MI Governor’s Cup Awards - 2025

The Michigan Wine Collaborative (MWC) is excited to the 2025 Taste Michigan Governor’s Cup Competition. This event represents Michigan’s only statewide industry driven wine competition and is an opportunity for the Michigan wine industry to unite, engage, compete, and celebrate the premium wines representative of our wine industry.

The Governor's Cup, in its third year, represents Michigan’s only statewide, industry-driven wine competition and is an opportunity for the Michigan wine industry to unite, engage, compete, and celebrate the premium wines representative of our wine industry.

This year, owner, Andrew Schultz, and our head wine & cidermaker, Shaun Brancheau, submitted three wines for consideration.  The judging took place throughout April and May, and results are in... We’re thrilled to announce we took home three medals for all three wines we entered. The following wines took home medals in their respective categories in 2025!

Petillant Traminette - 90 points

Gold Medal

This is a bottle conditioned wine, meaning that after fermentation is complete, we add a little more sugar and yeast into the wine before bottling. Capping the wine means the byproduct of the additional yeast’s fermentation (CO2), has nowhere to go. Those bubbles are then incorporated into the liquid wine, making it a sparkling, effervescent wine. “Petillant” is French for lightly-sparkling. This white sparkling has notes of tropical fruit and white flowers. 

Store bottle upright. Some sediment is natural. Drink fresh, we recommend consuming this wine as fresh as possible.

12% ABV | 0.0% RS | $18 per 750 ml bottle

Dry Riesling - 87 points

Silver Medal

Riesling is the most planted wine grape variety in Michigan. We use its versatility to craft several wines. Our dry Riesling is an exemplary example of what dry white wines Michigan can produce. In the glass the wine starts with the classic fruity aromas Riesling is known for and ends with a long crisp finish. Expect notes of white peach, grapefruit, and minerality. Serve slightly chilled.

12.1% ABV | 0.9% RS | $18 per 750 ml bottle

Chambourcin - 85 points

Silver Medal

This oaked Chambourcin is medium-bodied with balanced tannins and a layered flavor profile. A large percentage of the planted acreage at our vineyard is dedicated to Chambourcin grapes due to their versatility and ability to withstand SW MI weather. The grape produces a deep colored and aromatic wine that works well in a blend or as a straight varietal. Chambourcin is commonly referred to as the most vinifera-like hybrid. We aged this vintage on oak for over a year for a more rounded and medium-bodied flavor profile. Expect tasting notes of vanilla, caramel, and dark fruit.

12.5% ABV | 0.0% RS | $18 per 750 ml bottle