Michigan’s largest and longest-operating winery, St. Julian, earned six new medals at the 14th Annual American Fine Wine Competition. The results included one Double Gold, three Gold, and two Silver honors. Only five Michigan wineries competed in the event. St. Julian stood out as the only entrant from the Lake Michigan Shore AVA.
“Receiving an invitation to an esteemed wine competition is an honor, especially for the second year,” says Nancie Oxley, Vice President of Winemaking at St. Julian. “This year, the competition invited us to submit six wines. Every submission earned a medal of Silver or higher. We proudly represent Southwest Michigan’s grape and wine region. Opportunities like this allow us to showcase the quality winemaking happening in the Great Lakes.”
Judging took place over Memorial Weekend at Florida International University’s Biscayne Bay Campus. The Chaplin School of Hospitality & Tourism Management hosted the event. More than 550 wines from 125 wineries competed for top honors. A 28-member blue-ribbon panel evaluated the wines. The judges included educators, restaurateurs, retailers, journalists, and top sommeliers from across the country.
Double Gold
- 2019 Braganini Reserve LaCrescent
Gold
- 2020 Braganini Reserve Mountain Road Estate Riesling
- 2020 Winemaker Series LaCrescent/Traminette
- 2019 Braganini Reserve Traminette
Silver
- 2020 Braganini Reserve Sauvignon Blanc
- 2020 Braganini Reserve Albariño
“We seek out the very best wines in the country before extending invitations,” says Shari Gherman, Co-founder and President of the American Fine Wine Competition. “Our acquisition team spends months visiting wineries and tasting wines nationwide. They identify producers crafting the best wines in North America.”
St. Julian continues to build momentum on the national stage. Earlier this year, the winery earned 15 medals at the International Women’s Wine Competition. It also received eight medals at the Experience Rosé Wine Competition. The winery added 13 medals at the International Eastern Wine Competition, including two Best of Class Gold honors.
