The journey to this year's Stampede Cellar Uncorked began with the Stampede Cellar Showdown in March. From bold reds to crisp whites, Canadian wines made a powerful statement at the Showdown, earning top marks in a global field of entries, with each judged completely blind.
The Stampede Cellar Showdown wine competition brought together wines from around the world in a professionally judged competition recognizing excellence across various styles and categories.
The 2025 Grand Champion title was awarded to British Columbia’s CedarCreek Estate Winery for its 2021 VQA Chardonnay, with the winery’s 2020 VQA Cabernet Merlot also named Top Canadian Wine. It’s a huge win not only for CedarCreek, but for Canada’s wine industry as a whole. Judged double-blind, judges only knew the style and varietal of the wines and not the label or country of origin, making this year’s results a showcase of the true strength and sophistication of Canadian winemaking on an international stage.
“Winning Grand Champion at such a prestigious event, especially in our own backyard, means the world to us,” said Andres Galvez Pizzaro, Winemaker at CedarCreek Estate Winery. “We’re proud to represent what Canadian wine can be: world-class, expressive and deeply connected to the land. At CedarCreek Estate Winery, everything we do is rooted in sustainable farming, thoughtful winemaking, and represents the spirit of the Okanagan Valley."
For the first time, two new Canadian-specific awards were introduced: Top Canadian Wine and Top Canadian Value Wine. But in a surprising twist, Canadian wines also claimed Top Overall Value Wine, awarded to Hester Creek Estate Winery’s 2022 Cabernet Merlot, while Mission Hill Reserve’s 2021 VQA Meritage earned Top Canadian Value honours.
“Canadian wines didn’t just step up at the Stampede Cellar Showdown—they stole the show,” says Matthew Protti, Stampede Wine Committee Chair. “It’s an exciting moment to see our homegrown talent thrive in a meticulously controlled competition, proving that Canada’s wines aren’t just contenders, they’re champions.”
Recent Stories
A New View of the Infield: Inside the Corona Skydeck at Stampede 2026
March 4, 2026When the Calgary Stampede returns in 2026, guests will see a new addition rising above the infield at GMC Stadium. Located atop the new North Infield Building, currently under construction, the Corona Skydeck introduces a new way to experience the Rodeo and Evening Show—one designed around energy, connection, and a rooftop atmosphere unlike anything the Stampede has offered before.
80 Years of the Calgary Stampede Crown
March 4, 2026The tradition of the Calgary Stampede Royalty was born from a moment of pure spontaneity in 1946. Stampede Arena Director Jack Dillon saw 20-year-old Patsy Rodgers lead a string of horses to the river for a drink when he realized he’d found exactly what the Stampede needed: an ambassador who could carry the spirit of the Stampede beyond the grounds. Rodgers became the first Stampede Queen.
From Vine to Victory: Stampede Cellar Showdown Puts Agriculture in the Glass
February 27, 2026Now entering its third year, the Stampede Cellar Showdown International Wine Competition highlights how wine belongs within the agricultural traditions of the Calgary Stampede.