LaBelle Winery Named 2025 New Hampshire Winery of the Year

Amherst, New Hampshire — The New Hampshire Liquor Commission (NHLC) has named LaBelle Winery New Hampshire Winery of the Year for 2025, recognizing the winery’s excellence in product quality and innovation and its contribution to the state’s vibrant wine industry.

The award was presented during the annual NHLC Wine & Spirits Awards, held on April 22, 2025, at The Backroom Restaurant at the Puritan in Manchester, New Hampshire. LaBelle Winery was honored for its support of the local community, innovative marketing, sales performance and work ethic.

LaBelle Winery was also named New Hampshire Winery of the Year by NHLC in 2016.

“We are tremendously honored to once again be recognized as New Hampshire’s Winery of the Year,” said Amy LaBelle, co-founder and winemaker at LaBelle Winery. “This award reflects the dedication of our entire team and our continued commitment to producing exceptional wines that showcase the best of what New Hampshire has to offer.”

Since its founding in 2005, LaBelle Winery, which has locations in Amherst and Derry, has become a cornerstone of New Hampshire’s wine industry. LaBelle is set apart by its natural winemaking approach, producing wines without the use of chemicals or additives common in conventional winemaking.

Cesar Arboleda, co-owner of LaBelle Winery, said, “This award reaffirms our mission to create exceptional wines using sustainable practices that respect both our customers and the environment. We’re proud to continue our tradition of excellence while staying true to our commitment to natural winemaking.”

The award comes at a time when consumers are more particular than ever about the products they consume, with many preferring natural, artisanal wines to mass-produced alternatives. LaBelle Winery has positioned itself as a trusted producer for these discerning wine buyers.

The winery’s commitment to sustainability can be seen in its wine production processes. LaBelle employs water conservation methods that include high-pressure, low-volume nozzles for cleaning its fermentation tanks, using 90 percent less water and 10 percent less energy than traditional cleaning methods.

LaBelle Winery composts all of its wine production biomass, and uses a lenticular wine filtering system that significantly reduces filtration time and energy consumption. LaBelle’s wine keg program, a sustainable, efficient solution for serving wine at events and throughout the winery’s venues, helps reduce packaging waste, with each 5-gallon stainless steel keg replacing 26 glass bottles, corks, and labels.

“Every decision we make, from the vineyard to the wine cellar, is a step toward a more sustainable and environmentally-conscious winemaking process,” says Melaney Shepherd, winemaker alongside founder Amy LaBelle.

Both LaBelle and Arboleda say exceptional wines can be produced in any region given proper viticultural techniques. They believe that the winemaker’s methodological approach, including scientific precision, artisanal craftsmanship and technical expertise, are the primary factors determining a wine’s quality, as opposed to its geographic origin, offering an alternative perspective to traditional views of established wine regions.

About LaBelle Winery:

LaBelle Winery has provided guests with award-winning wines since its founding in 2005. Since 2012, when its flagship facility opened in Amherst, the winery has offered outstanding cuisine, entertainment and venues for private events and weddings. LaBelle’s Amherst location is home to the winery’s production facility, The Bistro restaurant, a tasting room and wine and gift shop.

LaBelle’s Derry location opened in 2021. The Derry property is home to Americus restaurant, golf and mini-golf courses, an event center and a market offering prepared food and beverages. A tasting room and a sparkling wine production facility opened in Derry in May 2022.

Along with award-winning wines, LaBelle has created a gourmet culinary product line called The Winemaker’s Kitchen. Products are currently available at both of the winery’s locations.

LaBelle Winery Amherst is located at 345 Route 101 in Amherst, New Hampshire.

LaBelle Winery Derry is located at 14 Route 111, Derry, New Hampshire.

Visit LaBelleWinery.com for directions and hours of operation.

For questions or media inquiries email michelle@labellewinery.com