ICCW Logo in maroon

24 judges from around the nation sipped and studied more than 300 wines August 15 at the Minnesota Landscape Arboretum, Chaska. This is the only competition of its kind that focuses on wines made with cold-hardy grapes, fruit, or mead. The competition seeks to honor and promote wines of exceptional quality produced in these unique cold-climate regions. The competition is a partnership between the University of Minnesota Grape Breeding and Enology Project and the Minnesota Grape Growers Association. Many wonderful industry sponsors also support the event.

These wineries were from 10 states and 1 Canadian province, a true international competition.

Six trophies are awarded to the top wines and wineries in the competition, in addition to medallions. The top awards include Best-of-Show from each competition category, Winery of the Year, and the prestigious Minnesota Governor’s Cup. Winery of the year is awarded based on a weighted medal count. The Minnesota Governor’s Cup is chosen from gold and double gold award-winning wines that are produced in Minnesota. The selection is made from the entire judge panel. This year’s judging panel included sommeliers, wine consultants, wine importers, wine makers, enologists, biochemists, and wine writers.

 

Minnesota Governor's Cup

Blue La Crescent (2017) The Winery Sovereign Estate, Waconia Minnesota

Winery of the Year

Dancing Dragonfly Winery, Saint Croix Falls, WI

Best of Show White Wine

St. Pepin (2017) Parallel 44 Vineyard and Winery, Kewaunee, WI

Best of Show Rosé Wine

You Betcha Blush (2018) Carols Creek Winery, Alexandria, MN

Best of Show Red Wine

Marquette (2018) Vintage Escapes Winery, Kilkenny, MN

Best of Show Speciality/Fortified Wine

Lindy (2017) Dancing Dragonfly Winery, Saint Croix Falls, WI

Medals

Double Gold

Dancing Dragonfly Winery

Hula

2017

Saint Croix Falls

WI

Schram Vineyards

Marquette

2017

Waconia

MN

Tassel Ridge Winery

Blackberry

2018

Oskaloosa

IA

Three Oak Wines

Crescent Rose

2018

Albert Lea

MN

 

Gold

August Hill Winery/Illinois Sparkling Co.

Demi Sec Rosé

2016

Peru

IL

Carlos Creek Winery

You Betcha Blush

2018

Alexandria

MN

Carlos Creek Winery

Frontenac Gris

2018

Alexandria

MN

Carlos Creek Winery

Solera

nv

Alexandria

MN

Chateau St. Croix Winery

Ruby Port

2009

St. Croix Falls

WI

Cold Country Vines & Wines

La Crescent

2018

Kewaunee

WI

Dancing Dragonfly Winery

Promenade

2017

Saint Croix Falls

WI

Dancing Dragonfly Winery

Ballet

2017

Saint Croix Falls

WI

Dancing Dragonfly Winery

Lindy

2017

Saint Croix Falls

WI

Danzinger Vineyards

Midnight Voyage

2017

Alma

WI

Danzinger Vineyards

King Cranberry

2018

Alma

WI

Grace Tyler Estate Winery, LLC

Marquette Rosé

2018

Constantia

NY

Lincoln Peak Vineyard

La Crescent

2018

New Haven

VT

Northern Hollow Winery

La Crescent

2018

Grasston

MN

Parallel 44 Vineyard and Winery

Blue Moon

2017

Kewaunee

WI

Saint Croix Vineyards

Frontenac Gris

2017

Stillwater

MN

Schram Vineyards

Marquette Reserve

Non Vintage

Waconia

MN

Sovereign Estate

Marquette

2016

Waconia

MN

Sovereign Estate

Marquette Reserve

2017

Waconia

MN

Sovereign Estate

Blue

La Crescent

2017

Waconia

MN

Spirits of Norway Vineyard

Leon Millot

Non Vintage

Franksville

WI

Three Oak Wines

Three Oak Frontenac Blanc

2017

Albert Lea

MN

TUG HILL VINEYARDS

White Out

2017

Lowville

NY

Vintage Escapes Winery

Marquette

2018

Kilkenny

MN

Winehaven Winery

Deer Garden Red

2018

Chisago City

MN

Winehaven Winery

Edelweiss

2018

Chisago City

MN

Winehaven Winery

Rhubarb Wine

N/V

Chisago City

MN

Winehaven Winery

Strawberry-Rhubarb Wine

N/V

Chisago City

MN

 Silver

Cannon River Winery

Family Reserve Red

2017

Cannon Falls

MN

Cannon River Winery

Sogn Blush

2018

Cannon Falls

MN

Cannon River Winery

La Crescent

2017

Cannon Falls

MN

Cannon River Winery

Sogn Blanc

2018

Cannon Falls

MN

Carlos Creek Winery

Petit Ami

2018

Alexandria

MN

Carlos Creek Winery

Wobegon White

2018

Alexandria

MN

Carlos Creek Winery

Minnescato

2018

Alexandria

MN

Cellar 426 Winery

Aspire Reserve Frontenac

2016

Ashland

NE

Cellar 426 Winery

Linoma Lighthouse

2017

Ashland

NE

Chankaska Creek Ranch and Winery

Lone Oak Tree Vineyard

2017

Kasota

MN

Chankaska Creek Ranch and Winery

Reserve Marquette

2018

Kasota

MN

Dancing Dragonfly Winery

Sashay

2017

Saint Croix Falls

WI

Dancing Dragonfly Winery

Marquessa

2016

Saint Croix Falls

WI

Dancing Dragonfly Winery

Tap Dance

2017

Saint Croix Falls

WI

Dancing Dragonfly Winery

Bill's Waltz

2016

Saint Croix Falls

WI

Dancing Dragonfly Winery

Calypso

2018

Saint Croix Falls

WI

Danzinger Vineyards

Sunset Ridge

2018

Alma

WI

Danzinger Vineyards

Golden Sunrise

2018

Alma

WI

Danzinger Vineyards

Crescent Moon

2017

Alma

WI

Danzinger Vineyards

Raspberry

2018

Alma

WI

Dennis Drummond Wine Company LLC

House Rosé

Non Vintage

Brainerd

MN

Door 44 Vineyard and Winery

F2

2018

Sturgeon Bay

WI

Door 44 Vineyard and Winery

Pink Door

2018

Sturgeon Bay

WI

Door 44 Vineyard and Winery

Sparkler

2018

Sturgeon Bay

WI

Forestedge Winery

Apple Wine

NV

Laporte

MN

Forestedge Winery

Raspberry Wine

NV

Laporte

MN

Forestedge Winery

Rhubarb Wine

NV

Laporte

MN

Forestedge Winery

Rhubarb Raspberry Wine

NV

Laporte

MN

Four Daughters Vineyard

LaCrescent

2018

Spring Valley

MN

Four Daughters Vineyard

Fronk

2016

Spring Valley

MN

Four Daughters Vineyard

Sparkling Brianna

2016

Spring Valley

MN

Fox Fire Farms Winery

Fox Fire Farms Marquette

2017

Ignacio

CO

Fox Fire Farms Winery

Fox Fire Farms Chloe Petite Pearlf

2017

Ignacio

CO

Fox Fire Farms Winery

Fox Fire Farms Brianna

2018

Ignacio

CO

Indian Island Winery

Marquette

2017

Janesville

MN

Indian Island Winery

Hunter's Red Reserve

2017

Janesville

MN

Indian Island Winery

Island Smoke

2017

Janesville

MN

Indian Island Winery

Frontenac Gris Late Harvest

2018

Janesville

MN

L'Etoile du Nord Vineyard

Marquette

non vintage

Parkers Prairie

MN

L'Etoile du Nord Vineyard

Frontenac Blanc

2018

Parkers Prairie

MN

Lincoln Peak Vineyard

Marquette

2014

New Haven

VT

Lincoln Peak Vineyard

Marquette Nouveau

2018

New Haven

VT

Lincoln Peak Vineyard

Ragtime White

2018

New Haven

VT

Miletta Vista Winery.com

Petite Pearl

2018

Saint Paul

NE

Miletta Vista Winery.com

SOLACE

2018

Saint Paul

NE

Miletta Vista Winery.com

Brianna

2018

Saint Paul

NE

Miletta Vista Winery.com

Elephant Ear Red

2017

Saint Paul

NE

Millner Heritage Vineyard & Winery

Freizeit

2018

Dassel

MN

Millner Heritage Vineyard & Winery

Schnickelfritz

2018

Dassel

MN

Millner Heritage Vineyard & Winery

Sotan

2017

Dassel

MN

Next Chapter Winery

Blushing Bride

2017

New Prague

MN

Next Chapter Winery

Frontenac Gris

2017

New Prague

MN

Niobrara Valley Vineyards

Brianna

2018

Nenzel

NE

Niobrara Valley Vineyards

Boss Cow

2017

Nenzel

NE

North Folk Winery

Rhubarb Wine

2018

Harris

MN

Parallel 44 Vineyard and Winery

Carls Wild Grape

2016

Kewaunee

WI

Parallel 44 Vineyard and Winery

Vivace

2018

Kewaunee

WI

Parallel 44 Vineyard and Winery

La Crescent

2018

Kewaunee

WI

Potters Settlement Artisan Settlement Winery

Potters Settlement Marquette

2017

Tweed

ONT

Richwood Winery

Lady Sipper

2017

Callaway

MN

Round Lake Vineyards & Winery

Marquette Reserve

2017

Round Lake

MN

Saint Croix Vineyards

Marquette

2016

Stillwater

MN

Saint Croix Vineyards

La Crescent

2017

Stillwater

MN

Saint Croix Vineyards

Itasca

2018

Stillwater

MN

Schram Vineyards

Barrel 4

2018

Waconia

MN

Schram Vineyards

Oaked Frontenac Blanc

2018

Waconia

MN

Schram Vineyards

Frontenac Blanc

2016

Waconia

MN

Shelburne Vineyard

Marquette

2017

Shelburne

VT

Shelburne Vineyard

Marquette Reserve

2016

Shelburne

VT

Shelburne Vineyard

La Crescent

2018

Shelburne

VT

Sovereign Estate

Marquette

2017

Waconia

MN

Sovereign Estate

La Crescent

2017

Waconia

MN

Sovereign Estate

Ignatius

2016

Waconia

MN

Tassel Ridge Winery

IA Edelweiss

2018

Oskaloosa

IA

Three Oak Wines

Three Oak Wines Frontenac

2018

Albert Lea

MN

TUG HILL VINEYARDS

43 Lat Red

2017

Lowville

NY

Vintage Escapes Winery

Frontenac

2018

Kilkenny

MN

Walloon Lake Winery

Mainsail

Non Vintage

Petoskey

MI

Winehaven Winery

Marquette Reserve

2016

Chisago City

MN

Winehaven Winery

Raspberry Wine

N/V

Chisago City

MN

Youngblood Vineyard

Frontenac

2018

Ray

MI

Youngblood Vineyard

Marquette

2018

Ray

MI

Youngblood Vineyard

Petite Pearl

2018

Ray

MI

Youngblood Vineyard

Frontenac Blanc

2018

Ray

MI

Bronze

August Hill Winery/Illinois Sparkling Co.

Brut

2016

Peru

IL

Cannon River Winery

GoGo Red

2017

Cannon Falls

MN

Cannon River Winery

Sparkling Edelweiss

2017

Cannon Falls

MN

Carlos Creek Winery

Triumph

2017

Alexandria

MN

Cellar 426 Winery

Wild Rosé

2018

Ashland

NE

Cellar 426 Winery

2 Hearts 2 Souls

2018

Ashland

NE

Cellar 426 Winery

Sunflower White

2018

Ashland

NE

Chankaska Creek Ranch and Winery

La Crescent

2018

Kasota

MN

Chateau St. Croix Winery

SKOL Red

NV

St. Croix Falls

WI

Chateau St. Croix Winery

Marquessa

2017

St. Croix Falls

WI

Chateau St. Croix Winery

Wisconsin White

2018

St. Croix Falls

WI

Cold Country Vines & Wines

Heavenly

2017

Kewaunee

WI

Cold Country Vines & Wines

Indulgence

2018

Kewaunee

WI

Cold Country Vines & Wines

Rock Legend

2018

Kewaunee

WI

Crow River Winery

Marquette

 

Hutchinson

MN

Dancing Dragonfly Winery

Christine's Foxtrot

2017

Saint Croix Falls

WI

Danzinger Vineyards

Danzinger Red

2017

Alma

WI

Danzinger Vineyards

St. Croix

2018

Alma

WI

Door 44 Vineyard and Winery

M

2018

Sturgeon Bay

WI

Door 44 Vineyard and Winery

Bubbler

2018

Sturgeon Bay

WI

Drumlin Ridge Winery

Frontenac Gris

2017

Waunakee

WI

Drumlin Ridge Winery

Brianna - Dry Barrel Aged

2017

Waunakee

WI

Drumlin Ridge Winery

Brianna

2018

Waunakee

WI

Duck Creek Vineyard and Winery

Pearly Duck

2018

Denmark

WI

Duck Creek Vineyard and Winery

Cranberry Mead

2018

Denmark

WI

Falconer Vineyard, Vine Nursery and Winery

Frontenac Rosé

 

Red Wing

MN

Falconer Vineyard, Vine Nursery and Winery

Lumberjack Hard Cider MN Apple

 

Red Wing

MN

Flower Valley Vineyard

Marquette Rosé

2018

Red Wing

MN

Forestedge Winery

Cranberry Wine

NV

Laporte

MN

Forestedge Winery

Rhubarb Crisp

NV

Laporte

MN

Forestedge Winery

Mela Susina Reserve

NV

Laporte

MN

Forestedge Winery

Rhubarb Blueberry Wine

NV

Laporte

MN

Forestedge Winery

Cassis Pomme Reserve

NV

Laporte

MN

Four Daughters Vineyard

Marquette EM VEE

 

Spring Valley

MN

Four Daughters Vineyard

Aphrogrisiac

2017

Spring Valley

MN

Fox Fire Farms Winery

Fox Fire Farms Marquette

2016

IGNACIO

CO

Garvin Heights Vineyards

Bluff Country Red

2018

Winona

MN

Garvin Heights Vineyards

GHV Marquette

2017

Winona

MN

Garvin Heights Vineyards

GHV Petite Pearl

2017

Winona

MN

Garvin Heights Vineyards

Great River Rose

2017

Winona

MN

Garvin Heights Vineyards

GHV Frontenac Blanc

2018

Winona

MN

Hawk Meadow Winery

Hawk Meadow Marquette

2017

Hastings

MN

Indian Island Winery

St. Croix

2017

Janesville

MN

Lincoln Peak Vineyard

Marquette

2018

New Haven

VT

Lincoln Peak Vineyard

Starlight

2018

New Haven

VT

Lincoln Peak Vineyard

Black Sparrow

2018

New Haven

VT

Millner Heritage Vineyard & Winery

Mein Onkel

2017

Dassel

MN

Millner Heritage Vineyard & Winery

Neuhaus

2015

Dassel

MN

Millner Heritage Vineyard & Winery

Naplemente

2017

Dassel

MN

Millner Heritage Vineyard & Winery

Little Iza

2018

Dassel

MN

Millner Heritage Vineyard & Winery

Salier

2017

Dassel

MN

Next Chapter Winery

Marquette

2015

New Prague

MN

Next Chapter Winery

MN Ice Wine

2018

New Prague

MN

Niobrara Valley Vineyards

Marquette

2018

Nenzel

NE

North Folk Winery

Stark Red

 

Harris

MN

North Folk Winery

Strawberry Wine

2018

Harris

MN

Northern Hollow Winery

Frontenac Blanc

2018

Grasston

MN

Northern Hollow Winery

Brianna

2018

Grasston

MN

Parallel 44 Vineyard and Winery

Petite Pearl Reserve

2017

Kewaunee

WI

Parallel 44 Vineyard and Winery

Vintners Reserve

2017

Kewaunee

WI

Parallel 44 Vineyard and Winery

Drink Pink

2017

Kewaunee

WI

Parallel 44 Vineyard and Winery

Contento

2018

Kewaunee

WI

Parallel 44 Vineyard and Winery

Ice Wine

2016

Kewaunee

WI

Parallel 44 Vineyard and Winery

Ice Wine

2018

Kewaunee

WI

Parley Lake Winery

Barn Quilt Red

2017

Waconia

MN

Parley Lake Winery

Frontenac Blanc

2018

Waconia

MN

Parley Lake Winery

Lake View White

2017

Waconia

MN

Potters Settlement Artisan Settlement Winery

Potters Settlement Ice Claret

2018

Tweed

ONT

Richwood Winery

Rosies Red

none

Callaway

MN

Round Lake Vineyards & Winery

Frontenac Gris

2016

Round Lake

MN

Round Lake Vineyards & Winery

Skinny Dipping Temptation

2017

Round Lake

MN

Saint Croix Vineyards

Marechal Foch

2017

Stillwater

MN

Schram Vineyards

Marquette Rose

2018

Waconia

MN

Shelburne vineyard

Iapetus Subduction

2017

Shelburne

VT

Sovereign Estate

Frontenac Gris

2016

Waconia

MN

Sovereign Estate

Patina Gris

2017

Waconia

MN

Sovereign Estate

Frontenac Blanc

2017

Waconia

MN

Spirits of Norway Vineyard

Frontenac Blanc

none

Franksville

WI

Tassel Ridge Winery

IA La Crescent

2014

Oskaloosa

IA

Tassel Ridge Winery

IA Brianna

2016

Oskaloosa

IA

TUG HILL VINEYARDS

Lake Effect

2018

Lowville

NY

Vines & Rushes Winery LLC

Mascoutin

2017

Ripon

WI

Vines & Rushes Winery LLC

St. Pepin

2018

Ripon

WI

Vines & Rushes Winery LLC

Ice Wine

2017

Ripon

WI

Vintage Escapes Winery

Edelweiss

2018

Kilkenny

MN

Walloon Lake Winery

North Arm Noir

2016

Petoskey

MI

Walloon Lake Winery

Reycraft

2017

Petoskey

MI

Walloon Lake Winery

Indian Garden Gris

2016

Petoskey

MI

Walloon Lake Winery

Wildwood

2018

Petoskey

MI

Winehaven Winery

Deer Garden Blush

N/V

Chisago City

MN

Winehaven Winery

Lakeside Rosé

N/V

Chisago City

MN

Winehaven Winery

La Crescent

2017

Chisago City

MN

Winehaven Winery

Stinger Mead

N/V

Chisago City

MN

Winneshiek Wildberry Winery LLC

Brianna Breeze

2017

Decorah

IA

Youngblood Vineyard

Rosé of Petite Pearl

2018

Ray

MI