colorado governor’s cup winemaking competition 2026
The Colorado Governor’s Cup Judges—sommeliers, wine writers, Masters of Wine, Master Sommeliers, and wine professionals from Colorado and across the country—gathered at Metropolitan State University of Denver’s Hospitality Learning Center in September to sample hundreds of wines made by Colorado’s (and AZ, ID, NM, and TX) winemakers.
The judges will selected the top Colorado wines for the 2026 Governor’s Cup Collection, which will be revealed at Colorado Uncorked!
The Judging
The judging event featured a panel of sommeliers, writers, winemakers, and wine experts from around the country.
Click here for the Rules document.
Click here for Colorado winery Entry Form.
Click here for AZ, ID, NM, TX, and UT winery Entry Form.
When:
Judging will take place September 12-13, 2026
Where:
Hospitality Learning Center, Metropolitan State University of Denver
Note: Judging is closed to the public.
UNCORKED 2026
Colorado Uncorked — a public tasting of the wines the Gold Medal Colorado wines from the Governor’s Cup Competition. Local chefs from notable restaurants will prepare small bite tasting menus for guests to enjoy with the wines at Uncorked.
When:
October 17, 2026
Where:
History Colorado Center
1200 Broadway St.
Denver, CO 80203
View on map
About the Competition
The 2025 Governor’s Cup Wine Competition received 251 wine submissions from 43 Colorado wineries, 8 Idaho wineries, 1 Arizona winery, and 1 New Mexico meadery – all of which were judged by a panel of sommeliers, writers, and wine experts from around the country. The 2025 competition was held in July 2025 and the 2025 Best of Show winner will be officially announced during the annual Colorado Uncorked Event on October 18. Colorado Uncorked is the first and only opportunity for the public to try all of the award-winning wines at the same time.
2026 GOVERNOR'S CUP COLLECTION
Colorado’s best wines of the year, determined by our panel of 16 judges made up of sommeliers, industry professionals, & wine writers.
2025 MEDAL LIST
- Double Golds were awarded prior to 2026
- Double Golds were awarded prior to 2026
- Double Golds were awarded prior to 2026
- Aspen Peak Cellars Malbec 2024
- Aspen Peak Cellars Mom's Collage 2024
- Aspen Peak Cellars Petit Verdot 2024
- Balistreri Vineyards Teroldego Avant Vineyard 2025
- BookCliff Vineyards Cabernet Franc 2024
- BookCliff Vineyards Tempranillo 2024
- BookCliff Vineyards Mourvèdre 2025
- Carboy Winery Cabernet Franc, Estate Grown 2023
- Carboy Winery Cabernet Franc, Grand Valley 2023
- Carboy Winery Teroldego, Estate Grown 2023
- Carboy Winery Teroldego, Grand Valley 2023
- Carboy Winery Zweigelt 2024
- Carlson Vineyards Endure 2024
- Colterris Winery Cabernet Franc 2023
- Continental Divide Winery Storm 2022
- LaNoue Dubois Winery Woods Red Blend 2023
- Mesa Winds Winery Pinot Noir Estate Reserve 2023
- OBC Wine Project Teroldego 2023
- Peachfork Blaufränkisch 2024
- Sauvage Spectrum Zweigelt 2025
- TerraVin Sole 2023
- TerraVin Tempranillo 2023
- Vizcaya Winery (Idaho) Tempranillo Windy Ridge Estate Vineyard 2021
- Carlson Vineyards NSFW Rosé NV
- Aquila Cellars Crane Mesa Pinot Gris 2024
- Aquila Cellars Riesling Geologic Series Russell Vineyard 2025
- Aspen Peak Cellars Albariño 2025
- Blanchard Family Wines Cuvee Blanc 2024
- BookCliff Vineyards Tectonic White 2025
- Carboy Winery Albariño, Estate Grown 2024
- Continental Divide Winery Aromella Rocky Mountain Columbine 2023
- Continental Divide Winery Riesling 2024
- OBC Wine Project Albariño 2025
- Peachfork Orange Muscat 2025
- Stone Cottage Cellars Gewürztraminer 2025
- Storm Cellar Reserve Riesling 2024
- Storm Cellar Grüner Veltliner 2025
- Storm Cellar Sauvignon blanc 2025
- Talon Wines Pinot Grigio 2024
- Kold Prairie Mead Evermore
- Kold Prairie Mead Harmonia
- LaNoue Dubois Winery New York Muscat 2024
- Meadery of the Rockies Apricot Honey
- Meadery of the Rockies Chocolate Cherry Honey
- MeadKrieger Meadery Freyja
- St. Kathryn Cellars Lavender
- St. Kathryn Cellars White Sangria
- Storm Cellar Cloudburst 2024
- Storm Cellar Rosé of Chambourcin 2025
- TerraVin Aura Blanc de Blanc 2023
- TerraVin Aura Rosé 2023
- Aquila Cellars Si C'etait Francais 2022
- Aquila Cellars Virga 2022
- Aquila Cellars Crane Mesa Malbec 2023
- Balistreri Vineyards John Deaux, Avant Vineyard Barrel #131 2024
- Balistreri Vineyards Syrah, Avant Vineyard Barrel #197 2024
- Balistreri Vineyards Sangiovese 2025
- Balistreri Vineyards Port nv
- Blanchard Family Wines Cuvee Rouge 2024
- BookCliff Vineyards Tectonic Red 2023
- BookCliff Vineyards Graciano 2024
- BookCliff Vineyards Petit Verdot 2024
- BookCliff Vineyards Malbec 2024
- Buckel Family Wine Zinfandel 2023
- Buckel Family Wine Cabernet Franc 2023
- Bugling Elk Vineyards & Winery Royal Red 2024
- Carboy Winery Chambourcin Estate Grown 2023
- Carboy Winery Co.lorado Red Blend 2023
- Carlson Vineyards Tyrannosaurus Red 2023
- Carlson Vineyards Exodus Red Blend 2024
- Carlson Vineyards NSFW Red NV
- Cliff Dweller (Colorado Vintners Collective) Cliff Dweller 2023
- Colterris Winery Petit Verdot 2023
- Continental Divide Winery Summit 2022
- Continental Divide Winery Winter is Coming Red Blend 2022
- Continental Divide Winery Cabernet Franc 2022
- Creekside Cellars Malbec 2023
- Fallen Mountain Zweigelt 2024
- Fox Fire Farms Chloe Petite Pearl 2023
- Fox Fire Farms Marquette 2023
- La Viña Winery (New Mexico) Heritage Blend NV
- LaNoue Dubois Winery Marechal Foch 2024
- LaNoue Dubois Winery Chambourcin 2024
- Latigo Winery Desperado Red Wine 2024
- Mafia Princess Wines Colorado Nuovo 2025
- Mesa Winds Winery Reserve Cabernet Franc 2023
- OBC Wine Project Colorado Red 2024
- Periphery Cellars Cabernet Franc Clone 214 2023
- Periphery Cellars Le Jumeau Laid 2023
- Periphery Cellars Barbera Nebbiolo 2023
- Qutori Wines Merlot 2022
- Qutori Wines Petite Pearl 2023
- Restoration Vineyards MPV Legacy Cuvee nv
- Sauvage Spectrum Domaine Red 2022
- Sauvage Spectrum Syrah 2023
- Sauvage Spectrum Malbec 2023
- Snowy Peaks Winery Malbec 2024
- Stone Cottage Cellars Etude Rouge NV
- Talon Wines Wingspan Red 2023
- TerraVin Trivium 2023
- TerraVin Petit Verdot 2023
- TerraVin Syrah 2024
- TerraVin Zinfandel 2024
- TerraVin Pinot Noir 2024
- The Blue Beryl Winery Reserve Cabernet Franc 2023
- The Blue Beryl Winery King's Blend 2024
- Vines 79 Wine Barn Franc n Bull 2023
- Winery5280 Merlot 2024
- Winery5280 Red Blend 2024
- Winery5280 Petit Verdot 2024
- Winery5280 Cabernet Sauvignon 2025
- Aquila Cellars Riesling, Geologic Series Dill Vineyard 2025
- Bugling Elk Vineyards & Winery High Mountain Stream 2024
- Carlson Vineyards Dry Gewurztraminer 2024
- Carlson Vineyards Off Dry Riseling 2024
- Carlson Vineyards White Light Riesling 2024
- Carlson Vineyards SemiSweet Gewürztraminer 2025
- Carlson Vineyards Grüner Veltliner 2025
- Colterris Winery Chardonnay Barrel Fermented Estate Selection 2023
- Colterris Winery Coral White Cabernet Sauvignon 2025
- Colterris Winery Sauvignon blanc 2025
- Continental Divide Winery Chardonnay 2024
- Continental Divide Winery Albariño 2024
- Embudo Valley Vineyards (New Mexico) Staurolite White 2025
- Fallen Mountain Chardonnay nv
- Fox Fire Farms Fox Fire White Blend 2025
- Fox Fire Farms Aromella 2025
- LaNoue Dubois Winery Owl Creek Blend 2025
- Latigo Winery Gewürztraminer 2025
- OBC Wine Project Colorado Blanc NV
- Peachfork Gewürztraminer/Traminette 2025
- Snowy Peaks Winery Gruner Veltliner 2025
- Snowy Peaks Winery Chenin blanc 2025
- Snowy Peaks Winery Albariño 2025
- Stone Cottage Cellars Pinot Gris 2025
- Storm Cellar All The Flowers 2025
- Storm Cellar Dry Riesling 2025
- Storm Cellar Viognier 2025
- Storm Cellar Pinot Gris 2025
- Storm Cellar Gewürztraminer 2025
- Storm Cellar Albariño 2025
- Storm Cellar Chenin blanc 2025
- Whitewater Hill Vineyards Muscat blanc 2025
- Whitewater Hill Vineyards Riesling 2025
- Wild Mountain Cellars Seekseekqua Chenin blanc 2023
- 3100 Cellars (Idaho) The Launch 2021
- 3100 Cellars (Idaho) Whitewater 2021
- 3100 Cellars (Idaho) Initial Descent 2024
- 3100 Cellars (Idaho) Pool & Drop 2024
- 4 Norsemens Mead (New Mexico) The Oak Spirit
- Buckel Family Wine Sparkling Rosé 2025
- Bugling Elk Vineyards & Winery Bugling Ember 2024
- Carboy Winery Illume Sparkling Wine 2022
- Carlson Vineyards Peach NV
- Cliff Dweller (Colorado Vintners Collective) Ghostdance Rosé 2025
- Colterris Winery Livid Rosé of Malbec 2025
- Kold Prairie Mead Elysium NV
- Kold Prairie Mead Ethereal NV
- Kold Prairie Mead Lalibela Tej NV
- Kold Prairie Mead Lunara NV
- Kold Prairie Mead Radiance NV
- Kold Prairie Mead Sienna NV
- Kold Prairie Mead Solara NV
- Kold Prairie Mead Solstice NV
- Kold Prairie Mead Windsong NV
- Kold Prairie Mead Zeyphyr NV
- Lescombes Family Vineyards & Winery (New Mexico) Brut NV
- Meadery of the Rockies Peach Honey
- Mesa Winds Winery Peche nv
- OBC Wine Project Colorado Bubbles 2025
- OBC Wine Project Colorado Rosé 2025
- Qutori Wines Rosé of Pinot Noir 2025
- Snowy Peaks Winery Katelynn's Oso Rosé 2025
- St. Kathryn Cellars Peach
- St. Kathryn Cellars Red Sangria
- Storm Cellar Rosé of St. Vincent 2025
- Aspen Peak Cellars Rockin' Rapids 2024
- Aspen Peak Cellars Cabernet Franc 2024
- Avant Vineyards Rosso di Montagna Unica 2024
- Balistreri Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon, Avant Vineyard Barrel #309 2023
- Balistreri Vineyards Little Feet Merlot 2023
- Blanchard Family Wines Chambourcin 2024
- Blanchard Family Wines Cabernet Franc 2024
- BookCliff Vineyards Syrah 2024
- BookCliff Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon 2024
- Bugling Elk Vineyards & Winery Crimson Cabernet - Whiskey Barrel Aged 2024
- Bugling Elk Vineyards & Winery Raghorn Red Blend 2024
- Continental Divide Winery Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon 2022
- Continental Divide Winery Cabernet Sauvignon 2022
- Continental Divide Winery Petit Verdot 2022
- Creekside Cellars Cabernet Franc 2023
- DuWest Wines PJ Red Blend 2024
- Fallen Mountain Chambourcin 2025
- Mafia Princess Wines Velvet Vendetta 2023
- Mesa Winds Winery Petit Verdot 2024
- Mesa Winds Winery Cabernet Franc 2024
- Peachfork Chambourcin 2024
- Peachfork Sarge's Sweet Red nv
- Periphery Cellars Melanger 2023
- Qutori Wines Cabernet Sauvignon 2022
- Sauvage Spectrum Petit Verdot 2022
- Sheehan Winery (New Mexico) Chambourcin 2023
- Snowy Peaks Winery Chateau Wapiti 2023
- Stone Cottage Cellars Petite Sirah 2023
- Stone Cottage Cellars Graciano 2024
- TerraVin SMV 2023
- The Blue Beryl Winery Cabernet Sauvignon 2024
- The Blue Beryl Winery Syrah 2024
- Vines 79 Wine Barn Cowboy Cab 2022
- Whitewater Hill Vineyards Duet 2024
- Whitewater Hill Vineyards Cabernet Franc 2024
- Whitewater Hill Vineyards Sweetheart Red 2025
- Winery5280 Cabernet Sauvignon 2024
- Aspen Peak Cellars Viognier 2025
- BookCliff Vineyards Hawkridge Barrel Blanc 2025
- BookCliff Vineyards Viognier 2025
- Buckel Family Wine Sauvignon blanc 2024
- Bugling Elk Vineyards & Winery Golden Hour 2024
- Carboy Winery Concordia Blanc 2024
- Continental Divide Winery Viognier 2024
- La Viña Winery (New Mexico) Viognier 2025
- Latigo Winery Riesling 2025
- Mafia Princess Wines Girls are Meaner 2025
- Restoration Vineyards SSB Proprietor's Blend 2025
- Sauvage Spectrum Chenin blanc nv
- Stone Cottage Cellars Chardonnay 2024
- Storm Cellar Côtes du CO 2025
- TerraVin Viognier 2024
- Whitewater Hill Vineyards Unoaked Chardonnay 2025
- Winery5280 Viognier 2025
- Lescombes Family Vineyards & Winery (New Mexico) Serenade NV
- 4 Norsemens Mead (New Mexico) 4 Norsemen's Mead
- 4 Norsemens Mead (New Mexico) Myre Song
- Aquila Cellars Desert Flowers Rosé 2023
- Blanchard Family Wines Cuvee Rosé 2024
- Meadery of the Rockies Blackberry Honey
- MeadKrieger Meadery Baldrbaer
- MeadKrieger Meadery Muninn
- MeadKrieger Meadery Oak Aged Old Norse
- Stone Cottage Cellars Il Diavolo nv
- Talon Wines White Merlot 2024
- Whitewater Hill Vineyards Dry Rosé of St. Vincent 2025
Medal Criteria
Please see the Gold, Silver, and Bronze medal criteria for awards starting in 2026. Double Gold was part of the award structure through 2025.
Gold Medals | Shows exceptional depth and drinkability beyond Silver Medal wines or any other wine in the competition; a world-class wine.
A Gold Medal denotes wines that exemplify their varietal character, terroir or stylistic expression in such a way that makes them memorable and desirable –
- Wines that you would not only recommend, but seek out and purchase
- Regardless of personal preference, exemplifies how the variety, style, or terroir is supposed to taste like
Silver Medals | Show depth and drinkability well above or beyond accepted industry standards.
A Silver Medal denotes a wine with special qualities –
- Distinctive (unique) qualities
- Character that would cause you to recommend or purchase this wine
Bronze Medals | Awarded to wines showing no significant flaws or faults; drinkability above accepted industry standards.
A Bronze Medal denotes a well-made wine –
- Good, solid quality
- Would recommend to others and be happy to drink yourself
The Judges
Andrew Stover
2026, 2024, 2023, 2022, 2021, 2019, 2018, 2016, 2015
Founder of Vino50, and Certified Sommelier with the International Sommelier Guild
Caroline Clark
2026, 2025
Director of Beverage and Hospitality, Id Est Hospitality Group, Denver, CO (BASTA, #BRUTØ, Wolf's Tailor). Michelin Guide Colorado's 2023 Exceptional Cocktails award winner.
Elaine Schoch
2026
Award-winning travel writer, wine judge, certified by the Wine & Spirit Education Trust (WSET) Level 3 and certified American Wine Expert
Grant Harmsen
2026
GM & Wine Buyer of The Vineyard in Denver, CO.
Jenne Baldwin-Eaton
2026, 2024, 2023, 2022, 2021, 2017
Former winemaker with Plum Creek Cellars. Developed the first Colorado AAS in Viticulture and Enology program, at Western Colorado Community College.
Kevin Day
2026
Wine writer, photojournalist, and award-winning author of the book Opening a Bottle: Italy. Founder of the editorial website openingabottle.com and Former editor-in-chief of Colorado.com. Currently serves as a U.S. Brand Ambassador for the Wines of Alto Adige.
Liz Thach, MW
2026
Master of Wine. She is an award-winning wine journalist, author, and business strategist based in Napa and Sonoma, California.
Logan Silbert
2026
Founder and owner of Few & Far Wine Co., a Denver based wine distribution company, and a Master Sommelier candidate. Previous work with Bookcliff Vineyards, and as a sommelier/wine director in Michelin-starred restaurants throughout California and Colorado.
Nathan Gordon
2026, 2025, 2024, 2023, 2022
Former General Manager and Wine Buyer at the Vineyard Wine Shop, Denver, CO. WSET Diploma
Patrick Comiskey
2026, 2025, 2024
Former Senior Wine Correspondent, Wine & Spirits Magazine. Contributor to the Los Angeles Times, San Francisco Chronicle, Food & Wine, Bon Appetit, Decanter, Lucky Peach, Zester Daily, and the Robb Report.
Scott Thomas
2026, 2025
Wine Director at Michelin-recommended Restaurant Olivia. Founder & Lead Educator Grappolo Wine School, Denver, CO.
Stephanie Schlis
2026, 2025
Sales Consultant Maverick Beverage Company, Denver, CO.
Tonya Pitts
2026, 2025, 2024
Reviews wines from California (Northern California & California AVA), Arkansas, Colorado, Illinois, Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, Oklahoma, Utah for Wine Enthusiast Magazine. Wine Director at One Market Restaurant in San Francisco, 2022 Wine Enthusiast Magazine Sommelier of the Year, and 2026 San Francisco Wine Auction Sommelier of the Year.
Wayne Belding, MS
2026, 2025, 2024, 2023, 2022, 2021, 2019, 2018
Master Sommelier. Author of "Diving into Wine."
William Davis
2026, 2025
Advanced Sommelier and Director of Education at Wilson Daniels, CO
Zachary Lewison
2026, 2025, 2024, 2023, 2022
Sommelier at Sonnenalp, Vail, CO.
PREVIOUS JUDGES
Alder Yarrow
2025, 2024, 2023, 2022, 2021, 2019, 2018, 2016
Writer and columnist, “The Wine World’s Brightest Cyberstar” - San Francisco Magazine. Contributes to jancisrobinson.com and is the founder of vinography.com. Oakland, CA
Doug Frost, MS MW
2025, 2024, 2023, 2022, 2021, 2018, 2017
One of only four people in the world to have achieved both Master Sommelier and Master of Wine distinctions. He is the founder and director of the Jefferson Cup Invitational Wine Competition.
Taylor Courey
2025, 2024, 2023, 2022, 2021, 2018
Taylor D. Courey is associate wine buyer at Coaltrain Wine & Spirits, a fine wine, beer and liquor purveyor in Colorado Springs, Colorado.
Joe Roberts
2025, 2024, 2023, 2022
Wine Writer. Founder of the award-winning 1WineDude.com website.
Emily Gold
2025, 2024
Director of Operations for SommFoundation.
Abbie Minton
2025
Co-Founder, Women’s Wine Guild, Denver, CO.
Austin McKenna
2025
Advanced Sommelier, Matsuhisa Denver
Sonnay Alvarez
2025
Owner and Marketing Director Altanto Vino. WSET Level 2 certificate. Boise, ID.
Erin Rasmussen
2024
Winemaker at The American Project, Mineral Point, WI
Eric Taylor
2024
Winemaker at Eagles' Landing Wines, St. James, Missouri.
Leslie Yake
2024
Southern Glazer's Wine & Spirits
Dave Buchanan
2023, 2022, 2021, 2017, 2016, 2015
Wine writer for national and regional newspapers, online publications and personal blog, Wineopeners
Joel Butler, MW
2023, 2022, 2021, 2019, 2018
1st U.S. resident Master of Wine and the first and only University of Colorado alum to achieve the MW certification. In early 2015, Joel purchased World of Wines in Redmond, WA; a wine merchant/winebar
Matty Carroll
2023, 2022
Beverage Director for the Kitchen Restaurant Group
Denise Clarke
2022, 2016
Owner, DC Communications, certified sommelier, certified specialist of wine, and a certified specialist of spirits
Drew Dinh
2023, 2022
Wine and Service Manager at Terra-Denver.
Sarah Trubnick
2023
Founder and Beverage Director of The Barrel Room SF. Sarah also operates Northeast Wine Company, a distribution company focused on representing wines of the Northeast.
Jay Bileti
2022, 2021, 2019, 2018, 2017, 2016, 2015
Wine writer and experienced wine judge. Director of Member Services of the American Wine Society.
Mike Elmore
2022
Sales Representative for Boulder and Denver at Old World Wine Co.
Ashley Hausman, MW
2022, 2021, 2018, 2015
Colorado's first and only Master of Wine. Education Director at GuildSomm.
Clara Klein
2022, 2021, 2019
Sommelier at Frasca, Tavernetta, and Sunday Vinyl.
Becca Yeamans-Irwin
2022, 2016
Award-winning wine writer specializing in the science of all things related to wine.
Roberta Backlund
2021, 2019, 2018, 2017, 2016, 2015
Certified Colorado Wine Specialist and second level Sommelier
Natalie Breaux, DipWSET
2021, 2019
Instructor at the Napa Valley Wine Academy.
Mike Dunne
2021, 2019, 2016
Retired food editor, restaurant critic and wine columnist of The Sacramento Bee in Northern California
Simone FM Spinner
2023, 2021
Metropolitan State University of Denver, University of Colorado at Denver, and lectured publicly. She has many wine certifications and credentials.
Jeff Siegel
2019, 2018, 2017, 2016, 2015
Co-founder and former president of Drink Local Wine, and nationally known wine writer whose blog is one of the top 100 wine sites in the world.
Warren Winiarski
2018, 2017, 2016, 2015
Award-winning winemaker and inductee of the California Vintners Hall of Fame at the Culinary Institute of America at Greystone.