Cañon City-based Winery at Holy Cross Abbey brings house gold, silver, and bronze medals from America’s premier white wine competition.
The Jefferson Cup Invitational recently celebrated its twenty-third year as the only competition that honors the very best of the best among wineries from all of America’s red wine regions. Called the “Olympics” of wine competitions, The Jefferson Cup Invitational was founded in 1999 in honor of Thomas Jefferson, who was a red wine enthusiast.
The November 18, 2022 competition saw white wines from 25 states compete, consisting of those from Cañon City’s Winery at Holy Cross Abbey. It was awarded 2 gold medals, one for its 2021 Viognier and one for the Theurgist as part of its “As Above/So Below” line, along with several silver and bronze awards.
The 2021 Viognier. Courtesy image.
A Gold Medal for the Viogner
The Viogner is made from grapes from Huerhuero Vineyards in Paso Robles, California, which are stainless steel fermented to preserve the varietal stone and tropical fruit characteristics of the Viognier grape. The wine offers an abundance of peach, apricot, and honeysuckle on the nose and taste buds with a crisp surface.
A Gold Medal for the Theurgist
The Theurgist is made from Red wine, Cabernet Sauvignon, Petite Pearl, and St. Vincent grapes that come together for a red wine that makes certain to inform. It is filled with red fruit, lightly oaked, and easy to consume.
Silver medals were granted to the winery’s 2020 Cabernet Franc, 2019 Merlot, 2019 Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve, Vineyard Sunset, 2021 Sangre de Cristo Nouveau, Riesling, and The Astrologist (As Above/So Listed Below).
Bronze medals were granted to the winery’s Wild Cañon Harvest, 2019 Cabernet Sauvignon, 2018 Discovery, The Alchemist (As Above/So Below), and 2021 Chardonnay.
The gold-medal winning Theurgist red wine produced by the Winery at Holy Cross Abbey. Courtesy iamge
The Winery has actually been invited to the Jefferson Cup every year given that Master Sommelier and event organizer, Doug Frost, visited and tasted The Winery at Holy Cross Abbey’s wines in 2008.
“That check out truly put us on the map with the Jefferson Cup, and we have been honored to be invited to take part every year considering that,” stated winemaker Jeff Stultz. “We think about the Jefferson Cup Invitational to be a prominent competition. Our awards not only flaunt the quality of our wine however also the quality of Colorado-grown red wine grapes.”
“It’s good to see a fun and plain red wine like The Theurgist be granted gold by the judges,” includes Owner Larry Oddo. “The blend of vinifera and cold hardy hybrid red wine grapes reveals the capacity of what can be made with lesser known ranges planted specifically to thrive in Colorado.”
Considering that its starting, the Winery at Holy Cross Abbey has won more than 100 awards and medals in distinguished worldwide white wine competitors. Located in Cañon City, Colorado on pastoral and tranquil grounds, The Winery at Holy Cross Abbey is also nestled versus the amazing backdrop of the Wet Mountains.
The award-winning wines are sold at The Winery at Holy Cross Abbey in Cañon City and at fine red wine and spirit stores along the Front Variety. The winery’s tasting room and gift shop is open Monday through Saturday from 10:00 a, m, to 5:00 p.m. and Sundays from 12:00 midday to 5:00 p.m. To learn more check out AbbeyWinery.com.