The 2022 TEXSOM International Wine Competition has bestowed 57 awards to 14 Traverse City area wineries, including three that won the top Judges’ Selection Award.
Based out of Texas, the TEXSOM Awards received more than 2,000 entries from 24 countries that included France, Italy, and Argentina. Entries were presented to 40 judges in blind taste tests.
“With our unique soil conditions, lake effect, and micro-climate we are again proving that the Traverse Wine Coast region, comprised of Leelanau and Old Mission Peninsulas, are producing some of the finest wines in the country,” says Sherri Campbell-Fenton, president of Traverse Wine Coast.
“We consistently put our wines up against the top wine growing regions in the world and walk away with incredible accolades. To see Traverse Wine Coast take the top honors for the best Michigan Red, best Michigan White, and Riesling Varietal is very exciting.”
Fewer than 5 percent of the entered wines received the highest Judge’s Selection award. Locally, Boathouse Vineyards captured that category with a Northern Lights Riesling Sweet, French Valley Vineyard won with a Cabernet Franc, and Good Harbor Vineyards won with a Blanc de Blanc Dry David’s Vineyard.
“Skilled craftspeople are creating these award-winning wines,” says Trevor Tkach, president of Traverse City Tourism. “They enhance the Traverse City experience and create a remarkable environment. People come to enjoy a sip of wine and look out over some of the most remarkable scenery in the country.”
Winners include:
| Amoritas | Mary’s Folly White Field Blend | Silver Medal |
| Riesling | Silver Medal | |
| Mary’s Folly Field Blend Sparkling Rose | Silver Medal | |
| Fascinator Dry Muscat | Silver Medal | |
| Chardonnay | Bronze Medal | |
| Aurora Cellars | Riesling | Platinum Medal |
| Riesling Dry | Silver Medal | |
| Blaufrankish | Silver Medal | |
| Radiance | Bronze Medal | |
| Gruner Veltliner | Bronze Medal | |
| Luminous | Bronze Medal | |
| Bel Lago | Chardonnay Dry | Silver Medal |
| Gewurztraminer | Silver Medal | |
| Blaufrankish | Bronze Medal | |
| Black Star Farms | Arcturos Pinot Noir Blanc | Bronze Medal |
| Arcturos Pinot Noir | Bronze Medal | |
| Blustone Vineyards | Blu Sparkling Riesling | Silver Medal |
| Pinot Grigio Rosso | Silver Medal | |
| Rose Cabernet Franc | Silver Medal | |
| Chardonnay | Bronze Medal | |
| Boathouse Vineyard | Northern Lights Riesling Sweet | Judges’ Selection Medal |
| Dry Dock Riesling | Platinum Medal | |
| Seas the Day | Gold Medal | |
| Knot too Sweet Riesling | Bronze Medal | |
| Chateau Chantal | Pinot Grigio | Silver Medal |
| Amour Rose Sweet | Bronze Medal | |
| Riesling Proprietor’s Reserve | Bronze Medal | |
| Riesling Late Harvest | Bronze Medal | |
| Pinot Gris Proprietor’s Reserve | Bronze Medal | |
| Trio Proprietor’s Reserve | Bronze Medal | |
| Ciccone Vineyard & Winery | Tramonto | Platinum Medal |
| Lee LaTage | Silver Medal | |
| Dolcetto | Silver Medal | |
| Pinot Noir | Silver Medal | |
| Gewurztraminer | Bronze Medal | |
| French Valley | Cabernet Franc | Judges’ Selection Medal |
| Good Harbor Vineyards | Blanc de Blanc Dry David’s Vineyard | Judges’ Selection Medal |
| Zweigelt Dry | Silver Medal | |
| Brut Norah’s Vineyard | Silver Medal | |
| Riesling Late Harvest | Silver Medal | |
| Albarino Dry | Silver Medal | |
| Pinot Grigio Dry | Silver Medal | |
| Pinot Noir-Zweigelt | Silver Medal | |
| Pinot Blanc Dry | Bronze Medal | |
| Chardonnay Dry Unoaked | Bronze Medal | |
| Rose Pinot Noir Dry | Bronze Medal | |
| Mari Vineyards | Sauvignon Blanc | Platinum Medal |
| Proserpina | Silver Medal | |
| Stuckfass Riesling | Bronze Medal | |
| Simplicissimus Sparkling Riesling | Bronze Medal | |
| Rove Estate | Chardonnay Unoaked | Bronze Medal |
| Riesling | Bronze Medal | |
| Soul Squeeze | Better Angel Gruner Veltliner | Silver Medal |
| U&I Chardonnay Barrel Aged | Silver Medal | |
| U&I Chardonnay | Bronze Medal | |
| Verterra Winery | Riesling Dry Kulpa Vineyard | Silver Medal |
| Pinot Blanc | Silver Medal |
Located on the 45th parallel of northern Michigan, the Traverse Wine Coast boasts two unique peninsulas that create optimal conditions for winemaking.
The microclimates of the Leelanau and Old Mission peninsulas help prevent pre-budding of the vines in early spring due to colder water temperatures, which keeps the air cooler. Conversely in the late summer, warmer water temperatures extend the growing season.
Traverse Wine Coast is a collaborative agreement with more than 40 wineries dedicated to the promotion of the wine industry in the region. The wineries of Traverse Wine Coast produce about 55-percent of Michigan wines.
TEXSOM has been judging wines for more than 30 years. More information about the awards is available here.
