In August, the Minnesota Grape Growers Association hosted the 11th annual International Cold Climate Wine Competition (ICCWC) in Chaska, Minnesota. The ICCWC is the only competition that focuses exclusively on wines made with fruit from cold-heady regions and included over 300 entries from 10 U.S. states and Canada.
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.
What’s a cold-climate wine?
Generally, “cold-climate” or “cold-hardy” refers to wine growing regions and varieties surviving winter temperatures that threaten the grapevines. Oregon, Washington and even Champagne, France would be categorized as “cool-climate” regions growing cool climate varieties such as Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, Vitis vinifera species of grapes.
Minnesota, Wisconsin and Michigan would be described as cold-climate areas growing cold-hardy varieties such as Frontenac and La Crescent, hybrid grape varieties in the Vitis riparia species developed over the past 75 years specifically to withstand the cold temperatures.
Top Awards
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
Double Gold Medals
| 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 Medals
| 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 |
| 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 |
For more information about the competition including a list including Silver and Bronze award-winners, visit https://enology.dl.umn.edu
