Title image courtesy of Ben Banks

After much swishing and spitting, winners have been confirmed at the 2022 International Cold Climate Wine Competition (ICCWC), held last Friday in Minnesota. 

The trophy for the best Minnesota grape wine, known as the Minnesota Governor’s Cup, was won by Chankaska Creek Ranch & Winery of Kasota, MN, for their Equinoce Extra Dry sparkling wine.

The Minnesota Governor’s Cup, a lovely large silver ice bucket, recognizes the top prize of all Minnesota award-winning wines. 

Top Awards

Minnesota Governor’s Cup
Equinoce Extra Dry, Chankaska Creek Ranch Winery and Distillery; Kasota, MN
Also awarded Best of Class Sparkling Wine

Winery of the Year
Parallel 44, Kewaunee, WI

Best of Show Rosé
Blush, Rolling Forks Vineyards, Glenwood, MN

Best of Show Dessert Wine
Hula, Dancing Dragonfly Winery, Saint Croix Falls, WI

Best of Show White Wine
La Crescent, Parallel 44, Kewaunee, WI

Best of Show Red Wine
Pearly Duck (Petite Pearl) Duck Creek Vineyard and Winery, Denmark, WI

Best of Class Awards

White

• Brianna: Cellar 426 – Sweet N’ Sexy (NV)
• Itasca: Door Peninsula Winery – Itasca 2021
• Frontenac blanc: The Winery at Sovereign Estate – Frontenac blanc 2020
• La Crescent: Parallel 44 – La Crescent 2021
• Other White: Carlos Creek Winery – Frontenac gris 2021
• White Blend: Tassel Ridge Winery – Candleglow White (NV)

Red

• Frontenac: Chankaska Creek Ranch Winery and Distillery – Frontenac 2019
• Marquette: Burr Vineyards – Marquette 2020
• Other Red: Duck Creek Vineyard and Winery – Pearly Duck 2018 (Petite Pearl)
• Red Blend:Parallel 44 – Nouveau Rouge 2021

Sparkling

Equinoce Extra Dry, Chankaska Creek Ranch Winery and Distillery; Kasota, MN
Also awarded Governor’s Cup

Fruit Wine

Perry (Sparkling), Madigan Winery, Lansing, IA

Click here to view the full list of award-winning wines & wineries

2022 Competition Judges

• Allison Sheardy – Manager at Rustic Roots
• Angie Heitz – Wine Buyer at North Loop Wine in Minneapolis, MN
• Anne Zwink – Winemaker at Soldier Creek Winery in Fort Dodge, IA
• Bill Ward – Wine writer
• Dan Keyport – Owner, Dolce Vita Wine Shop in Chaska
• Demeko Code – Wine professional
• Ellie Butz – Wine educator
• Gordon Rouse – AWS Certified Wine Judge
• Jason and Angela Kallsen – Founders and owners of Twin Cities Wine Education
• Josie Boyle – Owner & Winemaker at Mousse Sparkling Wine Co in Jordan, MN
• Jeff Burrows – Wine writer at FoodWineClick.com
• Josh Ellenberg – Winemaker at The Cellar Winery in Iowa
• John Thull – Vineyard Manager, University of Minnesota’s Horticultural Research Center
• Karina Roe – Wine educator and GM of events at France 44 in Minneapolis, MN
• Lauren Voigt – Wine marketing consultant and founder of Minnesota Uncorked
• Mel Schlacter – AWS Certified Wine Judge
• Russ Funk – Winemaker at Carlos Creek Winery in Alexandria, MN
• Patty Judalena – Owner of Wine Republic in Excelsior, MN
• Peter Plaehn – Sommelier, Surdyk’s

About the ICCWC

The competition is open to commercial wineries meeting the criteria for cold-hardy grape and fruit content.

The ICCWC is a partnership between the Minnesota Grape Growers Association and the University of Minnesota, which developed several of the cold-hardy grapes used to make the wines in the competition. This competition is the only one exclusively dedicated to wines made from cold-hardy grape varieties that can withstand the winters known to the Upper Midwest, North East, and parts of Canada. The main goals of the ICCWC are to educate the world about these grape varieties and encourage enology practices that will produce high quality and highly marketable wines.