When people think of a wine competition, they often picture judges carefully swirling, smelling, and tasting each glass. What they don’t always see is the incredible amount of work happening behind the scenes to make the Missouri Governor’s Cup Wine Competition possible.

Long before the judges take their seats, every wine is sorted into the correct flight based on its style and residual sugar. This organization ensures each wine is evaluated fairly against similar wines.

The first day is dedicated to preparing for the competition. Volunteers spend the day polishing wine glasses, labeling glassware, organizing bottles, setting out glassware, and making sure every detail is in place before judging begins. White wines and other varieties are also chilled to ensure they are served at their ideal tasting temperature.

Throughout the entire competition, volunteers work in the back room pouring wines, sorting bottles for upcoming flights, serving each panel, and keeping everything moving. Their efficiency and attention to detail allow the judges to focus solely on evaluating the wines without knowing the identity of each entry.

On the second day, two panels of four judges each taste approximately half of the competition’s entries. Wines are evaluated blindly and awarded Bronze, Silver, or Gold distinctions based on their quality. This year, scribes joined each judging panel to record judges’ comments, allowing wineries to receive valuable feedback along with their results.

All Gold medal-winning wines advance to the next round, where all eight judges come together to determine the Best of Class winners on the third day. The judges discuss the wines and vote by a show of hands to select the top wine in each class.

The Best of Class winners are then tasted one final time to determine the recipient of the prestigious Missouri Governor’s Cup. This final decision is made using a weighted secret ballot, ensuring a thoughtful and balanced selection process for the competition’s highest honor.

From the volunteers working tirelessly behind the scenes to the judges carefully evaluating every glass, the Missouri Governor’s Cup Wine Competition is truly a team effort. Every bottle is handled with care, every wine is judged fairly, and every award reflects the dedication and passion of everyone involved in celebrating Missouri’s outstanding wine industry.

View the full list of awards here!