REVIEWS AND AWARDS

Awards

• 2006 California State Fair
  2001 Cabernet Sauvignon, Bronze
   
• 2006 Los Angeles County Fair Wines of the World Competition
  2002 Merlot, Silver
   
  
• 2006 West Coast Wine Competition
  2003 Syrah, Silver
   
  
• 2006 San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition
  2002 Merlot, Bronze
  2003 Syrah, Bronze
  2003 Pinot Noir Dijon, Bronze
   
• 2005 Florida International Wine Challenge
  2001 Sangiovese, Bronze
  1999 Cabernet Sauvignon, Bronze
   
• 2005 Los Angeles County Fair Wines of the World Competition
  1999 Cabernet Sauvignon, Silver
  2000 Cabernet Sauvignon, Silver
   
• 2005 Los Angeles County Fair Wines of the World Competition
  Limited Production
  1999 Cabernet Sauvignon, Bronze
   
•  2005 California State Fair
  1999 Cabernet Sauvignon, Silver
  2001 Sangiovese, Bronze
  2001 Merlot, Bronze
   
• 2004 California State Fair
  2001 Sangiovese, Bronze

---

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE October 2005
R. Merlo Vineyards Garners Awards at Recent California Wine Competitions

Hyampom, CA - Trinity County's R. Merlo Vineyards took home three medals at the Los Angeles County Fair, three medals at the California State Fair, the oldest and most prestigious wine competition in North America, and two medals at the Florida International Wine Challenge; beating out long-time wine veterans and making a name for themselves in the global wine community.

At the May 2005 Los Angeles County Fair, R. Merlo Vineyards competed against over 1000 wineries in the Wines of the World competition. In the Red Table Wine Division for wines priced $25.00 and up, both the 1999 R. Merlo Cabernet Sauvignon and the 2000 R. Merlo Cabernet Sauvignon were awarded Silver Medals. The 1999 R. Merlo Cabernet Sauvignon won a Bronze Medal in the Limited Production Division, reserved for wines with less than 2,500 case production.

In the 2005 California State Fair Wine Competition, the 1999 R. Merlo Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon received a Silver Medal, the 2001 R. Merlo Vineyards Merlot received a Bronze Medal, and the 2001 R. Merlo Vineyards Sangiovese was awarded a Bronze Medal. Each wine was competing in the North Coast Region category for the corresponding varietal. This is the second time the R. Merlo Vineyards Sangiovese has placed in the competition, receiving a Bronze Medal in 2004. The winning wines will be displayed at the California State Fair in September.

In September 2005, results were revealed to the Florida International Wine Challenge. R. Merlo Estate Vineyards won a Bronze for their 1999 R. Merlo Estate Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon and a Bronze for their 2001 R. Merlo Estate Vineyards Sangiovese.

This was the first time R. Merlo Vineyards has competed in the Los Angeles County Fair and the Florida International Wine Challenge. Winemaker David Georges was pleased with the results, "It takes a lot to gain recognition in the wine world and to receive such high accolades from the start is very exciting!"

Located in the small town of Hyampom, along the banks of the south fork of the Trinity River, R. Merlo Estate Vineyards is owned by Ray and Robin Merlo and produces a variety of balanced and elegant wines. For more information visit: www.rmerlo.com or call 530-224-1537.

CASE PRODUCTION OF WINNING WINES
R. Merlo Vineyards 1999 Cabernet Sauvignon - 387 Cases Produced
R. Merlo Vineyards 2000 Cabernet Sauvignon - 282 Cases Produced
R. Merlo Vineyards 2001 Merlot - 456 Cases Produced