St. Julian Winery & Distillery, recognized as Michigan’s most awarded winery, is proud to celebrate another outstanding year of accolades at the 2025 Michigan Governor’s Cup Awards.
This prestigious competition, a collaborative effort between the Beverage Tasting Institute and the Michigan Wine Collaborative, showcases the finest wines, meads, and ciders produced across Michigan. Now in its third year, the event features rigorous blind tastings conducted by industry professionals, evaluating entries from wineries statewide.
St. Julian earned top honors with the Best of Category and a gold medal for its St. Julian Solera Cream Sherry in the Fortified category. The winery also garnered gold medals for several other distinguished wines, including Braganini Reserve Mountain Road Estate Syrah; Braganini Reserve Mountain Road Estate Cabernet Sauvignon; Braganini Reserve Cinsault; Braganini Reserve Mountain Road Estate Rosé; and Braganini Reserve Petite Pearl.
“These awards affirm our dedication to crafting wines that are not only flavorful but authentic reflections of Michigan’s terroir,” expresses Nancie Oxley, Vice President of Winemaking. “Our team’s passion drives us to produce wines that stand out on their own, and it’s incredibly rewarding to see that effort recognized.”
In addition to its gold medals, St. Julian received 17 silver and four bronze medals across its Braganini Reserve series and other selections bringing its total to 28 award wins, highlighting the winery’s consistent excellence.
“Our entire team is thrilled with these results,” shares Apollo Braganini II, President of St. Julian Winery & Distillery. “We’re honored to carry forward the legacy of our founders and remain committed to creating award-winning wines that continue to delight and inspire our customers.”
Many of the award-winning wines submitted this year are exclusive to St. Julian Wine Club members, offering them access to limited-edition releases that are often unavailable to the general public.
For more details and a complete list of winners, visit the Michigan Wine Collaborative’s website by clicking here.
