Storm Cellar wins top prize in Governor’s Cup Wine Competition

Bookcliff, Carboy and Carlson also were honored at Colorado Uncorked event

By the Thirst Team

A panel of expert judges announced their top 12 Colorado wines on Saturday. Ten of the selections were from just two wineries. 

Five bottles each from Carboy Winery and the Storm Cellar made up the bulk of the Governor’s Cup Wine Competition winners, which were announced Saturday night at the Colorado History Museum. To round out the list, Bookcliff Vineyards and Carlson Vineyards each had one winning wine. Bookcliff also won best red wine. Separately, Meadkreiger won the best mead award.

Jayme Henderson and Steve Steese of The Storm Cellar were the night’s biggest winners, taking home best white wine, best rosé wine and best of show. The husband-and-wife team left Denver sommelier jobs in 2017 to start a winery in Hotchkiss, and have been making wine and winning awards ever since.

“This is a labor of love, there is no doubt,” said Steese in his acceptance speech. “It’s a lot of labor and a lot of love. It takes both those things.”

The award was especially meaningful for Henderson. 

“Last year was the hardest vintage of my life,” she said from the stage. In addition to weather challenges, she was undergoing radiation therapy during the harvest. She said she is now cancer-free, and winning the award was “beyond special.”

The awards were part of the Colorado Uncorked party, hosted by the Colorado Wine Industry Development Board. The event included tastings of all 50 Governor’s Cup gold medal wines, plus small bites crafted by local chefs and inspired by this year’s winning wines. The inaugural best bite award went to Denver’s Apple Blossom for their dirty martini deviled eggs.

The 12 finalists in the 2026 Governor’s Cup Collection are:

The Storm Cellar 2024 Reserve Riesling, Colorado (Best White Wine and Best of Show)

The Storm Cellar 2025 Rosé of Chambourcin (Best Rosé Wine)

Bookcliff Vineyards 2025 Mourvèdre (Best Red Wine)

Carboy Winery 2023 Cabernet Franc

Carboy Winery 2023 Teroldego

Carboy Winery 2023 Estate Teroldego

Carboy Winery 2024 Estate Albariño

Carboy Winery 2024 Zweigelt

Carlson Vineyards 2024 Endure (Cabernet Sauvignon and Blaufränkish blend)

The Storm Cellar 2025 Sauvignon Blanc

The Storm Cellar 2025 Grüner Veltliner

The Storm Cellar 2024 Cloudburst Sparkling Riesling

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