Sovereign Estate Brings Home The Governor s Cup At The 6 th Annual International Cold Climate Wine Competition

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1 For immediate release Contact: Gordon Rouse, (651) or Gary Gardner (612) or Sovereign Estate Brings Home The Governor s Cup At The 6 th Annual International Cold Climate Wine Competition Minneapolis-St. Paul, Minn., (8/19/2014) After much swishing and spitting, winners have been confirmed at the 2014 International Cold Climate Wine Competition (ICCWC), held today at the University of Minnesota s Continuing Education Conference Center in St. Paul, MN. The trophy for the best Minnesota grape wine known as the Minnesota Governor s Cup, was won by Sovereign Estate of Waconia, MN, for their single varietal 2013 La Crescent wine. The Minnesota Governor s Cup, a lovely large silver ice bucket, recognizes the Best of Show or top prize of all Minnesota gold-winning wines. This is the 6 th year the traveling trophy has been awarded. Shelburne Vineyard of Shelburne, VT took Best of Show or top prize in the red wine category for their 2012 Marquette Reserve. In the white wine category, Danzinger Vineyards of Alma, WI was awarded Best of Show for their 2013 Golden Sunrise, a single varietal Frontenac Gris. The specialty/fortified wine category Best of Show winner was Door 44 Winery of Sturgeon Bay, WI with their Bubbler, sparkling wine. This year s competition included 284 wines from 59 commercial wineries in 11 states. Awards were based on blind tastings by 21 expert judges, who include enologists, wine writers, restaurateurs, retailers, and wine educators. Threejudge panels determined the initial medals, with the top-scoring Best of Show wines evaluated by seven-judge panels and all 21 judges for the Minnesota Governor s Cup award. The ICCWC is a partnership between the Minnesota Grape Growers Association and the University of Minnesota, which developed several of the cold-hardy grapes used to make the wines in the competition. This competition is the only one exclusively dedicated to wines made from cold-hardy grape varieties that can withstand the winters known to the Upper Midwest, North East, and parts of Canada. The main goals of the ICCWC are to educate the world about these grape varieties and encourage enology practices that will produce high quality and highly marketable wines. The competition is coordinated by Gordon Rouse, AWS Certified Judge, of the Minnesota Grape Growers Association (MGGA), Gary Gardner, Professor of Horticultural Science in the University s College of Food, Agricultural and Natural Resource Sciences, and Katie Cook, University of Minnesota Enologist. Sponsors include the Minnesota Farm Winery Association and the Ramada Plaza Minneapolis Hotel. The competition is open to commercial wineries meeting the criteria for cold-hardy grape and fruit content. In 2014 a total of 33 Gold, 67 Silver, and 80 Bronze medals were awarded. In addition, Best of Show designations were awarded to wines rated as the finest in the available categories. Medal winners and competition judges are listed below. The Less Familiar Grape Names of Cold Climate Regions. The grape varieties that most wine drinkers are familiar with: Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Riesling, and the like grow wonderfully under a multitude of conditions as long the winters do not get

2 too cold. Despite the fact that the Twin Cities are at approximately the same line of latitude as Bordeaux [44.9 to 44.8 respectively], famous wine regions like Bordeaux do not have winters with temperatures that consistently sit below 0 F. At these temperatures, the vines of European varieties would perish. Native American grape varieties found in the northern states do survive our winters though. Therefore, instead of spending thousands of years breeding our native grapes to create ones that produce wines we enjoy as was done with the European varieties, we are cross-breeding the native varieties with the European ones to produce grapes that not only survive the winters, but taste good as well. The names of these hybrids are what you will find on the wine labels in Minnesota and numerous other cold climate regions. History Grape growing and winemaking has been a part of just about every state s history starting when European settlers began arriving. In the northern states though, European grape varieties never fared well. It wasn t until the 1970s that successes from notable Wisconsin grape breeder, Elmer Swenson and the University of Minnesota showed that cold climate grape growing and winemaking could be a viable industry. In 1976 the MN Grape Growers Association was formed. Two years later, the first vineyard exclusively growing cold hardy grapes was established. The Minnesota Legislature soon recognized this potential and in 1985, they directed the University of Minnesota specifically to research grape growing and wine production in cold climates. In 1996, the University released Frontenac, its first truly cold-hardy grape variety which has since been followed be numerous others including La Crescent and Marquette. Over the years, the University of Minnesota has been recognized as having one of the top wine grape research programs in the United States. The contribution to the economy of the industry surpassed $40 million in 2011 and has continued to grow (even through cold winters) ever since. There are currently 77 registered wine producers and blenders in the state of Minnesota. The number of wine producers in the state has nearly doubled over the past 5 years and is expected to continue to grow. State Winery Wine Name Wine Vintage Category Entered DOUBLE GOLD IL Famous Fossil Vineyard & Winery Fireside Red 2012 Specialty: Red- Fortified MN Parley Lake Winery Marquette 2013 Single Varietal: Marquette NE Feather River Vineyards Edelweiss 2013 Single Varietal: Edelweiss NY Tug Hill Vineyards 43 Lat Blush Blush/Rose: Single Varietal and NY Tug Hill Vineyards Cuvée Rosé 2013 Specialty: Sparkling Grape VT Lincoln Peak Vineyard Black Sparrow 2013 Dry White: Single Varietal and VT Lincoln Peak Vineyard Ragtime White 2013 Semi-Sweet White: Single Varietal and WI Danzinger Vineyards Golden Sunrise 2013 Single Varietal: Frontenac Gris WI Danzinger Vineyards River Paradise 2013 Single Varietal: Brianna WI Cold Country Vines & Wines, LLC La Crescent 2013 Single Varietal: La Crescent GOLD IA Dubuque Heritage Winery Washington Park Cherry 2013 Non-Grape: Stone Fruit IL Galena Cellars Eric the Red Single Varietal: Marechal Foch

3 IL Galena Cellars Effervescence de Frontenac 2013 Specialty: Sparkling Grape Gris MI Leigh's Garden Winery, Inc. Marquette 2013 Single Varietal: Marquette MN Crow River Winery Red Coyote 2012 Dry Red: Single Varietal and MN Parley Lake Winery Frontenac Gris 2013 Single Varietal: Frontenac Gris MN Parley Lake Winery La Crescent 2013 Single Varietal: La Crescent MN Sovereign Estate La Crescent 2013 Single Varietal: La Crescent MN Sovereign Estate St. Therese Rose 2013 Single Varietal: Frontenac Rosé MN Woodland Hill Winery Tickled Pink Non-Grape: Fruit MN Two Rivers Vineyard & Winery Granny's Favorite Specialty: Red- Fortified NE Glacial Till Brianna 2013 Single Varietal: Brianna VT Shelburne Vineyard Marquette Reserve 2012 Single Varietal: Marquette VT North Branch Vineyards Frontenac Gris 2013 Single Varietal: Frontenac Gris WI Dancing Dragonfly Winery Ballet 2013 Semi-Sweet White: Single Varietal and WI Dancing Dragonfly Winery Charleston 2012 Single Varietal: Prairie Star WI Danzinger Vineyards Late Harvest St. Pepin 2013 Specialty: White - Sweet/Late WI Parallel 44 Vineyard and Winery La Crescent 2013 Single Varietal: La Crescent WI Parallel 44 Vineyard and Winery Glacier Fume 2013 Semi-Sweet White: Single Varietal and WI Parallel 44 Vineyard and Winery Carl's Wild Grape 2012 Semi-Sweet Red: Single Varietal and WI Sinnipee Valley Vineyard & Winery Rustic Road 2013 Single Varietal: Frontenac WI Door 44 Winery Red Door 2013 Single Varietal: Marechal Foch WI Door 44 Winery Bubbler 2013 Specialty: Sparkling Grape SILVER IA Tassel Ridge Winery Iowa Brianna 2013 Single Varietal: Brianna IL Illinois Sparkling Company Heirloom Specialty: Sparkling Grape IL Illinois Sparkling Company Dollface Specialty: Sparkling Grape MI Leigh's Garden Winery, Inc. Marechal Foch 2013 Single Varietal: Marechal Foch MN Cannon River Winery St. Pepin 2012 Single Varietal: St. Pepin MN Cannon River Winery Sparkle Edelweiss 2013 Specialty: Sparkling Grape MN Cannon River Winery Winter Ice 2012 Specialty: Ice Wine MN Flower Valley Vineyard Frontenac Gris 2013 Single Varietal: Frontenac Gris MN Indian Island Winery Marquette 2013 Single Varietal: Marquette MN Indian Island Winery Indian Island Ice 2013 Specialty: Ice Wine MN Millner Heritage Vineyard & Winery Freizeit 2012 Single Varietal: Prairie Star MN Millner Heritage Vineyard & Winery Neuhaus 2013 Dry Red: Single Varietal and MN Millner Heritage Vineyard & Winery Müllner Nice 2013 Specialty: White - Sweet/Late MN Richwood Winery Metro Marquette 2011 Single Varietal: Marquette MN Saint Croix Vineyards Frontenac Gris 2013 Single Varietal: Frontenac Gris MN Saint Croix Vineyards La Crescent 2013 Single Varietal: La Crescent MN Whispering Oaks Winery Frontenac Blanc 2013 Semi-Sweet White: Single Varietal and MN Wild Mountain Winery Frontenac Rosé 2013 Single Varietal: Frontenac Rosé MN Wild Mountain Winery Mountain Sweet White 2013 Semi-Sweet White: Single Varietal and MN Winehaven Winery Marechal Foch 2013 Single Varietal: Marechal Foch MN Winehaven Winery Marquette Reserve 2012 Single Varietal: Marquette

4 MN Winehaven Winery Stinger Honeywine Non-Grape: Mead/Mead-Fruit ; Maple syrup; Maple syrup/fruit MN Winehaven Winery Deer Garden Red 2013 Semi-Sweet Red: Single Varietal and MN Buffalo Rock Winery Rosemary's Rosé 2013 Single Varietal: Frontenac Rosé MN Buffalo Rock Winery Hot MaMa 2013 Single Varietal: LaCrosse MN Woodland Hill Winery Summer Breeze 2013 Dry White: Single Varietal and MN Two Rivers Vineyard & Winery Frontenac Gris Specialty: White - Sweet/Late MN Chankaska Creek Ranch and Winery Kasota Rose 2013 Blush/Rose: Single Varietal and MN Chankaska Creek Ranch and Winery La Crescent 2013 Semi-Sweet White: Single Varietal and MN Chankaska Creek Ranch and Winery Petite Colline 2013 Semi-Sweet White: Single Varietal and MN Chankaska Creek Ranch and Winery Minnesota Marquette 2013 Single Varietal: Marquette MN Javens Family Vineyard and Winery Frontenac Gris 2012 Single Varietal: Frontenac Gris NE Glacial Till Prairie Fire 2011 Specialty: Red- Fortified NE Miletta Vista Winery Brianna 2013 Single Varietal: Brianna NE Miletta Vista Winery LaCrescent 2013 Single Varietal: La Crescent NV Tahoe Ridge Winery Frontenac 2012 Single Varietal: Frontenac NY Coyote Moon Vineyards Island Mama 2013 Dry White: Single Varietal and NY Coyote Moon Vineyards Marquette 2013 Single Varietal: Marquette NY Coyote Moon Vineyards Twisted Sister 2013 Semi-Sweet Red: Single Varietal and NY Tug Hill Vineyards La Crescent 2013 Single Varietal: La Crescent NY Tug Hill Vineyards Prairie Star 2013 Single Varietal: Prairie Star NY Thousand Islands Winery Frontenac XXX 2011 Specialty: Red- Fortified SD Belle Joli Winery Cherry Non-Grape: Stone Fruit VT Shelburne Vineyard Harvest Widow's Revenge 2013 Semi-Sweet Red: Single Varietal and VT Shelburne Vineyard La Crescent Single Varietal: La Crescent VT Shelburne Vineyard Marquette 2013 Single Varietal: Marquette VT Shelburne Vineyard Whimsey Meadow Rose 2013 Blush/Rose: Single Varietal and VT North Branch Vineyards Frontenac 2013 Single Varietal: Frontenac VT Fresh Tracks Farm Vineyard & Winery Little Piggy Pink Single Varietal: Frontenac Rosé VT Fernleigh Cellars Maple Reserve - Special Dark Non-Grape: Mead/Mead-Fruit ; Maple syrup; Maple syrup/fruit VT Fernleigh Cellars Maple Reserve - Amber Non-Grape: Mead/Mead-Fruit ; Maple syrup; Maple syrup/fruit VT Lincoln Peak Vineyard Marquette 2013 Single Varietal: Marquette WI Dancing Dragonfly Winery Promenade 2013 Single Varietal: Brianna WI Dancing Dragonfly Winery Tango 2013 Non-Grape: Berry WI Dancing Dragonfly Winery Bill's Waltz 2012 Single Varietal: Marquette WI Danzinger Vineyards Waumandee White 2013 Single Varietal: La Crescent WI Danzinger Vineyards Sweet Alma Red 2013 Single Varietal: Frontenac WI Danzinger Vineyards Rose Valley Rosé 2013 Single Varietal: Frontenac Gris WI Seven Hawks Vineyards Prarie Star Single Varietal: Prairie Star

5 WI Wollersheim Winery Prairie Blush 2013 Blush/Rose: Single Varietal and WI Elmaro Vineyard Marquette Single Varietal: Marquette WI Parallel 44 Vineyard and Winery Frontenac Dessert 2012 Specialty: Red - Sweet/Dessert WI Parallel 44 Vineyard and Winery Glacier White 2012 Dry White: Single Varietal and WI Parallel 44 Vineyard and Winery Frozen Tundra Red 2013 Semi-Sweet Red: Single Varietal and WI Sinnipee Valley Vineyard & Winery Sinnipee Gold 2013 Single Varietal: LaCrosse WI Door 44 Winery F Dry Red: Single Varietal and WI Cold Country Vines & Wines, LLC Marquette 2013 Single Varietal: Marquette BRONZE IA Fireside Winery Glow 2013 Single Varietal: Brianna IA Fireside Winery Iowa LaCrosse 2013 Single Varietal: LaCrosse IA Dubuque Heritage Winery Eagle Point White 2013 Single Varietal: La Crescent IA Old Town Vineyard and Winery Le Petite Pearl 2013 Dry Red: Single Varietal and IL August Hill Winery Sweet William Single Varietal: La Crescent IL Galena Cellars Frontenac 2013 Single Varietal: Frontenac IL Galena Cellars Marquette 2013 Single Varietal: Marquette IL Illinois Sparkling Company Stereo Specialty: Sparkling Grape MI Northern Sun Winery Sole di Sera 2011 Semi-Sweet Red: Single Varietal and MI Leigh's Garden Winery, Inc. Bay de Noc Red 2013 Single Varietal: Marquette MI Leigh's Garden Winery, Inc. Ludington Street Blues 2013 Dry Red: Single Varietal and MI Leigh's Garden Winery, Inc. Old Escanaba 2013 Dry Red: Single Varietal and MI Harbor Springs Vineyards & Winery Schoolhouse Red 2013 Single Varietal: Marquette MN Burr Vineyards Marquette 2012 Single Varietal: Marquette MN Cannon River Winery Sogn Blush 2012 Blush/Rose: Single Varietal and MN Crow River Winery Frontenac Gris 2012 Single Varietal: Frontenac Gris MN Flower Valley Vineyard Frontenac Rosé 2013 Single Varietal: Frontenac Rosé MN Indian Island Winery Frontenac Rosé 2013 Single Varietal: Frontenac Rosé MN Indian Island Winery Prairie Wind 2013 Dry White: Single Varietal and MN Indian Island Winery Island Smoke 2012 Dry White: Single Varietal and MN Millner Heritage Vineyard & Winery Mein Onkel 2012 Semi-Sweet Red: Single Varietal and MN Millner Heritage Vineyard & Winery Papo 2010 Specialty: Red- Fortified MN Millner Heritage Vineyard & Winery Nordsüss 2013 Specialty: Red - Sweet/Dessert MN Millner Heritage Vineyard & Winery Gemütlichkeit 2013 Single Varietal: Prairie Star MN Parley Lake Winery Marquette Limited Edition 2012 Single Varietal: Marquette MN Parley Lake Winery Petite Amie 2013 Dry White: Single Varietal and MN Saint Croix Vineyards Frontenac Late Harvest 2012 Specialty: Red - Sweet/Dessert MN Whispering Oaks Winery La Crescent 2013 Single Varietal: La Crescent MN Whitewater Wines Marechal Foch 2012 Single Varietal: Marechal Foch MN Whitewater Wines Marquette 2012 Single Varietal: Marquette MN Whitewater Wines Vin Yule 2013 Non-Grape: Other Fruit/rhubarb

6 MN Wild Mountain Winery Frontenac Gris 2013 Single Varietal: Frontenac Gris MN Wild Mountain Winery Arrowhead Red 2012 Dry Red: Single Varietal and MN Wild Mountain Winery Aurora Borealis 2011 Specialty: Red- Fortified MN Glacial Ridge Winery Sippin from a Slipper Single Varietal: La Crescent MN Winehaven Winery Grapewinds Port Specialty: Red- Fortified MN Winehaven Winery Strawberry-Rhubarb Wine Non-Grape: Fruit MN Winehaven Winery Raspberry Wine Non-Grape: Berry MN Woodland Hill Winery Volante 2010 Specialty: Red- Fortified MN Woodland Hill Winery Hunter's Red 2011 Dry Red: Single Varietal and MN Two Rivers Vineyard & Winery Apple Non-Grape: Apple & Pear MN Two Rivers Vineyard & Winery St. Pepin Single Varietal: St. Pepin MN Chankaska Creek Ranch and Winery Marquette Reserve 2013 Single Varietal: Marquette MN Javens Family Vineyard and Winery New Traditions 2012 Semi-Sweet White: Single Varietal and NE Feather River Vineyards Marquette 2013 Single Varietal: Marquette NE Feather River Vineyards Regale 2013 Semi-Sweet White: Single Varietal and NY Coyote Moon Vineyards Brianna 2013 Single Varietal: Brianna NY Coyote Moon Vineyards Casa Papa Red 2013 Semi-Sweet Red: Single Varietal and NY Coyote Moon Vineyards Frontenac Blanc 2013 Dry White: Single Varietal and NY The Cape Winery Marquette Corsé Single Varietal: Marquette NY Tug Hill Vineyards Apple Non-Grape: Apple & Pear NY Tug Hill Vineyards Frontenac Gris Single Varietal: Frontenac Gris NY Tug Hill Vineyards Marquette 2012 Single Varietal: Marquette NY Tug Hill Vineyards Strawberry Rhubarb Non-Grape: Other Fruit/rhubarb NY Thousand Islands Winery Frontenac 2013 Single Varietal: Frontenac SD Tucker's Walk Vineyard LaCrescent Single Varietal: La Crescent SD Tucker's Walk Vineyard Marquette 2013 Single Varietal: Marquette SD Belle Joli Winery Marquette Single Varietal: Marquette SD Belle Joli Winery Peach Non-Grape: Stone Fruit VT Shelburne Vineyard Louise Swenson 2013 Dry White: Single Varietal and VT Fresh Tracks Farm Vineyard & Winery Frontenac Gris 2011 Single Varietal: Frontenac Gris VT Fresh Tracks Farm Vineyard & Winery Maple Wine Non-Grape: Mead/Mead-Fruit ; Maple syrup; Maple syrup/fruit VT Fresh Tracks Farm Vineyard & Winery The Digger's Dance Dry Red: Single Varietal and VT Fresh Tracks Farm Vineyard & Winery Dog River Red Semi-Sweet Red: Single Varietal and VT Lincoln Peak Vineyard Marquette 2012 Single Varietal: Marquette WI Dancing Dragonfly Winery Sashay 2013 Single Varietal: Frontenac WI Danzinger Vineyards Danzinger White 2012 Single Varietal: Prairie Star WI Seven Hawks Vineyards La Crescent Reserve Single Varietal: La Crescent WI Wollersheim Winery Eagle White 2013 Semi-Sweet White: Single Varietal and WI Wollersheim Winery Ice Wine 2012 Specialty: Ice Wine WI Elmaro Vineyard Edelweiss 2013 Single Varietal: Edelweiss WI Elmaro Vineyard Frontenac Gris 2013 Single Varietal: Frontenac Gris WI Elmaro Vineyard La Crescent 2013 Single Varietal: La Crescent

7 WI Parallel 44 Vineyard and Winery Late Harvest St. Pepin 2012 Specialty: White - Sweet/Late WI Parallel 44 Vineyard and Winery Marquette Single Varietal: Marquette WI Parallel 44 Vineyard and Winery Petite Pearl 2013 Dry Red: Single Varietal and WI Sinnipee Valley Vineyard & Winery SummerAire 2013 Single Varietal: St. Pepin WI Door 44 Winery M 2012 Single Varietal: Marquette WI Door 44 Winery Sunburst 2012 Single Varietal: Frontenac Gris OH Hillside Winery Marechal Foch 2012 Single Varietal: Marechal Foch 2014 Competition Judges Nick Barth, Certified Sommelier/Founder, Nick s Third Floor, Veranda Lounge, Wine Shop Bradley Beam, Enologist, Illinois Grape Growers & Vintners Association Jennifer Thull, University of Minnesota, Assistant Vineyard Manager Dave Kuennen, Owner, Bright Wines Ellie Butz, Wine Consultant, Vintage Winery Consultants Jennifer Chou, Chief Wine Officer, The Savvy Grape Mark Ganchiff, Publisher, Midwest Wine Press John Garland, Writer/Editor, The Heavy Table/Growler Magazine Michael Grabner, Wine Buyer/Sommelier, Century Wine Chanhassen Greg Halberg, Professional Enologist/Owner, Maneo Wine Imports/Wine Academy/Bistro 5e Mark Hart, Cold-Hardy Grape Breeder, My. Ashwabay Vineyard & Orchard Beth Jones, Executive Chef, Campus Club of the University of Minnesota Belinda Kemp, Senior Scientist in Enology, Brock University Leslee D. Miller, Sommelier/Owner, Amusée wine consulting firm Murli Dharmadhikari, Ph.D, Enologist, Iowa State University Christian Nesheim, Owner, Vinifera Wines, Ales Étienne Ouellet, Research Scientist, Centre de Développement Bioalimentaire du Québec Annette Peters, Owner/President, Domaines & Appellations Harvey Reissig, Professor, Cornell University Bill Ward, Wine Writer, Star Tribune/Decant-this.com Lynn White, WI State Coordinator, VESTA