The 2023 International Cold Climate Wine Competition assembled industry experts to assess hundreds of wines from across the Northern US. Many wines rose up the rankings of their classes to be named Best of Class and/or Bests in Show, but there are dozens of fantastic wines that also won bronze, silver, gold, or double gold medals. These wines represent a wide variety of winemaking techniques and styles, but to qualify, they must comprise at least 75% cold climate grape cultivars (many of which are University of Minnesota releases!) There's a wine on the list for every taste, and we applaud the many vineyards and wineries that participated in this year's competition.
BESTS IN SHOW
Best of Show Red
Soldier Creek Winery Rubra - Iowa 2021
Best of Show White
Cold Country Vines & Wines Itasca - Wisconsin 2022
Best of Show Rose
Parallel 44 Petite Rose - Wisconsin 2022
Best of Show Sparkling
Mousse Sparkling Wine Co La Crescent - Minnesota 2022
Best of Show Dessert
Dancing Dragonfly Winery Hula - Wisconsin 2022
Best of Show Fruit
Forestedge Kabekona Blush - Minnesota
Minnesota Governor's Cup
Sovereign Estate La Crescent - Minnesota 2022
WINERY OF THE YEAR
Parallel 44 - Wisconsin
26 medal awarded wines
BESTS IN CLASS
Best of Class Red Blend
Soldier Creek Winery Rubra - Iowa 2021
Best of Class Marquette
Door 44 Marquette - Wisconsin 2022
Best of Class Frontenac
Saint Croix Vineyards Frontenac - Minnesota 2020
Best of Class Other Red
Carlos Creek Winery Petite Pearl - Minnesota 2021
Best of Class White Blend
Crow River Winery White Fox - Minnesota
Best of Class Brianna
Parallel 44 Brianna - Wisconsin 2022
Best of Class Itasca
7 Vines Vineyard Itasca - Minnesota 2022
Best of Class Frontenac Blanc
Red Pine Frontenac Blanc - Minnesota 2022
Best of Class La Crescent
Sovereign Estate La Crescent - Minnesota 2022
Best of Class Other White
7 Vines Vineyard Frontenac Gris - Minnesota 2022
Best of Class Dry Rosé
Parallel 44 Petite Rose - Wisconsin 2022
Best of Class Sweet Rosé
Sovereign Estate Ave Rosé - Minnesota 2022
Best of Class Sparkling
Mousse Sparkling Wine Co. La Crescent - Minnesota 2022
Best of Class Dessert
Dancing Dragonfly Winery Hula - Wisconsin 2022
Best of Class Fruit
Forestedge Kabekona Blush - Minnesota
To view a PDF of the full list of medal winners by company, click on the image below, or on the following link: Link to the PDF of all medal winners at the 2023 International Cold Climate Wine Competition.
