We’re thrilled to share some big news from the world of wine competitions: our beloved Prairie Fumé has just been awarded a Double Gold Medal at the 2025 Finger Lakes International Wine & Spirits Competition.
For us, this is more than just an award—it’s a celebration of the quality, care, and craftsmanship that go into every bottle we make here in Prairie du Sac.
The Finger Lakes competition, held annually in Rochester, New York, is one of the most prestigious in North America, drawing over 1,600 entries from wineries across the globe. Each wine is blind-judged by panels of experienced sommeliers, winemakers, and industry professionals.
So what does Double Gold mean? It’s not just gold—it’s unanimous gold. Every judge on the panel agreed that Prairie Fumé stood out as exceptional and remarkably distinctive. They described it as “vibrant, clean, expressive, and flavorful.” We couldn’t have said it better ourselves.
As Céline Coquard Lenerz, our head winemaker, put it: “Winning Double Gold for Prairie Fumé is a powerful statement that Wisconsin wines can stand among the best in the world. It’s a proud moment not just for our team, but for the entire Wisconsin wine community.”
That sense of pride extends beyond Prairie Fumé. We were also honored with several other medals at the competition:
- Gold Medal – Port Rosé from our sister winery, Cedar Creek Winery
- Silver Medal – St. Pepin 2023
- Silver Medal – Prairie Sunburst 2024
One of the things we admire most about the Finger Lakes competition is that it benefits Camp Good Days, a nonprofit dedicated to children and families affected by cancer. That makes these awards feel even more meaningful.
For over fifty years, Wollersheim has worked to elevate cold-climate winemaking in Wisconsin. Prairie Fumé has long been a favorite here in the state, and now it’s shining on the international stage.
Thanks for celebrating this moment with us. Whether you’ve been sipping Prairie Fumé for years or are just discovering it, we can’t wait to share a glass with you soon.