Virginia's 2018 Governor's Cup Gold Medalists Announced

/
Photo from VAWine.org

Photo from VAWine.org

VA wines awarded highest number of gold medals in one of US' toughest wine competitions

By Susan Able, Edible DC

The finalists for the VA Governor's Cup were announced Friday, Feb. 8 and it was a big year to shine for whites, chardonnay and the iconic Virginia expressions of viognier and Petite Manseng. 

Considered to be one of the toughest wine competitions in the country, there was a total of 442 entries of red and white wines, from 100 different Virginia wineries. According to a release from the Virginia Wineries Association, "Ninety-nine of the wines scored a 90 or higher on a 100-point score range. This is the highest number of gold medals ever received for this prestigious competition." 

Virginia Governor Ralph Northam will announce the overall winner of the Governor’s Cup at the Virginia Governor’s Cup Gala on February 27, in Richmond. The 12 top scoring red and white wines will make up the 2018 Governor’s Cup Case®, which is used to market and promote Virginia wines to top wine critics and tastemakers.

Jay Youmans, Master of Wine and founder of DC's Capital Wine School, is the Judging Director for the Governor's Cup. He said of this year's competition, “There are several factors that contributed to this banner year for the Virginia Governor’s Cup. Several judges commented that the white wines really stood out this year. In addition, the overall caliber of wines were outstanding. The scores of wines that were sent to the final round of judging from the preliminary round were on average, two points higher than in previous years. This is a significant difference. Combined, the end result is an exceptional year for wines in this competition.”

Lucie Morton will receive that 2018 Virginia Wine Lifetime Achievement Award. Ms. Morton, a Virginia-based author, viticulturist, ampelographer, lecturer, consultant, and research collaborator. Based in Virginia, Morton studied viticulture in Europe, but has gained her experience in Virginia working as a vineyard manager on her family’s farm in King George County and has become one of the most important consultants to the region's wine industry. She has worked with Black Ankle, Sugarloaf and Boxwood Wineries on vineyard management. She's currently working with scientists to improve soils and better understand the impact of fungi on fruit clusters.

Frank Britt, the original publisher of the online magazine and e-newsletter, Official Virginia Wine Lover, will be posthumously named 2018 Virginia Wine Person of the Year. Mr. Britt, a businessman from Lynchburg, passed away in May 2017 and was a passionate promoter of the Virginia wine industry. His wife will accept the award on his behalf. 

Tayloe Dameron, owner of Upper Shirley Vineyards, winner of a Gold Medal for their 2015 Tannat. 

Tayloe Dameron, owner of Upper Shirley Vineyards, winner of a Gold Medal for their 2015 Tannat. 

2018 Governor’s Cup Gold Medalists

  • 868 Estate Vineyards, Cabernet Franc Reserve, Cabernet Franc, 2015
  • 868 Estate Vineyards, Meritage Reserve, Meritage, 2015
  • Afton Mountain Vineyards, Chardonnay Estate Reserve, Chardonnay, 2016
  • Afton Mountain Vineyards, Tradition, Meritage, 2016
  • Barboursville Vineyards, Octagon, Meritage, 2012
  • Barboursville Vineyards, Paxxito, Dessert, 2013
  • Barboursville Vineyards, Paxxito, Dessert, 2014
  • Barboursville Vineyards, Octagon, Meritage, 2014
  • Barboursville Vineyards, Octagon, Meritage, 2015
  • Barboursville Vineyards, Vermentino Reserve, Vermentino, 2016
  • Bluestone Vineyard, Inc., Cadenza, Meritage, 2014
  • Bluestone Vineyard, Inc., Petit Manseng, Petit Manseng, 2016
  • Bold Rock Hard Cider, Crimson Red Vintage Dry, Cider, NV
  • Bozzo Family Vineyards LLC, 2nd Act, Meritage, 2016
  • Breaux Vineyards, Meritage, Meritage, 2015
  • Breaux Vineyards, Nebbiolo, Nebbiolo, 2015
  • Casanel Vineyards & Winery, Petit Verdot, Petit Verdot, 2015
  • Castle Hill Cider, Serendipity, Cider, 2016
  • Chateau Morrisette, 2015 Petit Verdot, Petit Verdot, 2015
  • Chisholm Vineyards at Adventure Farms, Viognier2016, Viognier, 2016
  • Cooper Vineyards,53rd Winery and Vineyard Petit Verdot, Petit Verdot, 2015
  • CrossKeys Vineyards, Ali d'Oro, Dessert, 2015
  • Doukenie Winery, Petit Verdot, Petit Verdot, 2015
  • Doukenie Winery, Vintner's Reserve, Meritage, 2015
  • Doukenie Winery, Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Franc, 2015
  • Ducard Vineyards, Petit Verdot, Petit Verdot, 2014
  • Ducard Vineyards, Signature Viognier, Viognier, 2016
  • Early Mountain Vineyards, Eluvium 2014, Meritage, 2014
  • Early Mountain Vineyards, Eluvium 2015, Meritage, 2015
  • Early Mountain Vineyards, Quaker Run Chardonnay, Chardonnay, 2015
  • Early Mountain Vineyards, Chardonnay 2016, Chardonnay2016
  • Early Mountain Vineyards, Novum 2015, Meritage, 2015
  • Effingham Manor & Winery, Tannat, Tannat, 2014
  • Flying Fox Vineyard, Trio, Meritage, 2015
  • Flying Fox Vineyard, Viognier, Viognier, 2016
  • Fox Meadow Winery, Le Renard Rouge, Meritage, 2015
  • Glen Manor Vineyards, Hodder Hill, Meritage, 2013
  • Glen Manor Vineyards, Hodder Hill, Meritage, 2014
  • Glen Manor Vineyards, Hodder Hill, Meritage, 2015
  • Granite Heights Winery, Lomax Reserve, Meritage, 2012
  • Ingleside Vineyards, Virginia Gold, Meritage, 2014
  • Ingleside Vineyards, Left Bank, Meritage, 2014
  • Jefferson Vineyards, LP, Meritage, Meritage, 2014
  • Jefferson Vineyards, LP, Viognier, Viognier, 2015
  • Jefferson Vineyards, LP, Viognier, Viognier, 2016
  • Keswick Vineyards. Cabernet Franc Estate Reserve, Cabernet Franc, 2016
  • King Family Vineyards, Meritage, Meritage, 2014
  • King Family Vineyards, Mountain Plains, Meritage, 2015
  • King Family Vineyards, Loreley, Dessert, 2015
  • King Family Vineyards, Viognier (Small Batch Series), Viognier, 2016
  • King Family Vineyards. Chardonnay, Chardonnay, 2016
  • Lost Creek Winery, Reserve Chardonnay, Chardonnay, 2015
  • Michael Shaps Wineworks, Michael Shaps L. Scott, Tannat blend, 2013
  • Michael Shaps Wineworks, Michael Shaps Meritage, Meritage, 2014
  • Michael Shaps Wineworks, Michael Shaps Petit Verdot, Petit Verdot, 2015
  • Michael Shaps Wineworks, Michael Shaps L. Scott, Tannat blend, 2015
  • Michael Shaps Wineworks, Michael Shaps Petit Manseng, Petit Manseng, 2015
  • Michael Shaps Wineworks, Michael Shaps Chardonnay. Chardonnay, 2015
  • Michael Shaps Wineworks, Michael Shaps Meritage., Meritage, 2015
  • Michael Shaps Wineworks, Michael Shaps Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Franc, 2015
  • Michael Shaps Wineworks, Michael Shaps Petit Manseng, Petit Manseng, 2016
  • Mountain and Vine Vineyards and Winery, dba Delfosse Vineyards and Winery, Grand Cru Reserve Meritage 2016
  • Muse Vineyards, Thalia, Marsanne, Roussanne, and Viognier, 2016
  • Naked Mountain Vineyard, Tannat, Tannat, 2016
  • Narmada Winery, Yash Vir, Meritage, 2014
  • North Gate Vineyard, Petit Verdot, Petit Verdot, 2015
  • Paradise Springs Winery, PVT, Tannat blend, 2013
  • Paradise Springs Winery, Meritage, Meritage, 2015
  • Paradise Springs Winery, Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Franc. 2015
  • Paradise Springs Winery, Petit Manseng, Petit Manseng, 2016
  • Paradise Springs Winery, Chardonnay, Chardonnay, 2016
  • Pearmund Cellars, Ameritage Reserve, Meritage, 2015
  • Pearmund Cellars, Petit Manseng, Petit Manseng, 2016
  • Pippin Hill Farm & Vineyards, Vintner's Meritage Reserve, Meritage, 2013
  • Pippin Hill Farm & Vineyards, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Sauvignon, 2015
  • Pippin Hill Farm & Vineyards, Merlot Reserve, Merlot, 2015
  • Pippin Hill Farm & Vineyards, Viognier, Viognier, 2016
  • Pollak Vineyards, Meritage, Meritage, 2013
  • Pollak Vineyards, Meritage, Meritage, 2014
  • Pollak Vineyards, Cabernet Franc Reserve, Cabernet Franc, 2015
  • Potomac Point Winery, Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Franc, 2016
  • Stinson Vineyards, Chardonnay, Chardonnay, 2015
  • Tarara Winery, Nevaeh Red, Merlot/Syrah Blend, 2015
  • Thistle Gate Vineyard LLC, Petit Verdot, Petit Verdot, 2015
  • Trump Winery, Sparkling Blanc de Noir 2012, Sparkling, 2012
  • Two Twisted Posts Winery LLC, Thomas Great, Meritage, 2014
  • Upper Shirley Cellars, Upper Shirley, Tannat, Tannat, 2015
  • Valley Road Vineyards, LC, Viognier, Viognier, 2015
  • Veritas Vineyards & Winery, Petit Verdot, Petit Verdot, 2015
  • Veritas Vineyards & Winery, Vintner's Reserve, Meritage, 2015
  • Veritas Vineyards & Winery, Viognier, Viognier, 2016
  • Veritas Vineyards & Winery, Sauvignon Blanc, Sauvignon Blanc, 2016
  • Virginia Cellars, The Barns at Hamilton Station, Petit Verdot, Petit Verdot, 2015
  • Virginia Cellars, The Barns at Hamilton Station, Meritage, Meritage, 2015
  • Virginia Cellars, Hamlet Vineyards, Petit Verdot, Petit Verdot, 2015
  • Virginia Cellars, Brix & Columns Vineyards Viognier, Viognier, 2016
  • Virginia Cellars, Nicewonder Vineyards Viognier, Viognier, 2016
  • Whitebarrel Winery, Fig Wine, Fruit Wine, NV
  • Willowcroft Farm Vineyards, Willowcroft Assemblage Select, Meritage, 2015

 

About Virginia Wine

The rapid growth of Virginia's vibrant wine industry has made it one of the fastest growing agricultural sectors in the state. Today, there are over 280 wineries in Virginia, and 300 vineyards that cultivate over 3,800 acres of grapes. Virginia wines have been gaining praise among wine critics for caliber of wines being produced and for the dramatic increases in wine quality in recent years. Both the Governor's Cup® Competition and the resulting Governor’s Cup Case® boost the visibility of the Virginia wine region through various marketing programs and exposure to top wine critics and tastemakers.

For more information about the Governor’s Cup or events, tours and tastings, visit the Virginia Wine Marketing Office’s website at http://www.virginiawine.org/ or call 804‐344‐8200.