August is officially here, and that means one thing: the Iowa State Fair is right around the corner! Before we head to the fairgrounds, we are thrilled to celebrate the outstanding talent of our local grape growers and winemakers.

The results are officially in for the 2026 Iowa State Fair Commercial Wine Competition, held this past June. A panel of six expert judges evaluated 156 entries from 24 Iowa wineries in a rigorous blind sensory tasting. In total, 132 wines earned medals—including 35 Gold, 52 Silver, and 45 Bronze—proving once again that Iowa Wine Country is producing world-class pours!

Read on to meet our 2026 Governor’s Cup Trophy winner, discover the top "Best of Show" wines across seven categories, and find out how you can taste these champions at Grandfather's Barn from August 13–23!

The 2026 Governor’s Cup Winner: Fireside Winery’s Fizzy Firefly

The highest honor in Iowa winemaking—the Governor’s Cup Trophy—is awarded by the Iowa Wine Growers Association to the single "best of the best" wine selected from the sweepstakes round.

This year, top honors go to Fireside Winery in Marengo for their sparkling specialty creation, Fizzy Firefly! 🍾✨

Fireside Winery is no stranger to the trophy, having held it for their Blu wine from the 2025 competition. Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds will officially present Fireside Winery with the 2026 Governor’s Cup Trophy during a special ceremony at the fair on August 17th.

The 2026 "Best of Show" Champions

Out of 132 medaling entries, 26 top wines advanced to the sweepstakes round. Judges reevaluated these elite pours to select the standout winner in each division (including an exciting tie for Dry White!):

Competition by the Numbers

156 total wines entered from 24 Iowa wineries
132 total medalists awarded
35 Gold Medals
52 Silver Medals
45 Bronze Medals
26 "Best of Show" finalists nominated

Taste the Winners at the Iowa Wine Experience (Aug 13–23)

Want to try these medal-winning wines for yourself? You don't have to travel the whole state to find them—we are bringing them directly to you at the Iowa State Fair!

Make your way to the historic Grandfather's Barn at the top of the hill (pro-tip: take a refreshing ride on the Sky Glider 🚡) from August 13–23. Step inside, relax indoors, or savor the beautiful view outdoors, and enjoy our full summer menu:

🏅 The Award Winners Flight: Sample 7 top-scoring wines from the Commercial Wine Competition, including Best of Show & Governor’s Cup winners!
🍷 Dry & Sweet Wine Flights: Sample 4 targeted pours tailored to your palate.
🧊 Famous Wine Slushies: The ultimate icy, sweet fair staple to beat the mid-day heat.
🍎 Canned Hard Cider & Craft Pours: Enjoy cold ciders or a full glass of your favorite local wine.
🧀 Grazing Cup: Pair your flight with our brand-new Grazing Cup! It is a beautiful, charcuterie-inspired treat loaded with artisanal cheeses, fresh fruit, veggies, crackers, and nuts—perfect for snacking on the go or enjoying inside the barn!

Track Daily Featured Wines on Facebook

Because our rotating menu features a huge variety of award-winning Iowa bottles, our selection changes throughout the fair! Be sure to follow Iowa Wine on Facebook and check our daily Facebook Stories to see exactly which wines are on the menu each day.

Powered by Our Volunteers (and Tips for a Great Cause!)

The Iowa Wine Experience is organized by the Iowa Wine Growers Association and brought to life by over 240 volunteer shifts! When you stop by for a flight or slushie, be sure to give a warm thank you to the friendly faces behind the counter making it all happen. Tips for a Cause: This year, we will have tip jars out on the counters, and 100% of all tips collected during the fair will be donated to the non-profit Foster SQUAD! Foster SQUAD provides crucial resources, support, and community to Iowa foster families as they care for our state’s most vulnerable children. Learn more about their amazing mission at fostersquad.org.

Meet the Winery Team Behind the Bar: Want to meet the people who craft the wine? Stop by on these special dates to chat with featured winery teams while they serve up your favorite pours:

🍷 August 14 & 22: Come see the crew from Van Wijk Winery volunteering!
🏆 August 17: Come see the crew from Fireside Winery (2026 Governor's Cup Winners!) volunteering!

👉 Plan Your State Fair Visit & Explore the Iowa Wine Experience Here

Meet the 2026 Governor’s Cup Winner & Top State Fair Pours