Local Windsor-Essex, Ontario wineries are bringing home a total of 21 medals from the 2020 Finger Lakes International Wine Competition.

Pelee Island Winery and Black Bear Farms & Estate Winery were the biggest winners, bringing home 8 medals each, with Pelee’s Bourbon Barrel Reserve Baco Noir 2018 bringing home Double Gold in the Baco Noir category. Black Bear Farms & Estate Winery has been consistently winning medals at the competition each year since 2010. Since then, they’ve won an incredible 90 medals for their fruit wines.

Muscedere Vineyards also brought home 5 medals and Cooper’s Hawk Vineyards were awarded four.

In a showcase of the great Cabernet Franc’s the Essex Pelee Island Coast (EPIC) wine region has begun to make a name for itself with, four of the total medals awarded were of the Cabernet Franc varietal. Muscedere Vineyards Estate Winery won silver for their Cabernet Franc 2017 while Cooper’s Hawk Vineyards was handed bronze for their Cabernet Franc Reserve 2016. Meanwhile, Pelee Island Winery won bronze medals for both their LOLA Cabernet Franc Cabernet Sauvignon 2017 and their LOLA Cabernet Franc Rose 2018.

If this gets you excited to visit the many local wineries in and around Windsor-Essex, we encourage you to get your social group together to take an award winning Wine Trail Ride cycling tour. You’ll enjoy at least 14 different wines and a progressive feast along the way.

 

The Finger Lakes International Wine Competition (FLIWC) is one of America’s Largest Charitable Wine Competitions in the United States. Masters of wine, Master Sommeliers, wine educators, wine journalists, wine makers, and other top internationally certified wine judges from around the world converge each year in Rochester, NY to evaluate and award thousands of internationally crafted wine and spirits, all accomplished in two days of blind judging.

Here is a complete list of the local winners:

  • Double Gold: Pelee Island Winery, Bourbon Barrel Reserve Baco Noir 2018, Baco Noir category
  • Gold: Muscedere Vineyards Estate Winery Cabernet Sauvignon 2017, Cabernet Sauvignon category
  • Silver: Black Bear Farms of Ontario Estate Winery Inc Black Currant & Blueberry, Fruit Blend category
  • Silver: Black Bear Farms of Ontario Estate Winery Inc Black Currant, Strawberry & Blueberry, Fruit Blend category
  • Silver: Black Bear Farms of Ontario Estate Winery Inc Crabby Bea,r Other Fruit category
  • Silver: Pelee Island Winery Lighthouse Riesling 2018, Riesling – IRF Dry category
  • Silver: Muscedere Vineyards Estate Winery Cabernet Franc 2017, Cabernet Franc category
  • Silver: Muscedere Vineyards Estate Winery Merlot 2016, Merlot category
  • Silver: Cooper’s Hawk Vineyards North Block Sparkling 2016, White Vinifera category
  • Bronze: Black Bear Farms of Ontario Estate Winery Inc Bear Claw, Fruit Blend category
  • Bronze: Black Bear Farms of Ontario Estate Winery Inc Elderberry & Black Currant, Fruit Blend category
  • Bronze: Black Bear Farms of Ontario Estate Winery Inc 2013 Pear, Pear category
  • Bronze: Pelee Island Winery Hopping Apple 2018, Fruit, Hopped & Other Cider category
  • Bronze: Pelee Island Winery LOLA Cabernet Franc Rose 2018, Vinifera category
  • Bronze: Pelee Island Winery LOLA Cabernet Franc Cabernet Sauvignon 2017, Other Red Vinifera category
  • Bronze: Pelee Island Winery BELLA Sparkling Rose 2018, Sparkling Other catergory
  • Bronze: Muscedere Vineyards Estate Winery Meritage 2017, Vinifera Red Blend – Meritage & Bordeaux category
  • Bronze: Muscedere Vineyards Estate Winery Pinot Noir 2017, Pinot Noir, Pinot Nero category
  • Bronze: Cooper’s Hawk Vineyards Soaring 2017, Hybrid Red Blend category
  • Bronze: Cooper’s Hawk Vineyards Pinot Grigio 2017, Pinot Gris/Pinot Grigio category
  • Bronze: Cooper’s Hawk Vineyards Cabernet Franc Reserve 2016, Cabernet Franc category