Introducing the winners of the Stampede Cellar Showdown International Wine Competition

After a fierce battle of the bottles, the Calgary Stampede is thrilled to announce the winners of the 2024 Stampede Cellar Showdown international wine competition.

The inaugural competition highlighted beverage production and showcased the best-of-the-best in Canadian and international wine. More than 550 wines from approximately 80 different wine agencies were poured and tasted over three days of judging. Red wine, white wine, sparkling wine, sweet wine, fortified wine, fruit/flavoured wine, and mead were all represented, with every entrant in the competition required to be available for purchase in Alberta.

The top honour of Grand Champion was awarded to Poggio Landi Rosso di Montalcino 2020. The Reserve Grand Champion was awarded to Collard-Picard Cuvée Prestige Extra Brut Champagne NV and the Top Canadian Wine award was presented to Meyer Family Vineyards McLean Creek Road Pinot Noir 2022.

“We had an incredible showing for the inaugural Stampede Cellar Showdown,” said Peggy Perry, Chair, Calgary Stampede Wine Competition Committee. “To have the Canadian wine Osoyoos Larose named the top red wine in this international competition was fantastic. The results of the Stampede Cellar Showdown will create a great new wine offering in venues across Stampede Park during this year’s festival and throughout the year. With the investment in this wine competition, The Calgary Stampede is once again illustrating the focus on providing an exceptional wine and food experience for all Calgary Stampede guests.”

This high-profile new competition aligns with the Stampede’s Agri-food & Beverage vision to create inspiring experiences that connect the agriculture industry to Calgarians and southern Albertans by facilitating signature programs and building understanding between regional food and beverage producers and consumers.

“Agriculture has always been at the heart of the Calgary Stampede,” said Joel Cowley, Calgary Stampede Chief Executive Officer. “Grape wine is one of Canada’s highest value-added agricultural products and we are proud to highlight its importance through a new series of events and experiences that celebrate the best in Canadian and International viticulture. The first ever Stampede Cellar Showdown was an incredible success, and we are looking forward to winning wines being featured by retailers and restaurants as well as at Calgary Stampede events throughout the year.”

The expert panel of judges was drawn from the supplier, wholesale, retail, and restaurant branches of the wine trade and were selected based on their credentials, as well as their overall knowledge and reputation within the local and national wine community. To ensure a fair, unbiased assessment, the expert judging panel was provided with no information regarding the producer of each wine and each was evaluated on its own merits, including aroma, taste, structure and overall quality.

The 2024 Stampede Cellar Showdown international wine competition champions include:

• Grand Champion - Poggio Landi Rosso di Montalcino 2020

• Reserve Grand Champion - Collard-Picard Cuvée Prestige Extra Brut Champagne NV

• Top Canadian Wine - Meyer Family Vineyards McLean Creek Road Pinot Noir 2021

• Top Value Wine - Bodegas Salentein Reserve Malbec 2020

• Top Red Wine - Osoyoos Larose Le Grand Vin 2019

• Top White Wine - Dr. Loosen Ürziger Würzgarten Riesling GG Alte Reben 2019

• Top Sparkling Wine - Nicolas Feuillatte Réserve Exclusive Brut Champagne NV

• Top Sweet Wine - Stag's Hollow Vidal Icewine 2017

• Top Fortified Wine - Ramos Pinto Quinta do Bom Retiro 20 Year Tawny

• Top Fruit/Flavoured Wine - Il Mio Gusto Hugo NV

• Top Mead - Spirit Hills Flower Winery Whitetail

The full list of medal winning wines, including Bronze, Silver, Gold and Double Gold distinctions, will be posted here in the coming days.

The Stampede Cellar Showdown is the first in a series of new Calgary Stampede wine experiences. The community will have the opportunity to celebrate the top wines of the 2024 Cellar Showdown, paired with some of the best bites provincial restauranteurs have to offer, at Stampede Cellar Uncorked. This wine and food-tasting event is coming to Stampede Park in June 2024. And, during Stampede 2024, the best of the Cellar Showdown wines will be featured at multiple venues on Stampede Park, including the new Stampede Cellar Wine Garden. Guests are invited to enjoy the greatest wines on earth at The Greatest Outdoor Show on Earth, July 5-14, 2024!

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.

For more information, please contact:
Shannon Greer
Manager, Communications & Media Relations
Calgary Stampede
T 403.585.0467
E sgreer@calgarystampede.com