Behind the scenes of Sunset's Western Wine Awards 2007

NOMINATED WINES (*designates category winner; **designates Wine of the Year winner)

STEAL OF THE YEAR ($15 AND UNDER)

SPARKLING

Domaine Ste. Michelle Brut NV (Columbia Valley; $12)
 Gruet Blanc de Noirs NV (New Mexico; $14)
 Korbel Brut Rosé NV (California; $11)

WHITE

Chappellet Chenin Blanc 2004 (Napa Valley; $15)
 Dry Creek Vineyard Chenin Blanc 2006 (Clarksburg; $12)
 Hogue Pinot Grigio 2006 (Columbia Valley; $9)
 Edna Valley Paragon Vineyard Sauvignon Blanc 2005 (Edna Valley; $15)
 *Geyser Peak Sauvignon Blanc 2006 (California; $12)
 Kenwood Sauvignon Blanc 2006 (Sonoma County; $13)
 Pomelo Sauvignon Blanc 2006 (California; $10)
 Rock Rabbit Sauvignon Blanc 2005 (Central Coast; $9)
 Wente "Louis Mel" Sauvignon Blanc 2005 (Livermore Valley; $12)
 Hedges "C.M.S." White blend 2005 (Columbia Valley; $12)
 Concannon Chardonnay 2005 (Central Coast; $9.99)
 Edna Valley Paragon Vineyard Chardonnay 2005 (Edna Valley; $12)
 Five Rivers Chardonnay 2005 (Monterey County; $9.99)
 Chateau Ste. Michelle Cold Creek Vineyard Riesling 2006 (Columbia Valley; $14)
 Columbia Crest "Two Vines" Riesling 2006 (Columbia Valley; $8)
 Firestone Riesling 2005 (Central Coast; $12)
 Pacific Rim Dry Riesling 2006 (Columbia Valley and Mosel-Saar-Ruwer, Germany; $11)
 Angeline Gewürztraminer 2006 (Mendocino; $14)
 Covey Run Gewürztraminer 2005 (Columbia Valley; $7.99)

ROSÉ

Iron Horse T-bar-T Vineyard "Rosato di Sangiovese" 2006 (Alexander Valley; $13)

RED

Mark West Pinot Noir 2005 (California; $10)
 Peachy Canyon "Incredible Red" Zinfandel 2005 (Paso Robles; $11)
 Shenandoah Vineyards Special Reserve Zinfandel 2005 (Amador County; $9.95)
 Grand Archer Syrah 2003 (Sonoma County; $12)
 Columbia Winery Syrah 2004 (Columbia Valley; $15)
 J. Lohr South Ridge Vineyard Syrah 2004 (Paso Robles; $15)
 Hedges "C.M.S." red blend 2005 (Columbia Valley; $12)
 Maryhill "Winemaker's Blend" 2005 (Columbia Valley; $12)
 Novella "Synergy" red blend 2004 (Paso Robles; $14)
 Duck Pond Desert Wind Vineyard Merlot 2004 (Wahluke Slope; $12)
 Snoqualmie Merlot 2004 (Columbia Valley; $10)
 Covey Run Cabernet Sauvignon-Merlot 2003 (Columbia Valley;$8.99)
 Columbia Crest "Two Vines" Cabernet Sauvignon 2003 (Columbia Valley; $8)
 Liberty School Cabernet Sauvignon 2005 (Paso Robles; $14)
 *Louis M. Martini Cabernet Sauvignon 2004 (Sonoma County; $15)