The Best Wine In Colorado: 2022 Governor's Cup Winners

Spectacular wines are produced by hundreds of wineries across Colorado and a recent competition has crowned the best of 2022.

The winners of the 2022 Governor's Cup Wine Collection were recently announced by the Colorado Wine Industry Development Board and we have the complete list.

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The Competition Was Tough For Colorado Winemakers

The 2022 Governors Cup competition received 279 wine submissions from 38 Colorado wineries all wishing to compete.

Some of the wineries who entered the competition have won previously and were looking to add to their impressive resume. However, there were also a few other wineries who entered the competition for the very first time lhoping to make a name for themselves.

Expert Judges Crown the Best Colorado Wines

The judging for the Governor's Cup is not open to the public and is judged soley by a panel of experts in the industry. Judges include:

sommeliers,
chefs,
writers,
and wine experts from around the country.

Doug Frost has judged the competition in 2017, 2018, 2021, and returned again for 2022. Frost is, "one of only four people in the world to have achieved both Master Sommelier and Master of Wine distinctions. He is the founder and director of the Jefferson Cup Invitational Wine Competition."

Another notable judge is Joel Butler who has judged the competition in 2018, 2019, 2021 and returned again for 2022. Butler is the ,"1st U.S. resident Master of Wine and the first and only University of Colorado alum to achieve the MW certification."

In total, 19 experts composed 2022's panel of judges for the Governor's Cup.

Some of Colorado's Best Wine Calls the Grand Valley Home

While there is great wine made across the entire state of Colorado, some of the very best is made in the Grand Valley. 12 winners were crowned as the best of Colorado from the 2022 Governor's Cup, with 8 of those winners being made in the Grand Valley.

These are the 12 winners of the 2022 Governor's Cup:

Aspen Peak Cellars - 2021 Pinot Gris, American
Carboy Winery - 2019 Petit Verdot, Grand Valley AVA
Carboy Winery - 2020 Teroldego, Grand Valley AVA
Carboy Winery - 2019 Blanc LaLaLa (Sparkling Gruner Veltliner), Grand Valley AVA
Carlson Vineyards - 2021 Sweet Baby White Blend, American
Mesa Park Vineyards - 2020 Equilibre Red Blend, Grand Valley AVA
The Peachfork - 2021 Chambourcin, Grand Valley AVA
Red Fox Cellars - Non-Vintage Nebbiolo, Grand Valley AVA
Slaymaker Cellars - Traditional Wildflower Mead
The Winery at Holy Cross Abbey - 2019 Syrah, Colorado
Vino Salida Wine Cellars (Poncha Springs) - 2017 Tempranillo, Grand Valley AVA
Whitewater Hill Vineyards - 2021 Dry Rose of St. Vincent, Grand Valley AVA

Keep scrolling to see more of the best Colorado has to offer: