Governor’s Cup
colorado governor’s cup winemaking competition, 2024
The Colorado Governor’s Cup Winemaking Competition, the only statewide wine making competition exclusively for Colorado Wineries.
The Colorado Governor’s Cup Judges—sommeliers, wine writers, Masters of Wine, Master Sommeliers, and wine professionals from Colorado and across the country—will gather at Metropolitan State University of Denver’s Hospitality Learning Center in August to sample hundreds of wines made by Colorado’s winemakers.
The judges will selected the top 14 wines for the 2024 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.
Wineries, entries will be accepted in July. See the Rules and Entry Form document for more information.
When:
August 23-25, 2024
Where:
Hospitality Learning Center, Metropolitan State University of Denver*
*Judging is closed to the public
The Public Tasting Event
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:
November 1, 2024. Purchase Tickets Here.
Where:
History Colorado Center
1200 Broadway St.
Denver, CO 80203
View on map
About the Competition
The 2024 Governor’s Cup Wine Competition received 302 wine submissions from 52 Colorado wineries – including several new wineries – all of which were judged by a panel of sommeliers, chefs, writers, and wine experts from around the country. The 2024 competition was held in August 2024 and the 2024 Best of Show winner will be officially announced during the annual Colorado Uncorked Event in November. This event will be the first and only opportunity for the public to try all of the award-winning wines at the same time.
2024 Governor's Cup Collection
Colorado’s best wines of the year, determined by our panel of 15 judges made up of sommeliers, winemakers & wine writers.
2024 GOVERNOR’S CUP COLORADO WINE COMPETITION MEDAL LIST
- Alfred Eames Cellars - 2019 Collage
- Alfred Eames Cellars - 2019 Sangre del Sol
- Carboy Winery - 2021 Chambourcin
- Fox Fire Farms - 2023 Fox Fire Red
- OBC Wine Project - 2023 Colorado Red
- Sauvage Spectrum - 2023 Teroldego
- Snowy Peaks Winery - 2022 Cabernet Franc
- Restoration Vineyards - 2023 Gewurztraminer
- Snowy Peaks Winery - 2023 Albarino
- Storm Cellar - 2023 Sauvignon Blanc
- Whitewater Hill Vineyards - 2023 Moscato
- Storm Cellar - 2023 Rosé of Pinot Noir - Rosé
- Peachfork - Sweet Sarge - Dessert
- Sauvage Spectrum - Bodega Dessert Wine - Dessert
- Snowy Peaks Winery - 2023 Elevé sucre - Dessert
- St. Kathryn Cellars - Strawberry Rhubarb - Fruit
- Balistreri Vineyards - 2023 Merlot, Roekema Vineyard
- Balistreri Vineyards - 2023 Teroldego, Talbott Vineyard
- BookCliff Vineyards - 2022 Petit Verdot
- Carlson Vineyards - 2022 Wren Quinn
- Carlson Vineyards - 2022 Tyrannosaurus Red
- Continental Divide Winery - 2020 Winter is Coming
- OBC Wine Project - 2023 Malbec
- Purgatory Cellars - 2023 Merlot
- Red Fox Cellars - 2019 Tempranillo
- The Winery at Holy Cross Abbey - 2022 Merlot
- Vines 79 Wine Barn - 2022 Trails End Tempranillo
- Whitewater Hill Vineyards - 2022 Duet
- Carboy Winery - 2023 Concordia Blanc
- Carlson Vineyards - 2023 Off Dry Riesling
- Carlson Vineyards - 2022 Sweet Gewurztraminer
- Continental Divide Winery - 2023 Gewurztraminer
- Sauvage Spectrum - 2023 Fume Blanc
- Sauvage Spectrum - 2023 All Day Verde
- Sauvage Spectrum - 2023 Domaine White
- Sauvage Spectrum - 2023 Gruner Veltliner
- Storm Cellar - 2023 Itasca
- Storm Cellar - 2023 Rosé of St Vincent - Rosé
- Whitewater Hill Vineyards - 2023 Dry Rosé of St. Vincent - Rosé
- Sauvage Spectrum - 2023 Sparklet Rosé - Sparkling
- Storm Cellar - 2022 Cloudburst - Sparkling
- Alfred Eames Cellars - Noche - Dessert
- Hunters Moon Meadery - 2022 Black Abbey - Mead
- Mad Marmot Meadery - Montauk Project - Mead
- Meadery of the Rockies - Apricot Honey - Mead
- Meadery of the Rockies - Strawberry Honey - Mead
- Slaymaker Cellars - Raspberry Blossom Mead
- Allis Ranch Winery - 16/17 Grenache
- Allis Ranch Winery - 2018 Grenache
- Aspen Peak Cellars - 2022 Cabernet Franc
- Aspen Peak Cellars - 2022 Merlot
- Avant Vineyards - 2022 Teroldego
- Balistreri Vineyards - 2023 Cabernet Sauvignon, Avant Vineyard
- Balistreri Vineyards - 2023 Sousao, Caspari Vineyard
- Balistreri Vineyards - 2023 Petite Sirah, Talbott Vineyard
- Bonacquisti Wine Company - Cabernet Sauvignon
- BookCliff Vineyards - 2022 Cabernet Franc
- BookCliff Vineyards - 2022 Graciano
- BookCliff Vineyards - 2022 Cabernet Sauvignon
- BookCliff Vineyards - 2022 Malbec
- BookCliff Vineyards - 2022 Syrah
- BookCliff Vineyards - 2022 Merlot
- Buckel Family Wine - 2022 Pinot Noir
- Buckel Family Wine - 2022 Cabernet Franc
- Bugling Elk Vineyards & Winery - 2023 Marquette
- Carboy Winery - 2022 COLORADO Red Blend
- Carboy Winery - 2020 Petite Pearl
- Carboy Winery - 13.5 Red Blend
- Carlson Vineyards - 2022 Calico
- Carlson Vineyards - 2022 Exodus
- Continental Divide Winery - 2020 Cabernet Franc
- Continental Divide Winery - 2022 Merlot
- Continental Divide Winery - 2022 Pinot Noir
- Continental Divide Winery - 2021 Villard Noir
- Continental Divide Winery - 2021 Verona
- Continental Divide Winery - 2020 Malbec
- Continental Divide Winery - Cabernet Sauvignon
- Continental Divide Winery - 2020 Storm
- Creekside Cellars - 2020 Cabernet Franc
- Infinite Monkey Theorem - 2022 Cabernet Sauvignon
- LaNoue Dubois Winery - 2022 Marechal Foch
- LaNoue Dubois Winery - 2022 Leon Millot
- LaNoue Dubois Winery - 2022 Woods Red Blend
- Latigo Winery - 2023 The Wrangler
- Mesa Winds Winery - 2023 Cabernet Franc
- Mesa Winds Winery - 2023 Petit Verdot
- Peony Lane - 2021 Tempranillo
- Peony Lane - 2021 Cabernet Franc
- Peony Lane - 2021 Malbec
- Purgatory Cellars - 2023 Cabernet Sauvignon
- Qutori Wines - 2020 Pinot Noir
- Qutori Wines - 2020 Merlot
- Qutori Wines - 2020 Cabernet Sauvignon
- Red Fox Cellars - 2018 Nebbiolo
- Red Fox Cellars - 2019 Teroldego
- Restoration Vineyards - 2022 Tempranillo
- Restoration Vineyards - 2019 Estate Reserve Cabernet Franc
- Restoration Vineyards - Cabernet Franc
- Sauvage Spectrum - 2022 Petit Verdot
- Sauvage Spectrum - 2023 Zinfandel
- Silver Vines - 2021 Five Barrel
- Snowy Peaks Winery - 2020 Elevé
- Snowy Peaks Winery - 2020 Malbec
- Taboche Winery - 2021 Malbec
- Talon Wines - 2018 The Falconer
- The Blue Beryl Winery - 2022 Cabernet Franc
- The Winery at Holy Cross Abbey - 2021 Cabernet Franc
- The Winery at Holy Cross Abbey - 2022 Merlot
- The Winery at Holy Cross Abbey - 2021 Revelation
- The Winery at Holy Cross Abbey - As Above So Below The Theurgist
- Vines 79 Wine Barn - 2022 High Plains Primitivo Vinelands 79
- Vinnie Fera - 2020 Hogback CF
- Vinnie Fera - 2020 Hogback Malbec
- Vinnie Fera - 2020 Hogback Cabernet Sauv
- Vinnie Fera - 2020 Hogback Bouldeauxer
- Whitewater Hill Vineyards - 2022 St Vincent
- Whitewater Hill Vineyards - 2022 Merlot
- Whitewater Hill Vineyards - 2022 Shiraz
- Whitewater Hill Vineyards - 2022 Cabernet Franc
- Aspen Peak Cellars - 2023 Viognier
- Balistreri Vineyards - 2023 Orange Muscat, Talbott Vineyard
- BookCliff Vineyards - 2023 Viognier
- Brush Hollow Winery - 2022 Aromella
- Bugling Elk Vineyards & Winery - 2023 Traminette
- Carlson Vineyards - 2023 White Light
- Carlson Vineyards - 2023 NSFW
- Carlson Vineyards - 2023 Dry Gewurztraminer
- Continental Divide Winery - 2022 Chardonnay
- Continental Divide Winery - 2023 Riesling
- Continental Divide Winery - 2022 Rocky Mountain Columbine
- Continental Divide Winery - 2023 Sifon
- Creekside Cellars - 2019 Roussanne
- Creekside Cellars - 2023 Viognier
- Fox Fire Farms - 2023 Aromella
- LaNoue Dubois Winery - 2022 Chardonnay
- Latigo Winery - 2023 Bella's Blend
- Mafia Princess Wines - 2022 Riesling
- OBC Wine Project - 2023 Riesling
- Peachfork - 2023 Traminette
- Restoration Vineyards - 2023 Sauvignon Blanc
- Sauvage Spectrum - 2023 Albarino
- Snowy Peaks Winery - 2023 Sweet
- Snowy Peaks Winery - 2023 Gruner Veltliner
- Snowy Peaks Winery - 2023 Viognier
- Snowy Peaks Winery - 2023 Elevé Blanc
- Snowy Peaks Winery - 2023 Dry Riesling
- Storm Cellar - 2023 All the Flowers
- Storm Cellar - 2023 Albarino
- Storm Cellar - 2022 Chardonnay
- Sutcliffe Vineyards - 2022 Signature Chardonnay
- Sutcliffe Vineyards - 2023 Viognier
- Talon Wines - 2022 Riesling
- The Blue Beryl Winery - 2023 Chenin Blanc
- The Winery at Holy Cross Abbey - 2023 Sauvignon Blanc
- The Winery at Holy Cross Abbey - Riesling
- Vinnie Fera - 2023 Pinot Gris
- Whitewater Hill Vineyards - 2023 Dry Muscat Blanc
- Wild Mountain Cellars - 2019 Seekseekqua Chardonnay
- Aspen Peak Cellars - Mocha Zinsation - Dessert
- Carlson Vineyards - R&D Fortified Red - Dessert
- Fox Fire Farms - 2016 Richard's Ruby - Dessert
- Grande River Vineyards - 2023 Aromella - Dessert
- Mafia Princess Wines - 2023 Muscat Canelli - Dessert
- The Winery at Holy Cross Abbey - 2022 Divinity - Dessert
- St. Kathryn Cellars - Apple - Fruit
- The Winery at Holy Cross Abbey - Apple Blossom - Fruit
- Dragon Meadery - Chamomile Metheglin - Mead
- Dragon Meadery - Chocolate Raspberry Pyment - Mead
- Dragon Meadery - Winter White Pyment - Mead
- Hunters Moon Meadery - 2022 Blueberry Haze - Mead
- Legends A Meadery - Spear of Lugh - Mead
- Legends A Meadery - Artemis's Arrow - Mead
- Mad Marmot Meadery - Baseless Statements - Mead
- Mad Marmot Meadery - Ledado de Chantico - Mead
- Meadery of the Rockies - Chocolate Cherry Honey - Mead
- Meadery of the Rockies - Honey Shere - Mead
- Meadery of the Rockies - Lavender Honey - Mead
- MeadKrieger Meadery - Odrerir -Mead
- Queen Bee Brews - Stars on Alabama Session Mead
- Slaymaker Cellars - Electric Apricot - Mead
- Carlson Vineyards - 2022 Tree Ripe White - OTS
- St. Kathryn Cellars - Lavender and Riesling - OTS
- St. Kathryn Cellars - Sangria - OTS
- Aspen Peak Cellars - 2022 Nebbiolo
- Aspen Peak Cellars - 2022 Syrah
- Aspen Peak Cellars - 2022 Petit Verdot
- Balistreri Vineyards - 2023 Sangiovese
- BookCliff Vineyards - 2022 Ensemble
- Carboy Winery - 2022 Cabernet Franc
- Continental Divide Winery - 2020 Summit
- Creekside Cellars - 2019 Malbec
- Grande River Vineyards - 2022 Cabernet Franc
- Grande River Vineyards - 2022 Merlot
- Grande River Vineyards - 2022 Meritage Red
- Infinite Monkey Theorem - 2021 Cabernet Franc
- La Razza Cellars - 2022 Neo Noir
- La Razza Cellars - 2022 Chambourcin
- LaNoue Dubois Winery - 2021 Merlot
- Peony Lane - 2022 PInot Noir
- Peony Lane - 2021 Cabernet Sauvignon
- Peony Lane - 2021 Syrah
- Peony Lane - 2021 Higher
- Red Fox Cellars - Dolcetto
- Red Fox Cellars - 44 Red Blend
- Sauvage Spectrum - 2022 Malbec AHT
- Sauvage Spectrum - 2023 Syrah
- Silver Vines - 2020 Pinot Noir
- Snowy Peaks Winery - 2022 Syrah
- Snowy Peaks Winery - 2022 Cabernet Sauvignon
- Sutcliffe Vineyards - 2018 Dunton Family Reserve
- The Blue Beryl Winery - 2022 Malbec
- The Winery at Holy Cross Abbey - 2022 Syrah
- The Winery at Holy Cross Abbey - 2021 Cabernet Sauvignon
- The Winery at Holy Cross Abbey - Sangre de Cristo Nouveau
- The Winery at Holy Cross Abbey - As Above So Below The Alchemist
- Vinnie Fera - 2019 Pinot Noir
- Vinnie Fera - 2020 Hogback BDX Reserve
- Avant Vineyards - 2023 Albarino
- Balistreri Vineyards - 2023 Sauvignon Blanc, Avant Vineyard
- BookCliff Vineyards - 2023 Barrel Blanc Blend
- Buckel Family Wine - 2023 Sauvignon Blanc
- Carlson Vineyards - 2022 Wren Quinn White
- Continental Divide Winery - 2022 Riesline Suss
- Creekside Cellars - 2023 Riesling
- Grande River Vineyards - 2022 Viognier
- Infinite Monkey Theorem - 2019 Riesling
- Peachfork - 2023 Dry Riesling
- Purgatory Cellars - 2023 Sauvignon Blanc
- Restoration Vineyards - 2022 Riesling
- Restoration Vineyards - 2023 Chardonnay
- Sauvage Spectrum - 2022 CERO
- Sauvage Spectrum - 2022 Veritage White
- Silver Vines - 2023 Sauvignon Blanc
- Storm Cellar - 2022 Riesling
- The Winery at Holy Cross Abbey - 2023 Chardonnay
- The Winery at Holy Cross Abbey - 2023 Viognier
- Whitewater Hill Vineyards - 2023 Viognier
- Whitewater Hill Vineyards - 2023 Riesling
- Whitewater Hill Vineyards - 2023 Zero Below
- Continental Divide Winery - 2023 Haulin Ass Rosé
- Creekside Cellars Mourvedre - 2023 - Rosé
- Grande River Vineyards - 2022 Rosé
- LaNoue Dubois Winery - 2022 Black Muscat - Rosé
- Mafia Princess Wines - 2023 Mia Bella Rosé
- Red Fox Cellars - Long Day Rosé
- Restoration Vineyards - 2023 Rosé
- Talon Wines - 2022 Rosé of Merlot
- Vinnie Fera - 2023 Pinot Noir - Rosé
- Grande River Vineyards - 2022 Riesling - Sparkling
- Red Fox Cellars - Freestone Peach - Sparkling
- Balistreri Vineyards - 2022 Mourvedre - Dessert
- Mesa Winds Winery - Pêche - Dessert
- Peachfork - 2006 Shiraz Port - Dessert
- Peachfork - Pear Apple - Fruit
- Hunters Moon Meadery - 2022 Earl Greg - Mead
- Hunters Moon Meadery - 2022 Moon Dance Cherry - Mead
- Legends A Meadery - Excalibur - Mead
- Mad Marmot Meadery - Meditations - Mead
- Slaymaker Cellars - Orange Blossom Honey - Mead
- Slaymaker Cellars - Oak Aged Orange Blossom - Mead
- Slaymaker Cellars - Sweet Heat Peach - Mead
- Slaymaker Cellars - Coffee Whiskey Dessert Mead
Download Previous Years' Winners:
2023 Winners PDF 2022 Winners PDF 2021 Winners PDF 2019 Winners PDF 2018 Winners PDF 2017 Winners PDF 2016 Winners PDF 2015 Winners PDF 2014 Winners PDFMedal 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 | Awarded by earning 3 gold votes
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 | Awarded by earning 3 or more Silver or Gold votes
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 by earning 4 medal votes
A Bronze Medal denotes a well-made wine –
- Good, solid quality
- Would recommend to others and be happy to drink yourself
The 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.
Wayne Belding, MS
2024, 2023, 2022, 2021, 2019, 2018
Master Sommelier. Author of "Diving into Wine."
Patrick Comiskey
2024
Senior Wine Correspondent, Wine & Spirits Magazine
Taylor Courey
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.
Doug Frost, MS MW
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
2024
Director of Operations for SommFoundation.
Nathan Gordon
2024, 2023, 2022
General Manager and Wine Buyer at the Vineyard Wine Shop, Denver, CO.
Zachary Lewison
2024, 2023, 2022
Sommelier at Sonnenalp, Vail, CO.
Tonya Pitts
2024
Wine Director at One Market Restaurant in San Francisco and 2022 Wine Enthusiast Magazine Sommelier of the Year
Erin Rasmussen
2024
Winemaker at The American Project, Mineral Point, WI
Joe Roberts
2024, 2023, 2022
Wine Writer. Founder of the award-winning 1WineDude.com website.
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.
Alder Yarrow
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.
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.