Wineries belonging to the “Traverse Wine Coast” were showered in accolades at the recent San Francisco Wine Competition, the largest wine competition in the United States. In total, 14 Traverse City wineries came away from the competition with 82 awards. It’s a significantly stronger showing for northern Michigan than last year, when just five local wineries netted 35 awards.

Winners included 45 North Vineyard & Winery, Black Star Farms, Aurora Cellars, Bel Lago, Blustone Vineyards, Boathouse Vineyards, Chateau Chantal, Ciccone Vineyard & Winery, Leelanau Cellars (under the labels of Leelanau Cellars, Country Crush, and Farm Fresh), French Valley Vineyard, Good Harbor Vineyards, and MAWBY Vineyards.  

In addition to gold, silver, and bronze medals across different categories, two local wines made it all the way to the “Sweepstakes Round,” where judges narrowed down the 5,800-plus wines featured in the competition to 58 that they considered to be the “best of the best.” Specifically, the 2020 Armour Rosé from Chateau Chantal was a Sweepstakes Round finalist in the rosé category, while the 2020 Gruner Veltliner from Aurora Cellars made the Sweepstakes Round for top white wine.

Now in its 22nd year, the San Francisco Wine Competition draws wines from throughout the United States, Canada, and Mexico.

The San Francisco Wine Competition awards aren’t the only major accolades that northern Michigan craft beverages have received lately. At this year’s Dan Berger’s International Wine and Cider Competition, the Suttons Bay-based Two K Farms was named the best cidery in the United States.