The Virginia Wineries Association's Governor's Cup Gala was held on February 21st. Governor McDonnell awarded the 2013 Virginia Wineries Association's Governor's Cup to Barboursville Vineyards' 2009 Octagon 12th Edition. By winning this year's Governor's Cup, Barboursville becomes the first Virginia winery to win the award four times. Barboursville also won in 1992 (1988 Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve), 1999 (1997 Cabernet Franc), and 2007 (1998 Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve). The other 11 wines that make up the Governor's Cup Case were recognized. These wines are:

• Cooper Vineyards - 2010 Petite Verdot Reserve
• King Family Vineyards - 2010 Meritage
• Lovingston Winery - 2009 Josie's Knoll Estate Reserve
• Philip Carter Winery - 2010 Cleve
• Pollak Vineyards - 2009 Cabernet Franc Reserve
• Potomac Point Vineyard and Winery - 2010 Richland Reserve Heritage
• Rappahannock Cellars - 2010 Meritage
• RdV Vineyards - 2010 Rendezvous
• RdV Vineyards - 2010 Lost Mountain
• Sunset Hills Vineyard - 2010 Mosaic
• Trump Winery - 2008 Sparkling Rose

 

To read the press release, click here. For a full list of winners, more information about the competition, methodology, and judges' biographies, visit
http://www.virginiawine.org/governors-cup/awards.

Governor's Cup Gala
VWA also presented awards at the Gala to three people who are instrumental to the Virginia wine industry.

 

Mary Beth Williams, Wine Person of the Year award: Williams has helped numerous wineries, vineyards and future winery owners navigate the ABC and other laws. She has devoted her time, legal expertise and positive relationship with Virginia ABC to the industry, providing regional Regulation Round Ups, which significantly reduced the paperwork required for reporting to the ABC.

 

Lew Parker, the Gordon Murchie Lifetime Achievement award: Parker has devoted extensive personal time as an active proponent of the growth and vitality of the Virginia wine industry. He has addressed legislative issues, such as direct shipping; and provided leadership on many levels, serving as a past president and treasurer of the Virginia Wineries Association, a member of the Virginia Winegrowers Advisory Board, and founding member of the Loudoun Wineries Association. He has served Virginia's interest at the national level as a member of the Executive Committee and Treasurer of WineAmerica.

 

Del. Dave Albo, Legislator of the Year award: Del. Albo served as the champion for the original land use bill. He recognized that localities were imposing excessive restrictions on winery operations and developed language to protect our ability to do business in a reasonable manner. When the bill was in danger of being rejected, his ability to direct negotiations, recommend strategy and identify the issues enabled us to reach compromise with all interested parties. This session he is carrying a bill to address contract wine making, an issue which needs to be resolved to enable wineries to continue to grow and expand.

 

Governor's Cup Case Regional Seminars
We have finalized all of the locations for the 5 regional Governor's Cup Case Seminars. These seminars highlight the viticulture and winemaking practices of the top 12 scoring wines from the competition. Please click on the links below for more information and to register.

 

VWA Governor's Cup Case Regional Seminar - Trump Vineyards - April 9, 2013
VWA Governor's Cup Case Regional Seminar - Chateau Morrisette April 23, 2013
VWA Governor's Cup Case Regional Seminar - Potomac Point Winery - May 7, 2013
VWA Governor's Cup Case Regional Seminar - Sunset Hills - May 21, 2013
VWA Governor's Cup Case Regional Seminar - Barboursville Vineyards - June 5, 2013

 

See 2012 Winners Here
See 2011 White Wine Winners Here
See 2011 Red Wine Winners Here
See 2010 White Wine Winners Here