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For over 1,000 years, civilizations have produced quality wine in the Tokaj region of modern-day Hungary. This area’s deep winemaking history and cultural significance in Central Europe have led it to be listed as one of the country’s eight UNESCO World Heritage Sites.
The most revered wine from this area is Tokaji wine, a sweet dessert wine that is even mentioned in the country’s national anthem.
The region is comprised of 5,500 hectares of vineyards stretching across 27 municipalities, with volcanic soil that provides the ideal conditions for grapes to develop noble rot, a fermentation process characteristic of Tokaji wine that contributes to its distinct taste.
Today, these vineyards allow visitors to taste their wine straight from the source while taking in the views of Hungary’s historic rolling hills.
Here are a few of the vineyards that make Hungary’s Tokaj Wine Region special:
Exploring Tokaj is not only a journey through one of the world’s most historic wine regions, but also an invitation to experience Hungary’s living cultural heritage firsthand. With its award-winning vineyards, historic estates, and unforgettable flavors, Tokaj offers travelers a truly timeless taste of Central Europe.
The Michigan Wine Collaborative (MWC) is excited to announce the 2025 Taste Michigan Governor’s Cup Competition results. This event represents Michigan’s only statewide industry driven wine competition and is an opportunity for the Michigan wine industry to unite, engage, compete, and celebrate the premium wines representative of our wine industry.
Partnering with the Beverage Testing Institute (BevTest) for the official third annual Taste Michigan Governor’s Cup Awards in 2025, MWC is thrilled to announce the exciting results from the competition. BevTest spent April and May conducting a series of professional blind tastings to rate and rank a set of Michigan-produced wines, meads, and ciders at the BevTest Chicago testing facility.
The final tasting results with all wine’s scores, medal ranks, constructive criticism, Best of Category, Governor’s Case Winners, and Governor’s Cup winners can be found on the Taste Michigan website now.
The Michigan Governor’s Cup winner for 2025 is Cherry Creek Cellars, of the River Raisin Wine Trail with their 2023 Charamar Collection Pinot Noir. This wine ranked the highest out of 154 entries from 33 wineries submitted to the competition.
We are pleased to announce the following award categories and corresponding ‘Best of Category’ awards:
Governor’s Case Winners (top 5 red, top 5 white, top sparkling, top rosé):
Wineries and wines with their medal ranks are now listed on the Taste Michigan website. In partnership with the Taste Michigan brand, MWC will be coordinating events and promotional opportunities for the winning wines of the competition including a prestigious award ceremony where we will gather to transfer the Taste Michigan Governor’s Cup Trophy from Verterra Winery to Cherry Creek Cellars.
The official trophy will be housed at the 2025 Best in Show winner tasting room for one year. MWC provides personalized plaques to signify each year’s winner. This physical award is becoming an iconic part of tasting rooms around the state for the wine industry and consumers alike.
MWC is excited and honored to be able to market Michigan wine through this event via retail and restaurant marketing projects, Taste Michigan campaigns, media opportunities, and more.
We would like to formally thank our membership for making these events and projects a reality and invite the whole of Michigan wine producers and grape growers to consider joining our organization as well as suppliers and vendors to the industry, educators, members of the trade, and all other industry affiliates and supporters. We have many opportunities available for membership and sponsorship of our organization with each allowing us to continue producing projects to increase and reinforce the Michigan grape and wine industries.
Join or Sponsor the Michigan Wine Collaborative Here!
The Michigan Wine Collaborative is the voice of the Michigan wine industry. Our mission is to enhance the sustainability and profitability of the Michigan wine industry by supporting wineries, growers and other businesses and individuals connected to the industry – today and for future generations.
For more information, contact us by reaching out to info@michiganwinecollaborative.com or send us a message on social media.
Annual Awards Program Recognizes the World’s Best Wine Lists—
Special ‘Restaurant Awards’ Issue Highlights Revitalization of Steak Houses, Aged Wines for Today’s Generation
Wine Spectator, the world’s leading authority on wine, has unveiled the winners of the 2025 Restaurant Awards, which honor the world’s best restaurants for wine. This year’s awards program recognizes 3,811 dining destinations from all 50 states in the U.S. and more than 80 countries internationally.
“A wine list is a restaurant’s identity in print, and this year’s Wine Spectator Restaurant Award winners reflect both deep knowledge and a passion for discovery,” said Marvin R. Shanken, Editor and Publisher, Wine Spectator. “I proudly present the 3,811 restaurants worldwide that earned a Restaurant Award this year—we raise a glass to all our winners.”
Launched in 1981, the Restaurant Awards represent the world’s only program focused exclusively on restaurant wine service. They are assigned on three levels: the Award of Excellence, the Best of Award of Excellence and the Grand Award, with 2,010; 1,704; and 97 winners this year in each respective category.
This year, Wine Spectator has granted three new Grand Awards: Selby’s in Atherton, CA, Soby’s in Greenville, SC and Le Bon Georges in Paris, France. The Restaurant Awards issue includes exclusive profiles on each winner and the talent behind each of the wine collections that earned them this honor.
Also featured in Wine Spectator’s special Restaurant Awards issue: “What’s Old is New Again,” as restaurants place an emphasis on revisiting and uplifting tried and true classics.
The Restaurant Awards issue, which features a tribute to late Grand Award-winning American chef and restaurateur Charlie Trotter, becomes available to readers July 15th.
Follow Wine Spectator on Instagram (@wine_spectator) and use the hashtag #WSRestaurantAwards for posts about this year’s awards.
WineSpectator.com/Restaurants also features coverage of winners, interviews with leading wine directors, wine picks and pairing tips from sommeliers at award-winning programs. In the Restaurant Search, all winners can be searched by name, location, award level, cuisine, wine specialties and pricing. Winners are also profiled in the free Restaurant Awards app, available for iPhone and iPad users.
About Wine Spectator
Wine Spectator is the world’s leading authority on wine. Anchored by Wine Spectator magazine, a print publication that reaches around 3 million readers worldwide, the brand also encompasses the Web’s most comprehensive wine site (WineSpectator.com), mobile platforms and a series of signature events. Wine Spectator examines the world of wine from the vineyard to the table, exploring wine’s role in contemporary culture and delivering expert reviews. Parent company M. Shanken Communications, Inc., also publishes Cigar Aficionado, Whisky Advocate, Market Watch, Shanken News Daily and Shanken’s Impact Newsletter.
For winners in the Phoenix area.
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Chicago’s Middle Brow, nationally known for their pizza, beer, sourdough and local native wines, is opening a winery early in 2026. But for those who don’t want to wait, the Logan Square-based fermenters are popping up at PostBoy for an epic patio pour party on Sunday, July 13th, starting at 12 p.m. ET. Join them for an afternoon of sipping, snacking and sun with servings of their bakery’s signature sourdough loaves paired with PostBoy’s Chef James Galbraith’s spreads, along with generous pours of their natural wine.
And, as an added extra, a selection of Middle Brow’s wine will also be available for retail purchase to take home, along with some PostBoy merch perfect for a beachgoing summer uniform.
Middle Brow makes their beer. wine. pizza dough. and bread. entirely from sources in Illinois, Michigan, Indiana, and Wisconsin. According to their website, “given that our beverage program is over 95% made, by us, from produce and other earth’m within 150 miles of home, our menu is likely more ‘local’ than any other restaurant in the country.”
DATE: Sunday, July 13th
TIME: Beginning at noon ET
DETAILS: PostBoy is bringing Chicago’s beloved Middle Brow to New Buffalo for a patio pour party! Snack on signature sourdough loaves paired with PostBoy spreads, pours of their expressive natural wines by the glass, and a selection of bottles available for retail purchase to take home.
RESERVATIONS: Walk-ins welcome on a first-come, first-served basis. Reservations are optional and available on Tock, although outdoor seating is not promised.
National Caves and Karst Day Is June 6 … and Here’s Where to Celebrate
In a country that has a day for everything, of course there’s one set aside to pay tribute to caves. June 6 denotes National Caves and Karst Day, a celebration of those mysterious pits that humans have been exploring for generations … though not always with great success.
This year seems like a particularly good one to acknowledge America’s caves, considering that the story of what happened to one cave explorer has made it all the way to a Broadway stage in 2025. “Floyd Collins: The Musical” shares the story of the man who got trapped in a Kentucky cave in 1925 and created a media frenzy, and the show has been nominated for six Tony awards. Though things didn’t work out so well for Floyd, what happened to him prompted the National Park Service to take control of the country’s biggest cave. But more on that later …
Though today we’re fully focused on caves, it helps to understand what “karst” is, too. That’s the type of topography that’s created when rocks dissolve, and it results in features like natural bridges and sinkholes … and, of course, caves.
MBPR proudly represents destinations in two of the most “karst-y” places in the entire country, western Kentucky and the Shenandoah Valley of Virginia. Each location is home to a variety of caves, and we’re proud to work with three that are especially fascinating. We encourage you to visit them and learn what’s going on under the earth, then emerge to discover some incredible attributes outside the caves, too.
261 Caverns Road, Quicksburg
These caverns are located within the Shenandoah Valley of Virginia, a region that’s incredibly rich in limestone. There are plenty of caves to explore up and down the valley, but we’re particularly fond of Shenandoah Caverns. For starters, it’s the only cave in the state of Virginia to offer elevator service, which means it provides a chance for more people to get inside a cavern and look around. The paths are very wide and most of the ceilings are quite tall. This makes it much more “user-friendly” than caves that feature lots of steps or winding paths.
Something else that sets Shenandoah Caverns apart from most other caves in this region and around the country is the fact that it was formed by both underground rivers and seismic activity. Caves are usually formed by one of those elements or the other, not by both. And a little surprise that’s probably the caverns’ most popular feature is the presence of “cave bacon,” unique formations that looks like everyone’s favorite breakfast meat.
The caverns also just added a new display on June 1. Two years ago, researchers found skulls belonging to a prehistoric animal called the Mylohyus fossilis, or long-nosed peccary (a type of wild pig), in a remote passage in the caverns. They were able to excavate the skulls, which are now being studied, but models have been created so visitors can see what sort of creatures used to live here.
The same limestone that forms the caves also makes the Shenandoah Valley an incredible agricultural region. This part of the United States was once covered by an ancient ocean, and the remains of marine life formed the limestone. The rich soil here is perfect for growing hay, apples and grapes. And you know what comes with grapes … wine! Shenandoah County is home to eight wineries. Of these, Third Hill at DeMello Winery is closest to the caverns, but the others are located anywhere from 10 to 45 minutes away.
2818 Nashville Road, Bowling Green
Lost River Cave is the only natural underground boat tour in all of Kentucky, which is a big bragging right in a state that’s home to at least 5,000 documented caves. That means that to see inside this cave, you board a boat and take a 25-minute ride through a natural wonder.
The boat is equipped for riders of all types of mobility, so even babes in arms can get their first-ever peek at the interior of a cave.
Besides the cool boat ride and the fact that Lost River runs underneath the third largest city in Kentucky, this cave is known for its famous blue hole, which gets its color from – you guessed it – all the limestone in the area. The cave also has plenty of folklore around it … some stories true, some not so much. It has served as a hunting ground for Native Americans (true), a Civil War camp for both Union and Confederate soldiers (yep), a hideout for the outlaw Jesse James (hmmm… has it?), and the area’s most unusual nightclub (fun fact).
The singers from back in the 1930s can attest to the cave’s dramatic acoustics.
The boat tour is only a portion of what your admission ticket gets you. There’s also a complete above-ground experience that shows off the beauty of the land. There’s an array of trails and a geocaching adventure, and from Memorial Day through Labor Day, the cave’s staff also operates the Charlie Miller Butterfly Habitat.
Town of Mammoth Cave
This isn’t just an example of good marketing … the cave earned its “Mammoth” name because it’s the longest cave system in the entire world. So far, more than 400 miles have been explored, and there’s no telling what lies beyond that. Back in the early 1900s, people popped in and out of this area’s caves with reckless abandon. But an accident in the winter of 1925 at a neighboring cave – a news event referred to as the “entrapment of Floyd Collins” – led to the National Park Service taking over Mammoth Cave and putting incredible safety measures into place. That set the tone for new ways of exploring Kentucky’s “Cave Country.”
These days, Mammoth offers a variety of guided tours, ranging from those that are pretty mild (you can travel in a wheelchair) to some that are kind of wild … perhaps exploring by lantern-light or squeezing through on your hands or knees. Mammoth is an incredibly popular cave, so making a plan and booking your tour early is essential, especially in the summer months. It’s important to note that these days, everyone who enters the cave comes back out again safely, so there’s no fear of someone’s adventure turning into a Broadway musical 100 years from now.
A fun part of any cave tour is experiencing a natural wonder in the dark … but the bonus here is that you don’t have to be underground at Mammoth to do that. This national park is also an official “Dark Sky” park, meaning that the absence of city light results in some incredible stargazing.
In honor of National Caves and Karst Day, make plans to get out there – and get UNDER there – and do some exploring!
Is this small Arizona town the next Napa? Source: Phoenix New Times https://share.newsbreak.com/deeyfbk8
Let us help you find your favorite at the Indiana Wine Fair, a day-long event in historic Story, Indiana. Sample the best of Indiana’s wines while enjoying live music and perusing the arts and crafts of Hoosier and regional artisans and the offerings of local food vendors.
Featured wineries offer 1-oz samples but also sell glass pours, merch, and bottles for carry out. Some wineries claim to sell so much to become unable to open their own shops until their inventory is replenished.
That’s why it’s a privilege to continue the tradition, as experts tell us the event is directly responsible for the market growth of Indiana wines.
Support your local vintners and seize the opportunity to build your wine cellar!
Story is thrilled to announce the return and participation of:
Carousel Winery – Mitchell, Indiana
Huber’s Orchard, Wine & Vineyard – Borden, Indiana
Winzerwald Winery – Bristow, Indiana
Holtkamp Winery – New Alsace, Indiana
Easley Winery – Indianapolis, Indiana
Ertel Cellars – Batesville, Indiana
The Rejoicing Vine Winery – Indianapolis, Indiana
And more wineries:
Oliver Winery – Bloomington, Indiana
Harmony Winery – Knightstown, Indiana
Lost in the Woods Meadery – Gosport, Indiana
Range 46 Wine Co – Nashville, Indiana
Salt Creek Winery – Freetown, Indiana
And more to be announced.
Each guest receives a Story Inn keepsake wine glass, tote bag, and sample pours all afternoon. $30 presale tickets and more information are available at Indianwinefair.com
Free parking is available at Story. Free parking with free shuttle service is also available at Range 46 Wine Co in Gnaw Bone, with pickup/drop off at the Brown County CVB on Washington Street in Nashville. Shuttles run from 11am – 8pm.
| Contrary to popular belief, wine is not only made in California or France. In blind tastings, Indiana wines compete with the best because of our diverse geographic regions, climate, and soils. Decades ago, Purdue University genetically engineered grapes to thrive in harder clay soils, which have found root on the Story hillside. Tour the orchard, vineyard, and nature trail on your next visit! |
| Indiana Wine Fair 12-6pm; Comedy Show 8:30-10pm Wine Fair guests receive admission to the monthly comedy show Saturday May 31 evening from 8:30-10pm. Enjoy the afternoon wine, live music, and support local arts, crafts, and food vendors. Plan to stay for the evening comedy show/fundraiser sponsored by 812 Farms. |
Known as the “Garden of France,” the Loire Valley has a rich and varied gastronomy, garden-to-plate experiences, and unique culinary specialties. From goat cheese to Michelin-starred experiences to traditionally made vinegar to Tarte Tatin, below are some of the many quintessential culinary experiences of the Loire Valley.
In the Loire Valley, more than 170 “Maîtres Restaurateurs” utilize the local produce and ingredients of the region to create their own unique mark on the local gastronomy, while honoring traditional French art de vivre. Les Jardiniers, located in the heart of the Loire Valley’s Rabelais region along an old railway line, received its first Green Michelin Star in 2024. Chef Martin Bolaers brings a true “garden-to-plate” experience, using produce from their extensive vegetable garden and truffle farm to create creative, seasonal dishes.
The Auberge du 12ème Siècle, a 12th-century inn and restaurant located in the charming village of Saché, was awarded a Michelin star in March 2024. Led by chef Kevin Gardien, the restaurant features locally sourced ingredients and innovative cuisine served in a beautifully preserved, medieval dining room.
Culinary specialties of the Loire Valley include the famous upside-down apple tart, Tarte Tatin; slow-cooked meat from the 19th century, Tours rillettes; toasted almonds dating back to the 17th century, Pralines de Montargis; and Orléans vinegar. Orléans vinegar dates back to the Middle Ages, when the city became a hub for vinegar production due to its strategic position as a major wine trading center.
As wines were transported to Paris, some would spoil during the journey and instead of discarding these wines, local merchants in Orléans began converting them into vinegar. Today, Martin-Pouret, a master vinegar-maker since 1797, still makes the famous Orléans vinegar in its traditional method, which allows wine to ferment slowly in wooden barrels. As of October 2024, travelers can now visit Martin-Pouret’s new vinegar factory located right outside of Orléans in Boigny-sur-Bionne, which has just opened to the public for the first time. Visitors can attend workshops to see how the vinegar is made, as well as participate in cooking and mixology classes using the vinegar.
Some of the most unique wine tasting experiences in the Loire Valley take place in historic troglodyte caves. “Troglo Degusto” at Domaine des Tabourelles includes an underground tour of 22 miles of historic troglodyte galleries, located below the village of Bourré. After the underground tour, guests can try the domain’s wines along with food pairings.
At Caves Monmousseau, visitors can try sparkling wines that have been perfected for over 130 years, while experiencing a very unique art show in the underground cellars: images are illuminated on the tunnel walls, telling the story of the châteaux of the Loire through a spectacular sound and light show.
The Loire Valley is celebrated for its diverse and high-quality goat cheeses with notable varieties include Sainte-Maure-de-Touraine, recognized by its rye straw center; Selles-sur-Cher, with its ash-coated rind and hazelnut flavor; Chavignol, also known as Crottin; Valençay, a pyramid-shaped cheese; and Pouligny Saint-Pierre.
Additionally, the region has introduced Trèfle du Perche, a four-leaf clover-shaped cheese gaining popularity in the region. Open since 2019, Les Passerelles, located in Sainte-Maure-de-Touraine, is a museum dedicated to showcasing the region’s heritage and goat cheese. The museum includes an immersive experience into the world of cheese-making, showcasing the history, techniques and traditions behind the production of some of the most famous cheeses in the area.
Dana Point’s most anticipated wine weekend is almost here! California Wine Festival brings two days of premier wine tasting, gourmet food, ocean views, and live entertainment back to Orange County. The two-day festival will take place on Friday, April 25 and Saturday, April 26, 2025, at the Laguna Cliffs Marriott Resort & Spa and the Sea Terrace Park, set above the picturesque Dana Point Harbor.
Event Details
Friday, April 25 | 6:30 – 9 p.m.
Guests will enjoy a sunset wine-tasting experience featuring rare and reserve wines from top producers across California. The evening includes a sparkling wine reception, gourmet pairings, live music by Adam Lasher, and a charity auction benefiting Sandy Feet Initiative.
Saturday, April 26 | 1 – 4 p.m.
The signature outdoor tasting event features wines from 60+ California wineries, bites from top OC restaurants, and a Caribbean soundtrack from steel drum band Upstream.
Festival Highlights
California Wine Festival is a 21+ event. Tickets for California Wine Festival Dana Point are available for pre-sale here. For more information, please visit CaliforniaWineFestival.com.
California Wine Festival celebrates the fine wines and culinary offerings of California. A nationally recognized event series, it aims to showcase the beautiful wines, foods and landscapes of California. Founded in 2004 in Santa Barbara, the California Wine Festival has grown to become one of the largest outdoor wine festivals in the state. Committed to sustainability, 90% of the waste from the festivals was diverted from the landfill in 2024. The festival has also raised funds for local charities across California, including the Foodbank of Santa Barbara, Sandy Feet Initiative and more. Join us at our four coastal festivals in Dana Point, Carlsbad, Santa Barbara and Huntington Beach:
2025 Event Schedule
For more information, visit CaliforniaWineFestival.com and follow us on social media:
