2023 Ohio Wine Competition Winners Revealed
GENEVA ON THE LAKE, Ohio – Hanover Winery of Hamilton, Butler County, won Overall Best of Show and Best of Ohio at the 2023 Ohio Wine Competition.
A half-dozen wineries from the Grand River Valley viticultural area in Ashtabula County were among the winners.
A record-breaking total of 432 entries from across the state were submitted for this year’s contest, with 327 receiving medals (34 double gold, 50 gold, 134 silver, and 109 bronze).
The competition took place May 15-17 at The Lodge at Geneva on the Lake and was coordinated by Kent State University Ashtabula.
The Best of Ohio designation was awarded to the Best of Show wines that were made from a minimum of 90% Ohio-grown American/Labrusca, hybrid and vinifera grape varieties, and have received the Ohio Quality Wine seal and designation.
Here are the winners, with winery, name of wine, vintage and appellation or region:
- Overall Best of Show and Best of Ohio: Hanover Winery, Marquette, nonvintage, American;
- Best of Class Red: Burnet Ridge, Three Kings Cabernet Sauvignon, 2021, American;
- Best of Ohio Red: Cask 307, Cabernet Sauvignon, 2021, Grand River Valley;
- Best of Class White: D&D Smith Winery, Riesling, 2021, American;
- Best of Ohio White: Dragonfly Vineyards & Wine Cellar, LaCrescent Curves, nonvintage, Ohio;
- Best of Class and Best of Ohio Blush/Rosé: M Cellars, Dry Rosé, 2022, Grand River Valley;
- Best of Class and Best of Ohio Sparkling: Kosicek Vineyard, Carbonated Riesling, nonvintage, Grand River Valley;
- Best of Class Fruit Wine: D&D Smith Winery, Whoopee! Wine (Elderberry), nonvintage, American;
- Best of Class and Best of Ohio Ice Wine: Ferrante Winery, Vidal Blanc Ice Wine, 2022, Grand River Valley.
Pictured at top: Hanover Winery won Overall Best of Show and Best of Ohio with Marquette, a dry ruby red wine aged in oak.
Published by The Business Journal, Youngstown, Ohio.
