St. Julian Winery & Distillery, Michigan’s most-awarded winery, celebrates another successful year at the 2024 Michigan Governor’s Cup Awards. The winery earned top honors across multiple categories, reinforcing its leadership in Michigan winemaking.
The Michigan Governor’s Cup Awards unite the Beverage Tasting Institute and the Michigan Wine Collaborative. Together, they host a statewide wine competition focused on quality and craftsmanship. Now in its second year, the event features a series of professional blind tastings. During these tastings, judges evaluate and rank Michigan-produced wines, meads, and ciders.
This year, St. Julian stood out among competitors. The St. Julian Braganini Reserve Harvest Select Vignoles earned Best of Category and a gold medal in the Sweet category. In addition, the St. Julian Braganini Reserve Cabernet Franc received Best of Category and a gold medal in the Vinifera Red category.
“These awards validate our winemaking philosophy and our commitment to authenticity,” said Nancie Oxley, Vice President of Winemaking. “Our team crafts wines that reflect quality and regional character. As a result, this recognition honors their dedication and highlights the consistency of our work.”
Beyond these top awards, St. Julian Braganini Reserve Mountain Road Riesling and St. Julian Braganini Reserve Cabernet Franc achieved Full Governor’s Cup Case Winner status. Additionally, St. Julian earned 17 silver medals and seven bronze medals. These accolades span the Braganini Reserve portfolio and several additional wine offerings.
“The entire St. Julian team is celebrating these results,” said Apollo Braganini II, President of St. Julian Winery & Distillery. “We proudly carry forward the legacy established by our founders. At the same time, we remain focused on crafting award-winning wines that inspire and delight our customers.”
Notably, St. Julian originally released many of the submitted wines through its Wine Club. Because of this, several award-winning selections remain exclusive to members. Limited production also prevents some wines from reaching the general public.
To learn more and view the complete list of winners, visit the Michigan Wine Collaborative’s website and explore the official competition results.
