In its first year on the market, the new 30A Red Blend by Mercer Estates has been named the best of its kind under $25.

The 2013 30A Red Blend earned the gold medal in the Bordeaux blends under $25 category during a blind taste testing at the South Walton Wine and Food Festival competition last month. Over 600 wines were entered to compete, and a panel of 21 wine experts from around the country scored and selected a gold, silver, and bronze medal winner in each of approximately 80 categories.

“We’ve always known it’s a fantastic wine at an affordable price, but to win the gold medal among all red blends is really incredible,” said 30A’s founder Mike Ragsdale.

Last spring, The 30A Company released the 30A Red Blend and 30A Chardonnay, both in partnership with the family-run Mercer Estates, which was named Washington state’s winery of the year in 2016, out of more than 900 competing wineries.

30A Company representatives worked with Mercer to come up with the perfect red and white wines to go with the beach lifestyle and stay in line with the company’s ideals of promoting high-quality, sustainable goods.

The 30A Red Blend is barrel-aged in a combination of French and American oak for up to 12 months and bursts with ripe black cherry and plum flavors, with hints of caramel, coffee and smoke. The 30A Chardonnay is a light, crisp white wine, perfect for enjoying with a sunset on the beach.

Both are available for purchase online and at retailers and restaurants across the Southeast.

In March, The 30A Company will release a 30A Rosé in response to popular demand from 30A fans, as well as a 30A Malbec later in 2017. Stay tuned for more info.

30A Red Blend, 30A Chardonnay and 30A Rosé will be available at the South Walton Wine and Food Festival April 27-30, 2017.