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.
2023 GOVERNOR’S CUP COLORADO WINE COMPETITION MEDAL LIST
- Alfred Eames Cellars - 2019 Carmena
- BookCliff Vineyards - 2022 Syrah
- Sauvage Spectrum - 2022 Malbec
- Sauvage Spectrum - 2022 Teroldego
- Snowy Peaks Winery - 2019 Éléve
- Storm Cellar - 2022 Albariño
- Dragon Meadery - Red Apple Cyser
- Peachfork - 2022 Pear Apple
- Balistreri Vineyards - 2022 Syrah, CSU Vineyard
- Balistreri Vineyards - 2022 Teroldego, CVS Vineyard
- Bonacquisti Wine Company - 2022 Sangiovese
- Creekside Cellars - 2018 Merlot
- OBC Wine Project - OBC Red Blend
- Talon Wines - 2021 Merlot
- The Winery at Holy Cross Abbey - 2021 Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon
- The Winery at Holy Cross Abbey - 2021 Reserve Merlot
- Carlson Vineyards - 2021 Sweet Baby White
- Centennial Cellars - 2022 Semi-Sweet Riesling
- Restoration Vineyards - 2022 Sauvignon Blanc
- Snowy Peaks Winery - 2022 Muscat Blanc
- Storm Cellar - 2022 All the Flowers
- Storm Cellar - Gewürztraminer
- The Winery at Holy Cross Abbey - 2022 Chardonnay
- Vinnie Fera - 2019 Chardonnay
- Meadery of the Rockies - Honey Sheré
- St. Kathryn Cellars - Strawberry Rhubarb
- Aspen Peak Cellars - 285 Fusion
- Aspen Peak Cellars - Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve
- Aspen Peak Cellars - Syrah Reserve
- Balistreri Vineyards - 2022 Petit Sirah, Talbott Vineyard
- Balistreri Vineyards - 2022 Sousao, Caspari Vineyard
- Balistreri Vineyards - 2022 Syrah, Horse Mountain Vineyard
- Balistreri Vineyards - 2022 Zinfandel, Talbott Vineyard
- Blanchard Family Wines - 2022 Red Wine
- BookCliff Vineyards - 2020 Cabernet Sauvignon
- BookCliff Vineyards - 2020 Crescendo
- BookCliff Vineyards - 2020 Merlot
- BookCliff Vineyards - 2020 Tempranillo
- Buckel Family Wine - 2020 Cabernet Franc
- Bugling Elk Vineyards & Winery - 2022 Adrenaline Red
- Carboy Winery - 2020 Tempranillo
- Carboy Winery - Vin '59 Red Blend, Claim #20
- Carlson Vineyards - 2021 365 Red
- Carlson Vineyards - Exodus, High Desert Wine Lab
- Cliff Dweller (Colorado Vintners Collective) - 2019 Escalante Red Blend
- Continental Divide Winery - 2020 Cabernet Sauvignon
- Continental Divide Winery - 2019 Quandry
- Continental Divide Winery - 2019 Storm
- Continental Divide Winery - 2019 Summit
- Creekside Cellars - 2018 Cabernet Sauvignon
- Creekside Cellars - 2018 Malbec
- LaNoue Dubois Winery - 2021 Merlot
- Latigo Winery - 2020 Chambourcin
- Peachfork - 2022 Blaufränkisch
- Peachfork - 2022 Chambourcin
- Peony Lane - 2020 Cabernet Franc
- Peony Lane - 2020 Cabernet Sauvignon
- Peony Lane - 2020 Merlot
- Qutori Wines - 2020 Syrah
- Red Fox Cellars - 2018 Dolcetto
- Red Fox Cellars - La Dolce Vita
- Red Fox Cellars - Nebbiolo
- Red Fox Cellars - 2018 Tempranillo
- Restoration Vineyards - 2019 Estate Barbera
- Restoration Vineyards - 2018 Estate Barbera Reserve
- Restoration Vineyards - 2019 Estate Cabernet Franc
- Sauvage Spectrum - 2019 Reserve Red
- Silver Vines - 2019 Valhalla
- Snowy Peaks Winery - 2019 Cabernet Sauvignon
- Snowy Peaks Winery - 2018 Petit Verdot
- Snowy Peaks Winery - 2020 Petite Sirah
- Snowy Peaks Winery - 2020 Sébastian's Reserve
- Taboche Winery - 2020 Fallen Down Tree Malbec
- The Winery at Holy Cross Abbey - 2020 Cabernet Franc
- The Winery at Holy Cross Abbey - 2020 Cabernet Sauvignon
- The Winery at Holy Cross Abbey - 2021 Merlot
- Vinnie Fera - 2019 Hogback Bouldauxer
- Vinnie Fera - 2018 Pinot Noir BRG
- Vino Salida - 2021 Syrah
- Vino Salida - 2021 Vintner's Reserve Petit Verdot
- Whitewater Hill Vineyards - 2021 Chambourcin
- Whitewater Hill Vineyards - 2022 Sweetheart Red
- Wild Mountain Cellars - 2020 Barbera
- Wild Mountain Cellars - 2020 seekseekqua Alder, Qutori
- Wild Mountain Cellars - 2019 Sync Ski
- Blanchard Family Wines - 2022 Riesling
- BookCliff Vineyards - 2022 Chardonnay
- BookCliff Vineyards - Friday's Folly White
- BookCliff Vineyards - 2022 Sauvignon Blanc
- Bugling Elk Vineyards & Winery - 2022 Colorados Gem
- Carlson Vineyards - 365 White
- Carlson Vineyards - 2022 High Desert Wine Lab, Gewürztraminer
- Carlson Vineyards - Off-Dry Riesling, High Desert Wine Lab
- Carlson Vineyards - 2021 Sweet Gewürztraminer
- Carlson Vineyards - 2022 White Light, High Desert Wine Lab
- Centennial Cellars - 2022 Dry Riesling
- Continental Divide Winery - 2022 Riesling
- Grande River Vineyards - 2021 Riesling
- OBC Wine Project - 2022 OBC White Blend
- Peachfork - 2022 Traminette
- Restoration Vineyards - 2022 Estate Field Blend
- Sauvage Spectrum - 2022 Albariño
- Sauvage Spectrum - 2022 Domaine White
- Sauvage Spectrum - 2022 Fumé Blanc
- Sauvage Spectrum - 2022 Veritage White
- Snowy Peaks Winery - 2022 Éléve Blanc
- Snowy Peaks Winery - 2022 Gewürztraminer
- Snowy Peaks Winery - 2022 Riesling
- Snowy Peaks Winery - 2022 Riesling
- Storm Cellar - 2021 Riesling
- Storm Cellar - 2022 Sauvignon Blanc
- Talon Wines - 2022 Riesling
- The Winery at Holy Cross Abbey - Reserve Sauvignon Blanc
- The Winery at Holy Cross Abbey - Riesling
- Vines 79 Wine Barn - 2022 Red Roan Riesling
- Vino Salida - Vino Bianco di Salida
- Whitewater Hill Vineyards - 2022 Barrel Aged Chardonnay
- Wild Mountain Cellars - 2020 seekseekqua Hubbard, Black Bridge
- Wild Mountain Cellars - 2020 seekseekqua Watson, Handshake Acres
- Aspen Peak Cellars - 2022 Rosé
- Bonacquisti Wine Company - 2022 Rosé of Sangiovese
- Carlson Vineyards - 2022 Field Blend Rosé, High Desert Wine Lab
- Carlson Vineyards - Sweet Baby Blush
- Centennial Cellars - 2022 Rosé
- Creekside Cellars - 2022 Rosé
- OBC Wine Project - 2022 Pinot Noir Rosé
- Sauvage Spectrum - 2022 Domaine Rosé
- Storm Cellar - 2022 Rosé of Chambourcin
- Storm Cellar - 2022 Rosé of Pinot Noir
- Storm Cellar - 2022 Rosé of St. Vincent
- Whitewater Hill Vineyards - 2022 Rosé
- Carboy Winery - Grand Cuvée Sparling Wine
- Carboy Winery - Grand Premier Blanc de Blanc
- OBC Wine Project - 2022 Sparkling Pinot Gris
- Vinnie Fera - 2019 Blanc de Blanc
- Atost - Citrus
- Atost - Rosé
- Colorado Sake Company - 2023 American Standard Sake
- Colorado Sake Company - 2023 Blueberry Hibiscus
- Colorado Sake Company - 2023 Horchata Nigori
- Colorado Sake Company - 2023 Lychee Nigori
- Vino Salida - Vermouth di Salida - Rosso
- Vino Salida - Vermouth di Salida - Bianco
- Dragon Meadery - Chamomile Metheglin
- Dragon Meadery - Spiced RAC
- Hunters Moon Meadery - Earl Greg
- Meadery of the Rockies - Peach Honey
- Redstone Meadery - Apple Nectar
- Redstone Meadery - Blueberry Mountain Honey Wine
- Slaymaker Cellars - Wildflower Traditional Mead
- Vino Salida - Bee Vino Traditional Mead
- Carlson Vineyards - Palisade Peaches
- St. Kathryn Cellars - Apple Blossom
- The Winery at Holy Cross Abbey - Apple Blossom
- Continental Divide Winery - 2018 Mountain Aged Dessert Wine
- Aspen Peak Cellars - 2020 Cabernet Franc Vintner's Reserve
- Aspen Peak Cellars - Malbec Reserve
- Avant Vineyards - 2019 Cabernet Franc
- Avant Vineyards - 2019 Tempranillo
- Balistreri Vineyards - 2022 Zinfandel, Black Vineyard
- BookCliff Vineyards - 2020 Ensemble
- BookCliff Vineyards - 2020 Malbec
- Buckel Family Wine - 2019 The Flyer Red Blend
- Carlson Vineyards - 2021 Sweet Baby Red
- Cliff Dweller (Colorado Vintners Collective) - 2022 Cliff Dweller Malbec
- Continental Divide Winery - 2019 Winter is Coming
- Creekside Cellars - 2019 Cabernet Franc
- Fox Fire Fams - 2020 Marquette
- Grande River Vineyards - 2021 Cabernet Franc
- LaNoue Dubois Winery - 2021 Cabernet Sauvignon
- LaNoue Dubois Winery - 2021 Syrah
- LaNoue Dubois Winery - 2021 Woods Red Blend, Woods Estate Vineyard
- Peony Lane - 2020 Pinot Noir
- Red Fox Cellars - 44 Red Blend
- Red Fox Cellars - Cabernet Sauvignon
- Red Fox Cellars - 2019 Teroldego
- Restoration Vineyards - 2018 Estate Reserve Cabernet Franc
- Sauvage Spectrum - 2022 Cabernet Franc
- Sauvage Spectrum - 2022 Devils Kitchen Proprietary Red Wine Blend
- Snowy Peaks Winery - 2020 Cabernet Franc
- Stone Cottage Cellars - 2018 Trio Pinot Noir
- Talon Wines - 2019 Cabernet Sauvignon
- The Winery at Holy Cross Abbey - 2019 Revelation
- The Winery at Holy Cross Abbey - Sangre de Cristo Nouveau
- The Winery at Holy Cross Abbey - 2021 Syrah
- Vines 79 Wine Barn - 2020 Cowboy Cab, Reserve
- Vinnie Fera - 2019 Hogback BDX Reserve
- Vino Salida - Cabernet Franc
- Vino Salida - 2021 Tenderfoot Stomp Chambourcin
- Whitewater Hill Vineyards - 2021 St. Vincent
- Wild Mountain Cellars - 2020 Chairlift Mingle
- Wild Mountain Cellars - 2020 Perfect Line
- Wild Mountain Cellars - 2020 Petit Sirah
- Aspen Peak Cellars - Albariño
- Aspen Peak Cellars - Sauvignon Blanc
- Avant Vineyards - 2019 Montage
- BookCliff Vineyards - 2022 Muscat Blanc
- Buckel Family Wine - 2022 Sauvignon Blanc
- Carboy Winery - 2022 Riesling
- LaNoue Dubois Winery - 2022 Melange de Gris, Woods Estate Vineyard
- Latigo Winery - 2022 Gewürztraminer
- Latigo Winery - 2022 Riesling
- Mafia Princess Wines - 2022 Riesling
- OBC Wine Project - 2022 Immediate Unreality White Blend
- Peachfork - 2022 Gewürztraminer
- Peachfork - 2022 Riesling
- Restoration Vineyards - 2020 Estate Semillon
- Talon Wines - 2022 Pinot Grigio
- The Winery at Holy Cross Abbey - The Astrologist, As Above So Below
- The Winery at Holy Cross Abbey - 2022 Viognier
- Vino Salida - Dry Riesling
- Vino Salida - Sweet Riesling
- Whitewater Hill Vineyards - 2022 Dry Riesling
- Aspen Peak Cellars - 2020 Blanc de Blancs, Vintner's Reserve
- Aspen Peak Cellars - Cuvée Rosé
- Sauvage Spectrum - 2022 Sparklet Rosé
- Sauvage Spectrum - 2022 Sparklet White
- BookCliff Vineyards - 2022 Rosé
- Carlson Vineyards - 2022 Dry Rosé of Blaufränkisch, High Desert Wine Lab
- Cliff Dweller (Colorado Vintners Collective) - 2021 Ghostdance Cabernet Franc Rosé
- Continental Divide Winery - 2022 Resilience Rosé
- Fox Fire Fams - 2022 Corot Noir
- LaNoue Dubois Winery - 2021 Merlot Rosé, Woods Estate Vineyard
- OBC Wine Project - 2021 Skin Contact Pinot Gris
- Qutori Wines - 2022 Grace's Bounty, White Pinot Noir
- Red Fox Cellars - Rosé
- Storm Cellar - 2022 Double Switchback
- The Winery at Holy Cross Abbey - Vineyard Sunset
- The Winery at Holy Cross Abbey - Wild Cañon Harvest
- Vines 79 Wine Barn - 2022 Buffalo Rosé
- Vino Salida - Vino Rosato di Salida
- Aspen Peak Cellars - Pomegranate Rouge
- Carlson Vineyards - Tree Ripe Blush
- Carlson Vineyards - 2021 Tree Ripe White
- Vino Salida - Salida Sangria
- Vino Salida - Vermouth di Salida - Extra Dry
- Evergood Elixirs - Heart Warmer
- St. Kathryn Cellars - Sangria
- St. Kathryn Cellars - Sweet Scarlet
- St. Kathryn Cellars - White Sangria
- Dragon Meadery - Dark Cherry
- Dragon Meadery - Raspberry Melomel
- Dragon Meadery - Traditional Mead
- Dragon Meadery - Blueberry Lemon Melomel
- Hunters Moon Meadery - Cheechako
- Hunters Moon Meadery - Moon Dance
- Meadery of the Rockies - Blackberry Honey
- Meadery of the Rockies - Strawberry Honey
- MeadKrieger Meadery - Traditional Mead
- Redstone Meadery - Rum Barrel Aged Traditional Mead
- Slaymaker Cellars - Electric Apple Mead
- Slaymaker Cellars - Oak Aged Orange Blossom
- Slaymaker Cellars - Orange Blossom Traditional Mead
- Slaymaker Cellars - Sweet Heat Peach Mead
- Slaymaker Cellars - Tart Cherry Mead
- Carlson Vineyards - Fruit Cocktail
- Peachfork - 2022 Plateau Peach
- Aspen Peak Cellars - Mocha Zinsation
- Sauvage Spectrum - Bodega Dessert Wine
- Whitewater Hill Vineyards - 2022 Moscato
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.