LOWER LAKE, Calif. – Six Sigma Ranch and Winery’s 2010 Reserve Pinot Noir was chosen by this year's “Pinot Noir Shootout” panel of judges to win a Gold Medal along with a 90 point score.

In this competition, also known as “The World's Best Pinot Noir Event,” famous producers of Pinot Noir submit their wines year after year in the hope of winning a gold medal.

Six Sigma was the only Lake County Winery represented, growing just two acres of Pinot Noir vines in a unique microclimate on their massive 4300 acre estate.  

Historically a region not known for growing Pinot Noir, Six Sigma Ranch and Winery has proved this wrong.  

This competition has a single varietal focus where each of the wines are more intensely judged than in competitions where judges have to review multiple varietals in the same day.  

The tasting process took place over a three month period beginning in October and continued through the finals in December.     

The judges not only recognized the 2010 Pinot Noir but they also recognized the skills of Six Sigma Ranch Winemaker, Matt Hughes.

Matt has been asked to sit on a panel titled "Winemakers to Watch." This panel will feature four talented and relatively young winemakers who the judges feel deserve proper recognition for their talents.  

Each winemaker will answer roundtable questions and share a wine that demonstrates his or her own style and philosophy of winemaking.
 
The event is taking place at the Herbst International Exhibition Hall in The Presidio (385 Moraga Ave., San Francisco) on Saturday, March 16.

To purchase tickets, go to their Web site at http://affairsofthevine.com/ .

The 2010 Pinot Noir is very limited with only 150 cases produced and primarily sold at the historic tasting room in Lower Lake.   

Visit the estate to taste the 2010 Pinot Noir and all of the Six Sigma award winning wines at Six Sigma Winery located at 13372 Spruce Grove Road, Lower Lake, CA 95457, and open 11 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. daily.  

For more information please call 707-994-4068.