Oct 29, 2018

Michigan wine wins world riesling competition

A Michigan wine – Black Star Farms’ 2017 Arcturos Dry Riesling – was recently named “Best Wine of the 2018 Challenge” at the 19th Annual Canberra International Riesling Challenge (CIRC) held in Australia.

This is only the second time in CIRC’s 19-year history that an American wine has come out on top, according to a release from Black Star Farms, which is based in Suttons Bay, Michigan.

A record number of Rieslings, 567, from six countries – Australia, New Zealand, USA, Germany, France and the Czech Republic – were judged at the challenge.

Kerm Campbell, Black Star Farms grower and owner said, “This medal is a compliment for our growers, our vine care managers and our winemaking team and on a broader scale, a game changer for Northwest Michigan in particular.”

The Black Star Farms 2017 Arcturos Dry Riesling was named ‘Best Riesling in the World’ in addition to “Best Dry Riesling” and “Best American Riesling.”

“Black Star Farms 2017 Arcturos Dry Riesling’s selection as the Best Riesling in the World at the 2018 Canberra International Riesling Challenge in Australia is a huge accomplishment for them, for Michigan wines, and for American Rieslings,” said WineAmerica President Jim Trezise.

Top photo: Head Winemaker Lee Lutes shows off a thermovinification device that’s supposed to bring out the best from Midwestern winegrapes. Photos: Black Star Farms