Northeast Ohio wineries do well in 2025 Ohio Wine Competition - The News-Herald
Wineries in Lake and close-by Ashtabula County were big winners in the annual 2025 Ohio Wine Competition, which took place May 13 to 15 in the conference center of The Lodge at Geneva-on-the-Lake.
A record number, 545 entries from across the state vied for honors in the competition sponsored by the Ohio Grape Industries Committee.
The Overall Best of Show award went to Ferrante Winery’s Non-Vintage Rosé, while its 2022 Bourbon Barrel Aged Vidal Blanc Ice Wine won the Director’s Choice Best Dessert Wine honors. Ferrante Winery and Ristorante, 5585 State Route 307, Harpersfield Township, is one of five wineries participating in Rosé & Roses Wine Trail tastings on June weekends. (See bit.ly/nh-rose-roses.)
The Director’s Choice Sparkling/Rosé Wine honor went to M Cellars 2021 Blanc de Blancs, made in the traditional champagne method. M Cellars, at 6193 South River Road W., Geneva Township, is another rosé trail participant. In the Ohio Wine Competition, that winery also won Best of Show and Best of Ohio Sparkling Wine honors for its 2023 Madelyn, a sparkling Riesling.
Director’s Choice Best White Wine honors went to South River Vineyard‘s 2023 Semillon, while Grand River Cellars took Best of Show and Best of Ohio White Wine honors for its 2023 Riesling.
The “Best of Ohio” designation was awarded to the “Best of Show” wines that were made from a minimum of 90 percent Ohio-grown American/Labrusca, Hybrid and Vinifera grape varieties.
Sommelier Brian Fife, wine director for World Wines & Liquor in Mentor, was among the judges — the 10th time he’s been chosen for that honor. Other judges included educators, restaurateurs, winemakers, scientists and retailers, who came from places such as California, New York, Iowa and Florida. The 15 judges were divided into panels balanced among various aspects of the wine industry.
“On our first day, my group tasted 130 wines,” Fife said. “There’s a lot of talent among our winemakers, and they’re making some excellent wines. The Ferrante Rosé was a clear Best of Show winner. It was really well done.”
All wines are blind-tasted, with very little discussion among judges, Fife said. A total of 57 wines won double gold honors. To win a double gold award judges choices must be unanimous — twice.
Local wineries winning double gold honors for their wines include Baci, Laurello, Debonne, M Cellars, Vincent William, Laurentia and Kosicek.