Shamrock Hills Vineyard and Winery Earns Top Honors at 2025 Missouri Governor’s Cup Wine Competition

Columbia, MO – In a standout year for Missouri wine, Shamrock Hills Vineyard and Winery emerged as a major winner at the 2025 Missouri Governor’s Cup Wine Competition, held July 8–10 in Columbia. The Excelsior Springs-based winery took home several prestigious awards, including Best of Show for its Sweet Hadley Jo – Semi Dry Red and Best Varietal for its 2024 Chardonel, marking a significant milestone for the relatively young winery.

The Missouri Governor’s Cup is one of the most respected wine competitions in the state. This year, eight judges with national credentials blind-tasted a record 260 entries from across Missouri, awarding 56 gold, 116 silver, and 53 bronze medals to celebrate excellence in winemaking.

Shamrock Hills Vineyard and Winery’s 2025 Governor’s Cup Results:

• Best of Show – Sweet Hadley Jo – Semi Dry Red
• Best Varietal – 2024 Chardonel
• People’s Choice Label – Sweet Backroads White
• Gold Medals:
  • 2024 Chardonel
  • 2024 Sweet Hadley Jo
  • 2024 Sweet Backroads White
  • 2024 Vignoles
  • 2024 Chambourcin
• Silver Medals:
  • 2023 County Cavan Red
  • 2023 Reserve Chambourcin
  • 2023 Reserve Norton
  • 2024 Valvin Muscat
• Bronze Medals:
  • 2023 Chardonel Reserve
  • 2024 Crimson Cabernet
  • 2024 Shamrock Rosé

Owners Mike and Denise Riley were thrilled with the recognition.

“We are both honored and excited to have received these awards at the 2025 Missouri Governor’s Cup Wine Competition,” said Mike and Denise Riley, owners of Shamrock Hills Vineyard and Winery. “As a newer winery, we deeply appreciate the support and guidance from Missouri’s established winemakers and industry leaders. Despite our geographical spread, we consider ourselves a close-knit community and value the advice and support we’ve received from the more experienced winemakers. We also want to express our gratitude to Dr. Stephan Summer, Assistant Extension Professor and State Extension Specialist for Enology at the University of Missouri Grape and Wine Institute, for his invaluable coaching.”

The Governor’s Cup brings statewide attention to the depth and diversity of Missouri winemaking. Winning wines will be featured at the 2025 Missouri State Fair in Sedalia, August 7–17, where visitors can sample and learn more about the award-winning wines from across the state.

Jim Anderson, Executive Director of the Missouri Wine & Grape Board, noted,

“It is always an honor to see the exceptional quality of wines produced in the Show Me State. Recognizing and celebrating this quality ensures Missouri wines continue to gain appreciation across the country.”

Derek Leroy of Hermannhof Winery, one of this year’s judges, echoed the importance of the event:

“The Governor’s Cup is more than a competition—it’s a valuable platform for wineries to evaluate, promote, and celebrate their craft alongside others from across Missouri.”

With sweeping wins and growing momentum, Shamrock Hills Vineyard and Winery is quickly establishing itself as one of Missouri’s must-visit wine destinations.