Congratulations to all the medalists in this year’s Governor’s Cup, the state’s annual competition featuring wine made from 100 percent Virginia fruit! At the 2019 Governor’s Cup Gala in Richmond on Feb. 26, Gov. Ralph Northam awarded the 2019 Virginia Wineries Association’s (VWA) Governor’s Cup to Horton Vineyards for their 2016 Petit Manseng.
“It is rare for a white wine to win the Governor’s Cup and it is the first time a Petit Manseng has been the overall winner,” Secretary of Agriculture and Forestry Bettina Ring said in a press release from the Virginia Wine Marketing Office. “Also significant is that three of the wines in this year’s (Governor’s Cup Case) are made with Petit Manseng grapes. This underscores a reoccurring pattern of many outstanding wines in Virginia being produced from lesser known varietals.”
Horton took top honors in the Governor’s Cup Case, comprised of the top 12 scoring wines chosen from more than 500 entries coming from 102 wineries. Of the other 11 wines in the case, only one hails from Northern Virginia – Paradise Springs Winery, for their 2015 Meritage. Below is the list of other Governor’s Cup Case wines:
- Barboursville Vineyards 2017 Vermentino Reserve
- Early Mountain Vineyards 2016 Eluvium
- Glen Manor Vineyards 2015 Cabernet Franc
- King Family Vineyards 2016 Mountain Plains, 2016 Meritage
- Virginia Wine Works 2016 Hamlet Vineyards Eltham, 2016 Michael Shaps Petit Manseng, 2016 Michael Shaps Raisin d’Etre White, 2015 Michael Shaps Tannat, 2014 Upper Shirley Zacharia
Below are the Loudoun, Fairfax and Fauquier wineries that took home medals in this year’s Governor’s Cup; click here for the complete list of winners.
Gold Medals
50 West Vineyards (Middleburg): 2015 Aldie Heights Cuvee
Boxwood Estate Winery (Middleburg): 2015 Reserve
Creek’s Edge Winery (Lovettsville): 2017 Cabernet Franc
Doukénie Winery (Hillsboro): 2016 Vintner’s Reserve
Fabbioli Cellars (Leesburg): 2015 Tannat
Granite Heights Winery (Warrenton): 2012 Evening Serenade, 2012 Lomax Reserve
Greenhill Winery and Vineyards (Middleburg): 2017 Chardonnay Reserve
Paradise Springs Winery (Clifton): 2015 Meritage and 2015 PVT
Sunset Hills Vineyard (Purcellville): 2015 Mosaic
The Winery at Bull Run (Centreville): 2016 Reconciliation
Silver Medals
Aspen Dale Winery at the Barn (Delaplane): 2017 Smokehouse Red
Bluemont Vineyards (Bluemont): 2017 Albariño, 2016 Ascent, 2017 Chardonnay, 2017 Quartz Hill Red, 2016 The Steep Face, 2015 Trifecta, 2015 Blue Ice, 2014 Merlot, 2014 Cadenza, 2013 Petit Verdot
Bozzo Family Vineyards (Purcellville): 2017 2nd Act
Cana Vineyards & Winery (Middleburg): 2016 Unite Reserve, 2017 Petit Manseng, 2017 Albariño
Creek’s Edge Winery (Lovettsville): 2017 Chardonnay, 2017 Vidal Blanc,2015 Hunting Hill
Doukénie Winery (Hillsboro): 2017 Chardonnay, 2017 Sauvignon Blanc, 2016 Cabernet Franc, 2016 Zeus, 2016 Cabernet Sauvignon, 2016 Merlot, 2015 Dionysus
Fabbioli Cellars (Leesburg): 2017 Sangiovese, 2017 Petit Manseng
Fox Meadow Winery (Linden): 2017 Barrel Fermented Chardonnay, 2017 Riseling, 2016 Le Renard Rouge, 2016 Reserve Cabernet Franc
Greenhill Winery and Vineyards (Middleburg): 2017 Petit Verdot, 2017 Viognier
Hillsborough Vineyards (Hillsboro): 2016 Ruby, 2016 Onyx
The Vineyards & Winery at Lost Creek (Leesburg): 2017 Chardonnay Barrel Select, 2016 Cabernet Franc, 2016 Trinity, 2016 Provenance, 2016 Genesis
Maggie Malick Wine Caves (Purcellville): 2017 Maggie Malick, 2017 Cabernet Franc, 2016 Maggie Malick
Paradise Springs Winery (Clifton): 2017 Cabernet Franc, 2017 Chardonay, 2016 Melange, 2016 Petit Verdot
Philip Carter Winery/Stillhouse Vineyards (Hume): 2016 Cleve, 2016 Corotoman
Sunset Hills Vineyard (Purcellville): 2017 Clone 96 Chardonnay2017 Viognier, 2015 Reserve Cabernet Franc, 2015 Petit Verdot, Dusk
The Winery at Bull Run (Centreville): 2017 Barrel Select Chardonnay, 2016 Merlot, 2015 Meritage Reserve
Twin Oaks Tavern Winery (Bluemont): 2017 Chardonnay
Two Twisted Posts Winery (Purcellville): 2016 Chardonnay, 2016 Cabernet Sauvignon
Willowcroft Farm Vineyards (Leesburg): 2016 Willowcroft Albariño Reserve, 2016 Willowcroft Petit Verdot, 2016 Willowcroft Riesling Muscat Ottorel, 2015 Willowcroft Assemblage Select
Winery 32 (Leesburg): 2017 Chambourcin Rosé, 2015 Cabernet Franc, 2015 Cabernet Sauvignon
Zephaniah Farm Vineyard (Leesburg): 2017 Adeline, 2017 Steamship White, 2016 Merlot, 2015 Chambourcin
Bronze Medals
Aspen Dale Winery at the Barn (Delaplane): 2017 Rockawalkin’, Bridgetown Red
Casanel Vineyards & Winery (Leesburg): 2017 Patricia Marie, 2016 Cabernet Sauvignon
Fabbioli Cellars (Leesburg): 2016 Petit Verdot, 2015 Tre Sorelle
Granite Heights Winery (Warrenton): 2015 Lomax Reserve
Hillsborough Vineyards (Hillsboro): 2016 Opal
The Vineyards & Winery at Lost Creek (Leesburg): 2017 Chardonnay
Philip Carter Winery/Stillhouse Vineyards (Hume): 2017 Sabine Hall Viognier, 2016 Governor Fauquier
Sunset Hills Vineyard (Purcellville): 2017 Clone 96 Chardonnay
The Winery at Bull Run (Centreville): 2017 Lilly’s Viognier
Two Twisted Posts Winery (Purcellville): 2016 Cabernet Franc
Zephaniah Farm Vineyard (Leesburg): 2015 Cabernet Franc, 2014 Three Captains Red- Virginia Farm Blend
We offer public wine tours to some of these winning wineries! Click here to view our public wine tour schedule and book your seats today.
