Northern Virginia wineries, including several on Reston Limousine’s Public Wine Tours, are continuing to collect awards and recognition this summer at regional and international competitions!
At the 2009 State Fair of Virginia Wine Competition, for example, Chrysalis Vineyards, Pearmund Cellars, Sunset Hills Vineyard, and the Winery at La Grange took gold and silver ribbons in a blind tasting of 239 wines from 48 Virginia wineries.
Gold Ribbon
Pearmund Cellars – Ameritage 2007
Sunset Hills Vineyard – Reserve Cabernet Franc 2007
Sunset Hills Vineyard – Petit Verdot 2006
The Winery at La Grange – “Fletcher’s” Chardonnay 2007
Silver Ribbon
Chrysalis Vineyards – Mariposa 2008
Chrysalis Vineyards – Viognier 2008
Pearmund Cellars – Old Vine Chardonnay 2007
Other wineries on our Public Wine Tour also won in the label competition: Hillsborough Vineyards took 1st place for its Bloodstone label, and Notaviva Vineyards and Fabbioli Cellars took 1st and 2nd, respectively, in overall winery presentation. Sunset Hills Vineyard received an honorable mention in that category as well.
The competition, which took place in Montepelier, featured wine varietals of Chardonnay, Viognier, Cabernet, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Merlot and Petit Verdot.
“We had the most wines entered this year than ever before, and it is nice to see the industry grow and really go forward even from just five years ago,” senior judge George Davis says. “National industry trends reflect lighter, less tannic wines and less use of oak. We saw more un-oaked wines this year and the submissions of un-oaked Chardonnay is a perfect example. Among the reds, the Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot wines had less oak exposure as well. They all were well-made wines.”
The State Fair of Virginia will announce the top winning wine – “Best in Show” – on Sept. 23. The winning wines will be displayed at the 2009 State Fair of Virginia, which returns September 24 through October 4 at The Meadow Event Park in Doswell, Virginia.
Ready for your own tastings of these and other award-winning wines? Visit www.restonlimo.com for a schedule of the wineries on our upcoming Public Wine Tours !
As a sponsor for DC’s local World Team Tennis team, the Washington Kastles, Reston Limousine has been transporting tennis royalty, including reigning Wimbledon champ and Kastles player Serena Williams, as the WTT teams come to play at Kastles Stadium in Washington DC this month.
Founded by legendary player Billie Jean King, WTT combines the biggest names in tennis in co-ed teams. The Washington Kastles are the newest team, and upcoming home matches include July 21 against the New York Buzz and July 22 against the Springfield Lasers.
In addition to Serena Williams, Reston Limo also has driven around town her sister Venus, who plays for the Philadelphia Freedoms, and Anna Kournikova, who plays for the St. Louis Aces.