David Coons, a wine maker at the Winery at Versailles, shows off the six wines that recently won medals in the Mid-American Wine Competition held July 10-12. They are, from left, Petite Sirah (gold), Schwartzbeeren (silver), Darke Red (bronze), Pinot Grigio (bronze), Rodeo Red (gold) and Cabernet Sauvignon (bronze).

A wide array of medals marking a history of award-winning wines adorns the ceiling at the Winery at Versailles.

These six wines were awarded medals at the Mid-American Wine Competition held July 10-12. They are, from left, Petite Sirah (gold), Schwartzbeeren (silver), Darke Red (bronze), Pinot Grigio (bronze), Rodeo Red (gold) and Cabernet Sauvignon (bronze).

By Rachel Lloyd

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VERSAILLES — Yet again, the Winery at Versailles has made an impressive showing at competition, with six out of eight wines entered winning medals at the 2015 Mid-American Wine Competition.

The Winery at Versailles received two gold medals, a silver medal and three bronze medals in the ninth annual Mid-American Wine Competition, held at the Des Moines Area Community College campus in Ankeny, Iowa.

Rodeo Red took the gold medal in the category of blends in which a red native American variety is the primary grape. The Petite Sirah won gold in the Petite Sirah category.

Rodeo Red is the winery’s all-time best-selling wine, with a blend of Concord and Niagara grapes for a “unique grapey sweetness,” according to the winery’s wine list.

The WAV Petite Sirah is a dry wine described as “bold with great brambleberry flavors and rich tobacco leaf.”

Bringing home the silver in the blackberry category was Schwartzbeeren, described in the WAV wine list as “blackberry pie in a glass.”

Taking the bronze were Pinot Grigio, in the Pinot Gris (Grigio) category; Cabernet Sauvignon, in the Cabernet Souvignon category; and Darke Red, the category for blends in which a red hybrid is the primary grape.

“The quality of Midwestern wines continues to improve,” said Bob Foster, director of the Mid-American Wine Competition (MAWC). These are high quality wines that wine lovers should seek out and try.”

The competition was held July 10-12 and included wines from 12 Midwestern states. Professional wine judges from throughout the United States awarded 95 gold medals, 167 silver medals, and 167 bronze medals. Full results can be found at www.midamericanwine.org.

“This marks the ninth consecutive year of the MAWC and we have had the distinction of watching the local wine industry develop into a great representation of our region,” said Chief Judge Doug Frost, of Kansas City. “The wine industry throughout the Midwest has evolved into tourist destinations, where wine enthusiasts visit local wineries. This helps the local economy and area wine industry.”

The judges were selected by Frost, who has earned both the coveted Master of Wine degree and the Master Sommelier title. The judges, who have over 200 years of cumulative experience, are experts in wine production, service and distribution.

The Winery at Versailles also has earned medals at the East Meets West – International Eastern Wine Competition, the Florida State Fair International Wine Competition and the Ohio Wine Competition so far this year.

“We have a good representation of everything from the sweet to the dry,” said David Coons, a wine maker at the Winery at Versailles.