Iowa Wineries Shine at 2025 Iowa Wine State Fair Competition

The results are in for the 2025 Iowa State Fair Commercial Wine Competition, and Iowa wineries truly sparkled! This year, 134 wines from 17 Iowa wineries were entered, with 118 wines earning awards: 39 Gold, 46 Silver, and 33 Bronze.

Judging Process

Held in June, the competition featured six qualified wine judges who conducted blind sensory and tasting evaluations to select medal winners. Following this initial round, 30 outstanding wines were nominated for the "Best of Show" (BOS) sweepstakes. Judges re-evaluated these entries to select the top wine in each of the seven divisions: dry white, sweet white, dry red, sweet red, rosé, non-grape, and specialty/other.

2025 "Best of Show" Iowa Wine Competition Winners

The seven "Best of Show" Iowa wines have been selected! These exceptional wines will be available by the glass at the Iowa Wine Experience during the Iowa State Fair, August 7-17.

  • Best of Show Dry Red: Oscar Carl Vineyard, Sioux City - Maréchal Foch Reserve

  • Best of Show Sweet Red: Olathea Creek Vineyard & Winery - Frontenac

  • Best of Show Dry White: Oscar Carl Vineyard, Sioux City - Newéll

  • Best of Show Sweet White & Governor's Cup Winner: Fireside Winery, Marengo - Blu

  • Best of Show Rosé: Dosaage Winery, Grimes - Marquette

  • Best of Show Non-Grape: Jasper Winery, Des Moines - Orchard Blend Cider

  • Best of Show Specialty/Other: Dosaage Winery, Grimes - Extra Brut Blanc de Gris

Governor's Cup Trophy Award

The ultimate honor, the 2025 Governor's Cup Trophy Award, goes to Fireside Winery for their Blu! This prestigious "best of the best" award is sponsored by the Iowa Wine Growers Association and is selected from the seven Best of Show winners by the judging panel. Iowa's Governor, Kim Reynolds, will present the trophy in a special ceremony this year during the Iowa State Fair, taking place outside Grandfather's Barn. The 2024 Governor's Cup, won by Oscar Carl Vineyard for their Loesscato wine, has been on display at their winery.

Gold Medal Winners

Congratulations to all the wineries that earned Gold medals in this year's competition!

  • Marquette – Iowa State University Winery, Ames

  • Behind the Shed Red – Jasper Winery, Des Moines - BOS Nominee

  • Crownfire – Fireside Winery, Marengo – BOS Nominee

  • St. Croix – Covered Bridges Winery, Winterset - BOS Nominee

  • Frontenac Gris – Covered Bridges Winery, Winterset – BOS Nominee

  • Newéll – Oscar Carl Vineyard, Sioux City - BOS Dry White

  • Petite Amie – Soldier Creek Winery, Fort Dodge - BOS Nominee

  • Oaked Seyval Blanc – Jasper Winery, Des Moines – BOS Nominee

  • Iowa Candleglow White – Tassel Ridge Winery, Leighton - BOS Nominee

  • Holliwell Bridge – Covered Bridges Winery, Winterset – BOS Nominee

  • Edelweiss - Barrelhead Winery, Dubuque

  • 2022 Iowa Edelweiss - Tassel Ridge Winery, Leighton - BOS Nominee

  • Frontenac Blanc - Olathea Creek Vineyard & Winery, LeClaire - BOS Nominee

  • Roseman Bridge - Covered Bridges Winery, Winterset - BOS Nominee

  • Firefly - Fireside Winery, Marengo - BOS Nominee

  • Love is Love - Heaven Boutique Winery, Fayette

  • Brianna - Covered Bridges Winery, Winterset - BOS Nominee

  • Extra Brut Blanc de Gris - Dosaage Winery, Grimes - BOS Specialty/Grape

  • Orchard Blend Cider - Jasper Winery, Des Moines - BOS Non-Grape

  • FireCiders Strawberry Rhubarb - Fireside Winery, Marengo

  • Blue - Heaven Boutique Winery, Fayette

  • Petite Pearl - Jasper Winery - BOS Nominee

  • 2023 Conviction - Wide River Winery, Clinton - BOS Nominee

  • Maréchal Foch Reserve - Oscar Carl Vineyard, Sioux City - BOS Dry Red

  • Unoaked Frontenac - Soldier Creek Winery, Fort Dodge - BOS Nominee

  • Rosé - Iowa State University Winery, Ames

  • Marquette - Dosaage Winery, Grimes - BOS Rosé

  • LaCrescent - Iowa State University Winery, Ames

  • June Marie - Oscar Carl Vineyard, Sioux City - BOS Nominee

  • Blu - Fireside Winery, Marengo - BOS Sweet White & 2025 Governor’s Cup Winner

  • Heart of the Country - Heaven Boutique Winery - BOS Nominee

  • Frontenac - Olathea Creek Vineyard & Winery, LeClaire - BOS Sweet Red

  • Francesca’s Folly - Covered Bridges Winery, Winterset - BOS Nominee

  • Jerry Wane - Oscar Carl Vineyard, Sioux City - BOS Nominee

  • Burlington Kiss - Lindon Wines, Burlington

  • Hogback Bridge - Covered Bridges Winery, Winterset - BOS Nominee

  • Cranberry Fizz - Ackerman Winery, Amana

  • Peach - Ackerman Winery, Amana - BOS Nominee

  • Woodberry - Oscar Carl Vineyard, Sioux City - BOS Nominee

For the full list, click here for the press release.

Sample Wines at the Iowa State Fair!

Ready to taste Iowa wine? You can sample a diverse selection of dry to sweet wines at the Iowa Wine Experience, happening August 7th-17th!

What's on Tap?

  • 25 Wines, Endless Flavor: Explore a diverse selection of wines from Iowa wineries. From dry whites to bold reds, and sweet treats in between, there's a perfect pour waiting for every palate. Plus, experience the best of the best with winners from the Iowa State Fair Commercial Wine Competition.

  • New this Year! Wine lovers rejoice! Once again this year, you can enjoy wine by the glass for a relaxed and convenient experience. Feeling adventurous? Cool off with a refreshing wine slushie, or discover the crisp taste of Iowa hard cider.

  • Sample Smart, Save More: Purchase tickets for tastings or full glasses. Samples are just $3 each (with a minimum of 3), while a full glass is $9. Want the best value? Snag a $30 package that lets you mix and match glasses and samples for maximum savings.

Ready to Raise a Glass? Don't miss your chance to experience the best of Iowa wines at the State Fair. Gather your friends, family, or fellow wine enthusiasts and get ready for a delicious, fun-filled adventure! Full Iowa State Fair information is available at www.iowastatefair.org 

Christie JensenComment