FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Michigan Wine Collaborative Announces the 2025 Taste Michigan Governor’s Cup Competition Results
The Michigan Wine Collaborative (MWC) is excited to the 2025 Taste Michigan Governor’s Cup Competition results. This event represents Michigan’s only statewide industry driven wine competition and is an opportunity for the Michigan wine industry to unite, engage, compete, and celebrate the premium wines representative of our wine industry.
Partnering with the Beverage Testing Institute (BevTest) for the official third annual Taste Michigan Governor’s Cup Awards in 2025, MWC is thrilled to announce the exciting results from the competition.
BevTest spent April and May conducting a series of professional blind tastings to rate and rank a set of Michigan produced wines, meads, and ciders at the BevTest Chicago testing facility. The final tasting results with all wine’s scores, medal ranks, constructive criticism, Best of Category, Governor’s Case Winners, and Governor’s Cup winners can be found on the Taste Michigan website now.
The Michigan Governor’s Cup winner for 2025 is Cherry Creek Cellars, of the River Raisin Wine Trail with their, 2023 Charamar Collection Pinot Noir. This wine ranked the highest out of 154 entries from 33 wineries submitted to the competition.
We are pleased to announce the following award categories and corresponding ‘Best of Category’ awards:
Vinifera Red: Cherry Creek Cellars 2023 Charamar Collection Pinot Noir (Platinum Medal)
Vinifera White: Golden Muse Winery 2023 Nadar Chardonnay (Gold Medal)
Hybrid Red: White Pine Winery NV Dune Shadow Red Blend (Gold Medal)
Hybrid White: French Valley Vineyard 2023 Vignoles (Gold Medal)
Fortified: St. Julian NV Solera Cream Sherry (Gold Medal)
Sparkling: MAWBY NV Grace Brut Rosé (Platinum Medal)
Rosé: Verterra Winery 2024 Rosé of Cabernet Franc (Gold Medal)
Sweet/Dessert (R.S. ≥5%): Bel Lago 2023 Late Harvest Riesling (Gold Medal)
Cider: Two K Farms NV Harrison Cider (Gold Medal)
Governor’s Case Winners (top 5 red, top 5 white, top sparkling, top rosé):
Cherry Creek Cellars 2023 Charamar Collection Pinot Noir
Lemon Creek 2021 Reserve Cabernet Franc
Peninsula Cellars 2021 Vintner’s Select Reserve Red
Two K Farms 2021 Bellenoir Red Blend
White Pine NV Dune Shadow Red
Chateau Fontaine 2023 Wall of Goats Sauvignon Blanc
Chateau Fontaine 2024 Chardonnay/Gewurtztraminer
Golden Muse 2023 Nadar Chardonnay
BigLittle Wines 2022 Mixtape White Blend
Cherry Creek Cellars 2023 Charamar Collection Kerner
MAWBY NV Grace Brut Rosé
Verterra Winery 2024 Rosé of Cabernet Franc
Wineries and wines with their medal ranks are now listed on the Taste Michigan website.
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 where we will gather to transfer the Taste Michigan Governor’s Cup Trophy from Verterra Winery to Cherry Creek Cellars. The official trophy will be housed at the 2025 Best in Show winner tasting room for one year. MWC provides personalized plaques to signify each year’s winner. This physical award is becoming an iconic part of tasting rooms around the state for the wine industry and consumers alike.
MWC is excited and honored to be able to market Michigan wine through this event via retail and restaurant marketing projects, Taste Michigan campaigns, media opportunities, and more!
We would like to formally thank our membership for making these events and projects a reality and invite the whole of Michigan wine producers and grape growers to consider joining our organization as well as suppliers and vendors to the industry, educators, members of the trade, and all other industry affiliates and supporters. We have many opportunities available for membership and sponsorship of our organization with each allowing us to continue producing projects to increase and reinforce the Michigan grape and wine industries.
Join or Sponsor the Michigan Wine Collaborative Here!
The Michigan Wine Collaborative is the voice of the Michigan wine industry. Our mission is to enhance the sustainability and profitability of the Michigan wine industry by supporting wineries, growers and other businesses and individuals connected to the industry – today and for future generations.
For more information, contact us by reaching out to info@michiganwinecollaborative.com or send us a message on social media.
CLICK HERE TO VIEW THE FULL RESULTS FROM THE 2025 TASTE MI GOVERNOR’S CUP!