Sponsored by

The Minnesota Wine & Grape Alliance

&

The University of Minnesota Grape Breeding and Enology Project

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July 15, 2026

 

Thank you everyone who participated in the 2026 International Cold Climate Wine Competition! We have wrapped up a full day of tasting these delightful wines, with 21 wine expert judges giving their verdicts on 427 wines from all over Minnesota, Wisconsin, Indiana, Iowa, Maine, Nebraska, New York, and South Dakota.

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Congratulations to everyone who won an award! We had a record number of entries this year, and as such need to order more wine medals, which will be shipped to the award winning wineries as soon as they are ready. Bests in Show, Bests in Class, Gold and Double Gold medal wines will be presented at the Minnesota Wine & Grape Association booth at the Minnesota State Fair Aug 27 - September 7.

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Click here for the full results by winery

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BESTS IN SHOW

 

Best of Show Red

Burr Vineyards Petite Pearl – Minnesota 2024

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Best of Show White

  Anchored Roots Vineyard & Winery Shifting Stones - Wisconsin Ledge 2025

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Best of Show Rosé

Country Heritage Winery & Vineyard Marquette Rosé - Indiana 2025

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Best of Show Sparkling

Cannon River Winery Shimmer

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Best of Show Dessert

Saint Croix Vineyards Port - Minnesota

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Best of Show Fruit

Forestedge Winery Cranberry

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Minnesota Governor's Cup

Burr Vineyards Petite Pearl – Minnesota 2024

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WINERY OF THE YEAR

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Country Heritage Winery & Vineyard

1 Best in Show, 4 Bests in Class, 4 Double Gold, and 2 Gold

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BESTS IN CLASS

 

Best of Class Red Blend

  Dancing Dragonfly Winery Willow & Vine Red Blend - American

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Best of Class Marquette

Burr Vineyards Marquette - Minnesota 2024

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Best of Class Frontenac

Thicket Hill Vineyard Deep Current - Minnesota 2025

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Best of Class Other Red

Barrel Head Winery St. Croix – Upper Minnesota River Valley 2021

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Best of Class White Blend

 Anchored Roots Vineyard & Winery Shifting Stones – Wisconsin Ledge 2025

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Best of Class Brianna

Country Heritage Winery & Vineyard Brianna - Indiana 2025

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Best of Class Itasca

Anchored Roots Vineyard & Winery Itasca - Wisconsin Ledge 2025

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Best of Class Frontenac Blanc

Country Heritage Winery & Vineyard Frontenac Blanc - Indiana 2025

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Best of Class Frontenac Gris

Anchored Roots Vineyard & Winery Frontenac Gris - Wisconsin Ledge 2025

 

Best of Class La Crescent

Balanced Rock Winery La Crescent - American

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Best of Class Other White

Cedar Ridge Winery Flyover La Crosse - Iowa 2024

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Best of Class Dry Rosé

Country Heritage Winery & Vineyard Petite Pearl Rosé - Indiana 2025

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Best of Class Sweet Rosé

Country Heritage Winery & Vineyard Marquette Rosé - Indiana 2025

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Best of Class Sparkling

Cannon River Winery Shimmer

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Best of Class Dessert

Saint Croix Vineyards Port - Minnesota

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Best of Class Fruit

Forestedge Winery Cranberry

 

Each wine was tasted alongside others in its class by a panel of three judges, each judge scoring independently and then discussing among the panel to form a consensus for score and medal. Award given were gold, silver or bronze, with a unanimous vote for gold medal awarded a double gold. After all the wines had been tasted, scores were compared in each class to determine Best-in-Class, with any tied wines paneled to five judges and judged to determine a winner. For Best-in-Show awards, all bests-in-class were re-paneled to determine a winner. 

 

For the Minnesota Governor's Cup, the Minnesota Best-In-Show wines were paneled to all judges to taste, with each judge giving a ranked order vote.  

 

Thank you again to everyone who participated, including all the wineries, judges, and volunteers. With the proceeds generated by this competition, the ICCWC will be making a contribution to the University of Minnesota's Enology Research and Breeding program to further the development of cold-hardy grape varieties and for University of Minnesota Extension programs for the improvement and growth of cold climate wines. 

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Click here for the statement on awarding the Governor's Cup

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*Click here for this year's ICCWC Results

*​Click here for the 2025 ICCWC Results

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