Partnering with the Beverage Testing Institute (BevTest) for the official fourth annual Taste Michigan Governor’s Cup Awards in 2026, MWC is thrilled to celebrate the exciting results from the competition.

The Michigan Governor’s Cup winner for 2026 is French Valley Vineyard, of the Leelanau Peninsula AVA with their, 2024 Dessert Riesling. This wine scored 97 points and ranked the highest out of 214 entries from 44 wineries submitted to the competition.

We are pleased to announce the following award categories and corresponding ‘Best of Category’ awards:
Fortified: French Valley Vineyard 2024 Dessert Wine Riesling (Platinum Medal); Governor’s Cup Winner
Vinifera Red: Cherry Creek Cellars NV Charamar Collection Proprietors Reserve Red Blend (Platinum Medal)
Vinifera White: Blustone Vineyards 2025 Chardonnay (Gold Medal)
Hybrid Red: Stoney Ridge Vineyards 2021 Petite Pearl (Gold Medal)
Hybrid White: Social Vines 2023 Vignoles (Gold Medal)
Sparkling: Mawby Sparkling NV Blanc Brut (Gold Medal)
Rosé: Verterra Winery 2025 Estate Rose, Cabernet Franc (Gold Medal)
Sweet/Dessert (R.S. ≥5%): Nitz Reserve 2022 Ice Wine, Vidal Blanc (Platinum Medal)
Fruit Wine: Bel Lago NV Cherry Wine (Gold Medal)
Specialty Wine: Laurentide 2024 Risque Rose (Gold Medal)

Additionally, the Governor’s Case Winners (top 5 red, top 5 white, top sparkling, top rosé) include:
Cherry Creek Cellars NV Charamar Collection Proprietors Reserve Red Blend
Stoney Ridge Vineyards 2021 Petite Pearl
St. Julian Winery Braganini 2022 Cabernet Franc
White Pine 2022 Reserve Cabernet Franc
Dune Bird NV Cabernet Franc
Blustone Vineyards 2025 Chardonnay
Social Vines 2023 Vignoles
Filkins Vineyards 2024 Riesling
Crane’s Winery 2024 Gruner Veltliner
Chateau Fontaine 2024 Estate Sauvignon Blanc
Verterra Winery 2025 Estate Rosé of Cabernet Franc
Mawby Sparkling NV Blanc Brut

In partnership with Taste Michigan brand, MWC will be coordinating events and promotional opportunities for the winning wines of the competition including a prestigious award ceremony later this year where we will gather to transfer the Taste Michigan Governor’s Cup Trophy from Cherry Creek Cellars to French Valley Vineyard. The official trophy will be housed at the 2026 Best in Show winner tasting room for one year. This physical award is becoming an iconic part of tasting rooms around the state for the wine industry and consumers alike.

Time is running out to secure your VIP Experience for Taste Michigan Invades Eastern Market!

VIP package are selling quickly and sales will close Wednesday June 17th, and once they’re gone, they’re gone.

Your VIP Package Includes:

• Exclusive VIP swag bag
• Limited edition commemorative tasting glass
• Four tasting tokens
• Priority access to one of Michigan’s premier wine events
• Charcuterie plate from Chapman’s Cheese and Charcuterie

All for just $35 (Over $60 value!)

We also invite Michigan wine lovers to RSVP as general admission to secure the commemorative tasting glass for the event. Admission to the event is free and tasting tokens will be available for purchase throughout the event.

Each ticket includes a custom souvenir glass, ten tastings from your choice of Michigan wineries and local distillers, access to all three floors of the 26,000 square foot museum, as well as live music and a selection of small bites.

Stroll through one of the country’s best fire museums while enjoying refreshments from:

12 Michigan wineries

1 Local distiller

1 Craft brewery

Various additional food and craft vendors

Additional tastings may be purchased on the day of the event for $3 each.

Members of the Trade and Press can apply for trade access HERE!

Whether the PA 232 Wine Grape Growers Program goes forward or not will be shaped with input from wine grape growers in the entire state following the public hearing.

The Michigan Agricultural Commodities Marketing Act 232 of 1965 is an act relating to the marketing of agricultural commodities or agricultural commodity inputs; to provide for marketing and research programs, agreements, referendums by producers, assessments on producers, and commodity committees; and to prescribe certain functions of the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development relative thereto including powers of enforcement of this act; and to prescribe remedies and penalties. It was enacted to give agricultural commodities a degree of self-determination. It allowed agricultural commodities to self-assess and use those assessments for beneficial industry initiatives in marketing, research and education.

The Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (MDARD) has legal, fiscal and program oversight responsibility for 15 legislatively established commodity boards that have producer check-offs or producer assessments. The Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development has received petitions from Michigan Wine Grape Growers asking for the appointment of a temporary committee composed of Michigan Wine Grape Growers to develop a program in accordance with PA 232 Michigan Agricultural Commodities Marketing Act to be considered by fellow wine grape growers at a future public hearing. These petitions were initiated by the Michigan Wine Collaborative.

Entries are evaluated by an exceptional panel of certified sommeliers, wine retailers, chefs, and winemakers with specialized knowledge of cold-climate wines and their unique qualities. Awards include Best-In-Class in each category, Best-In-Show honors for red, rosé, white, sparkling, dessert, and fruit wines, Winery of the Year, and the prestigious Minnesota Governor’s Cup. To be eligible for Winery of the Year consideration, wineries must submit a minimum of six (6) entries into the competition.

Beyond the awards and recognition, participation directly supports important industry initiatives. Proceeds from the competition benefit the University of Minnesota Research & Breeding Programs, University Extension activities, and the Minnesota Wine & Grape Alliance’s efforts to advance and promote cold-climate wines and wineries. By entering your wines, you are helping strengthen the future of the cold-climate wine industry.

Important Info:

Entry deadline: July 9, 2026

Wine delivery window: June 22 – July 10, 2026

Entry fee: $55 per entry

Competition rules, eligible grape varieties, shipping instructions, and registration details can all be found on the Minnesota Wine & Grape Alliance website.

We encourage commercial wineries of all sizes to participate and showcase the outstanding quality of cold-climate wines. We look forward to seeing your wines in this year’s competition!

Contact TODAY for more information: kyle.mackowiak@campingworld.com

The Michigan Wine Collaborative is now welcoming sponsors and strategic partners for our 2026 programs and events. This is an opportunity to align your brand with the growth, innovation, and community behind Michigan’s thriving wine industry.

Through signature initiatives like the Taste Michigan Governor’s Cup, Taste Michigan Invasions, industry education programs, and statewide promotional campaigns, our partners gain meaningful visibility among wineries, growers, tourism leaders, and passionate consumers across Michigan and beyond.

Our sponsorship platform is designed to be flexible and collaborative, allowing partners to support the programs and initiatives in addition to crafting promotional programming that best align with their goals while helping advance the mission of Michigan wine’s only statewide wine non-profit.

By partnering with the Michigan Wine Collaborative, your organization will be supporting industry promotion, sustainability initiatives, workforce development, and the continued elevation of Michigan wine.

📩 Interested in partnering with us in 2026?
Explore sponsorship opportunities HERE or Contact Us to start the conversation.