Gold medal at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition has opened many doors for us. In fact, we received inquiries from Asia immediately after we found out about our win. It's been exciting to see such a wonderful response to Tepoz Tequila." Winning the Best Nut Liqueur award on top of its Double Gold was Bloomery SweetShine Black Walnut Liqueur from West Virginia. "Knowing the San Francisco World Spirits Competition is the pinnacle of the industry, I could barely contain myself when we won," quips founder and owner of Bloomery Plantation Distillery Linda Losey, seen here seated between husband and co-owner Tom Kiefer (left), and Social Media Director Tallulah Pollard (right). "This win validates that my team and I are doing something right in our little cabin in the woods," adds Losey. Losey and her team spent one year refining their original recipe for SweetShine Walnut Liqueur and grow most of the ingredients right on their farm in West Virginia. PHOTO: TIMOTHY MURRAY PHOTO: CAL BINGHAM PHOTO: CAL BINGHAM