Several southwest Michigan wineries have gained some recognition on the national wine circuit as winners in recent contests. Lake Michigan Shore Wine Trail Director Kathy Sturm tells WSJM News local wines were included in the San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition and the Harvest Challenge Competition in Santa Rosa, California. Taking honors were wineries including Cody Kresta Vineyard and Winery in Mattawan, Lemon Creek Winery in Oronoko Township, and Karma Vista in Coloma. Sturm says the region’s wineries are making a name for themselves.
“They have the perfect conditions for growing grapes and producing wine,” Sturm said. “As a result, it’s becoming more and more evident that this is an area where you are going to get quality and award-winning wines.”
Sturm says the region’s wineries continue to gain in popularity each year as visitors learn about the tours they can take. You can go to MIWineTrail.com and get the Lake Michigan Shore Wine Trail’s map of destinations. Sturm also notes the wine festivals held locally continue to be big successes.
The San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition had 65 judges reviewing and grading nearly 6,700 wines from over 1,000 wineries. The following are that award presented to our local wineries:
Best in Class – Fruit
Cody Kresta Vineyard and Winery, Mattawan – Peach
Double Gold – Red
Lemon Creek Winery, Berrien Springs – Cab Franc
Double Gold – White
Lemon Creek Winery, Berrien Springs – Petit Verdot
Gold – Dessert
Cody Kresta, Mattawan – Rudy’s Red
Gold Red –
Lemon Creek Winery, Berrien Springs – Merlot
Silver – White Blends
Cody Kresta, Mattawan – Marsanne-Roussanne
Silver White
Karma Vista, Coloma, Chardonnay
Silver Red
Lemon Creek Winery, Berrien Springs – Carmenere
Lemon Creek Winery, Berrien Springs – Shiraz
Karma Vista, Coloma – Syrah
Silver Red Blend
Lemon Creek Winery, Berrien Springs – Meritage
Lemon Creek Winery, Berrien Springs – Cabernet Sauvignon/Shiraz
Bronze
Cody Kresta, Mattawan – Cabernet Franc
Karma Vista, Coloma –
Harvest Challenge Competition – Santa Rosa, California
The Harvest Challenge is a wine competition that pits wines against each other by their appellation and by varietal. This spotlights a region’s soil and climate contributing to the wine quality.
Best In Class, Double Gold and 95 points
Karma Vista Vineyards & Winery – Cabernet Sauvignon
