The 41st annual Michigan Wine Competition found 55 of the state’s 145 wineries entering 413 wines into the competition, which is open only to wine produced from Michigan grapes and other fruit. Six of the nine “Best in Class” winners were from the wineries on Old Mission Peninsula or in Leelanau County.
 
The Best of Class Awards:
Ice Wine:  Chateau Grand Traverse 2016 Riesling Ice Wine
Dessert:  St. Julian Winery Solera Cream Sherry
Sparkling:  L. Mawby Sandpainting
Dry White:  Verterra Winery 2017 Dry Riesling
Dry Red:  Mari Vineyards 2016 Bel Tramonto
Semi-dry White:  Aurora Cellars 2017 Medium Sweet Riesling
Semi-dry Red:  Lawton Ridge Winery 2017 AZO Red
Fruit:  St. Julian Winery Sweet Nancie Peach
Rosé:  Left Foot Charley 2017 Blaufrankisch Rosé
 
This was the first year wineries vied for a trophy for ice wine. It is the first and only Ice Wine trophy in the U.S. Michigan’s climate and growing conditions are ideal for producing ice wine, which is made with grapes left on the vine until the temperature dips enough to freeze the grapes nearly but not completely solid. The grapes must be harvested and crushed while frozen.
 
This year was also a notable year for the recently established Tip of the Mitt AVA (American Viticultural Area). Twenty wines with the Tip of the Mitt AVA were entered, with 17 receiving medals, including six hybrid grape varietals receiving gold medals. 
 
Amanda Danielson, Certified Sommelier and owner of Trattoria Stella and The Franklin, served as one of the judges. “The room is full of qualified wine professionals from all sectors of the industry who really understand and support Michigan wines,” she says.