
The entries at the 2016 Finger Lakes International Wine Competition were impressive.
3824 wines. 916 wineries. 26 countries representation as well as 6 provinces and all 50 American states.
That makes it all the more sweet that four local wineries brought home a total of 24 medals. Black Bear Farms & Estate Winery alone won 12 of those medals, including a double gold for their Goldie wine. Cooper’s Hawk Vineyards won 7 medals, Erie Shore Vineyard 3 medals and North 42 Degrees Estate Winery two.

Once again, this is great exposure for the Essex Pelee Island Coast and something fantastic for the winning wineries to hang their hat on. We can’t wait to visit each of these wineries this tourism season and try these wines on our Wine Trail Ride Cycling Tours.
Here is a complete list of the local medal winning wines:
- Black Bear Farms & Estate Winery, Goldie: Double Gold in Fruit Blend style
- Black Bear Farms & Estate Winery, 2011 Red Raspberry: Silver in Raspberry style
- Black Bear Farms & Estate Winery, Raspberry & Blueberry Blend: Silver in Fruit Blend style
- Black Bear Farms & Estate Winery, Pear & Apple: Silver in Fruit Blend style
- Black Bear Farms & Estate Winery, Peach & Plum: Silver in Fruit Blend style
- Black Bear Farms & Estate Winery, Pear & Black Currant: Silver in Fruit Blend style
- Black Bear Farms & Estate Winery, 2010 Black Currant: Bronze in Black Currant style
- Black Bear Farms & Estate Winery, Bear’s Special Blend: Bronze in Fruit Blend style
- Black Bear Farms & Estate Winery, 2013 Golden Plum: Bronze in Other Fruit Varieties style
- Black Bear Farms & Estate Winery, Peach, Blueberry & Black Currant: Bronze in Fruit Blend style
- Black Bear Farms & Estate Winery, 2011 Mama’s Special Delight: Bronze in Blueberry style
- Black Bear Farms & Estate Winery, Apple: Bronze in Apple style
- Cooper’s Hawk Vineyards, Touche: Silver in White Blend – Vinifera style
- Cooper’s Hawk Vineyards, Barrel Fermented Chardonnay: Silver in Chardonnay style
- Cooper’s Hawk Vineyards, Cabernet Franc Reserve: Silver in Cabernet Franc style
- Cooper’s Hawk Vineyards, Unoaked Chardonnay: Silver in Chardonnay style
- Cooper’s Hawk Vineyards, Cabernet Merlot, Silver in Meritage style
- Cooper’s Hawk Vineyards, Rose: Bronze in Sweet Rose style
- Cooper’s Hawk Vineyards, Mantra: Bronze in White Blend – Vinifera
- Erie Shore Vineyard, Whitecaps: Silver in Other White Varietal – Non-Vinifera style
- Erie Shore Vineyard, Baco Noir: Silver in Baco Noir style
- Erie Shore Vineyard, Pier 41: Bronze in Red Blend – Non-Vinifera style
- North 42 Degrees Estate Winery, Cabernet Franc: Bronze in Cabernet Franc style
- North 42 Degrees Estate Winery, Riesling: Bronze in Riesling style