The 2008 Wine Challenge Award winners are:

Best In Show
2005 Pianetta Bilancio **

Gold
2005 Pianetta Bilancio**
2006 Bargetto Sauvignon Blanc*
2006 Cru “Two Vineyards” Chardonnay*
2006 San Saba Pinot Noir*
2005 Silver Mountain “Tondre” Pinot Noir
2005 Boete Cheval Rouge
2005 Pianetta Cabernet Sauvignon*
2006 Ronan Syrah
2006 Ventana Syrah*
2007 Maddelena Riesling*

Silver
2006 Carmichael Grigio e Bianco
2007 Ventana Pinot Gris*
2005 San Simeon Chardonnay
2006 Windbreak Chardonnay
2006 Cru “Vigna Monte Nero” Chardonnay*
2005 Carmichael Sa Vini*
2004 Heller “Dancers” Meritage
2005 Ventana Cabernet Sauvignon*
2004 Pianetta Syrah
2005 Pianetta Syrah

Bronze
2007 Scheid Sauvignon Blanc
2006 San Saba Chardonnay
2006 McInture Chardonnay
2006 Cobblestone Chardonnay
2005 McIntyre Pinot Noir
2006 McIntrye Pinot Noir
2005 Mission Trail Merlot*
2005 Pot Belly Charlottes Red
2004 Mission Trail Meritage
2006 Line Shack Cabernet Sauvignon

Best in Class
2005 Pianetta Bilancio** – Red Blend Over $20
2006 Bargetto Sauvignon Blanc – Sauvignon Blanc
2006 Cru “Two Vineyards” Chardonnay – Chardonnay $15-25
2006 San Saba Pinot Noir – Pinot Noir Over $25
2005 Pianetta Cabernet Sauvignon – Cabernet Sauvignon Over $20
2006 Ventana Syrah – Syrah
2007 Maddelena Riesling – Off Dry
2007 Ventana Pinot Gris – Pinot Gris/Grigio
2006 Cru “Vigna Monte Nero” Chardonnay – Chardonnay Over $25
2005 Carmichael Sa Vini – Blend Under $20
2005 Ventana Cabernet Sauvignon – Cabernet Sauvignon Under $20
2005 Mission Trail Merlot – Merlot
2006 McIntyre Vin Gris of Pinot Noir – Rose
2006 Bocage Chardonnay – Chardonnay Under $15
2006 Hahn Pinot Noir – Pinot Noir Under $25
2005 Pierce Tempranillo – Other Reds
N/V Pot Belly Port – Dessert Wine

**Best In Show, Gold, and Best In Class
*Also won Best in Class Award

Monterey, CA - Monterey County will bring some of its best wines together
for the Monterey County Fair's 4th Annual Wine Challenge. The event, which
was created to celebrate the diversity and the world-class quality of
varietals, wineries and vineyards that make Monterey County a premier wine
destination, will be held on Thursday, August 14th from 6:00 p.m. - 9:00
p.m. in the Oak Pavilion, during the fair, at the Monterey County
Fairgrounds.

Advance tickets are $20 each and include Fair Admission. Tickets, which
include transportation courtesy of Monterey-Salinas Transit, may be
purchased at the Monterey County Fair office through August 5th or buy your
ticket at the door on August 14th, once you're in the Fair, for $25.00.
Attendees will have the opportunity to sample all of the gold medal and Best
of Show wines and vote for their favorites. The Peoples' Choice winning
wines will be unveiled the night of the event. Raffle prizes will be awarded
to those in attendance that night.

The wines featured at the Wine Tasting Event were selected by a panel of
esteemed judges at a blind tasting on June 21. Each wine was judged during
this private tasting event and the gold medal wines will go on to the Wine
Tasting Event at the Fair, where the public will choose their favorite wines
and enjoy food and fair festivities.

The Wine Challenge showcases the best of Monterey County's wines and helps
consumers gauge Monterey County wines by designating winners as gold, silver
or bronze medalists. During the fair, all wines will be showcased on display
in the Oak Pavilion. "It is a privilege to provide the local winemaking
community a venue to showcase their wines and talents to our 65,000 annual
patrons," said Deputy Fair Manager, Sarah Cummings.

WHAT: On Saturday, June 7th, the Monterey County Fair will be holding a free electronic waste collection event.  The collection will provide residents with an opportunity to safely unload their old computers, television sets, monitors and other out-dated, unusable or unwanted electronic items for proper recycling from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. each day.

It is illegal to simply throw an old television or computer monitor in the trash in the state of California.  Electronic items have toxic elements like lead and mercury in them that are environmentally hazardous when they are dumped into landfills.  By law, such products must now be recycled properly and in ways that won’t harm the environment.

In an attempt to help residents and the environment, the Monterey County Fair has become proactive in its efforts to collect electronic waste.  The electronics collected will then be trucked away and recycled by Fresno-based Electronic Recyclers, the largest recycler of electronic waste in California and the Fair’s partner for this event.  The collection is designed to provide local businesses and schools with an easy way to get rid of their old electronics.

“We’re extremely proud to be partnering with the historic Monterey County Fair for this special program,” said John S. Shegerian, Chairman and CEO of Electronic Recyclers.  “The Monterey County Fair is helping residents become more environmentally responsible by offering them a convenient opportunity to safely dispose of their old electronics.”

Each year in California, hundreds of thousands of computers, copiers, fax machines, printers, televisions and other electronic items are replaced by
newer, more advanced equipment.   It is estimated that up to 75 percent of
these outdated electronics are in storage because people don't know what to do with them.

WHERE:    The Monterey County Fair, 2004 Fairgrounds Road, Monterey, CA

WHEN:    Saturday, June 7th from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

CONTACTS: For more information please call the fair office at 831-372-5863