Four Daughters Vineyard & Winery received a gold medal in one of the largest wine competitions in the U.S.

The business took gold in the Finger Lakes International Wine Competition for its 2013 Marquette. Roughly 3,500 wines from all 50 states and 20 countries were entered. Four Daughters’ Marquette was the only Minnesota wine to win a gold medal.

The Marquette grape, created by the University of Minnesota grape breeding program, is a cousin of Frontenac and grandson of Pinot Noir. Finished Marquette wines are complex, with attractive ruby color, pronounced tannins and desirable notes of cherry, berry, black pepper and spice on both the nose and palate.

Four Daughters’ 2013 Marquette is grown in Minnesota and aged in Minnesota oak.

“Many believe that the Marquette grape will put Minnesota wines on the map,” said winemaker Justin Osborne. “Good showings in big international competitions like this one certainly help do that.”

Four Daughters Vineyard and Winery, just east of Grand Meadow on Highway 16, had five wines win awards in this competition, including Edelweiss, Sparkling Moscato, Marechal Foch and Brianna.