Rolling Forks Vineyards Earns High Marks from Wine Enthusiast and Sweeps Awards at International Cold Climate Wine Competition
Minnesota Winery Recognized with Top Honors from Two Prestigious Publications
August 29, 2025 (Glenwood, MN) — Rolling Forks Vineyards, a premier winery located in the hills overlooking Lake Minnewaska, is proud to announce two recent major achievements: a series of prestigious ratings from the Wine Enthusiast Buying Guide and an impressive showing at the International Cold Climate Wine Competition. These back-to-back honors underscore the winery’s commitment to producing exceptional wines exclusively from their estate-grown cold-hardy grape varietals.
Five of the winery’s wines were featured in the Wine Enthusiast Buying Guide, with scores ranging from 88 to 91 points. The highest honors were awarded to the 2023 Allegro, which received an “Excellent” rating of 91 points, and the 2021 Melodia, which also earned an “Excellent” rating of 90 points. Three additional wines—the 2023 Lady Slipper La Crescent (89 points), the 2022 Frontenac Blanc Reserve (88 points), and the 2022 Rolling Red (88 points)—were all rated “Very Good.”
In addition to the critical acclaim from Wine Enthusiast, Rolling Forks Vineyards secured an impressive twelve medals at the recent International Cold Climate Wine Competition. The event, dedicated to recognizing the finest wines made from cold-hardy grapes, awarded the winery three coveted Double Gold medals, two of which were also named “Best of Class.”
The shining stars from the competition are:
- Allegro 2024 Minnesota Brianna – Double Gold, Best of Class
- Delicato 2023 Minnesota Dry Rosé – Double Gold, Best of Class
- Lady Slipper 2024 Minnesota La Crescent – Double Gold
- Lady of the Lake 2024 Minnesota La Crescent – Gold
- Love Struck NV Minnesota Sparkling – Gold
“We are incredibly honored to be recognized by a publication as respected as Wine Enthusiast and to have our wines perform so well at a competition specifically for cold-climate varietals,” said Melanie Cihlar, Co-Founder of Rolling Forks Vineyards. “These awards validate our passion and hard work in the vineyard and the cellar. Our goal has always been to create world-class wines that tell the story of our unique Minnesota terroir, and this recognition affirms the potential of our cold-hardy grapes.”
The Wine Enthusiast reviews highlighted the unique and compelling character of each wine: Allegro was praised as “my first Brianna wine, and after a few sips, I’m inclined to seek out more.” Melodia was noted for its “jammiest cherry aroma this side of Smucker’s.” Lady Slipper La Crescent was likened to a “Swiss white wine” with “supremely floral” notes. Frontenac Blanc Reserve was described as a “creamy reserve wine” and a “tropical paradise.” Rolling Red evoked “a summertime drive in the country” with scents of “a dusty road, baked apples and wild lavender.”
Rolling Forks Vineyards was founded by Joe and Melanie Cihlar, who planted their first vineyard in 2010. The winery is named after neighboring Rolling Forks Township and is celebrated for its gently rolling hills and breathtaking views. They currently manage 18 acres of cold-hardy grape varieties, with all of their grape wines made with fruit grown in Pope County, Minnesota.
Melanie and Joe embody the passion and vision of the next generation of wine professionals. They established the winery not for fame or fortune, but for the love of the craft—a commitment that shines through in their award-winning wines. In a challenging industry facing new hurdles like climate change, rising costs, and evolving consumers, their work in the vineyard and cellar demonstrates how innovation and dedication can produce world-class wines that truly capture a sense of place. Their success is proof that passion, paired with skill, is the key to creating a lasting mark in the wine world.
The winery invites guests to “Sip, Relax and Enjoy” the scenic beauty and exceptional wines.
The full reviews and scores are available on the Wine Enthusiast website. The award-winning wines are available for purchase at the Rolling Forks Vineyards tasting room and online at rollingforksvineyards.com.
About Rolling Forks Vineyards
Rolling Forks Vineyards is a family-owned winery located in Glenwood, Minnesota, committed to crafting high-quality wines from cold-hardy grape varietals. The winery offers stunning views, a welcoming tasting room, and a variety of wines that capture the essence of the Minnesota terroir. For more information, visit rollingforksvineyards.com.
