Wine Competitions and Marketing!

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JenNis Beverage Marketing

Who is JenNis Beverage Marketing?

We are a full pour creative team whose strength is helping to generate organic and dynamic exposure for our partnering community-driven brands. Our unique, specialized, branded competitions are designed to generate a tool for our participating wineries to create an organic marketing campaign for their wines!

We are Dennis and Jenni Turner.

Dennis is certified at WSET Level 2 and a BJCP certified Hard Cider & Mead judge. Dennis serves as President for the French Broad Vignerons.

Jenni is a full-time creative marketing professional focusing on our several regional and national wine competitions.

We both are long-standing members of the French Broad Vignerons and both experienced wine competition judges. Together having judged the Asheville Wine Competition, the French Broad Vignerons Regional Wine Competition, The North Carolina Mead & Cider Competition, and the American Sangria Competition, among several other regional competitions. We are both professionally trained in wine faults.

What we do?

We organize wine competitions! We plan, organize, market, and execute specialty focused wine and beverage competitions with the optimal goal to create organic and dynamic exposure for our participating producers! Since 2016!

Award winning wines often experience an uptick in sales due to greater brand credibility and consumer trust!

We evaluate and score wines. We will, with the assistance of highly qualified and experienced wine industry professionals evaluate and score your wine on a 100 point scale.

We blog! We blog about our visits to wineries and review individual wines which we enjoy each week.

We build communities! We build specialized communities. Join our Facebook groups……..Drink Local North Carolina……and Drink Local South Carolina!

We Invest in artisan craft beverage focused small businesses and startups.

We Scout for Crowdfunding opportunities of artisan beverage focused small businesses and startups seeking to raise capital.

Do you want your brand to grow, build your community, and bring your community of customers together in a meaningful and positive way?

Always remember that your marketing strategy should include consistency in actions, a clear path to your success, and authenticity in who you are as a brand.

We can assist you?

Let’s connect! Text or Call @ 864.357.1435

Hillick & Hobbs New Riesling Release

The Finger Lakes estate winery of esteemed winemaker Paul Hobbs, just announced a very interesting new wine release.

Hillick and Hobbs, grows some 20 plus acres of riesling on the East bank of Seneca Lake. Past releases have been only vintage dry rieslings. On a visit last June, we tasted their 2019, 2020, and 2021 estate-grown dry rieslings.

So a recent email announcement caught my attention. Hillick & Hobbs releases the 2022 North Ravine Estate Dry Riesling.

The inaugural release is selected from a single block on the northwestern most section of the estate. We would imagine this block, is closest to the famed “Banana Belt” region on eastern Seneca Lake.

The email further stated, The fruit from this block is unique and differentiated itself from their classic Estate Dry Riesling during blending trials, thus warranting its own bottling.

Hillick and Hobbs is hosting a release party on April 26th from 2-4pm. Hopefully soon thereafter, the realease will be available to purchase on their website.

Cheers to Dry Riesling!

Bud Break Festival in Mt. Airy May 4th

Mt. Airy is known as the town of which fictional Mayberry is based. However, the town also sits in one the fastest growing American Viticulture Area’s along the East Coast of the U.S.A.

The 2024 Budbreak Festival returns this Saturday , May 4th. The festival, which coincides with North Carolina Wine Month, celebrates the early Spring awakening of the area’s vines.

As many as twelve Yadkin Valley wineries are participating, including Golden Road Vineyards in State Road. Last year Golden Roads won Best-in-Show for their 2022 Traminette in the inaugural Great White – A White Wine Competition.

At least three area breweries are participating, including Williamson Mead and Brew, who recently won a double gold medal for their Hilde Mead in the 2024 North Carolina Mead & Cider Competition.

The event is destined to be a success with such award-winning wines and meads being served. Tickets $25 in advance and $30 at the gate. Festival hours are Noon to Five p.m.

Country Star Tim Elliott is scheduled to preform and several local restaurants and food trucks will be available for dining options.

The Budbreak Festival is a fundraiser for the local Rotary Chapter, and proceeds support various non-profit organizations. Michael Barnes, president of the local Rotary Chapter stated, “a good party…for a good reason!”

Tickets can be purchased at Budbreak Festival Mt. Airy

Prayer for Protection of Yield

Heavenly Father, as cold descends upon our vineyards, we commit to your protection all vineyards across the South,

We implore of you, one who rules the seasons, please intercede on our behalf, so that the vines and any buds breaking remain safe from the harsh elements,

and will so find in your favor that the vines may be protected from the blustering winds and freezing temperatures and continue to flourish with new growth,

and so supply their stewards a bountiful harvest yield of fruit to produce the special blessing of wine that gladdens the heart of so many lives.

In your name we pray, Amen.

Pinot Noir Riesling from Michigan’s Brys Estate

A gift from our friends Dathan and Jennifer, aka Triangle Around Town or the Jathan! We are enjoying a bottle of 2021 Pinot Noir Riesling from Brys Estate Vineyard & Winery in Traverse City, Michigan. A rosé blend of 73% Pinot Noir and 27% Riesling! Wow….Just look at that color!! 🍇

The nose is tart red fruit and the palate is very expressive of raspberry, strawberry, cherry, and cranberry. 🍓🍇 Really light and easy drinking…but not sweet. Just a touch of sweetness that is nicely balanced by the medium plus acidity.

Our first ever Michigan wine, just an excellent Rosè to help us transition into our warm weather lighter wines! ☀️

Here’s to Michigan wine, we are truly enjoying and totally look forward to visiting some day soon! 🛩️

Miramonte Winery Wins The 2024 Wine Natty!

The 2024 Wine Natty was judged February 17th in Asheville, North Carolina.

The National Champion Best-in-Show award-winning wine is the 2019 Estate Syrah from Miramonte Winery in Temecula, California.

This 2019 Estate Grown and Produced Syrah was awarded 93 points and double gold medals!

WSET Diploma Certified Head Judge John Zimmerman stated, “A well done wine!”

Judge Morgan Clendenen noted, “well made,” and judge Sharon Kelly scored it at 94 points.

American Wine Society Certified and mega-experienced Head Judge Bill Fish commented, “well balanced and well made!”

A few highlights for the 2019 Estate Syrah; ABV: 14% Blend: 95% Syrah 5% Petit Sirah AVA: Temecula Valley Retail Price: $75.00

What our Judges Smelled and Tasted; Aromas of blueberry, plum, and spice. Well balanced on the palate with layered notes of blueberry, plum, raspberry, cherry, vanilla, spice, and oak!

Second year in a row a California wine had won The Wine Natty!

Congratulations to Miramonte Winery! 🥇🥇

TTB Expands Red Hills Lake AVA

The TTB formally expanded the Red Hills Lake County AVA in California.

The AVA was expanded by 679 acres and is effective as of March 6th, 2024.

The release stated, “the established AVA and the expansion area are both located in Lake County, California, and both are also within the larger Clear Lake and North Coast AVAs.”

The Red Hills Lake County AVA was originally established in 2004.

The petition to expand was submitted on behalf of local vineyard owners. The additional 679 acres includes three separately owned parcels.

Of interest, the description of the Red Hills Lake County AVA stated its climate is more influenced by Clear Lake than by the Pacific Ocean.

Bobby Flay To Open Burger Restaurant in Charlotte

Food Network star Bobby Flay announced he will open one of his iconic Bobby’s Burgers restaurant’s in Charlotte.

The burger joint will open Spring of 2024 in Charlotte’s Southport neighborhood.

Bobby’s Burgers currently operate six locations in Las Vegas, New Orleans, New Jersey, and New York.

On the Bobby’s Burgers website, it also announces a location coming in 2024 to the Raleigh-Durham International Airport.

The website further credits Bobby Flay stating, “Bobby’s Burgers is where craveability and approachability intersect to create the ultimate burger experience. We’re extremely relatable, yet an element of surprise is infused in every bite. Other concepts simply can’t achieve the culinary creativity of Bobby’s Burgers.”

The website claims the restaurant’s concept as, “The Ultimate Burger Experience.”

Bobby Flay is the current star of the Food Network show, Beat Bobby Flay.

Exciting news for burger lovers and fans of Bobby Flay!

2023 in Review – Part 2

Let’s take a look at several wine competition award and medal presentations in 2023!

Organizing wine competitions takes so much work, time, and energy.

However, the reward is traveling the Southeast for medal presentations! This is the fun!! 🥇

Celebration of Chambourcin Wine Comp presentation at Broken Horseshoe Vineyard in North Georgia

Celebration of Chambourcin gold medal at Baker Buffalo Creek Vineyard in North Carolina

Great White 🦈 Wine Competition awards presentation at Burntshirt Vineyards in Hendersonville North Carolina

Great White 🦈 Wine Competition awards presentation at City Scape Winery in Greenville South Carolina

Great White 🦈 Wine Competition Best-in-Show awards presentation at Golden Road Vineyards in the Yadkin Valley North Carolina

Great White 🦈 Wine Competition medal presentation at Kennington Family Winery in Marietta, South Carolina

Palmetto Wine Competition Best-in-Show awards presentation at Deep Water Vineyard on Wadmalaw Island outside of Charleston SC

Palmetto Wine Competition medal presentation at City Scape Winery in Greenville SC

Seriously, look how photogenic Josh and Deb are from City Scape? Larry and Mandy from South Bend Winery continuing that theme! 📸

Palmetto Wine Competition Medal Presentation at South Bend Winery in Greenwood SC

Always fun Palmetto Wine Comp medal presentation at Fat Ass Heifer Cidery in Campobello SC

Indeed these pictures represent the fun of what we do!

They also represent award-winning wineries in the Southeast worthy of a visit!

Candy at Old Rock Quarry Winery in Enoree, South Carolina taking five. deals in the 2023 Palmetto Wine Competition

Get out and support these regional vineyards and wineries! We guarantee you’ll find the joy supporting these amazing small businesses!!

Penny at Elevation 966 Winery in Greenville SC

Adkins Family Vineyards Lodi California
Best-in-Show 2023 The Wine Natty!

TTB Proposes to Create Tryon Foothills AVA

Tryon Foothills set to become the newest American Viticulture Area established in North Carolina.

The Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau announced on Friday, January 5th, 2024, four proposed new AVA rules.

The announcement proposed to change the name of the established Mendocino Ridge AVA, and to establish three pending American Viticulture Area’s. The three new AVA’s proposed are Conneaut Creek, Nashoba Creek, and Tryon Foothills.

The announcement from TTB is copied below.

This week we proposed to change the name of the established Mendocino Ridge American viticultural area (AVA) and to create three new AVAs called Conneaut Creek, Tryon Foothills, and Nashoba Valley. We are making these proposals in response to petitions from local wine industry members. All comments on these proposals are due to TTB by March 5, 2024.

Mendocino Ridge Name Change. We propose to change the name of the established Mendocino Ridge AVA, located in Mendocino County, California, to “Mendocino Coast Ridge.” The AVA is located within the established North Coast AVA.

Conneaut Creek. We propose to establish a new 70,437-acre AVA called “Conneaut Creek,” in Ashtabula County, Ohio, and within the established Lake Erie AVA.

Tryon Foothills. We propose to establish a new 176-square mile AVA called “Tryon Foothills,” in Polk County, North Carolina. The proposed AVA is not located within any other AVA.

Nashoba Valley. We propose to establish a new 18,367-acre AVA called “Nashoba Valley,” in Worcester County, Massachusetts. The proposed AVA is not located within any other AVA.

We wrote back in October, 2021 that the proposed Tryon Foothills AVA was pending approval by the TTB.

Current wineries within the AVA boundaries are Parker-Binns Vineyard, Overmountain Vineyards, Mountain Brook Vineyards, and Russian Chapel Hills Winery.

After a lengthy wait as pending, the process is finally nearing approval for the establishment of the Tryon Foothills AVA.

An established AVA allows wineries to label their wines with the designated region. The AVA further gives credibility to an established and unique grape growing region.

“The more legitimate and defendable appellations we can get, the better off we are. It solidifies the areas personality(TERROIR), memorable varietals and helps engender a sense of community among the wineries. Plus, the areas can form their own internal “quality alliances” for the betterment of the wines and promote the appellations. Good for us all”, stated David Coventry, winemaker at Mountain Brook Winery,

Years of research, documentation, and lobby by the established growers of the Tryon Foothills led to this remarkable success. The establishment of the Tryon Foothills AVA will further distinguish the region as an area producing high quality award-winning fine wines!

Cheers 🥂 to the Tryon Foothills American Viticulture Area!

Deep Water Vineyard

Charleston’s Wine Destination

Wadmalaw Island may seem a world away from the bustling streets of historic Charleston, however, the scenic drive only takes a leisurely thirty minutes. Wadmalaw Island is quiet, tranquil, without major department stores or chain restaurants, and only sporadic homes and local establishments along the winding two-lane country highway.

What you will find on Wadmalaw Island are marshes, pluff mud, old growth majestic oak trees draped in Spanish Moss, a historic tea garden, and Deep Water Vineyard; a forty-eight-acre property showcasing a twelve-acre muscadinevineyard, growing four different varietals originally planted twenty-two years ago by Jim Irwin of Firefly Distillery fame. Since 2015 the vineyard and winery has been owned by self-confessed Northern transplants, Jesse and Andrea Freiwald.

Deep Water produces dry and sweet muscadine wines, fruit wines, and several vinifera wines from juice sourced in California and other more traditional wine growing regions, plus a rotating staple of award-winning draft meads.

In 2022, Deep Water Vineyards earned six medals in the Palmetto Wine Competition. In the 2023 Palmetto Wine Competition, their Lowcountry Red won Best-in-Show honors!

Lowcountry Red is a dry red wine produced from the 20 plus year old estate grown Ison Muscadine. This award-winning wine is full-bodied with a fruit forward flavor profile.

The Magnolia, a sweet Scuppernong wine, produced from the twenty-two-year-old estate grown Carlos vines, has won multiple awards and accolades. One judge in the Palmetto Wine Competition called Magnolia the best scuppernongwine he had ever tasted.

High Tide is a lighter bodied red wine produced from the estate grown Noble Muscadine. This one is your traditional Muscadine red wine.

Low Tide is a semi-dry white wine produced from the Tara Scuppernong grape.

A few other creative wines offered include Driftwood, a Chardonnay and Tara Scuppernong blend. Sea Island Red is a unique red wine blend of Noble Muscadine and Cabernet Sauvignon. Winter Blues is a fruit wine made with local blueberries and Have a Ball, Lucile is a very popular seasonal strawberry wine.

The draft mead flavors on tap are always evolving. The also make a mean Bloody Mary concocted from their Jalapeñowine and Charleston Bloody Mary Mix. Too late for a Bloody Mary? Then sip on a freshly made mimosa from the sparkling Sweet Caroline Rosé wine. On cool days you will find mulled wine and for those hot summer days, several flavors of wine slushies are always available.

The vineyard property is home to many farm animals including chickens, roosters, ducks, bunnies, pigs and one cherished Brahma cow named Ida Claire. Deep Water offers live music and a food truck on most Saturdays for a weekend wine-down celebration. On the hour wine tastings are available in the tasting room, which includes a fun quirky gift shop. The property offers a vast array of outdoor seating options under the many large oak trees to leisurely relax and enjoy a bottle or glass of your choice.

Imagine spending a leisurely day sipping award-winning wines, estate produced from twenty-tow year old vines, listening to local musicians, while lounging under Spanish Moss draped hundred-year-old oak trees. Indeed, a visit to Deep Water Vineyards is certainly a most unique experience.

Deep Water Vineyard

6775 Bears Bluff Rd

Wadmalaw Island, SC 29487

Open: Tuesday – Saturday 10am – 5pm