On November 10, 2008, a panel of judges convened in the Cabinet Room at the Old Ebbitt Grill for the final round of the Old Ebbitt Grill International Wines for Oysters Competition. Their task was to select gold medal winners from among twenty finalists. The remaining wines earned silver medals, and the bronze medal winners were chosen during the semi-final round a week earlier. An impressive 304 wines from all over the world were entered in this year's Competition. Within the United States, 140 wines were submitted from seven states. Wineries from 10 other countries entered a total of 163 wines, Argentina, Australia, Austria, Chile, France, Germany, Italy, New Zealand, South Africa, and Spain. The ten gold medalists were served with over twenty types of oysters at the 14th Annual Old Ebbitt Grill Oyster Riot held on November 21 & 22; over 61,000 oysters were consumed by almost 2000 guests.

Our Distinguished Panel of Judges
Mary Beth Albright, David Bradt, Bart Farrell, Kyle Gaffney, John Keshishian, Paul Lukacs, Kelly Magyarics, Vic Matus, Nycci Nellis, Antonin Scalia, Marguerite Thomas, Mike Walter, Thomas Yannucci, Eve Zibart.

2008 GOLD MEDAL WINNERS

Grand Champion
Saint Clair "Vicar's Choice" Sauvignon Blanc 2008
Marlborough, New Zealand

First Runner-Up
J Cuvee 20 Brut, J Vineyards and Winery NV
Russian River Valley, California

Second Runner-Up
Whitehaven Sauvignon Blanc 2008
Marlborough, New Zealand

OTHER GOLD MEDALISTS
Spy Valley Sauvignon Blanc, Marlborough, New Zealand, 2008
Domaine du Tariquet Sauvignon, Gascogne, France, 2007
Backsberg Chenin Blanc, Paarl, South Africa, 2007
Sileni Cellar Selection Sauvignon Blanc, Marlborough, New Zealand, 2008
Brancott Letter Series Brancott "B" Sauvignon Blanc, Marlborough, New Zealand, 2008
Kim Crawford Sauvignon Blanc, Marlborough, New Zealand, 2008
Babich Sauvignon Blanc, Marlborough, New Zealand, 2008

2008 SILVER MEDAL WINNERS

Mud House Sauvignon Blanc, Marlborough, New Zealand, 2008
Firestone Sauvignon Blanc, Santa Ynez, CA, 2007
Veramonte Sauvignon Blanc, Casablanca, Chile, 2008
Nimbus Estate Sauvignon Blanc, Casablanca, Chile, 2008
Cono Sur "Bicycle" Sauvignon Blanc, Casablanca, Chile, 2008
Dancing Bull Sauvignon Blanc, California, 2007
Longboard Vineyards Sauvignon Blanc, Russian River Valley, CA 2007
Caposaldo Pinot Grigio, Veneto, Italy, 2007
Coopers Creek Sauvignon Blanc, Marlborough, New Zealand, 2008
West Brook Sauvignon Blanc, Marlborough, New Zealand, 2006

2008 BRONZE MEDAL WINNERS

Mud House Swan Reserve Sauvignon Blanc, Marlborough, New Zealand, 2008
Mezzacorona Pinot Grigio, Trentino, Italy, 2007
Hacienda Araucano Sauvignon Blanc, Central Valley, Chile, 2008
Domaine Herve Seguin Pouilly Fume, Loire Valley, France, 2006
Clos du Bois Sauvignon Blanc 2005, North Coast, California, 2007
Wolffer Estate La Ferme Martin Chardonnay, The Hamptons, Long Island, NY, 2005
Horton Viognier, Orange County, Virginia, 2007
Emiliana Natura Sauvignon Blanc, Casablanca, Chile, 2007
Emiliana Natura Chardonnay, Casablanca, Chile, 2006
Rosedale Wines Cat Amongst the Pigeons Riesling, Barossa Valley, Australia, 2008
Domaine des Berthiers Pouilly Fume, Loire Valley, France, 2006
Stellenbosch Sauvignon Blanc South Africa, 2007
Bonnet Vignerons Les Dabinieres Eco Muscadet Sur Lie, Muscadet Sevre et Maine, France, 2007
Abacela, Albarino, Umpqua Valley, Oregon, 2007
Milbrandt Pinot Gris, Columbia Valley, Washington, 2007
Hall Sauvignon Blanc, Napa Valley, California, 2007
Taltarni Brut Tache Sparkling Rose, Victoria, Australia, NV
Seifried Estate Sauvignon Blanc, Sauvignon Blanc, 2008
The Crossings Sauvignon Blanc, Marlborough, New Zealand, 2008
Nobilo Regional Collection Sauvignon Blanc, Marlborough, New Zealand, 2008
Matua Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc, Marlborough, New Zealand, 2008
Villa Maria Private Bin Sauvignon Blanc, Marlborough, New Zealand, 2008
Bird Winery Sauvignon Blanc School House Vineyard, Marlborough, New Zealand, 2007
Huia Sauvignon Blanc, Marlborough, New Zealand, 2007
Starborough Sauvignon, Marlborough, New Zealand, 2007

Countries and Number of Entries

Argentina, 8
Australia, 36
Austria, 1
Chile, 12
France, 22
Germany, 4
Italy, 28
New Zealand, 38
South Africa, 7
Spain, 8
United States, 140

United States, 140 Entries

California, 114
New Jersey, 2
New York, 3
Oregon, 12
Rhode Island, 1
Virginia, 6
Washington, 2

Oysters Served at the Oyster Riot
Olympia (Ostrea lurida)
Olympia (Totten Inlet, WA)

Pacific (Crassostrea gigas)
Evening Cove (Deep Bay, BC)
Otter Cove (Discovery Bay, WA)
Quilcene (Quilcene Bay, WA)

Eastern (Crassostrea virginica)
Barcat (York River, VA)
Beavertail (Narragansett Bay, RI)
Blackberry Point (Foxley River, PEI)
Cape Breton (North Harbor, NS)
Chincoteague (Chincoteague Bay, VA)
Lucky Lime (New London Bay, PEI)
Martha's Vineyard (Cape Cod Bay, MA)
Matunuck (Potter Pond, RI)
Quonset Point (Narragansett Bay, RI)
Rome Point (Narragansett Bay, RI)
Salt Aire (Northumberland Strait, PEI)
Summerside (Bedeque Bay, PEI)
Wawenauk (Muscongus Bay, ME)
Whale Rock (Mystic River, CT)
Wiley Point (Damariscotta River, ME)
Onset (Buzzards Bay, MA)
Thatch Island (Barnstable Harbor)