September 1, 2025
Small but Mighty: A Minnesota Winery’s Winning Streak
The Verdict Is In: Rolling Forks Vineyards Earns High Marks from Wine Enthusiast & International Wine Competition
We're incredibly excited to share some big news that has the whole team at Rolling Forks Vineyards buzzing with pride. The esteemed Wine Enthusiast Buying Guide just featured five of our wines, awarding scores up to an impressive 91 points! On top of that we just took home 12 medals and 2 'Best of Class' awards from the International Cold Climate Wine Competition. This is far more than a win for our winery; it's a powerful statement for the entire Minnesota wine industry. It proves that our commitment to cold-hardy varietals yields world-class results.
Wine Enthusiast is a valuable resource for both casual wine drinkers and experienced collectors, offering expert advice on selecting wines. This critical acclaim from a major industry publication validates years of dedication, from the moment our vines were first planted in our rolling hills to the final bottling.
Furthermore, our wines recently competed in the International Cold Climate Wine Competition (ICCWC). This is a big deal for Minnesota wineries and a true test of our cold-hardy grape varietals. The competition is specifically for wines made from grapes that can withstand our challenging climate. We were thrilled to see our hard work pay off on such a major stage.
We are honored to show the world that excellent wine doesn't just come from traditional regions—it comes from the heart, the land, and the passion of a dedicated team.
A Look at Our Top-Scoring Wines & What the Experts Said
The reviews from Wine Enthusiast and ICCWC were not only generous with points but also with their vibrant tasting notes, which perfectly capture the essence of what we strive to create in every bottle.
2023 Allegro Brianna: 91 Points
https://www.wineenthusiast.com/buying-guide/rolling-forks-2023-allegro-brianna-minnesota/
The Score: This "Excellent, Highly Recommended" rating is a rare and prestigious achievement. A 91-point wine is a standout, and we couldn't be prouder.
The Review: "This is my first Brianna wine, and after a few sips, I'm inclined to seek out more. This is light-bodied fare with just enough acidity to balance its primary lemon drop hard candy flavor. The king of the show is a set of aromas of papaya and the seductively sweet plumeria flowers you find in Hawaiian leis."
Our Take: The Allegro has always been a crowd favorite, and now it has the credentials to back it up. We’ve always believed in the tropical, fragrant potential of the Brianna grape. The reviewer's comparison to plumeria flowers perfectly captures its exotic charm.
Furthermore, Allegro was awarded a Double Gold medal and Best of Class for Brianna wines at the ICCWC marking it as the best entry in the category.
2021 Melodia: 90 Points
The Score: Our Melodia also earned an "Excellent" rating, proving the exceptional quality of our red program.
The Review: "This Minnesota blend features the jammiest cherry aroma this side of Smucker's to go along with the scent of orange-flavored pipe tobacco. Melodia's dark plum, blackcap raspberry and orange zest flavors are flanked by a touch of green tea. Lively acidity and a crisp texture will tempt you to open a second bottle for all of your friends."
Our Take: The description of "jammiest cherry aroma" is a fantastic and memorable way to describe this wine. We love how the reviewer also highlighted the "orange tobacco," which is a hallmark of this wine and makes it so distinct and enjoyable to drink.
2023 Lady Slipper La Crescent: 89 Points
https://www.wineenthusiast.com/buying-guide/rolling-forks-2023-lady-slipper-la-crescent-minnesota/
The Score: Earning a "Very Good, Often good value; well recommended" rating, our Lady Slipper is a testament to the elegant potential of the La Crescent grape.
The Review: "This supremely floral expression of the La Crescent grape reminded me of several Swiss white wines I have enjoyed. Aromas of fresh-cut grass, pineapple and passion fruit are matched with flavors like peach slices drizzled in honey and a trace of orange sorbet. The wine is lightly sweet, with just enough acidity."
Our Take: The comparison to Swiss white wines is a high compliment. The notes of pineapple, passion fruit, and peach are exactly what we aim for in this wine. It's a perfect example of a nuanced, beautifully balanced cold-hardy white.
The Lady Slipper also won a Double Gold at the ICCWC following up it's award for Best of Class at the San Francisco International Wine Competition earlier this year.
2022 Rolling Red: 88 points
https://www.wineenthusiast.com/buying-guide/rolling-forks-2022-rolling-red-marquette-minnesota/
The Score: Our Rolling Red was awarded a "Very Good" rating showing our consistency in producing quality wine under challenging circumstances.
The Review: "The scent of a dusty road, baked apples and wild lavender is like a summertime drive in the country. The wine's mouthfeel is on the thin side, with muted acidity and integrated tannins supporting flavors of cherries, cocoa powder and an herbal note that was difficult to pin down."
Our Take: We're thrilled that the reviewer recognized the unique characteristics we strive for. We also appreciate their note on the subtle, integrated tannins and the complex blend of cherry, cocoa, and herbal flavors. This blend is complex featuring Marquette, Petite Pearl, Frontenac Blanc and others from our estate. It's a great snapshot of how our grapes can express both rustic charm and nuanced complexity.
Frontenac Blanc Reserve 2022: 88 Points
https://www.wineenthusiast.com/buying-guide/rolling-forks-2022-reserve-frontenac-blanc-minnesota/
The Score: This "Very Good" rating is an affirmation of the exceptional qualities of our Frontenac Blanc Reserve.
The Review: "Talk about a tropical paradise. This creamy reserve wine is filled to the brim with aromas and flavors of lemon curd, coconut and a wisp of papaya. Hovering in the background is a warm, spicy note similar to a melting vanilla-scented candle. A tad more acidity would have been welcome."
Our Take: We're thrilled that the reviewer picked up on the "tropical paradise" of our Frontenac Blanc Reserve. The notes of lemon curd, coconut, and papaya are spot on, showcasing the grape's beautiful and complex potential. We also love the comparison to a "melting vanilla-scented candle." This perfectly captures the wine's warm, creamy character.
In addition to the critical acclaim from Wine Enthusiast, a number of other wines secured an impressive twelve medals at the recent International Cold Climate Wine Competition. The event, dedicated to recognizing the finest wines made from cold-hardy grapes, awarded the winery three coveted Double Gold medals, with our Allegro and Delicato also being crowned "Best of Class!"
- Allegro 2024, Minnesota Brianna - Double Gold, Best of Class
- Delicato 2023, Minnesota Dry Rosé - Double Gold, Best of Class
- Lady Slipper 2024, Minnesota La Crescent - Double Gold
- Lady of the Lake 2024, Minnesota La Crescent - Gold
- Love Struck, Minnesota Sparkling - Gold
- Lady of the Prairie 2024, Minnesota Red Blend - Silver
- Levity, Minnesota Sparkling - Silver
- Waska Rose 2024, Minnesota Sweet Rosé - Silver
- Waska White 2023, Minnesota White Blend - Silver
The Critic Behind the Scores: Michael Alberty
Michael Alberty, a writer-at-large for Wine Enthusiast, provided the fantastic scores and reviews for our wines. Michael covers a vast territory, reviewing wines from several U.S. states and Canada. He brings an impressive background to his work, including 16 years of retail wine experience in Illinois and Oregon. He also worked for The Oregonian, the oldest continuously published newspaper on the U.S. west coast. His diverse experience and deep knowledge of the industry make his reviews particularly insightful. We're honored that such a distinguished palate reviewed our wines.
The Blind Tasting Process: Why These Scores Are So Meaningful
Wine Enthusiast doesn't give a rating lightly. The ratings come from a rigorous, impartial, and highly professional process known as blind tasting. This process ensures that every wine is judged solely on its own merits. It eliminates any influence from branding, price point, or reputation.
A Peek Behind the Curtain: The Blind Tasting Process
- Anonymity is Key: Before a tasting panel begins, review staff hide all identifying information—from the label and bottle shape to the price—is hidden. Staff pour wines into unmarked glasses and place them in plain paper bags. That way the reviewers have no preconceived notions.
- Peer-Group Flights: Reviewers evaluate wines in small 'flights' of 5-8 samples, typically grouping them by varietal, vintage, and region. This allows for fair, side-by-side comparison. In our case, tasters would have tasted our Minnesota-grown wines alongside other cold-hardy wines, putting them on a level playing field.
- Judgement Without Bias: The tasters, all respected experts in the industry, evaluate each wine based purely on its sensory attributes: aroma, flavor, balance, and overall quality. They don't know if they are tasting a famous Napa Cabernet or a unique Brianna from a Minnesota winery.
- The Unveiling: Reviewers reveal the identity of the wines only after they record all scores and detailed tasting notes.
This process is what makes our achievement so impressive. Our wines didn't score so high because of a flashy label or a big marketing budget. They were simply judged to be truly excellent. The wine's quality, complexity, and unique character directly resulted in the scores and reviews.
We're proud to be at the forefront of the Minnesota wine scene. We hope you have the chance to experience these critically acclaimed wines for yourself. Visit our tasting room in Glenwood, Minnesota, or explore our collection online. Our wines are also available in over 100 liquor stores across the region. Be sure to request us if you can't find us on the shelves. We can't wait to share our passion with you.
