Food Lion LLC, a division of the Delhaize Group, continues to show how far it's come from its no-frills, cookie-cutter retail past. The chain said yesterday its private wine brand, Surf Point, had received recognition at the San Francisco International Wine Competition.

Surf Point Pinot Grigio received the gold medal, while Surf Point Merlot won the silver medal and Surf Point Chardonnay won the bronze medal, Food Lion said.

The San Francisco International Wine Competition is the largest, and one of the most influential international wine competitions in the U.S. The competition is judged by a panel of nationally recognized wine experts and is based on a blind, consensual procedure. This year, more than 1,150 wineries entered submissions from 21 countries, Food Lion said.

Surf Point Wine is made and developed on California's mid-coast from grapes acquired from Sonoma Valley and has been available in Food Lion stores for a month.