Garden winery wins gold medal in state competition

The Garden Bay Winery may be a newcomer to the world of Michigan wines, but they know what they're doing, as evidenced by the results of the 34th annual Michigan Wine and Spirits Competition, held in East Lansing recently.

Garden Bay Winery, near Garden in Delta County, entered several wines, but had its best result with a Best in Class gold medal for its raspberry wine.

The competition was judged by wine experts from around the country, including Doug Frost, other master sommeliers, and led by Christopher Cook, the competition's superintendent.

New wineries showed off their offerings along with more established wineries, and judge Joe Borrello says that's one reason why the competition remains exciting.

"The Michigan wine industry continues to expand and offer quality wines with fun and excitement. It's why Michigan wines and winery tasting rooms are growing in popularity," says Borrello, who is also president of Tasters Guild International.

The Best of Class awards were spread fairly evenly around lower Michigan, with the exception of the Garden Bay Winery's award in the category of fruit wines.

Northern lower peninsula winemaker Chateau Fontaine took Best of Class in dry whites, with its 2010 dry white Riesling. L. Mawby took Best of Class for sparkling wines, with its Cremant Classic. Forty-Five North took Best of Class in roses, with its 2010 Rose of Cabernet Franc, and Black Star Farms took Best of Class in dessert wines, with its 2008 A Capella Ice Wine.

The other best in class medals went to west Michigan's Fenn Valley Vineyards, which won Best of Class for both dry reds, with its Capriccio, and semi-dry whites, with its 2010 Riesling. The latter class was also tied with Tabor Hill for its 2010 Gewurztraminer.

There are 84 wineries in Michigan, and 53 of them entered the competition. In all, 367 wines were judged, all produced from Michigan grapes and other fruit.

Writer: Sam Eggleston
Source: Joe Borrello, Michigan Wine & Spirits Competition