BEL LAGO TAKES HOME BEST OF CLASS & DOUBLE GOLD AT 18TH ANUNAL AMERICAN FINE WINE COMPETITION

At Bel Lago, our passion for crafting exceptional wines continues to be recognized on the national stage. We are proud to announce that our wines received awards at the 18th Annual American Fine Wine Competition (AFWC)—with one earning Best of Class and two achieving prestigious Double Gold medals.

What is the American Fine Wine Competition?

The American Fine Wine Competition (AFWC) is one of the most prestigious and rigorous wine competitions in the United States. Now in its 18th year, AFWC is known for its highly selective judging process, where wines from across the country are evaluated in a blind tasting by a panel of top sommeliers, wine educators, journalists, and industry experts.

Unlike many competitions that accept international entries, AFWC focuses exclusively on American wines, making it a true showcase of the best domestic producers. Wines are judged on balance, complexity, and overall quality, with only the finest receiving Gold, Double Gold, and Best of Class designations.

For Bel Lago, earning one Best of Class and two Double Gold medals at AFWC signifies that our wines stand among the best in the nation. These honors validate the dedication of our vineyard and winemaking teams, who craft wines that reflect the unique terroir of Northern Michigan.

Winning at AFWC isn’t just about recognition—it’s about demonstrating that Michigan wines can compete at the highest level alongside renowned producers from Napa, Sonoma, and beyond. These awards reaffirm our mission to create wines of exceptional quality, depth, and character, and we couldn’t be more proud to share them with you.

Award-Winning Wines

Riesling Semi-Dry 2022 – Best of Class / Gold Medal (91 points)

Tasting Notes:
Expressing the rich, rejuvenating soil of the Leelanau Peninsula, Bel Lago’s semi-dry Riesling truly tastes like the terroir of Northern Michigan. Scents of petrichor, lime blossom and candied fruit bounce from the glass; while tropical flavors of papaya, nectarine and grapefruit compliment the minerality. Not overly acidic and well balanced with a touch of sweetness, our semi-dry Riesling compliments a wide array of foods from spicy to rich to delicate.

$18/Bottle

Auxerrois Moreno Vineyard 2023 – Double Gold (94 points)

Tasting Notes:
This varietal has become practically tantamount to Bel Lago. Our founder, Charlie Edson first came across Auxerrois, which is closely related to Chardonnay, on a trip to the Alsace region in France. Knowing it would be uniquely suited to thrive on the Leelanau Peninsula, we planted our first vines in 1987 and became the first in Michigan and one of the first in the country to do so. Auxerrois (pronounced Awk – Sair – Wah) is a consistent producer and ripens early, yet it retains its fruit‐forward profile. This wine is clean and crisp with notes of papaya, mango, guava and apricot balanced against a subtle minerality.

$22/bottle

Pinot Noir Moreno Reserve 2020 – Double Gold (94 points)

Tasting Notes:
Our small batch reserve Pinot Noir was crafted from 8 select barrels that were favored by the winemaking team. Dark fruit flavors dominate the aromas while French oak supplies structure and finesse.

$38/Bottle

Celebrate With Us!

These awards are a testament to our commitment to producing wines that reflect the beauty and terroir of Northern Michigan. We invite you to visit our tasting room (open Friday–Sunday this winter) to experience these celebrated wines for yourself or shop online to bring a taste of Bel Lago home.

Thank you for your continued support—we raise a glass to our incredible winemaking team and to all of you who make this journey so special. Cheers!