Governor’s Cup Competition Information

I was checking out the Maryland Wine website and found all of the rules and regulations for the Governor’s Cup. Below are the details on what the competition is; how to enter and the rules and regulations. Hopefully this can act as a guide to anyone interested in entering a wine. See below:

The Governor's Cup Competition is a competition among all Maryland-appellation wines (i.e. at least 75% Maryland-grown) judged by restaurant/retail/wholesale wine buyers, sommeliers, wine media, out-of-state winemakers and other wine professionals.

The goal is to highlight the best wines produced by our wineries from Maryland-grown grapes, fruit and honey.

Competition Director Al Spoler has managed the Governor's Cup Competition for the last 14 years. He is host of WYPR's “Cellar Notes” and “Radio Kitchen”, and is producer of MPT's “Chesapeake Wine Country”, “Maryland Farm & Harvest” and “Brewed on the Bay”. Al is an accomplished cook and has consulted in the wine industry for years. 410-235-0084 / Spoles35@gmail.com.. The Director coordinates judges, back-room staff, the flighting and pouring of wines.

In short:

• A winery may enter as many wines as they wish from a Maryland appellation;

• Submit 4 bottles of each wine and $40/entry payment.

• Check the entry form for due dates

Entry Form >>> Submit Online! https://forms.gle/uurhaLqkBUVBD61G6

Competition Location

• The Governor’s Cup will be held at The Center Club in Baltimore.

Wine Delivery

• Wineries may ship wines to MWA's mailbox, or convey to G&F staff at an arranged drop-point. We are working with wineries to establish regional drop sites. Wines will need to be delivered to these sites no later than Tuesday, September 6, 2022.

Shipping Address:

Maryland Wineries Association

1783 Forest Drive, #343

Annapolis, MD 21401

Promotion

• MWA will promote the results via a press (and public) event with Governor Hogan or the First Lady, a press release, signage at events, social media and more. Medals will be issued to winning wines, and promotional stickers will be available for purchase.

• Rules & Regulations

• Winery Eligibility: The Governor’s Cup Competition is open to all Maryland-appellation wines produced by licensed Class 3 and Class 4 Maryland wine producers.

• MWA Associate/Startup Members may submit qualifying wines for review and comment by the judging panel, but will not be considered for medals or other awards.

• Wine Eligibility: The goal of the competition is to highlight the best wines made from Maryland-grown products.

• Only MD-appellation wines may be entered (i.e., those produced from at least 75% Maryland grapes, fruit or honey).

• There is no limit to the number of wines a winery may enter.

• Wines (specific vintage/lot) that have previously won the Governor's Cup may not be entered.

• Awards include Gold, Silver, Bronze and Best of Class and two Best in Show awards—one for the highest-scoring Maryland-grown, grape-based wine ("Governor's Cup") and the highest-scoring fruit/honey-based wine ("Jack Aellen Cup"). Best of Class categories will include (pending at least 5 entries per category).

Additional categories may be added if entries warrant:

• Best dry white varietal

• Best dry white blend

• Best dry red varietal

• Best dry red blend

• Best dry rosé

• Best off-dry

• Best sweet

• Best sparkling

• Best dessert

• Best port/fortified

• Best mead

• Best cider

• Best grappa

Determination of Double-Gold awards: Gold medal-winning wines with unanimous judge gold scores will be awarded double-gold.

Determination of Best in Shows: The highest scoring wines (either gold or double-gold) will be evaluated by the entire judge panel. The wines with the highest average score in the Best in Show rounds wins the Governor's Cup (grape-based wine) and Jack Aellen Cup (fruit/honey-based wine).

Entry Requirements:

• Each entry requires four (4) 750ml bottles or equivalent for 500ml/375ml bottles;

• The fee per wine entered into the competition is $40 per entry;

• The winery must have at least 25 cases of each wine entered available for sale by the competition date;

• All wines entered must be labeled;

• Barrel samples are allowed, must be identified as samples, and must have a label to clearly identify the wine, vintage and producer.

• Judges: Multiple panels of judges will evaluate the wines.

• Members of the trade and media (retailers, restaurateurs and wholesale wine buyers, writers, bloggers) may judge.

• Notification of Results: Competition results will be formally announced within five business days of the competition. The results will only show Best of Class, Double-Gold, Gold, Silver and Bronze medal winners. Wines not awarded a medal will not be published.

Entry Form:

• Please fill out the entry form with as much detail as possible.

• Include a cell phone number for the day of the competition in case questions arise regarding your entries.

• When filling out the entry form be sure to include the name of the wines entered and the vintage year or NV for non-vintage wine.

• The percent alcohol and residual sugar should also be provided.

• The composition should include the type and percentage of the varieties used in blends.

Information from: https://marylandwine.org/governorscupawards/