Governor’s Cup
colorado governor’s cup winemaking competition, august 11-13, 2023
The Colorado Governor’s Cup Winemaking Competition, the only statewide wine making competition exclusively for Colorado Wineries, returns for 2023.
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 August 11-13, to sample hundreds of wines made by Colorado’s winemakers.
The judges will select the top wines for the 2023 Governor’s Cup Collection, which will be tasted at Colorado Uncorked! On Friday, November 3, 2023.
The Judging Event
The judging event features a panel of sommeliers, chefs, writers and wine experts from around the country.
Wineries, entries are being accepted July 10 – July 28. See the Rules and Entry Form document for more information.
WHEN:
August 11-13, 2023
WHERE:
Hospitality Learning Center, Metropolitan State University of Denver*
*JUDGING IS CLOSED TO THE PUBLIC
DOWNLOAD THE RULES AND ENTRY FORM FOR THE 2023 GOVERNOR’S CUP.
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:
Friday, November 3, 2023
WHERE:
History Colorado Center
1200 Broadway St.
Denver, CO 80203
View on map
About the Competition
The 2022 Governor’s Cup Wine Competition received 279 wine submissions from 38 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 2023 competition will be held August 11-13, 2023 and the 2023 Best of Show winner will be officially announced during the annual Colorado Uncorked Event on November 3, 2023. This event will be the first and only opportunity for the public to try all of the award-winning wines at the same time.
2023 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
BookCliff Vineyards - 2022 Syrah
Sauvage Spectrum - 2022 Malbec
Sauvage Spectrum - 2022 Teroldego
Snowy Peaks Winery - 2019 Éléve
Peachfork - 2022 Pear Apple
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
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
St. Kathryn Cellars - Strawberry Rhubarb
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
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
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 - 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 - 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 - 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:
2022 Winners 2021 Winners 2019 Winners 2018 Winners 2017 Winners 2016 Winners 2015 Winners 2014 WinnersWine Rating Scale
The Judges
Jenne Baldwin-Eaton
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
2023, 2022, 2021, 2019, 2018
Master Sommelier. Author of "Diving into Wine."
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
Taylor Courey
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.
Drew Dinh
2023, 2022
Wine and Service Manager at Terra-Denver.
Doug Frost, MS MW
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.
Nathan Gordon
2023, 2022
General Manager and Wine Buyer at the Vineyard Wine Shop, Denver, CO.
Zachary Lewison
2023, 2022
Sommelier at Sonnenalp, Vail, CO.
Joe Roberts
2023, 2022
Wine Writer. Founder of the award-winning 1WineDude.com website.
Andrew Stover
2023, 2022, 2021, 2019, 2018, 2016, 2015
Founder of Vino50, and Certified Sommelier with the International Sommelier Guild
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.
Alder Yarrow
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.
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
Steve Menke, PhD
2021
Retired CSU State Enologist, now consulting in Arizona
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.
Matt Bennett
2019
Beverage Director at Stoic & Genuine in Denver, CO.
Rick Dufon
2019
Manager and Sommelier at The Pullman in Glenwood Springs, CO.
Michael Kaiser
2019
Vice President of WineAmerica
Jim Tresize
2019
President of WineAmerica.
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.
Dr. Michael Wray
2019, 2018, 2017, 2016, 2015
Professor of Restaurant Management at the Metropolitan State University of Denver, Sommelier Diploma with the International Sommelier Guild, Certified Culinary Instructor, Certified Wine Specialist with the Society of Wine Educators, and Master Certified Food Service Executive.
Gary Awdey
2018, 2017, 2016, 2015
President, Great Lakes Cider & Perry Association
Ryan Gerni
2018
Wine buyer for Davidon’s Liquors.
Daniel Pucci
2018
Co-founder of Wallabout Hospitality and former beverage manager of Wassail, New York City’s first cider bar.
Dave Tewksbury
2018, 2015
He served a total of 12 years as a member of the Wine Board appointed by three different Colorado Governors. In 2008, Dave was voted Chairman of the Colorado Wine Industry Development Board.
Jackie Thompson
2018
Jackie was the winemaker and co-owner of Boulder Creek Winery from 2003-2016. Boulder Creek Winery earned a Best of Show for the 2009 Riesling in the 2010 Governor's Cup Competition as well as earning a Governor's Cup Case inclusion for the 2012 Syrah.
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.
Shawn Carney
2017, 2016
Co-founder and cidermaker at Blossomwood Cidery
Glenn Exline
2017, 2016, 2015
Judge Director of the Mazer Cup International Mead Competition
Sarah Latham Moore
2016, 2015
Certified with the Master Court of Sommeliers, and on-premise sales rep for Baroness Wines.
Cindy OnkenGlimm
2016
Affiliate Professor with Metropolitan State University of Denver, specializing in Wine, Beer, Food and Events.
Linda Murhpy
2015
Sonoma County-based wine/food/travel writer and author of the book American Wine with Jancis Robinson.