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MARENGO -- Fireside Winery announces a historic achievement at the 2026 Iowa State Fair Commercial Wine Competition, taking home the prestigious Governor’s Cup for its Fizzy Firefly wine and becoming the first Iowa winery to earn back-to-back Governor’s Cup victories.
The award follows Fireside’s 2025 Governor’s Cup win for Blu, marking an unprecedented accomplishment in Iowa’s wine industry.
Selected from 156 wines entered by 24 Iowa wineries, Fizzy Firefly was first named Best of Show Specialty Grape before ultimately being chosen as the overall Governor’s Cup winner, the competition’s highest honor and recognition of the “best of the best” Iowa wine.
“We are incredibly honored to bring the Governor’s Cup back to Fireside for a second consecutive year,” said Winemaker, Zach Bott. “Winning once is a tremendous achievement. Winning back-to-back and making Iowa wine history is truly special. We’re proud of our team and grateful to everyone who continues to support Iowa-grown and Iowa-made wines.”
In addition to the Governor’s Cup, Fireside Winery earned an impressive collection of awards across multiple categories at this year’s competition:
Gold Medal Winners
• Fizzy Firefly - Best of Show Specialty Grape and 2026 Governor’s Cup Winner
• Fireside Brianna - Tie for Best of Show Dry White
• Fireside Marquette Rosé - Best of Show Nominee
• Fireside Storyteller - Best of Show Nominee
Silver Medal Winners
• Fireside Blu
• Fireside Glo
• Fireside Rhubarb
• Fireside Sparks Sangria
Bronze Medal Winners
• FireCiders Blackberry
• FireCiders Oktoberfest
• FireCiders Strawberry Rhubarb
• Fireside Apfelwein
• Fireside Elderberry
• Fireside Hearthstone
Overall, Fireside Winery brought home 14 medals, including four Gold Medals and the competition’s
top honor.
Fairgoers will have multiple opportunities to experience Fireside’s award-winning wines during the 2026 Iowa State Fair. Fireside’s 2025 Governor’s Cup winner, Blu, has been selected as this year’s official Iowa State Fair Wine, available under the Iowa State Fair label throughout the fair. Visitors can also sample Fizzy Firefly and many of Fireside’s other award-winning wines at the Grandfather’s Barn/Iowa Wine
Experience, where the competition’s Best of Show wines and other Iowa favorites will be featured.
The Iowa State Fair runs Aug. 13-23, providing wine enthusiasts the chance to taste some of the state’s most celebrated wines and experience firsthand why Fireside Winery continues to earn statewide recognition.