July 21, 2015

(JEFFERSON CITY, Missouri) – The 2015 Missouri Governor’s Cup top honor was awarded to St. James Winery for their 2014 Vignoles. This prestigious wine also took home the designations of Best Vignoles and Best of Class Semi-dry White Wine. The Missouri Wine Competition is a premier competition designed to recognize and promote quality wines made in the state. The Governor’s Cup recognizes the best wine in Missouri and was determined by a panel of nine judges from across the U.S and one industry judge. During the course of the two-day competition, which wrapped up July 15, the judges tasted 270 wines before awarding the Governor’s Cup to St. James Winery.

“This competition truly showcases the top wines in Missouri,” said Jim Anderson, Executive Director of the Missouri Wine and Grape Board. “Over 200 medals were awarded at this year’s competition which is a direct reflection of the quality of wines Missouri is producing.”

St. James Winery, established in 1970, has become a leader in the Midwest wine industry, remaining in the top ten most medaled wineries in the country every year for the last decade. The winery, located in St. James, Missouri, produces over 500,000 gallons of wine per year which are sold in 18 states.

“We are ecstatic for our vineyard and winery team members,” says Andrew Meggitt, Executive Winemaker for St. James Winery. “They work hard to ensure our grapes and wine are the best they can be.”

Vignoles is a French-American hybrid grape and Missouri’s premier white varietal. This versatile white grape produces wines ranging from dry to sweet, late harvest dessert wines. Vignoles’ luscious floral aroma and fruity flavors of pineapple and apricot make this citrus white wine a favorite among Missouri’s wine-buying public. St. James Winery’s 2014 Vignoles was chosen as the best Vignoles from 30 other Vignoles entries.

The Governor’s Cup winner was selected from the 12 Best of Class honorees:

o    Sparkling: Brut Rosé, Stone Hill Winery – Hermann o    Dry White: Dry Vignoles, Adam Puchta Winery – Hermann  o    Semi-Dry White: 2014 Vignoles, St. James Winery – St. James o    Sweet White: 2013 Vignoles, Stone Hill Winery – Hermann o    Dry Red: 2012 Chambourcin, Stone Hill Winery – Hermann  o    Semi-Dry Red: 2013 Steinberg Red, Stone Hill Winery – Hermann  o    Sweet Red: Stone House Red, Montelle Winery – Augusta o    Rosé: Dry Rosé, Stone Hill Winery – Hermann o    Fruit Wine: Raspberry, Windy Wine Company – Osborn o    Dessert/Fortified: Cream Sherry, Stone Hill Winery – Hermann  o    Late Harvest/Icewine: 2013 Vidal Ice Wine, Stone Hill Winery – Hermann o    Distilled Product: Cherry Brandy, Montelle Winery – Augusta

The C.V. Riley Award for Best Norton was awarded to Chandler Hill Vineyards’ 2013 Savage Norton. Judges determined the awards through the process of blind tastings. Throughout the course of the competition, they granted 39 gold medals, 87 silver medals and 83 bronze medals.

The winning wines will be on display throughout the 2015 Missouri State Fair, held in Sedalia Aug. 13-23. Many will be available to taste and purchase in the Missouri Wines tent on the fairgrounds near the grandstand.

A complete list of winners is posted online at MissouriWine.org. More information about the Missouri wine industry and its growth can be found in the recently published Economic Impact Report.

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