The 2024 Missouri Governor’s Cup Wine Competition is here, and this year will be full of great judges, volunteers and of course wine!

Our judges this year are truly experts in the wine industry. Our judging tables will have individuals that are Master Sommelier, Master of Wines, wine educators, WSET certification, wine retailers and distributors and industry professionals. Master Sommelier, Master of Wines and WSET Certification are all different certifications that our judges have received. They will be evaluating all the wines Missouri has to offer and decide which will take home the gold!

One of our judges, Glenn Bardgett, said this about working with the expert judges, "This competition is the best way to show the best of what we do. Everyone has different backgrounds. Everyone has different experiences. In one way or another all of our experiences have led us to judging the Missouri Governor's Cup Wine Competition. It is truly a privilege for us, especially for us to all work alongside each other as experts. It is a lot of responsibility, these results can determine numerous things for these wineries. Because of this, bringing in each of these individuals with their own qualifications and background make it an excellent judging panel to be a part of."

Hundreds of wines from across the Show-Me State will be swirled, sniffed and explored by a panel of expert judges over the course of two days. Wines will be evaluated and go head-to-head for medals and Best of Class distinctions. After the wines are blind tasted, the top wine in the competition will receive the coveted Governor’s Cup award, and the best Norton in Missouri will be bestowed the C.V. Riley award. The Hussmann-Jaeger award will also be given out for the second year in a row.

We will also be judging labels as a part of our label competition. Across Missouri Wine Country there are many unique and beautiful labels that enhance the wine inside the bottle. Wines are entered in categories based on the design of their label. The label competition has separate judges who evaluate each bottle, in their respective categories.

• Best Traditional Label
• Best Contemporary Label
• Best Alternative Packaging
• Best Wine Series
• People’s Choice Award

Click here to take the survey and cast your vote for the People’s Choice winner during the 2024 Missouri Wine Label Competition. This survey closes July 14^th at 11:59 pm, so be sure to get your votes in!

We are excited for another year of amazing wine, and cannot wait to share the results with you!

 July is Concord month! With the hot Missouri summer setting in, it is time to cool off with Concord!

While this grape produces a delicious and refreshing wine, it is also used to make grape juice and jam. This versatile grape has become a Missouri staple and deserves to be celebrated!

During Prohibition some Missouri vineyards were saved by the ability to grow this grape. Rather than turning it into wine, they sold them to be turned into grape juice and jam.

Concord is an American grape that is a robust medium-bodied wine that is soft and balanced. It was selected from the wild in the mid 1800s. Its name is appropriately chosen from its area of origin, Concord, Massachusetts.

This varietal produces medium-sized clusters of large berries. It is considered a ‘slip skin’ grape because its skins are easily separated from the pulp during the winemaking process. 

Pair this wine with cheddar, aged cheeses, orange chicken, pork chop, barbecue beef, spicy seafood, candied nuts, nutmeg, figs, poached pear, grape pie or peanut butter

Recipe ideas:

Ice Cream

Popsicles

Concord Daiquiri

Wine Barbecue Sauce

No Free Lunch Wine Tails

The Concord grape has a rich, deep flavor and history here in Missouri. No matter which Missouri Winery you are at this summer, don’t forget to cool off with Concord!