About the Competition
CAVE’s Amateur Winemakers Competition is held every year to encourage amateur winemakers and is open to any amateur home winemaker. The Competition will be run by Monty Haltiner. Monty has over 20 years of experience in the adult beverage industry in Colorado. He became a Certified Sommelier through the Court of Master Sommeliers in 2007. From 2010 to 2011, he served as a retail representative of the Colorado Wine Industry Development Board, appointed by Governor Bill Ritter. He has volunteered to run the Wine Aroma Wheel at the Colorado Mountain Festival and has judged amateur and professional wine competitions for several years. Monty has been a CAVE Board member since 2015.
Judging is done by blind tasting. Entrants will receive written comments from judges. An Awards Presentation will be held in conjunction with the VinCO Conference and Trade Show (VinCO Registration is not included with competition entry) Amateur winemakers and their guests are invited to attend the Reception, panel discussion, and luncheon free of charge.
Amateur Winemaker Results
View the 2023 Competition Results!
View the 2022 Competition Results!
View the 2021 Competition Results!
View the 2020 Competition Results!
View the 2019 Competition Results!
View the 2018 Competition Results!
View the 2017 Competition Results!
2024 Amateur Winemakers Competition Results
BEST OF SHOW
Kathleen Ondrus ● 2023 ● Souzao
GOLD
Jimmy Kopp ● 2023 ● Petite Syrah
Kathleen Ondrus ● 2023 ● Souzou
Kathleen Ondrus ● 2023 ● Riesling
Greg Stricker ● 2023 ● Seyval Blanc
SILVER
Shad Dirks ● 2023 ● Syrah
Lee Gallegos ● 2023 ● Chambourcin
Lee Gallegos ● 2023 ● Cabernet Sauvignon
Chuck Gower & Cheryl DiPanfilo ● 2018 ● Cabernet Sauvignon
Chuck Gower & Cheryl DiPanfilo ● 2021 ● Cabernet Sauvignon
Kevin Harney ● 2023 ● Try That in a Small Town
Kevin Harney ● 2022 ● I Heard it Through the Grape Vine
Dwight Kinnes ● 2023 ● Rose’ of Chambourcin
Len Kusovac ● 2023 ● Rita Viognier
Kathleen Ondrus ● 2023 ● Cab Dore’
Kathleen Ondrus ● 2023 ● Melbec
Kathleen Ondrus ● 2023 ● Muscat Dore’
Kathleen Ondrus ● 2023 ● Muscat Canelli
Christian Reece ● 2024 ● White Zin
Chris & Delores Scott ● 2024 ● Peach Riesling
Greg Stricker ● 2023 ● Viognier
BRONZE
Andrew Boal ● 2023 ● Rochoso Peach
Andrew Boal ● 2023 ● Midsummer Dreams
Andrew Boal ● 2023 ● Rochoso Strawberry
Andrew Boal ● 2023 ● Around Midnight
Andrew Boal ● 2023 ● Rochoso Blackberry
Tristan Broadbent ● 2022 ● Eyee Cosmos
David Butler ● 2023 ● Itasca
Shad Dirks ● 2020 ● Red Blend
BRONZE (continued)
Shad Dirks ● 2022 ● Outlaw Marquette
Ron Faleide ● 2022 ● Brake Light AC
Ron Faleide ● 2022 ● Red Light Red
Ron Faleide ● NV ● Red Light Red
Bryce Frazee ● 2023 ● Traditional Mead
Bryce Frazee ● 2024 ● Lavender Rosemary
Bryce Frazee ● 2024 ● Nanking Cherry
Chuck Gower & Cheryl DiPanfilo ● 2021 ● Pinot Noir
Chuck Gower & Cheryl DiPanfilo ● 2019 ● Cabernet Sauvignon/Zinfandel
Chuck Gower & Cheryl DiPanfilo ● 2019 ● Cabernet Sauvignon
Kevin Harney ● 2022 ● The Port Streets
Kimawio Harrison ● 2023 ● Chambourcin
Kimawio Harrison ● 2023 ● Plum Fruit
Dwight Kinnes ● 2023 ● Merlot
Dwight Kinnes ● 2023 ● Cabernet Franc
Dwight Kinnes ● 2023 ● Albariño
Donelson Lawry ● 2022 ● Petite Pearl, Bordeaux
Donelson Lawry ● 2022 Petite Pearl EC1118
Donelson Lawry ● 2020 ● Cab Frank
Kathleen Ondrus ● 2020 ● Cabernet Sauvignon
Kathleen Ondrus ● 2022 ● Cabernet Sauvignon
Kathleen Ondrus ● 2023 ● Albariño
Kathleen Ondrus ● 2023 ● Traminette
Kathleen Ondrus ● 2023 ● Syrah
Kathleen Ondrus ● 2023 ● Cab Franc
Bob Roukema ● 2024 ● Itasca
Chris & Delores Scott ● 2024 ● Blueberry Wine
Chris & Delores Scott ● 2024 ● Cherry Raspberry Kool-Aid
Rob & Jane Scribner ● 2022 ● Red Blend
Rob & Jane Scribner● 2022 ● Cab Franc/Malbec
Rob & Jane Scribner ● 2022 ● Tempranillo
Greg Stricker ● 2018 ● Norton Bin 1
Greg Stricker ● 2021 ● Black Raspberry
Greg Stricker ● 2023 ● Traminette
Kevin Yu ● 2023 ● Cabernet Franc