St. Julian Winery Honored with 34 Awards at 2019 Indy International Wine Competition

(PAW PAW, Mich) – St. Julian Winery, recognized as Michigan’s longest-operating and most-awarded winery, submitted 34 wines into the 28th Annual Indy International Wine Competition and every single one of them was awarded a medal. Two wines were also named “Best of Class” including the 2018 Braganini Reserve Gruner Veltliner in the White Vinifera category and 2018 Braganini Reserve Vignoles Late Harvest in the Dessert Wines category.

The complete list of 2018 medals for St. Julian is available upon request (including 3 Double Gold, 6 Gold, 19 Silver and 6 Bronze medal awards). Over the years, St. Julian has been awarded 10 “Best of Class” honors and received 114 overall medals in this esteemed competition.

“This was a memorable year for our team at St. Julian,” says Nancie Oxley, Vice President & Winemaker. “To be awarded a medal for each and every wine we entered in the competition, in all the various categories, validates our mission in producing quality wines right here in the heart of the Great Lakes region.”

Collectively, 1,836 wines from 361 wineries, 40 states and 12 countries were entered in this year’s competition which was held May 22-23 at Purdue University in West Lafayette, IN.

Launched in 1991 by Richard Vine, professor emeritus of food science, the Indy International Wine Competition is now the largest independently organized wine competition in the country. Representing voices from throughout the industry, judges at INDY include scientists, winemakers, grape growers, chefs, distributors, writers, retailers, and even consumers. This mixture makes the event an ideal testing ground for experimentation and an opportunity to receive professional feedback from leading wine experts.

“It’s unique to have a competition based at a university,” says Jill Blume, executive director of INDY International, Purdue enology specialist, and member of the Purdue Wine Grape Team. “Although there has been an increase in wine competitions over the last 15 years, particularly for charity auctions, we have stayed independent. We concentrate on judging and promoting quality wines, not gaining revenue. It’s a great opportunity for new wineries due to the diversity of our judges, their knowledge, and openness to new varieties and wine styles.”

Founded in 1921, St. Julian Winery operates its main production facility (where they craft award-winning wines, sparkling juices, spirits, cider and beer) and tasting room in downtown Paw Paw, along with tasting rooms in Dundee, Frankenmuth, Rockford, Troy and Union Pier.