January 22, 2026
Winning Big in San Francisco: Rolling Forks Vineyards Sweeps National Awards
"Honored" is an understatement.
The San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition is one of the most respected stages in the country, a place where thousands of wines from across North America are judged by the industry's toughest palates. To see our 2024 La Crescent (Lady of the Lake) mentioned by the East Bay Times as an "alluring treat" among America's finest is truly a dream come true for our team in Glenwood, Minnesota.
Representing Minnesota wine on a national level is a privilege we don’t take lightly. While we are incredibly moved by the kind words from the judges, we are even more thrilled by how our entire 2024 vintage performed. We are bringing home a full heart and several top honors:
- Lady of the Lake (La Crescent): Best of Class
- Lady Slipper (La Crescent): Double Gold
- Allegro (Brianna): Gold
- Brianna: Gold
- Marquette: Gold
- Cihlar Reserve Marquette: Gold
- Marquette Reserve: Silver
As the East Bay Times noted: "There were so many lovely whites... an alluring 2024 Rolling Fork Vineyards La Crescent ($23) from Minnesota... It highlights America’s finest and perhaps least known varietals."
Cheers to the "least known varietals" finally getting their time in the sun! Let’s dive deeper into what makes these winning wines so special.
The Best of Class: 2024 Lady of the Lake
Award: Best of Class Our Lady of the Lake is a sweet expression of the La Crescent grape that has quickly become a fan favorite. Named for the serene beauty of Lake Minnewaska that sits just below our vineyards, this wine is designed to be as refreshing as a summer breeze.
- Tasting Notes: Expect a bouquet of floral and fruity notes. It is a supremely balanced sweet wine, often revealing hints of apricot and citrus.
- Best Paired With: Light desserts like lemon tarts or a fresh fruit salad.
The Double Gold: 2024 Lady Slipper
Award: Double Gold Continuing its winning streak, our Lady Slipper is an off-sweet La Crescent that showcases the elegant potential of cold-hardy grapes. It has been compared by experts to fine Swiss white wines for its floral complexity.
- Tasting Notes: This vintage is buoyantly ripe with flavors of peach, apricot, and honey. You may also catch aromas of fresh-cut grass and passion fruit.
- Best Paired With: A soft cheese platter or a fruit compote.
The Gold Medal Lineup
Allegro
Part of our "Symphony Series," Allegro is a dry to off-dry Brianna that captures the tropical side of Minnesota winemaking.
- Tasting Notes: Crisp and refreshing with prominent notes of tropical fruit, melon, and green apple. It has just enough acidity to balance its primary "lemon drop" character.
- Best Paired With: Fresh goat cheese salads or seafood dishes like lemon butter shrimp.
Brianna
Our classic Brianna is a sweet white wine that truly highlights the tropical potential of this cold-hardy grape. It’s a perennial favorite for those who love a wine that smells and tastes like a tropical getaway.
- Tasting Notes: Bursts with intense aromas of pineapple, apricot, and honeyed grapefruit. It is famous for its unique "cotton candy" finish and lush mouthfeel.
- Best Paired With: Spicy Asian cuisine, glazed ham, or sharp white cheddar cheese.
Marquette
Marquette is often called the "Face of Rolling Forks." Developed by the University of Minnesota, this grape thrives in our glacial soils and south-facing hills.
- Tasting Notes: A dry, oaked red featuring a bold ruby color and moderate tannins. You’ll find signature flavors of black cherry, black currant, and a signature peppery finish.
- Best Paired With: Grilled red meats, hearty roasts, or even rich chocolate desserts.
Cihlar Reserve - Not Yet Released
Our Cihlar Reserve represents the pinnacle of our red wine program. This wine is the result of selecting the absolute best lots from our 18 acres and allowing them extra time to mature in premium oak.
- Tasting Notes: Bold and complex. The extended aging develops a sophisticated profile of dark plum and blackberry, rounded out by a gentle thread of earthiness and vanilla.
- Best Paired With: Beef stew or a rich mushroom risotto.
A Win for the Minnesota Wine Community
These awards don’t just belong to us—they belong to our hard-working vineyard team and to you, our community, who have supported us from our very first harvest in 2010.
Whether you’re a long-time Wine Club member or a first-time visitor to our tasting room, thank you for believing in the potential of Minnesota terroir. We invite you to come out to the winery, grab a glass of a "Best of Class" winner, and enjoy the sunset over Lake Minnewaska with us.
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