LEELANAU COUNTY, Mich. Harmony Estate Wineries of Leelanau is celebrating an outstanding 2025 competition season, with Bel Lago Winery and French Valley Vineyard earning 11 gold medals across four national and statewide competitions. The highlight came at the New York International Wine Competition, where French Valley Vineyard was named Leelanau Winery of the Year.
French Valley's Cloud 9 also earned Gold at the New York International Wine Competition with 95 points, the highest score of the season across the portfolio. At the American Fine Wine Competition, Bel Lago's 2023 Auxerrois Moreno Vineyard and 2020 Pinot Noir Moreno Reserve each earned Double Gold with 94 points.
"Every one of these wines starts in the vineyard," said Blake Lougheed, Head Winemaker for Harmony Estate Wineries of Leelanau. "Pinot Noir and Auxerrois are not easy grapes to grow this far north. To see them stand out on a national stage, and to see French Valley named Leelanau Winery of the Year, is a credit to our whole team and to this peninsula."
Across Harmony Estate's portfolio, the 2025 results included two Double Gold medals, a Best of Class award, two Best of Category awards and eight Gold medals from the American Fine Wine Competition, the Michigan Governor's Cup, the San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition and the New York International Wine Competition.
Bel Lago Winery
2023 Auxerrois Moreno Vineyard: Double Gold, 94 points (American Fine Wine Competition)
2020 Pinot Noir Moreno Reserve: Double Gold, 94 points (American Fine Wine Competition)
2022 Semi-Dry Riesling: Best of Class, 91 points (American Fine Wine Competition); Gold, 90 points (Michigan Governor's Cup)
2023 Late Harvest Riesling: Best of Category and Gold, 93 points (Michigan Governor's Cup)
2020 Pinot Noir Reserve: Gold, 92 points (Michigan Governor's Cup)
French Valley Vineyard
Leelanau Winery of the Year (New York International Wine Competition)
Cloud 9: Gold, 95 points (New York International Wine Competition)
Vignoles: Best of Category and Gold, 92 points (Michigan Governor's Cup)
2023 Pinot Blanc: Gold, 91 points (Michigan Governor's Cup); Gold (San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition)
2023 Chardonnay Late Harvest: Gold (San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition)
The awards reflect Harmony Estate Wineries of Leelanau's commitment to wines that show the true character of Northern Michigan. From cool climate whites like Auxerrois and Pinot Blanc to estate Pinot Noir and late harvest Riesling, the portfolio shows both quality and range.
"Leelanau has always been a special place to grow grapes," said the Harmony Estate leadership team. "Seeing both of our wineries recognized on national stages, and French Valley named Leelanau Winery of the Year, is a proud moment for everyone who works in our vineyards, cellars and tasting rooms."
Each of these competitions evaluates wines through professional blind tastings, with only the highest scoring wines earning top honors. Award winning wines are available in the tasting rooms at Bel Lago Winery and French Valley Vineyard and online at [website], while supplies last.
About Harmony Estate Wineries of Leelanau
Harmony Estate Wineries of Leelanau is home to Bel Lago Winery, French Valley Vineyard and recently added Dune Bird Winery to the portfolio, along with North Farm, where most of the portfolio's grapes are grown. Together, the wineries celebrate the diversity of Michigan wine through sustainable farming, estate grown fruit and memorable guest experiences across the Leelanau Peninsula. Harmony Estate is SIP Certified and a member of MAEPE.