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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 20, 2021
Northern Michigan Wines Shine in
TEXSOM International Competition
Traverse City, MI — Northern Michigan wines excelled this week in what is considered one of the most selective wine competitions in the country. The TEXSOM International Wine Competition awarded 69 medals to wines of the Traverse Wine Coast representing 17 wineries.
“We’ve been saying for a while that the wines of the region can match up with wines from anywhere in the world,” said Traverse Wine Coast Vice President, Gabe Marzonie. “The TEXSOM competition is yet another piece of proof to that claim.”
Three wineries, Aurora Cellars, Good Harbor Vineyards and Soul Squeeze Cellars captured the Judges' Selection award. It is the top award given to only about three percent of the winners. Only eight-percent of wines in the competition were awarded a gold medal, and nine area wineries received gold recognition. Three of the local wineries, Aurora, Shady Lane and Verterra, each received two gold awards. Traverse Wine Coast winemakers also secured 21 silver medals and 36 bronze medals.
“When you combine award-winning wines with the spectacular experiences and views at the wineries, the wine industry is a huge attraction to visitors in the region,” said Traverse City Tourism President, Trevor Tkach (Tah-koch).
TEXSOM has recognized top wines for over 30 years. The awards attract entries from around the world, including top wine-producing regions in France, Argentina, California and Italy. It’s considered a top competition due to a roster of over 70 international sommelier judges. Nearly 2,400 wines were entered into the competition.
Winners include:
| 45 North Vineyard & Winery |
SPG – 2017 |
Gold |
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SPG – 2018 |
Silver |
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Medium Sweet Riesling |
Silver |
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Riesling Dry |
Bronze |
| Aurora Cellars |
Cabernet Franc |
Judges' Selection |
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Blaufrankisch |
Gold |
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Gewurztraminer |
Gold |
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Pinot Grigio |
Silver |
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Brut Rose |
Bronze |
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Gruner Veltliner |
Bronze |
| Bel Lago |
Bel Lago Red |
Bronze |
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Leelanau Primavera |
Bronze |
| Blustone Vineyards |
Chardonnay |
Gold |
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Rosso Pinot Grigio |
Silver |
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Rose Cabernet Franc |
Bronze |
| Brengman Brothers |
Chenin Blanc Timberlee Vineyard |
Silver |
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Block 7 Rose Pinot Noir Crain Hill Vineyard |
Silver |
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Concrete Chardonnay Chardonnay Shore Vineyard |
Bronze |
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Sauvignon Blanc Timberlee Vineyard |
Bronze |
| Chateau Chantal |
Pinot Gris Proprietor’s Reserve |
Silver |
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Tonight Brut |
Bronze |
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Pinot Noir Proprietor’s Reserve |
Bronze |
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Celebrate! |
Bronze |
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Chardonnay Proprietor’s Reserve |
Bronze |
| Ciccone Vineyard & Winery |
Tramonto Red |
Silver |
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Blush from Pinot Grigio |
Bronze |
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Cabernet Franc |
Bronze |
| Farm Fresh Wine Company (Leelanau Cellars) |
Blueberry Bubbly Moscato |
Silver |
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Peach Moscato |
Silver |
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Blackberry Bubbly Moscato |
Bronze |
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Cranberry |
Bronze |
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Blueberry |
Bronze |
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Raspberry Bubbly Moscato |
Bronze |
| French Valley Vineyard |
Cabernet Franc-Merlot |
Silver |
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Chardonnay |
Bronze |
| Good Harbor Vineyards |
Blanc de Noirs Dry Benjamin’s Vineyard |
Judges’ Selection |
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Riesling Dry |
Gold |
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Blanc de Blanc Dry David’s Vineyard |
Silver |
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Pinot Grigio |
Silver |
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Pinot Blanc |
Silver |
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Rose Pinot Noir |
Bronze |
| Lakeshore Farms Trading Co. (Leelanau Cellars) |
Blackberry |
Bronze |
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Blueberry |
Bronze |
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Peach |
Bronze |
| Leelanau Cellars |
Merlot |
Silver |
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Mertage |
Bronze |
| Mawby Sparkling |
Gold Brut Traditional Method |
Silver |
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Blanc Brut Traditional Method |
Bronze |
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Grace Rose Brut Traditional Method |
Bronze |
| Rove Estate |
Pinot Noir |
Bronze |
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Sparkling Brut |
Bronze |
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Sauvignon Blanc |
Bronze |
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Chardonnay Unoaked |
Bronze |
| Shady Lane Cellars |
Gewurztraminer |
Gold |
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Blaufrankisch |
Gold |
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Pinot Gris Hennessy Vineyard |
Silver |
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Semi-Dry Riesling |
Silver |
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Gruner Veltliner Hennessey Vineyard |
Bronze |
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Blaufrankisch |
Bronze |
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Sparkling Riesling |
Bronze |
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Pinot Noir Reserve |
Bronze |
| Soul Squeeze Cellars |
Rapt Riesling Dry Bluff View Vineyards |
Judges’ Selection |
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The Good Fight Pinot Gris |
Silver |
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The Pearl Sparking Rose |
Bronze |
| Verterra |
Riesling Dry Kulpa Vineyard |
Gold |
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Pinot Blanc |
Gold |
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Rose of Merlot |
Silver |
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Rose of Pinot Noir Dry |
Silver |
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Rose of Cabernet Franc |
Bronze |
ABOUT TRAVERSE WINE COAST
Traverse Wine Coast represents over 40 local wineries along Old Mission and Leelanau Peninsulas in northwest Michigan. These wineries grow and bottle 60-percent of Michigan’s total wine production. The unique, glacially formed peninsulas are located on the 45th parallel with 105 miles of fresh water coasts from Lake Michigan and Grand Traverse Bay. The coastal waters protect and moderate the local climate providing warm days and cool autumn nights. The climate is ideal for growing Vinifera grapes used in wine production. The locally grown Vinifera groups produce cool climate wines that are naturally acidic, balanced, structured and aromatic.
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