We are excited to announce the results of the 2024 Missouri Wine Competition! This renowned competition has recognized the highest quality wines the Show Me State has to offer. Nearly 240 wines representing all regions of Missouri wine country were entered into this esteemed evaluation. 

A panel of 8 expert judges spent two days blind tasting and evaluating the wines entered. Those that received a gold medal distinction went head-to-head for the honor of a Best of Class Award in their respective category. The top wines then competed for the ultimate recognition, the Governor’s Cup Award. The Governor’s Cup is presented to the best wine in the state. 

“I am immensely proud of the exceptional quality of wines produced in the Show Me State. Recognizing and celebrating this quality is essential, and we are committed to showcasing our distinguished wines throughout the year. From local tasting to national events, we will highlight the craftsmanship and dedication of our winemakers, ensuring that Missouri wines are appreciated by connoisseurs and casual enthusiasts alike.” shared Jim Anderson, Executive Director, Missouri Wine & Grape Board. 

Join us in congratulating and celebrating this year’s Best of Class winners: 

Sparkling: Les Bourgeois Vineyards – Brut

Dry White: Defiance Ridge Vineyards – 2023 Katy Traminette

Semi-Dry White: Adam Puchta Winery – 2023 Dry Vignoles

Sweet White: Stone Hill Winery – 2023 Vignoles

Dry Red: Stone Hill Winery – 2022 Cross J Norton

Semi-Dry Red: Stone Hill Winery – 2022 Ozark Hellbender

Sweet Red: Adam Puchta Winery – Riefenstahler

Semi-Dry Rosé: Montelle Winery – 2022 La Rosée

Dessert: Stone Hill Winery – 2020 Port

Late Harvest/Ice Wine: Montelle Winery – 2022 Vidal Blanc Icewine

Fruit: Stone Hill Winery – Peach

The winner of the 2024 Governor’s Cup is Stone Hill Winery’s 2022 Cross J Norton. 

“Once again, I am deeply honored to win the Missouri Governor’s Cup. It is especially meaningful to win this award with our 2022 Cross J Norton,” shared Jon Held, President Stone Hill Winery. “The Cross J is a single vineyard Norton and a tribute to my late father, Jim, the “J” following the Cross. This makes seven consecutive Governor’s Cups for Stone Hill and five consecutive C.V. Riley Awards for the best Norton. My goal has always been to make the finest wines possible from our estate grown grapes. Achieving this goal is only possible with a truly incredible team in the vineyard and winery. They deserve all the credit for our consistently superb wines.”

The C.V. Riley Award for best Norton also went to Stone Hill Winery’s 2022 Cross J Norton. The C.V. Riley award recognizes the official state grape and is named after the first state entomologist, who also helped save the French wine industry.

The Husmann-Jaeger award for best white varietal honors Adam Puchta Winery’s 2023 Dry Vignoles. This award is named after George Husmann and Herman Jaeger. Both influential men were crucial in the early development of the Missouri wine industry. (Learn more here)

In addition to Governor’s Cup, C.V. Riley, Husmann-Jaeger, and Best of Class distinctions, judges awarded gold medals, silver medals and bronze medals. Find the complete list of the 2024 Award-Winning Wines here.

A label competition accompanied traditional judging. This portion of the competition was designed to recognize wineries who have stand-out labels, considering information provided, design and overall bottle appearance. Label winners were awarded in the following categories: Traditional, Contemporary, Series, as well as People’s Choice label award. 

Congratulations to the label competition award winners:

Best Traditional Label: Defiance Ridge Vineyard: 2022 – 1897 Norton

Best Contemporary Label: Noboleis Vineyards – Small Batch Series V

Best Wine Series: St. James Winery – Explorer Collection: 2022 Norton, 2022 Vignoles, 38 Degrees North, Moscato, Project 1970

People’s Choice Award: Defiance Ridge Vineyards – 2023 Poppy’s Vidal Blanc

This competition was made possible by a hardworking group of volunteers called “The Flight Crew.” Their help ensured that the competition ran smoothly and efficiently, and we cannot thank them enough for their teamwork. 

Be sure to sample these wines next time you visit Missouri wine country.  Congratulations to the winners and thank you to all of the wineries who entered this years competition!