colorado governor’s cup winemaking competition, 2025
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 July to sample hundreds of wines made by Colorado’s (and AZ, ID, and NM) winemakers.
The judges will selected the top wines for the 2025 Governor’s Cup Collection, which will be tasted at Colorado Uncorked!
The Judging Event
The judging event featured a panel of sommeliers, writers, winemakers, and wine experts from around the country.
See the Rules and Entry Form document for more information.
When:
Judging took place July 25-27, 2025
Where:
Hospitality Learning Center, Metropolitan State University of Denver*
*Judging is closed to the public
UNCORKED 2025
Colorado Uncorked — a public tasting of the wines the Governor’s Cup judges selected as the best representations of the Colorado wine industry. Each wine in the Governor’s Cup Collection will be paired with small bite tasting menus by notable area chefs.
When:
Save the date for October 18th! Tickets will be available for purchase soon.
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.
2025 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
- Blanchard Family Wines - 2024 Zweigelt
- Carboy Winery - 2022 Cabernet Franc
- Mesa Winds Winery - 2023 Cabernet Franc
- Mesa Winds Winery - 2023 Petit Verdot
- The Peachfork - 2023 Chambourcin
- Rolling Hills Vineyard (Idaho) - 2022 Malbec
- Sauvage Spectrum - 2024 Zweigelt
- Sauvage Spectrum - 2023 Syrah
- Stone Cottage Cellars - 2022 Petite Sirah
- Continental Divide Winery - 2023 Rkatsiteli
- Fox Fire Farms - 2024 Aromella
- LaNoue Dubois Winery - 2023 Owl Creek Blend
- Stone Cottage Cellars - 2024 Pinot Gris
- The Storm Cellar - 2023 Riesling
- The Storm Cellar - 2023 Grüner Veltliner
- The Storm Cellar - 2024 Albariño
- The Storm Cellar - 2024 Sauvignon Blanc
- The Storm Cellar - 2024 Gewürztraminer
- Kold Prairie Mead - Ethereal
- Kold Prairie Mead - Solstice
- Kold Prairie Mead - Zeyphyr
- St. Kathryn Cellars - 2022 White Sangria
- Balistreri Vineyards - 2024 Sangiovese
- Balistreri Vineyards - 2023 Petit Verdot
- Carboy Winery - 2023 Teroldego
- Continental Divide Winery - 2021 Petite Sirah
- OBC Wine Project - 2024 Colorado Red
- The Peachfork - 2023 Cabernet Sauvignon
- Sauvage Spectrum -2023 Teroldego
- Vizcaya Winery (Idaho) - 2020 Tempranillo
- Carlson Vineyards - Sweet Baby White
- Latigo Winery 2024 - Bella's Blend
- Restoration Vineyards - 2024 Semillon
- Snowy Peaks Winery - 2023 Viognier
- Balistreri Vineyards - Cherry Wine
- Dude DeWalt (Idaho) - 2021 Touriga Nacional Port
- LaNoue Dubois Winery - 2023 Sweet Black Muscat
- MeadKrieger Meadery - Olena
- St. Kathryn Cellars - 2024 Strawberry Rhubarb
- Aspen Peak Cellars - 2023 Malbec
- Avant Vineyards - 2023 Sangiovese
- Balistreri Vineyards - 2023 Zinfandel, Showwalter Vineyard
- Balistreri Vineyards - 2023 Petite Sirah, Carlson Vineyard
- Balistreri Vineyards - 2023Cabernet Franc, Avant Vineyard
- Balistreri Vineyards - 2023 Tempranillo, Avant Vineyard
- Balistreri Vineyards - 2023 Syrah, Avant Vineyard
- BookCliff Vineyards - 2023 Malbec
- BookCliff Vineyards - 2023 Syrah
- BookCliff Vineyards - 2023 Cabernet Sauvignon
- BookCliff Vineyards - 2023 Graciano
- Brush Hollow Winery - 2024 Cabernet Sauvignon, Bourbon Barrel aged
- Buckel Family Wine - 2021 Flyer, Colorado Red Wine
- Carboy Winery - 2022 Chambourcin
- Carboy Winery - 2023 Zweigelt
- Carlson Vineyards - 2023 Tyrannosaurus Red
- Chill Switch Wines - 2022 Mourvedre
- Clearwater Canyon Cellars (Idaho) - 2022 Syrah, Estate
- Clearwater Canyon Cellars (Idaho) - 2023 Malbec
- Cliff Dweller (Colorado Vintners Collective) - 2022 War Cry
- Cliff Dweller (Colorado Vintners Collective) - 2020 Escalante
- Continental Divide Winery - 2022 Merlot
- Continental Divide Winery - 2021 Cabernet Sauvignon
- Continental Divide Winery - 2020 Storm
- Dude DeWalt (Idaho) - 2022 Thin Blue Line
- Dude DeWalt (Idaho) - 2021 Reserve Malbec
- Dunning Estates (Idaho) - 2022 Colt Steel
- LaNoue Dubois Winery - 2023 Leon Millot
- LaNoue Dubois Winery - 2023 Marechal Foch
- LaNoue Dubois Winery - 2022 Marechal Foch, Reserve
- Mafia Princess Wines - 2024 Colorado Nuovo
- OBC Wine Project - 2023 Syrah
- OBC Wine Project - 2023 Red Blend
- The Peachfork - 2023 Dry Red Blend
- The Peachfork - 2023 Dry Red Wine Blend Celebration
- Qutori Wines - 2020 Cabernet Franc
- Restoration Vineyards - 2023 Barbera
- Restoration Vineyards - Red Wine Blend
- Restoration Vineyards - 2021 Primitivo
- Restoration Vineyards - Merlot
- Sauvage Spectrum - 2022 Domaine Red
- Sauvage Spectrum - 2023 Grand Vin
- Snowy Peaks Winery - 2023 Teroldego
- Sutcliffe Vineyards - 2022 Malbec, Signature
- Talon Wines - 2024 Riverbend Red Reserve
- The Blue Beryl Winery - 2023 Cabernet Franc
- The Blue Beryl Winery - 2023 Malbec
- The Blue Beryl Winery - 2022 Cabernet Franc Reserve
- Twisted Union Wine Co. (Arizona) - 2022 Joy Rider
- Vinnie Fera - 2022 Hogback Cabernet Franc
- Vinnie Fera - 2022 Hogback Cabernet Sauvignon
- Vinnie Fera - 2022 Hogback
- Vinnie Fera - 2022 Hogback BDX-Reserve
- Vizcaya Winery (Idaho) - 2019 Malbec, Windy Ridge Estate
- Wandering Bear - 2022 Primitivo
- Whitewater Hill Vineyards - 2022 Syrah
- Whitewater Hill Vineyards - 2023 Cabernet franc
- Whitewater Hill Vineyards - 2023 Sweetheart Red
- Avant Vineyards - 2024 Albarino
- Avant Vineyards - 2024 Grenache Blanc
- BookCliff Vineyards - 2023 Tectonic White
- Brush Hollow Winery - 2024 White Wine with Pueblo chile
- Bugling Elk Vineyards & Winery - 2023 High Mountain Stream Traminette
- Carboy Winery - 2023 BLAN.CO
- Carboy Winery - 2024 Rios y Arroys
- Carboy Winery - 2024 Traminette
- Carlson Vineyards - White Light
- Carlson Vineyards - Dry Gewurztraminer
- Carlson Vineyards - NSFW White
- Carlson Vineyards - Off Dry Riesling
- Carlson Vineyards - Tree Ripe White
- Continental Divide Winery - 2023 Viognier
- Dunning Estates - 2024 Outlaw Malbec
- Fox Fire Farms - 2024 Riesling
- Huston Vineyards - 2024 Chicken Dinner White
- Latigo Winery - 2024 Chardonnay
- Morris Hill Wine Company (Idaho) - 2024 The Depot Verdejo
- OBC Wine Project - 2022 White Blend
- The Peachfork - 2023 Traminette
- The Peachfork - 2024 Dry White Wine Blend Celebration
- The Peachfork - 2023 Semi Sweet Traminette
- Restoration Vineyards - 2024 Gruner Veltliner
- Restoration Vineyards - 2024 Sauvignon Blanc, Estate
- Sauvage Spectrum - 2023 Gruner Veltliner
- Sauvage Spectrum - 2023 Albarino
- Snowy Peaks Winery - 2024 Albarino
- Snowy Peaks Winery - 2024 Marsanne
- The Storm Cellar - 2023 Cotes du CO
- The Storm Cellar - 2024 All the Flowers
- Talon Wines - 2023 Pinot Grigio
- The Ordinary Fellow - 2024 Riesling
- The Winery at Holy Cross Abbey - 2024 Viognier
- Vinnie Fera - 2020 Chardonnay
- Whitewater Hill Vineyards - 2024 Muscat Blanc
- Whitewater Hill Vineyards - 2023 Riesling
- 4 Norsemens Mead (New Mexico) - Traditional Mead
- Aspen Peak Cellars - 2023 Blanc de Blancs
- Carlson Vineyards - Field Blend Rosé
- Carlson Vineyards - Sweet Baby Blush
- Dragon Meadery - Vanilla Creme Bochet
- Dragon Meadery - Black Forest Pyment
- Dragon Meadery - Plum Sakura
- Huston Vineyards (Idaho) - 2024 Chicken Dinner Rosé
- Kold Prairie Mead - Elysium
- Kold Prairie Mead - Evermore
- Kold Prairie Mead - Lunara
- Kold Prairie Mead - Radiance
- Kold Prairie Mead - Solara
- Kold Prairie Mead - Windsong
- Mafia Princess Winey - 2023 Pet Nat Riesling
- Meadery of the Rockies - 2024 Chocolate Cherry Honey
- Meadery of the Rockies - 2022 Honey Sheré
- Meadery of the Rockies - 2025 Strawberry Honey
- MeadKrieger Meadery - Traditional Mead
- MeadKrieger Meadery - Oak Barrel Aged Mead
- MeadKrieger Meadery - Ragnarbaer
- MeadKrieger Meadery - Odenrir
- Qutori Wines - 2024 White Pinot Noir, Estate
- Rolling Hills Vineyard (Idaho) - 2024 Rosé of Sangiovese
- Sauvage Spectrum - Sparklet White
- Sauvage Spectrum - Sparklet Rosé
- Slaymaker Cellars - 2024 Electric Apricot
- St. Kathryn Cellars - 2024 Peach Wine
- St. Kathryn Cellars - 2022 Lavender Wine
- The Storm Cellar - 2024 Double Switchback Rosé
- The Storm Cellar - 2024 Rosé of Chambourcin
- Talon Wines - 2024 White Merlot
- Vines 79 Wine Barn - Iron Horse Special
- Vinnie Fera - 2024 Vinnie Fera Rosé
- Whitewater Hill Vineyards - 2024 Muscat Blanc
- Whitewater Hill Vineyards - 2024 'pink' a Merlot rosé
- Aspen Peak Cellars - 2023 Syrah
- Aspen Peak Cellars - 2023 Cabernet Franc
- Aspen Peak Cellars - 2023 Rocking Rapids
- Aspen Peak Cellars - 2023 Petit Verdot
- Balistreri Vineyards - 2023 Cabernet Sauvignon, Tom Maw Vineyard
- BookCliff Vineyards - 2023 Petit Verdot
- BookCliff Vineyards - 2022 Tectonic Red
- Buckel Family Wine - 2023 Zinfandel
- Bugling Elk Vineyards & Winery - 2024 Royal Red Marquette
- Bugling Elk Vineyards & Winery - 2024 Velvet Red Blend
- Carlson Vineyards - Exodus
- Carlson Vineyards - 2023 Merlot
- Carlson Vineyards - 2023 Tempranillo
- Chill Switch Wines - 2022 Teroldego
- Cliff Dweller (Colorado Vintners Collective) - 2023 Cliff Dweller
- Continental Divide Winery - 2022 Marquette
- Continental Divide Winery - 2020 Winter is Coming
- Huston Vineyards (Idaho) - 2023 Chicken Dinner Red
- LaNoue Dubois Winery - 2021 Woods Red Blend
- Mafia Princess Wines - 2024 Tommy Gunner
- The Peachfork - 2023 Blaufrankish
- Rolling Hills Vineyard (Idaho) - 2022 Cabernet Sauvignon
- Sauvage Spectrum - 2023 Malbec
- Tamburi Vinery - 2023 Cabernet Franc
- Tamburi Vinery - 2023 Merlot
- Twisted Union Wine Co. (Arizona) - 2022 Ground Breaker
- Vines 79 Wine Barn - Cowboy Cab, Reserve
- Whitewater Hill Vineyards - 2023 St. Vincent
- Whitewater Hill Vineyards - 2023 Duet
- Aspen Peak Cellars - 2024 Viognier
- Aspen Peak Cellars - 2024 Riesling
- Buckel Family Wine - 2023 Chardonnay
- Bugling Elk Vineyards & Winery - 2024 Snow Melt Riesling
- Carboy Winery - 2023 Viognier
- Cliff Dweller (Colorado Vintners Collective) - 2024 Desert Bloom
- Continental Divide Winery - 2023 Chardonnay
- LaNoue Dubois Winery - 2023 Chardonnay
- Latigo Winery - 2023 Riesling
- Mafia Princess Wines - 2023 Moscato
- Mafia Princess Wines - 2022 Riesling
- Owyhee Vista Vineyard (Idaho) - 2024 Chardonnay
- Purgatory Cellars - 2024 Chardonnay Resurrection
- Restoration Vineyards - 2024 Sauvignon Blanc
- Sauvage Spectrum 2022 - Veritage White
- Sutcliffe Vineyards - 2022 Chardonnay, Signature
- Tamburi Vinery - 2024 Orange Muscat
- Wild Mountain Cellars - 2022 seekseekqua Grüner Veltliner
- Buckel Family Wine - 2024 Petillant Rose Wine
- Carboy Winery - 2024 CO.SECCO
- Carboy Winery - 2024 Native Fizz Rose
- Cliff Dweller (Colorado Vintners Collective) - 2024 Ghostdance
- Kold Prairie Mead - Harmonia
- Kold Prairie Mead - Lalibela Tej
- Kold Prairie Mead - Sienna
- Mad Marmot Meadery - Tin Foil Hat
- Mad Marmot Meadery - Tranquility
- Mafia Princess Wines - Mia Bella Rosé
- MeadKrieger Meadery - Baldbaer
- MeadKrieger Meadery - Kvasir
- Mesa Winds Winery - Peche
- OBC Wine Project - 2024 Colorado Rosé
- Rolling Hills Vineyard (Idaho) - 2023 Cabernet Franc Rosé
- Slaymaker Cellars - 2024 Tart Cherry Melomel
- Slaymaker Cellars - 2025 Wildflower Traditional Mead
- Slaymaker Cellars - 2025 Orange Blossom Traditional Mead
- Slaymaker Cellars - 2024 Electric Blueberry Melomel
- Slaymaker Cellars - 2024 Cranberry Blossom Traditional Mead
- The Storm Cellar - 2024 Rosé of St. Vincent
Medal Criteria
Double Gold Medals
Awarded when a panel of judges unanimously assigns a gold medal to an entry in the preliminary round of judging, or a majority of all judges assign a gold in the sweepstakes round.
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
Sonnay Alvarez
2025
Owner and Marketing Director Altanto Vino. WSET Level 2 certificate. Boise, ID.
Wayne Belding, MS
2025, 2024, 2023, 2022, 2021, 2019, 2018
Master Sommelier. Author of "Diving into Wine."
Caroline Clark
2025
Director of Beverage and Hospitality, Id Est Hospitality Group, Denver, CO (BASTA, #BRUTØ, Wolf's Tailor)
Patrick Comiskey
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.
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.
William Davis
2025
Advanced Sommelier and Director of Education at Wilson Daniels, CO
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.
Emily Gold
2025, 2024
Director of Operations for SommFoundation.
Nathan Gordon
2025, 2024, 2023, 2022
Former General Manager and Wine Buyer at the Vineyard Wine Shop, Denver, CO. WSET Diploma
Zachary Lewison
2025, 2024, 2023, 2022
Sommelier at Sonnenalp, Vail, CO.
Austin McKenna
2025
Advanced Sommelier, Matsuhisa Denver
Abbie Minton
2025
Co-Founder, Women’s Wine Guild, Denver, CO.
Tonya Pitts
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 and 2022 Wine Enthusiast Magazine Sommelier of the Year
Joe Roberts
2025, 2024, 2023, 2022
Wine Writer. Founder of the award-winning 1WineDude.com website.
Stephanie Schlis
2025
Sales Consultant Maverick Beverage Company, Denver, CO.
Scott Thomas
2025
Founder & Lead Educator Grappolo Wine School, Denver, CO.
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
PREVIOUS JUDGES
Jenne Baldwin-Eaton
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.
Erin Rasmussen
2024
Winemaker at The American Project, Mineral Point, WI
Andrew Stover
2024, 2023, 2022, 2021, 2019, 2018, 2016, 2015
Founder of Vino50, and Certified Sommelier with the International Sommelier Guild
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.