Sixteen Traveling Vineyard wines earned medals for quality and taste in 2022, including three gold winning wines! Meet all of our 2022 award winning wines.
Finding amazing wine doesn’t just happen. It takes months, and sometimes years, of watching and waiting (and sampling) high-quality wines from growers across the globe for our expert team to find the wines that deserve the Traveling Vineyard label—and bring them to you at prices that fit a real-life budget. We’ve proven year after year that real good wine doesn’t have to cost hundreds of dollars. In 2022, we’re proud that sixteen more of our wines have earned that proof by receiving medals from distinguished judges across multiple international wine competitions.
“We work extremely hard all year long sourcing, blending and bottling amazing wines and winning an award just goes to show how amazing our products really are” says Traveling Vineyard’s Madison Gilbride, Director of Operations. “We spend countless hours tasting, planning and forecasting our wine pipeline that includes wines from all around the world and, in some cases, creating high-quality domestic wines from grapes ourselves. While we truly believe our wines are amazing, these awards validate our beliefs and gives our Wine Guides a catalog of products they can be very proud to share.”
Without further ado, let’s take a look back at our best of 2022 award winning wines!
Gold Medal Wines
Three wines earned top honors of Gold in 2022.
2021 Smirk, Western Cape Muscat, South Africa. Pop the cork on our gold winning white, Smirk. Our 2021 Smirk exhibits semi-sweet, earthy notes complimented by juicy mandarin orange, and lime on the palate. Refreshingly sweet with ripe fruit flavors, our popular South African Muscat is made for fun in the sun. A crowd pleaser that’s like drinking a fresh fruit-bowl of flavor. Naturally sweet, but not cloying, this is an easy drinking white table wine with some structural acidity—surely something Cleopatra would have found delightful on a humid Mediterranean afternoon. SHOP NOW
2020 Giovina, Montepulciano, D’Abruzzo DOC, Italy (out of stock): Made with organic and biodynamic grapes, our 2020 Giovina, Montepulciano was awarded 92 points and a gold medal at the World Wine Championship. An approachable yet serious red with true Italian flair, Giovina is medium-bodied with cherry notes and an earthy kick. This Montepulciano complements the tanginess of tomato-based sauces and balances the richness of hearty meat dishes and salty cheeses with its taut tannins. This is the kind of red that makes Italians smile!
2020 Heist, Cabernet Sauvignon, Paso Robles California (out of stock): This Cabernet Sauvignon earned Gold at the San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition. Heist is a serious and bold, full-bodied Cabernet Sauvignon bursting with black currant and cassis, and layered with a smokey, woodsy flavors. This wine has a special affinity for food pairings—we’d suggest serving alongside short ribs, grilled steak, or brisket.
Silver Medal Wines
Six wines earned top honors of Silver in 2022.
Tanglerose, Backyard Red Lot 22A, Monterey County, California: A silver medalist at the 2022 Sommelier Challenge International Wine Competition, our Backyard Red blend is all about simple enjoyment. Even though the wine is complex and layered, it’s light on its feet and deliciously sippable. It’s a bright and juicy blend of mostly Merlot with Syrah, Cabernet Sauvignon and even a dash of Pinot Noir that showcases cherry and red berry notes with a kick of smoke and spice. SHOP NOW
2020 Screaming Goat, Gewürztraminer, Monterey County, California: Highly recommended by the World Wine Championship, Screaming Goat is a succulent sipper with freshness to spare. This sustainably grown California beauty boasts juicy tropical aromas and spicy notes galore. Our award-winning Screaming Goat is full of personality—pair it with brunch, or pop the cork with spicy dishes from fiery Thai Curry to piquant Mexican stuffed peppers. The perfect winter white! SHOP NOW
2020 Santoreggia, Sangiovese, Puglia IGT, Italy: Described as, “A lovely Tuscan table wine to pair with red sauce and any grilled meat,” at the World Wine Championships, this elegant Italian Sangiovese is a medium-bodied beauty that’s so vibrant it’s almost dancing on the palate. Aromas are red berry and floral with appealing earthy undertones. Made with organic grapes and hailing from the southern Italian region of Puglia, Santoreggia will appeal to lovers of zesty reds. Pair it with pizza night, or a delicious charcuterie board and your favorite pals. SHOP NOW
2020 Porticina, Malvasia, IGT, Italy (out of stock): Described as “A crisp and friendly Malvasia with sweet aromatics and a pleasingly dry, refreshing palate” at the World Wine Championship, Porticina is a rich and vibrant white wine, delivering floral, nutty aromas and mouthfuls of fruity flavors. This succulent wine is great to sip by the glass and also pairs with a wide variety of cuisines from Thai food to Mexican fare. It’s a great option for people who enjoy aromatic Viogniers, lush Chardonnays and full-bodied Moscatos.
Other Silver Medalists:
- 2020 Rilassanti, Marche Cabernet Sauvignon, Italy (out of stock)
- 2020 Armatura, Terre Siciliane Rosso Appassimento, Italy (out of stock)
Bronze Medal Wines
Seven wines earned top honors of Bronze in 2022.
2021 Jitterbug, Lodi Sauvignon Blanc, California: A beautiful and crisp white wine, Jitterbug was recently awarded a bronze medal at the American Wine Society 2022 Commercial Wine Competition. Sustainably grown in Lodi, Jitterbug is a zesty yet pretty Sauvignon Blanc that plays up California’s fruity style and succulent freshness. More accessible with less herbaceousness and acidity, this wine will do well with dishes such as grilled vegetables, pasta, fried fish sandwiches or a shrimp salad dish. SHOP NOW
2020 Pluma Oscura, Cabernet Sauvignon, Mendoza, Argentina: This fresh, clean, crowd-pleasing Cabernet Sauvignon exhibits lovely, precise red and black fruit aromas and flavors with a minty touch. Sustainably farmed in the mountainous Mendoza region, this earthy and elegant red will widen your wine horizons. With bright acidity and silky style, Pluma Oscura is a versatile red ideal for the dinner table, earning itself a bronze medal from the 2022 San Francisco International WIne Competition. SHOP NOW
2021 Caballeria de Luna, Penedès White, Spain: A bronze medalist at the 2022 San Francisco International WIne Competition, this delicious white wine is exotic yet approachable. Made from unique Spanish grape varieties, Caballeria de Luna is a foodie’s dream white wine. Pair it with spicy and salty fare like Spanish jamón or lightened up grilled fish and fresh salads. SHOP NOW
Other Bronze Medalists:
- 2018 Steeple Street, Chardonnay, California
- 2019 Bailando, Malbec, Mendoza, Argentina (out of stock)
- 2020 Moto Rouge, Wahluke Slope Petit Verdot, Washington (out of stock)
- Streamer, White Wine Spritzer (out of stock)
Did you have the opportunity to experience one of our medal winners? View all award winners here and stock up for the new year with free shipping on orders of six or more bottles. Be sure and leave your review for your favorite! Cheers to more amazing award winning wine in 2022!