Michigan’s largest and longest-operating winery, St. Julian , earned 16 awards earlier this month at the inaugural Judgement of Michigan wine competition. The Michigan Wine Collaborative and Lake Michigan College presented the event in Benton Harbor. The competition featured more than 350 Michigan wines from approximately 45 local wineries.
Twenty-one judges, known as “The Judging Squad,” evaluated the wines. The panel included restauranteurs, media members, and retail and wholesale professionals from across Michigan and the country. The Michigan Wine Collaborative intentionally selected judges who reflect the real-world wine industry.
“MWC focused on selecting wine professionals who represent our vision of the industry,” says Executive Director Emily. “They bring diverse career paths, lifestyles, backgrounds, and influence.” Several judges tasted Michigan wine for the first time during the competition. Their fresh palates and new perspectives added unique insight to the judging process.
Judges awarded eight Double Gold medals, 33 Gold, 58 Silver, and 76 Bronze medals overall. St. Julian earned one Double Gold, three Gold, seven Silver, and five Bronze medals. The winery received more medals than any other participant in the competition.
Double Gold
Gold
- 2020 Braganini Reserve Lake Harvest Vignoles
- 2020 Braganini Reserve Serious Rosé
- 2020 Braganini Reserve Sauvignon Blanc
Silver
- Cock of the Walk
- Sweet Nancie
- 2020 St. Julian Reserve Pinot Grigio
- 2020 Braganini Reserve Grüner Veltliner
- WS Blaufränkisch Rosé
- 2020 Braganini Reserve Porpetto
- 2020 Braganini Reserve Traminette
Bronze
- 2020 WS White Cabernet Franc
- 2020 Braganini Reserve Mountain Road White Blend
- 2020 WS Harvest Select Vidal/Vignoles
- WS La Crescent/Traminette
- 2020 Braganini Reserve Mountain Road Rosé
“While we regularly enter wine competitions nationwide, recognition at home means a great deal,” says Nancie Oxley, Vice President of Winemaking at St. Julian. “This event allowed new audiences to experience our wines. It also introduced our portfolio to a broader segment of the industry.”
St. Julian continues to build its award legacy in 2021. Earlier this year, the winery earned six awards at the 14th Annual American Fine Wine Competition. It also received 15 awards at the International Women’s Wine Competition, eight awards at the Experience Rosé Wine Competition, and 13 awards at the International Eastern Wine Competition. Those honors included two Best of Class Gold Medals.
