149 TOTAL AWARDS EARNED AT 2020 IWGA COMMERCIAL WINE COMPETITION, GOVERNOR’S CUP TROPHY AWARDED

March 29, 2021 - The Iowa Wine Growers Association organized a standalone commercial wine competition to take the place of the postponed 2020 Iowa State Fair’s Commercial Wine Competition, in order to award their 2020 Governor’s Cup Trophy award. The competition was originally scheduled for November 2020, but had to be postponed due to spikes in COVID-19 cases in the area at that time. It was rescheduled and hosted at The Chateau at White Oak on Wednesday, March 24, 2021.

Overall, there were 149 total awards given out; nine wines awarded with Gold medals, 63 wines awarded with Silver medals and 77 wines awarded with Bronze medals out of a staggering 186 wines entered into the competition from more than 30 commercial wineries across the state of Iowa. Eleven outstanding wines were nominated for “Best of Show”, which judges then narrowed down to select the top wine in each of the four divisions of the competition: white, red, fruit and other.

Four “Best of Show” wines were determined as well as an overall winning wine presented with the Governor’s Cup Trophy award. Fireside Winery’s Storyteller received Best of Show White as well as the overall winning Governor’s Cup Trophy. Storyteller is made from Vignoles and St. Pepin grapes, both cold-climate grape varietals grown here in Iowa. Eagles Landing Winery’s Rohde Red, made from Frontenac grapes, received Best of Show Red, and their Bluesfest, a blueberry fruit wine, received Best of Show Fruit. Rustic River Winery received Best of Show Other for their Coyote Call blush wine, made from locally grown Brianna and Frontenac grapes.

“We were thrilled with the number of wine entries and excited to be able to finally host this competition and give well-deserved recognition to some fantastic wines being crafted right here in Iowa. Many people don’t realize there are amazingly talented winemakers producing exceptional, unique wines right here in our state, and the number of awards earned in this competition proves it,” said Nicole Eilers, marketing director and competition organizer for the Iowa Wine Growers Association.

Throughout more than seven hours of wine tasting in a single day, our experienced judging panel composed of seasoned wine retailers, sommeliers and industry experts, tasted carefully arranged flights of wine to determine whether each wine is medal worthy or not. Judges received vintage, varietal(s), residual sugar and alcohol levels of each wine, but did not receive any information on the producer, ensuring each wine is judged without bias. Each wine was evaluated on an individual basis, not compared to any other wine in the flight. Judges deliberated after completion of each flight to determine award

status for each individual wine. Once all judging commenced, organizers prepared the Sweepstakes round, where top wines from each division were presented to all of the judges to determine the elite Best of Show awards. From the Best of Show winning wines, judges then deliberated and determined an overall winning wine to receive the coveted Governor’s Cup Trophy award. Results were collected and announced throughout the day on the Iowa Wine Facebook page, with the full official results being posted on Friday, March 26, 2021 to the Iowa Wine Growers Association website.

“With warmer weather approaching, visiting local wineries is the ideal weekend activity to get out and enjoy locally crafted wines in beautiful, relaxing atmospheres offered in our wine region,” adds Eilers.

Iowa is home to more than 250 commercial vineyards across 1,300 acres and nearly 100 wineries across the state producing quality wine from locally grown cold-climate grape varietals. Iowa boasts two AVAs (american viticultural areas) designated by the Federal TTB, the Loess Hills District AVA and the Upper Mississippi River Valley Region AVA, providing specific geographic and climatic features that distinguish them from the surrounding regions and affect how grapes are grown, imparting uniqueness to the wines being produced in these regions.

The Iowa Wine Growers Association sponsors the Governor’s Cup Trophy award, which is the “best of the best” wine selected from the four Best of Show winners, determined by the judging panel in a sweepstakes round at the end of the competition. Past Governor’s Cup Trophy award winners include Backcountry Winery, 2017 Vignoles; Ardon Creek Winery, 2018 Nouveau; and Snus Hill Winery with their 2019 Cat Nip.

Additional competition results can be found here. Full press release can be found here.

ABOUT IOWA WINE GROWERS ASSOCIATION:

The Iowa Wine Growers Association (IWGA) is a nonprofit organization dedicated to the growth of the wine and grape industry in Iowa. Established in 2000, the Iowa Wine Growers Association (IWGA) supports the industry through education, marketing, promotion and legislative support.