Canadian Winery CedarCreek Estate Crowned Grand Champion at 2025 Stampede Cellar Showdown International Wine Competition

The Calgary Stampede is proud to announce that Canadian winery CedarCreek Estate has been crowned the Grand Champion of the 2025 Stampede Cellar Showdown international wine competition for its 2021 Estate Chardonnay. The winery also earned the Top Canadian Wine award for its 2020 Estate Cabernet Merlot.

Now in its second year, the Stampede Cellar Showdown highlights beverage production and showcases the best-of-the-best in Canadian and international wine. More than 400 wines from approximately 60 different distributors were poured and tasted over three days of judging. Red wine, white wine, sparking wine, rosé wine, fruit wine and mead were all represented with every entrant in the competition required to be available for purchase in Alberta.

“The second annual Stampede Cellar Showdown proved once again that Canada stands shoulder-to-shoulder with the world's best wine producers, with CedarCreek Estate Winery from B.C. capturing both Grand Champion and Top Canadian Wine honours,” says Matthew Protti, Chair of the Wine Competition Committee at the Calgary Stampede. “The overwhelming success and enthusiastic reception of this year's event underscores the growing stature of the Stampede Cellar Showdown as a premier showcase for the Canadian and international wine industry.”

“The success of the 2025 Stampede Cellar Showdown highlights the Calgary Stampede’s commitment to showcasing agriculture,” says Joel Cowley, CEO of the Calgary Stampede. “This competition not only celebrates excellence in winemaking but also reinforces the role of wine within the broader agri-food landscape. We’re excited to continue this journey with upcoming events like Stampede Cellar Uncorked and the Stampede Cellar Champion Wine Experience, offering even more opportunities for guests to explore and appreciate world-class wines.”

The expert panel of judges for the competition included three Masters of Wine and one Master Sommelier as well as 25 talented wine experts from across the local wine industry in Calgary. To ensure a fair, unbiased assessment, no information regarding the wine producers was provided to the expert judging panel as they evaluated each wine on its own merits, including aroma, taste, structure and overall quality.

The 2025 Stampede Cellar Showdown international wine competition Champions include:

• Grand Champion: CedarCreek Estate Chardonnay 2021 – Canada

• Reserve Grand Champion: Bodegas LAN Rioja Gran Reserva 2016 – Spain

• Top Canadian Wine: CedarCreek Estate Cabernet Merlot 2020 - Canada

• Top Red Wine: Fossacolle Brunello di Montalcino 2019 – Italy

• Top White Wine: Tyrrell’s HVD Vineyard Hunter Valley Semillon 2017 – Australia

• Top Rosé Wine: Francis Coppola Sofia Rosé 2022 – USA

• Top Sparkling Wine: Nicolas Feuillatte Reserve Exclusive Extra Brut Non-Vintage – France

• Top Fruit Wine: Broken Tine Orchard Has A Pear 2022 – Canada

• Top Mead: Grey Owl Meadery Haskap 2023 – Canada

The full list of medal-winning wines, including Bronze, Silver, Gold and Double Gold distinctions, is available here.

All the wines that earned top awards, in addition to the Double Gold and Gold medal recipients, will be showcased at Stampede Cellar Uncorked on May 31, 2025. This ticketed event offers guests a chance to enjoy swirling, sniffing and sipping the 2025 Stampede Cellar Showdown Champion Wines paired with locally produced culinary offerings provided by the best restaurants in Alberta. Taking place in the BMO Centre, Stampede Cellar Uncorked celebrates the best in Western hospitality, international wine and local culinary innovation. General admission tickets, VIP Lounge tickets and Premium Reserved packages are now available for purchase here.

The winning wines will also be featured at multiple venues on Stampede Park, including the Stampede Cellar Champion Wine Experience, during The Greatest Outdoor Show on Earth, July 4-13, 2025. Hosted in the Champions Ballroom in the BMO Centre, the sophisticated speakeasy-inspired lounge, featuring panoramic views of Stampede Park from the mountains to the Midway, offers guests an air-conditioned escape where they can sip and savour award-winning wines and culinary offerings while enjoying live entertainment.

The Stampede Cellar Showdown is organized by a proud and dedicated volunteer committee of the Calgary Stampede.

About the Calgary Stampede

The Calgary Stampede celebrates the people, the animals, the land, the traditions and the values that make up the unique spirit of the west. The Calgary Stampede contributes to the quality of life in Calgary and southern Alberta through our world-renowned Stampede, year-round facilities, western events and several youth and agriculture programs. Exemplifying the theme We’re Greatest Together, we are a volunteer-supported, not-for-profit community organization that preserves and celebrates our western heritage, cultures and community spirit. All revenue is reinvested into Calgary Stampede programs and facilities.

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