The Scoop: St. James Winery wins Missouri Governor’s Cup

  Cheers to St. James Winery and its newest prize, the 2015 Missouri Governor’s Cup. The winery’s 2014 vignoles beat out 269 other entries including 29 others of the same variety. This year’s top prize is the Phelps County winery’s third Governor’s Cup since 1997. “We are ecstatic for our vineyard and winery team,” said St. James Winery’s executive winemaker Andrew Meggitt. “This honor is the result of great teamwork.” Held in Columbia, Missouri on July 14 and 15, the 2015 Missouri Wine Competition awards medals to state-produced wines and is judged by industry experts from across the nation. Gold medal winners competed for best of class and best varietal honors; best of class wines vied for the Governor’s Cup. It’s been a good year for this 45-year-old family operation. Along with the state’s ultimate prize, St. James Winery’s 2014 vignoles also won best white wine at the Riverside International Wine Competition and best of class/gold at the Pacific Rim International Wine Competition, both held in California this spring. It’s the Governor’s Cup, however, that is especially meaningful to CEO and second-generation owner, Peter Hofherr. “This award is very humbling,” said Hofherr. “When my mom and dad founded the winery in 1970, their goal was to make wine that reflects the region. The Governor’s Cup recognizes the hard work, research and development we have invested since the ’70s to show the quality of the grape varieties that grow here.” Other area wineries took home best in class medals including Stone Hill, Adam Puchta and Montelle. The C.V. Riley Award, which recognizes the best wine using Norton varietals, the Missouri state grape, went to Chandler Hill Vineyards for its 2013 Savage Norton.