By Nicole Collins
Old Rock Quarry Winery in Enoree won 14 medals for its ciders and wines at the August 2020 Palmetto Wine Competition.
This year’s Palmetto Wine Competition, held in August, featured 68 entries of wine, mead and cider produced from 11 different South Carolina Wineries.
“The main reason we entered was with us still being such a young winery we really wanted to see where our wines ranked with knowledgeable judges who have extensive backgrounds in the wine industry,” said Candy Dietrick, owner of Old Rock Quarry Winery.
Dietrick purchased the winery last year and Old Rock Quarry Winery is currently the only woman-owned winery in the state.
This is the second year Old Rock Quarry has participated in the Palmetto Wine Competition, while the competition itself is in its third year. At last year’s competition, Dietrick said that they entered four wines and received awards for all four. This year, she entered 11 wines and three ciders and won medals on all of them – one gold medal, six silver medals and seven bronze medals.
“Most of the ones we chose were either customer favorites, or new releases that we were excited to see what the judges’ thoughts of them were,” said Dietrick.
The winery has not participated in any other competitions to date.
The Palmetto Wine Competition, organized by Dennis and Jenni Turner, seeks to promote awareness of the twenty plus commercially licensed wine, mead, and cider producers of South Carolina.
The Turners said that the uniqueness of Old Rock Quarry Winery comes from the owner believing in one’s craft.
“Old Rock Quarry Winery entering 14 wines in a wine competition shows their belief that their product is good. Winning 14 medals for 14 wines entered provides validation of that belief,” said the Turners. “Old Rock Quarry Winery offers a diverse selection of white to red wines, dry to sweet wines, and hard ciders. Everyone is likely to find at least one to their liking.
The Turners also operate the blog site, WineryEscapades.com, with the purpose to increase the awareness of local and regional craft beverage producers through social media and blogs, the marketing of whimsical wine related products, and the organization of regional wine competitions.
The Turner’s have visited Old Rock Quarry several times and liken the atmosphere to be “reminiscent of visiting old friends who just happen to make really good wine, and hanging out in their backyard, enjoying their comradery, and of course, their wine.”
Jenni Turner’s favorite wine at Old Rock Quarry is the Raspberry Giggles (which is a silver medal winner this year). One of Dennis’ favorite is the Snap Apple Sassy.
Old Rock Quarry Winery’s 2020 winning wines and ciders
Gold Medal
- Gewurztraminer
Silver Medals
- Rise and Wine
- Raspberry Giggles
- Cabernet Sauvignon
- Lime in da Coconut
- Naked Cat Mixed Berry Hard Cider
- Peggy’s Chocolate Cherry Decadence
Bronze Medals
- Sauvignon Blanc
- Peachy Keen
- Tiger’s Blood
- Naked Cat Spiced Apple Cider
- Naked Cat Raspberry Lime Cider
- Blackberry Banger
- Pineapple in a Pear Tree
Also, check out the Old Rock Quarry Winery’s free fall events here.
