Two Leelanau County vineyards recently took top honors recently from the largest wine contest in the country, the TEXSOM International Wine Competition.
Boathouse Vineyards and Verterra returned to the county with the coveted “Judges’ Selection” for their red and white wine, respectively.
Fewer than 5% of the 2,000 wine entries received this highest designation.
“I’m happy to see a major international wine competition recognize that Leelanau County can produce superb red wines,” said Albert, who in 2012 opened the wineries tasting room in Lake Leelanau. Boathouse Vineyard took home the judge’s award for its 2022 Cabernet Franc.
This didn’t happen overnight. Douglas Olson, winemaker at Boathouse, is a New York native with European winemaking experience and master’s degree in both viticulture (grape cultivation and harvesting) and onology (the science of making wine) from the University of Bordeaux and the Institut de Sciences de la Vigne ed du Vin. He revamped the 23-acre vineyard operation, combining organic growing methods with high-tech equipment while expanding fermentations to capture the best virtues of each varietal grape in every vintage. The 2022 Cab Franc reflects his belief in taking an organic approach to all aspects of winemaking.
“What distinguished this ‘22 Cab Franc is its purity,” Olson said. “It has depth and length, offers varietal character, and 100% tastes like cab franc should taste.”
Boathouse also earned silver medals for its 2022 Merlot, Sweet Riesling, Provemont White, Provemont Red and Riesling and bronze for its Pinot Noir (2020), Pinot Grigo (2022) and Rose (2022).
In total, Traverse City area wineries captured 66 medals in this invitation-only awards program. Local wines also received two platinum-awards, nine gold; 34 silver; and 19 bronze awards.
“It’s no secret we are producing top-caliber wines in this part of Michigan,” said Sherri Campbell-Fenton, the President of Traverse Wine Coast. “When we get recognition from independent judges through a blind taste test, it affirms we are giving our customers a carefully crafted wine experience. As we gain recognition on an international scale we are proud of the positive spotlight that shines on the region and the products we produce.”
Verterra’s 2022 Late Harvest Riesling won the judge’s selection. This wine showcases the cool climate and unique soils across our vineyards. Light yellow, it has aromas of apricot, and peach. On the palate, flavors of dried apricots and honey are perfectly balanced by a crisp acidity, leaving a lush and lingering finish.
Wines were judged by panels that include master sommeliers, wine educators, beverage directors and wine writers.
Other local medal winners are:
• Amoritas Vineyards — Fascinator, Dry Muscat (2021) silver and Riesling (2021), bronze.
• Aurora Cellars — Blaufränkisch (2020) Rose, Pinot Noir (2022), Brut Rose, non- vintage, silver; Gewurztraminer, medium sweet, Pinot Noir (2021) Sauvignon Blanc (2022) , bronze.
• Bel Lago — Blaufränkisch (2018), gold; Riesling, Semi Dry (2022) and Pinot Noir (2020), silver.
• Blustone Vineyards — Riesling (2022), gold; Latitude (2022),Winemaker’s Red (2021) Pinot Noir (2021), silver.
• Brengman Brothers — Riesling, Trocken (2022) gold; Block 65 Blend (2022), bronze.
• French Valley Vineyard — Merlot Reserve (2017) silver; Pinot Noir (2020), Chardonnay, Unoaked (2021) and Riesling, Semi-Dry (2021), bronze.
• Good Harbor Vineyards — Pinot Grigio (2022) and Blanc de Noirs – Non-Vintage, gold; Dry Riesling (2021), Unoaked Chardonnay (2022), silver; Blanc de Blanc-Non-vintage, Pinot Noir-Zweigelt, bronze.
• Rove Estate — Pinot Noir (2021), platinum; Riesling, Select Harvest (2022), gold; Cabernet Franc-Merlot (2021), silver; Rigaire Rosé, Pinot Gris (2022) and Ríona Rúnda, White Blend – (2022) bronze.
• Shady Lane Cellars — Gewürztraminer (2022) , Grüner Veltliner (2022), Riesling, Late Harvest (2022), Blaufrankisch (2021) silver and Pinot Gris (2022), bronze.
• Two K Farms — Honeycrisp, Ice Cider – Non-Vintage, gold; Bellenoir (2021) and Pinot Gris (2021), silver; Golden Russet, Ice Cider – Non-Vintage and Pinot Gris (2022), bronze. Verterra Winery — Vignoles, Late Harvest (2022) and Pinot Blanc (2022), Chardonnay, Unoaked (2022), Dry Riesling (2022) and Pinot Grigio (2022), silver.
