Nebraska Earns Championship Wine Scores: 93, 96, and 98 Points Prove Quality Competes Nationally
Award-Winning Wines Scoring 90+ Points Place Nebraska Among America's Elite Wine Regions
LINCOLN, NE – October 24, 2025 – Nebraska's wine country is earning championship-level recognition in international wine competitions, with scores that match premium wines from Napa Valley, Bordeaux, and other world-renowned regions. Award-winning Nebraska wineries from Omaha to Grand Island are achieving elite scores in professional wine rating systems, where 90+ points (out of 100) are classified as "Outstanding."
Miletta Vista Winery in St. Paul earned four medals at the 2025 International Women's Wine Competition: Gold for Blue Vacation, Silver for Petite Pearl, and Bronze for Just Peachy and Elephant Ear Red. The same Elephant Ear Red scored 98 points with Double Gold at the 2025 Los Angeles International Wine Competition.
Championship Scores: Nebraska Wines Compete at the Highest Level
Recent High-Point Winners:
98 points – Miletta Vista Winery, 2022 Elephant Ear Red (Double Gold, Best of Class, 2025 Los Angeles International Wine Competition)
98 points – Prairie Creek Vineyard, 2019 Edelweiss (Best of Show, California Competition)
97 points – Prairie Creek Vineyard, 2019 La Crescent (Double Gold Medal)
97 points – Whiskey Run Creek Winery, 2020 Frontenac (Best of Show Rosé, 2021 International Eastern Wine Competition)
96 points – James Arthur Vineyards, Sweet Charlotte (Double Gold, Best in Class, 2025 International Eastern Wine Competition)
93 points – Miletta Vista Winery, 2016 Legacy Port Style Wine (Best of Class, 2025 Los Angeles International)
"Wine and food have always brought people together – around the dinner table, at holiday gatherings, and celebrating traditions," said Renae Littrell, Executive Director of the Nebraska Wine and Grape Growers Association. "When our winemakers earn national recognition for their craft, it's a moment of pride for all of Nebraska. We're honored to share these award-winning Nebraska wines and invite everyone to experience them at Holiday TOAST."
Best of Show: Nebraska Wineries Beating National Competition
Nebraska wineries have earned Best of Show titles – the industry's highest honor – by defeating all competitors at prestigious national and international competitions.
Whiskey Run Creek Winery in Brownville earned 97 points and Best of Show Rosé at the 2021 International Eastern Wine Competition for its 2020 Frontenac.
James Arthur Vineyards in Raymond, near Lincoln, swept major competitions with their Vignoles, earning Best of Show at the Florida State Fair International Wine Competition and Best White Wine at California's Monterey Wine Competition. Miletta Vista Winery near St. Paul earned a stunning 98 points at the 2025 Los Angeles International Wine Competition and won Best of Show at the U.S. National Competition in Sonoma (2012). Prairie Creek Vineyard in Central City proved Nebraska's heartland produces world-class wines with their 98-point Edelweiss. Cellar 426 Winery in Ashland earned Best of Class for White Blend ($23 and below) at the 2025 San Francisco Chronicle International Wine Competition—the largest competition of North American wines—for their Linoma Lighthouse. The winery also swept multiple top honors at the 2025 International Cold Climate Wine Competition, where their Summer Blush earned both Best of Class Sweet Rosé and Best of Show Rosé, while Origin 2552 won Best of Class Itasca. Since 2022, Cellar 426 has earned 13 Best of Class and Best of Show awards.. Niobrara Valley Vineyards in Nenzel brought their Sandhills terroir to victory with Best of Show White Blend. Mac's Creek Winery in Lexington won Best of Show at the Grand Harvest Awards in Sonoma, California. Whiskey Run Creek Winery in historic Brownville scored 97 points with their Best of Show Rosé. Glacial Till Vineyard in Palmyra earned Grand National Champion Cidery honors, and Soaring Wings Vineyard in Springfield, near Omaha, has collected over 300 international awards since 2001.
These achievements prove that Nebraska's cold-climate wine region competes on merit. Winter temperatures routinely drop to -35°F, forcing vintners to grow cold-hardy hybrid varieties like Edelweiss, Brianna, La Crescent, Marquette, and Frontenac – grapes that don't just survive brutal conditions but produce distinctive wines that win championships. Federal law requires wines labeled "Nebraska Wine" to contain at least 75% Nebraska-grown grapes, while Nebraska wineries must source at least 60% of all grapes used in their total production from within the state, ensuring authenticity and supporting local agriculture across the state's 22 wineries.
Award-winning wines from Cellar 426 Winery in Ashland. The winery's Summer Blush won Best of Show Rosé at the 2025 International Cold Climate Wine Competition, while Origin 2552 earned Double Gold and Best of Class.
Taste Championship Wines at Holiday TOAST Wine Festival – November 15 in Grand Island
Experience the wines that earned 98-point scores and beat California at their own competitions. Holiday TOAST Nebraska Wine Festival brings together 18 award-winning Nebraska wineries for an all-inclusive celebration of food and wine on Saturday, November 15, 2025 at Fonner Park in Grand Island. This is Nebraska's second-largest wine festival and one of the best wine events in the Midwest – your chance to taste the wines that are putting Nebraska on the national wine map.
Nebraska's second-largest wine festival, TOAST Nebraska Holiday, features tastings from 18 award-winning wineries, a progressive 3-tier dining experience - all at Fonner Park on November 15 in Grand Island, Nebraska.
Every ticket includes wine tastings of 100+ wines from 18 Nebraska wineries, featuring the championship wines scoring 90+ points. The festival introduces a new progressive 3-tier dining experience with appetizers, entrees, and desserts paired with Nebraska wines throughout the day – all included with admission. Guests will enjoy live music performances by Josh Hoyer, the 2025 International Blues Challenge Winner, and styling sessions with Lincoln native Maddie Graham from The Frugal Fox. Winemaker Fireside Chats offer the chance to hear the stories behind award-winning wines directly from the people who made them, while Wine Bingo adds an interactive element with prizes throughout the day.
VIP tickets are sold out, but general admission tickets remain available at $65 (prices increase November 7). Designated driver tickets are $40 and must be 21+. The wine and food festival runs from 12:00 PM to 8:00 PM at Fonner Park in Grand Island, easily accessible from Omaha, Lincoln, and throughout central Nebraska. This is just a taste of what attendees will experience at TOAST Nebraska. Learn more and get tickets now at www.TOASTWineFest.com
About the Nebraska Winery and Grape Growers Association
The Nebraska Winery and Grape Growers Association (NWGGA) represents Nebraska's wine industry through the TOAST Nebraska Wine Festival series and The Nebraska Wine Passport. The organization supports wineries and grape growers and promotes wine tourism throughout the state. For more information about Nebraska wineries and wine tasting events, visit www.NebraskaWines.org
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