We are excited to announce the results of the 2021 Missouri Wine Competition! For more than three decades, this renowned competition has recognized the highest quality wines the Show-Me-State has to offer. More than 225 wines representing all regions of Missouri wine country were entered into this esteemed evaluation.

A panel of eight 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 coveted Governor’s Cup award. The Governor’s Cup is presented to the best wine in the state.

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

Dry Red Wine:  Stone Hill Winery – 2019 Chambourcin

Semi-Dry Red Wine: Stone Hill Winery – 2019 Ozark Hellbender

Dry Rosé Wine: Stone Hill Winery - Dry Rosé

Fruit Wine: Adam Puchta Winery – Jazz Berry

Sparkling Wine: Stone Hill Winery – Demi Sec

Dry White Wine: Noboleis Vineyards – 2019 Dry Vignoles

Semi-Dry White Wine: Stone Hill Winery – 2020 Traminette

Sweet White Wine: Les Bourgeois Vineyards – Moscato

Late Harvest/Ice Wine: Augusta Winery – 2020 Icewine

Dessert/Fortified Wine: Augusta Winery – Fine Old Tawny

Distilled: Montelle Winery – Napoleon Finest Missouri Brandy

The winner of the 2021 Governor’s Cup is Stone Hill Winery’s 2019 Chambourcin, a dry red wine that thoroughly impressed the judging panel. The C.V. Riley Award for best Norton went to Stone Hill Winery for their 2019 Norton. The C.V. Riley award is a special recognition that honors the official state grape and bears the name of the first state entomologist, who is credited with helping save the French wine industry.

“It is truly an honor to receive this recognition from the Missouri Wine Competition for our hard work,” Stone Hill’s winemaker, Shaun Turnbull said. “Our vineyard and cellar crew did a remarkable job, along with Mother Nature’s good graces…” Turnbull continued, “The whole Stone Hill team came together to produce exceptional wines yet again.”

In addition to Best of Class, C.V. Riley and Governor’s Cup distinctions, 83% of all the wines entered into the competition took home a medal. Judges awarded 40 gold medals, 90 silver medals and 57 bronze medals.

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

Congratulations to the label competition award winners:

 

Bicentennial Label: Les Bourgeois Vineyards – Rocheport Reserve Aged 20 Years

Traditional Label: Stone Hill Winery – 2015 Port

Contemporary Label: KC Wineworks – 2017 Chambourcin

Alternative Packaging: KC Wineworks – Show-Me Sangria

Best Wine Series: Edg-Clif Farms and Vineyard – 2019 Sunset, 2020 Chambourcin Rosé, 2020 Soleil, 2020 Vidal Blanc, 2020 Vignoles

People’s Choice Award: Small Batch Winery – Cardinal Red

Find the complete list of the 2021 award-winning wines here.

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.