Michigan wineries win two Jefferson Cups

The ninth annual Jefferson Cup Invitational, held last week in Kansas City, brings to a close the year's big wine competitions, and Michigan drove away with two Jefferson Cups, a high honor that's like a great big Christmas present for all the wineries in the state.

L. Mawby Vineyard's Mille 2002 and Peninsula Cellars' Riesling Select 2006 bested their categories at this unique competition. Larry Mawby makes Mille, his only vintage-dated bubbly, about twice a decade, and Peninsula Cellars has a solid track record for Riesling.

The event celebrates American winemaking in the spirit of one of the country's most passionate wine lovers, Thomas Jefferson, by inviting wineries across the U.S. to enter select wines, which already have been cited for excellence, to compete in what amounts to the championship game.

In the spirit of democracy, it's not just another dance where 90 percent of the winners are from the West Coast -- though many are. And that's to the credit of Doug Frost, who chairs the event and ranks as one of three people in the world to hold Master Sommelier and Master of Wine credentials, and knows not only the wines from the most famous regions of the world, but also the wines of America's West, Midwest, East Coast and the South.

"The 700 wines in this invitational are chosen by me, based upon my own tasting notes, other reviews and probably most importantly, an effort to create a fair list of wines from around the country," Frost said this week.

The Jefferson Cup is the highest award at the event, and this year, 17 were handed out for both European grape varietals (Chardonnay, Cabernet Sauvignon, etc.) and non-European species (such as Vidal and Norton), which flourish in the more extreme climates in the U.S.

"The 17 cup winners represent some of the most compelling wines made in America," Frost said.

Of course, California showed well, and Napa Valley's Cosentino Winery, which swept up medals at events all year long, had five Cup nominations and went on to win a record three cups.

California wines nabbed eight of the 17 cups, followed by Michigan and New York with two each, and the rest went to wines in Washington, Kansas, Georgia, Virginia and Rhode Island.

Of the 700 entries, a total of 51 wines were nominated for the Jefferson Cup. This in itself is a huge honor, and Michigan's St. Julian racked up three nominations -- for Braganini Reserve Sauvignon Blanc 2007, Braganini Reserve Traminette 2007, and Solera Cream Sherry.

In descending order, the awards were Jefferson Cup, Jefferson Cup Nominee, Great Wine and Certificate of Merit. But clearly, every wine invited to this event was a winner.

Here are the Jefferson Cup winners. See how the Michigan wineries invited to this competition fared in box at the right.

2008 JEFFERSON CUP WINNERS

Sparkling Wine
L Mawby Mille 2002 Leelanau Peninsula (Michigan)

White Vinifera Wine
Peninsula Cellars Riesling Select 2006 Old Mission Peninsula (Michigan)

Fetzer Valley Oaks Gewurztraminer 2007 California

Geyser Peak Chardonnay Water Bend 2007 Alexander Valley (California)

White Non-Vinifera Wine
Anthony Road Vignoles 2007 Finger Lakes (New York)

Sakonnet Vineyards Vidal Blanc 2007 Southeastern New England (Rhode Island)

Red Vinifera Wine
Eagle's Trace Vineyards Pinot Noir Valhalla Vineyards 2006 Napa Valley (California)

Cosentino Winery Cabernet Franc 2006 Napa Valley (California)

Camaradarie Cellars Elegance 2005 Columbia Valley (Washington)

Cosentino Winery Cabernet Sauvignon The Winemaster 2005 Napa Valley (California)

Rubicon Cask Cabernet Sauvignon 2005 Rutherford (California)

Cosentino Winery Meritage M Coz 2006 Napa Valley (California)

Red Non-Vinifera Wine
Holy-Field Winery Tailgate Red NV (Kansas)

Augusta Winery Estate Norton 2005 Augusta (Missouri)

Chrysalis Vineyards Norton Barrel Select Locksley Estate 2007 Loudoun County (Virginia)

Dessert Wine
Lakewood Winery Glaciovinum 2007 Finger Lakes (New York)

Rotta Winery Black Monukka Dessert Wine 2004 (California)

MICHIGAN AWARDS
Jefferson Cup

L. Mawby Mille 2002

Peninsula Cellars Select Riesling 2006

Jefferson Cup Nominees

Domaine Berrien Cabernet Franc Ice Wine 2007

St. Julian Sauvignon Blanc Braganini Reserve 2007

St. Julian Traminette Braganini Reserve 2007

St. Julian Solera Cream Sherry

Great Wine

Bel Lago Chardonnay 2007

Black Star Farms A Capella Ice Wine 2007

Brys Estate Dry Ice 2007

L. Mawby Conservancy NV

Peninsula Cellars Pinot Gris 2007

Certificate of Merit

Bel Lago Brillante NV

Bel Lago Pinot Grigio 2007

Bel Lago Gewurztraminer 2007

Bel Lago Pinot Grigio & Chardonnay 2006

Bel Lago Pinot Noir 2006

Black Star Farms Sur Lie Chardonnay 2007

Bowers Harbor Vineyard Riesling Block II 2007

Bowers Harbor Vineyard Chardonnay Unwooded 2007

Bowers Harbor Vineyard Cabernet Franc Erica Vineyard 2006

Bowers Harbor Vineyard 2896 Langley Vineyard 2006

Brys Estate Gewurztraminer 2007

Brys Estate Pinot Noir 2005

Chateau Grand Traverse Whole Cluster Riesling 2007

L. Mawby M. Lawrence Wet NV

L. Mawby Talismon NV

L. Mawby Blanc de Noir

L. Mawby Cremant NV

L. Mawby M. Lawrence Sandpiper NV

Peninsula Cellars Pinot Blanc 2007

Sandhill Crane Pinot Grigio 2007

Sandhill Crane Abrazo NV

Sandhill Crane Mood Indigo

Shady Lane Cellars Chardonnay 2007

Shady Lane Cellars Riesling Semi-Dry 2007

Shady Lane Cellars Coop de Blanc 2007

Shady Lane Cellars Blue Franc 2007

Shady Lane Cellars Cabernet Franc 2007

St. Julian St. J Chardonnay 2006

St. Julian White Heron NV

St. Julian Blue Heron NV

St. Julian Chancellor Braganini Reserve 2005

St. Julian Catherman's Port