Final Four & Winner - March Madness - Wine Pairing Tournament
The 2026 Champion Pairing:
2022 Trine & Black Bean Chili & Cornbread
The 2022 Trine rises to the top as a clear fan favorite—earning its place through the tournament with standout pairings and undeniable crowd appeal. Its versatility and depth truly shined alongside bold, comfort-driven flavors, proving once again why it's such a powerful pairing wine.
From the beginning, this tournament has been about more than just taste—it's about connection, experience, and discovering how perfectly wine and food can come together anytime! And in this the 2022 Trine delivered exactly that.
A well-deserved champion.
Champion Celebration
After an incredible March Madness run, the 2022 Trine with Black Bean Chili & Cornbread has taken the crown! To Celebrate, we're offering complimentary shipping when you purchase 3 bottles of our champion wine.
🍷 Plus, we’ll include the recipe for the winning pairing—so you can recreate the championship experience at home.
Don’t miss your chance to enjoy the wine that won it all.
Final Four: Food & Wine
The bracket was set by all who played along at home. After a competitive Elite Eight, four standout pairings remained—each bringing bold flavors, crowd appeal, and serious game-day energy. This was the first year we did a taste off in real life, the party was electric, and the pairings were fun and filling.
Matchup 1: Sauvignon Blanc vs. Trine
Flavor Story:
2024 Sauvi B with Beer Cheese & Soft Pretzels vs. 2022 Trine with Black Bean Chili & Cornbread
Bright, zesty, and refreshing vs. rich, savory, and comforting. This matchup is all about contrast—crisp acidity cutting through warm, salty indulgence or a bold blend elevating smoky, spiced flavors.
Matchup 2: Cabernet Sauvignon vs. Seven Hills Vineyard
Flavor Story:
2022 Cab Sauv with Brisket Sliders & Mustard Seed Slaw vs. 2022 Seven Hills Vineyard blend with Pimento Cheese, Crackers & Crudité
Power meets polish. Structured, full-bodied Cabernet paired with smoky, tangy BBQ goes head-to-head with an elegant, layered Cab dominate blend matched with creamy, savory bites.
Recap of Matchups
Matchup 1: 2024 Sauvignon Blanc vs 2022 Trine
Much like the high-scoring showdown between the UConn Huskies and the Illinois Fighting Illini, this pairing battle came down to the wire. Both wines delivered standout performances—one bringing crisp, refreshing energy, the other offering depth, richness and balance—keeping guests engaged and divided right up to the final vote.
In the end, it was the 2022 Trine with Black Bean Chili & Cornbread that pulled ahead. Its bold, comforting profile and perfect harmony with the warm, savory dish proved to be the difference-maker, edging out the Sauvignon Blanc in a tightly contested matchup.
Matchup 2: 2022 Cabernet Sauvignon vs 2022 Seven Hills Vineyard
This matchup played out much like a dominant performance from the Michigan Wolverines—confident, controlled, and never really in doubt. From the first pour, the 2022 Cabernet Sauvignon with BBQ Brisket Sliders & Mustard Seed Slaw established itself as the clear favorite, delivering a powerful, crowd-pleasing experience that set the tone early and never let up.
While the Seven Hills Vineyard blend showed its elegance and complexity, the pairing had some unexpected heat that like Arizona Wildcats hindered the rhythm and balance that this one was unable to recover from.
