The Michigan Wine Collaborative has announced the results of the 2026 Taste Michigan Governor’s Cup. More than 200 entries from 44 wineries were submitted to the fourth annual Governor’s Cup, which is Michigan’s only statewide, industry-driven wine competition.
Judges from the Beverage Testing Institute scored each wine in a blind tasting and provided professional feedback and notes to the winemakers. In the end, French Valley Vineyard’s 2024 dessert Riesling came out on top, scoring 97 points.
Nine other wineries also took home Best of Category awards:
Vinifera red: Charamar Collection Proprietors Reserve red blend, Cherry Creek Cellars
Vinifera white: 2025 Chardonnay, Blustone Vineyards
Hybrid red: 2021 Petite Pearl, Stoney Ridge Vineyards
Hybrid white: 2023 Vignoles, Social Vines
Sparkling: Blanc brut, Mawby
Rosé: 2025 Estate Rosé of Cabernet Franc, Verterra Winery
Sweet/dessert: 2022 Reserve Vidal Blanc ice wine, Nitz Wines
Fortified: 2024 dessert Riesling, French Valley Vineyard
Fruit: Cherry wine, Bel Lago
Specialty: 2024 Risque Rosé, Laurentide Winery
Two new awards were also introduced this year. The inaugural Winery of the Year Award, recognizing the winery with the highest average score among at least five wine submissions, was bestowed on Stoney Ridge Vineyards near Grand Rapids. The competition also named Blake Lougheed of Bel Lago Ventures — which owns Bel Lago, French Valley Vineyard, and Dune Bird Winery — the first Winemaker of the Year. This award celebrates the winemaker with the most diverse and distinct set of five or more wines scoring 90 points or more. Lougheed’s entries ranged from the top-scoring dessert Riesling and a Cabernet Franc to a cherry wine and a pét-nat rosé.
The Michigan Wine Collaborative will host an award ceremony later this year at which the Governor’s Cup trophy will be presented to French Valley Vineyard. Find the complete competition results at tastemichigan.org.
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