Orange County Fair, California
~2017 Wine Competition~
The Orange County Fair’s competition is the largest and most comprehensive judging of California wines in the world. This competition attempts to judge every grape wine made in California that is commercially available in Orange County. This year 2,457 wines were judged by 72 professional wine makers and/or winery principals.
Gold Medal awarded to:
2013 Petite Sirah
HELLER ESTATE ORGANICALLY GROWN WINES are delighting palates throughout the world. The symbol of our production – inspired by a twenty foot high bronze sculpture created by Toby Heller, overlooking the vineyards, of the now renowned dancing vineyard couple – has become a symbol of outstanding quality wines, receiving praises and kudos from wine-lovers throughout the world.
Planted and dry-farmed on the rich, sandy loamy soils of our mountain vineyards at about 1,500 feet above sea-level, we continue to produce what are, perhaps, the most exciting, extraordinary quality wines in California. The grapes seem to extract special flavors to make the wine, and wine-lovers throughout America are now enjoying the results. Read more…
What an exciting yea
r thus far here at Heller Estate Organic Vineyards! We did not float away with all the rainstorms that California endured and are very happy to say that all the wells as well as the reservoir are now completely recharged. The vineyards are looking beautiful with all the new grape clusters just starting to take shape. The milder temperatures this spring has put us on track for a later harvest season, which is more in line with the pre-drought years as far as timing goes for harvest seasons. This gives the grapes a more relaxed growing season with a longer time to reach full maturity with wonderfully intense aromas, flavors and structure. Read more…
Bud break is occurring all over the vineyard! Now that the vines are slowly waking up after their restful slumbe
r over the winter months we are seeing tiny little leaves peaking out at us from the previously dormant canes. This means spring is officially here and the 2017 growing season has begun. The copious amounts of rainfall this winter were such a wonderful blessing for grape vines and fruit trees here at Heller Estate Organic Vineyards. It has significantly recharged the water tables on the property as well as giving all the plants plenty of water to quench their thirst. Meanwhile, our new pond has been completely filled. Lots of happy turtles are now swimming and sunning themselves at the pond. Read more…
What a lovely time of year to receive a package of delicious Heller Estate Organic Vineyards organically grown wines – a package that comes just after all the festivities of the holiday season have quieted down. This gives one a great excuse for another fun celebration. It is always nice, no matter what time of year, to invite over good friends and family to enjoy some yummy food and delicious wine.
With the New Year here, the vineyard is getting some much deserved rest. The weather has been rather chilly up on the vineyard here in Cachagua. When arriving to work in the mornings, we are met with frost blanketing the beautiful landscape. We have also been getting a nice amount of rainfall this winter which in turn is recharging the water table. This is great because the water becomes much more accessible to the deep root systems of our dry farmed vines. This winter’s cold weather is also beneficial for the grapevines; it allows them to go dormant, hibernate, and recharge from the last year’s growing season. Read more…