FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Date: February 9, 2018

Virginia Board Marketing Office Contact: Annette Boyd Phone: 804-402-1896 Email: [email protected]

Virginia Wineries Association Announces 2018 Governor's Cup® Gold Medalists, The Person of the Year, & The Virginia Wine Lifetime Achievement Award

Richmond, Va. (Feb. 9, 2018) – The Virginia Wineries Association Governor’s Cup® Virginia Wine Competition judging is final, and the list of golds are announced. Ninety-nine Virginia have been awarded gold medals in the 2018 Virginia wine competition, which was held over a four-week period during late January and early February. Now in its 36th year, the competition was revamped in 2012 to become one of the most stringent and thorough wine competitions in the country. The gold medalists from this year's Governor's Cup were selected from 442 entries of both red and white wines, from 100 different Virginia wineries. 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 (a full list is included at the bottom of this release). Patterns emerged with this year’s awards. Of the gold medal winning wines, strong categories for 2018 included: - 36 Bordeaux Blend wines - 11 Petit Verdots - 11 - 8 Chardonnays - 5 Petit Mansengs - 3 Tannats and 3 red blends with - 4 dessert wines The esteemed panel of judges, directed by Jay Youmans – one of only 45 Masters of Wine (MW) in the U.S. – had the difficult task of ranking each wine based on a unified scoring system. Any wine made from 100% Virginia fruit is eligible for the Governor's Cup Competition (ciders and fruit wines have their own categories). Entries must include an affidavit with a certification of 100% Virginia fruit and particulars, including grower names and location, as well as information on alcohol, acidity or basicity (pH), and residual sugar. Commenting on this year’s judging, Jay Youmans said, “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.” Of the gold medal winning wines, twelve top scoring red and white wines will then comprise the Governor's Cup Case® to showcase the state's top wines. The highest scoring wine of the competition will be awarded the grand prize of the Governor's Cup itself. The winner of the Governor’s Cup will be announced by Governor Ralph Northam at the Virginia Governor’s Cup Gala on February 27, 2018; the other eleven wines that make the Governor’s Cup Case® will also be recognized. The gala is a private invitation only event. 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 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.

Virginia Wine Person of the Year and Virginia Wine Lifetime Achievement Award

The Virginia Wineries Association also announces the 2018 Virginia Wine Person of the Year and the 2018 Virginia Wine Lifetime Achievement Award. Frank Britt, a Lynchburg businessman and the original publisher of the online magazine and e-newsletter, Official Virginia Wine Lover, will be posthumously named Virginia Wine Person of the Year. Mr. Britt passed away in May 2017. Described as a “well-known pillar of the community,” he founded Britt Marketing & Public Relations in 1981, concentrating on clients in commerce and industry. Britt’s interest in wine and the Virginia wine industry began some ten years ago with a budding interest in visiting local wineries, resulting in many friendships with winery owners, winemakers, staff personnel, and others in the industry. Beginning in 2008, Britt dedicated himself to promoting the industry with the online publication, Official Virginia Wine Lover. He has served as consultant for a number of wine festivals around the state; in 2013, Britt initiated his own event in Lynchburg, the James River Wine & Music Festival. His wife, June Britt, will be accepting the award on his behalf. The Virginia Lifetime Achievement Award will be given to Lucie Morton, an internationally recognized author, viticulturist, ampelographer, lecturer, consultant, and research collaborator. Based in Virginia, Morton has provided advice on to numerous national and international wineries. She received her higher education in viticulture in Europe, but her practical education began in Virginia – working as a vineyard manager on her family’s farm along the banks of the Potomac River. Most recently, Morton has been working with geologists to show the need for revising potassium recommendations based on soil analyses, as well as with plant pathologists to better understand how wood fungi impact developing fruit clusters. Both Frank Britt and Lucie Morton will be honored at the Governor’s Cup® Gala on Tuesday, February 27th in Richmond, VA.

For interviews and photo requests, please contact Annette Boyd at 802.402.1896 or [email protected].

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

2018 Governor’s Cup Gold Medalists

Winery Wine Type Year

868 Estate Vineyards Reserve Cabernet Franc 2015

868 Estate Vineyards Meritage Reserve Meritage 2015

Afton Mountain Vineyards 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 2015

Casanel Vineyards & Winery Petit Verdot 2015

Castle Hill Cider Serendipity Cider 2016

Chateau Morrisette 2015 Petit Verdot Petit Verdot 2015 Chisholm Vineyards at Adventure Farms Viognier2016 2016 53rd Winery and Vineyard Petit Cooper Vineyards 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 2016 Chardonnay 2015

Early Mountain Vineyards Chardonnay 2016 Chardonnay 2016

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 Marsanne, , and Muse Vineyards Thalia 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 2015

Pippin Hill Farm & Vineyards 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/ 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 2016 The Barns at Hamilton Station Virginia Cellars Petit Verdot Petit Verdot 2015 The Barns at Hamilton Station Virginia Cellars Meritage Meritage 2015

Virginia Cellars Hamlet Vineyards Petit Verdot Petit Verdot 2015 Brix & Columns Vineyards Virginia Cellars Viognier Viognier 2016 Nicewonder Vineyards Virginia Cellars Viognier Viognier 2016

Whitebarrel Winery Fig Wine Fruit Wine NV

Willowcroft Farm Vineyards Willowcroft Assemblage Select Meritage 2015

# # #