Carlos Creek Winery Wins Top Honors at the 2025 International Cold Climate Wine Competition

We’re raising a glass to some exciting news—Carlos Creek Winery's 2024 La Crescent just earned Best of Show White and Best of Class La Crescent at the 2025 International Cold Climate Wine Competition! Not only did it take home Double Gold, but it was also named the top white wine of the entire competition.

“We are incredibly honored to see our La Crescent recognized at this level,” said Head Winemaker Russ Funk. “This award is a testament to the unique potential of Minnesota-grown grapes.”

This year’s competition brought together 354 wines from across Minnesota, Wisconsin, South Dakota, Colorado, Iowa, Nebraska, and Ontario, all judged by 21 wine experts in a full day of blind tastings. To have our La Crescent shine among such an outstanding field is an incredible honor.

But the celebration doesn’t stop there—several of our other wines also earned medals:

• Marquette 2023 – Gold
• Pet-Nat Itasca 2024 – Silver
• White Marquette 2024 – Silver
• You Betcha Blush NV – Silver

We’re proud not only of our team but also of the entire Minnesota wine community. Huge congratulations to our neighbors Burr Vineyards and Rolling Forks Vineyards, who both had incredible showings of their own.

The International Cold Climate Wine Competition is about more than medals—it’s about celebrating the innovation and quality of wines crafted from cold-hardy grapes. A portion of proceeds from the event go directly to support the University of Minnesota’s Grape Breeding and Enology Project, ensuring that the future of cold-climate winemaking remains as bright as this year’s vintages.

We can’t wait to share a glass of our award-winning La Crescent with you in the tasting room—come see why the judges were so impressed!

Established in 1999, Carlos Creek Winery has been crafting award-winning wines for more than 26 years in the heart of the Alexandria Lakes Area. As Minnesota’s largest winery and a second-generation family-owned business, Carlos Creek is dedicated to sustainability, community, and creating authentic experiences that bring people together.

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