LOWER LAKE, Calif. – The fourth annual Six Sigma Cowboy Cook-off was another memorable event for Six Sigma Ranch and Winery.   

The Cowboy Cook-off is a cooking competition held each year the July 4 weekend between members of the Six Sigma Winery team.  

All guests can vote for their favorite cook and dish while sipping on what Six Sigma is known for – the award-winning Six Sigma Ranch wines.  

This year the cooks were Christian Ahlmann, vice president of Six Sigma, who created smoked pork ribs; Walt Campbell, direct to trade manager, who made a turkey chili made from wild turkey from the ranch; and winemaker Matt Hughes and his wife Nancy, who made a delicious gumbo.  

Alma Galvan, who helps the team with hospitality, decided to challenge the team this year with her homemade salsa that definitely wowed the crowd.  

Although the votes were extremely close, Matt Hughes was crowned the 2013 champion although he was very reluctant to accept the award alone.

When he gave his acceptance speech he said, “the true champion is my wife, Nancy. I want to give credit to the real winner – my beautiful and obviously talented wife.”

The grounds were filled to capacity as many enthusiastic guests arrived in festive cowboy and cowgirl costumes.  

The winners of the costume contest received gift certificates for Pinzgauer tours of the 4,300-acre ranch.  

This is a unique opportunity to experience a part of the ranch and see the highest altitude vineyard on the property, the Diamond Mine Vineyard.

It felt like a step back in time, watching cowboys and cowgirls surround the historic old stagecoach stop that doubles as the Six Sigma Ranch tasting room.  

The large, ancient oak trees shaded the guests as they mingled, sipped, and savored the cooks’ creations while listening to original country soul music of Michael Barrish.

Kaj and Else Ahlmann, proprietors of Six Sigma Ranch, were particularly pleased with the cook-off.

“We were happy to see so many friends enjoy the place we call home,” said Else Ahlmann. “The event went very smoothly, and we are grateful for our hard-working team and all the friends who step in and give us a hand with events like this.”  

Six Sigma Winery at 13372 Spruce Grove Road is open for tasting every day at 11 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.