Press Releases

Cornus Virginicus Edition II Wine Release: A Celebration of Virginia Agriculture

he First Lady of Virginia Collaborates on Second Edition of a Special Virginia Wine Project RICHMOND, Va., Sept. 27, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Cana Vineyards and Winery of Middleburg has released the second edition of Cornus Virginicus. This special wine project is produced in collaboration with the First Lady of Virginia, Suzanne S. Youngkin. Each edition of the project celebrates Virginia's flourishing agriculture— especially its farmers, growers and winemakers. As part of the initiative, a donation will be made to Virginia Agriculture in the Classroom. Secretary of Agriculture and Forestry, Matthew Lohr (left) First Lady of Virginia, Suzanne Youngkin (center) and Melanie Natoli, winemaker at Cana Vineyards and Winery of Middleburg (right). Secretary of Agriculture and Forestry, Matthew Lohr (left) First Lady of Virginia, Suzanne Youngkin (center) and Melanie Natoli, winemaker at Cana Vineyards and Winery of Middleburg (right). Cornus Virginicus Edition II Cornus Virginicus Edition II This bottle is available just before the 35th year of Virginia Wine Month takes place this October. Marking the start of the month-long toast to Virginia's rich wine industry, in which over 300 wineries and 5,000 acres of grapes span the state. The industry contributes $1.73 billion to the local economy and provides over 10,000 jobs. "With this second edition of Cornus Virginicus, we toast Virginia's stand-out wine, winemakers and agriculture," said First Lady of Virginia Suzanne S. Youngkin. "I could not be prouder to partner with the Virginia Wine Board, our Secretary of Agriculture and a female winemaker on a project that showcases award-winning wine while using proceeds to support a nonprofit dedicated to educating the next generation on the importance of Virginia's agriculture." Melanie Natoli was selected as the winemaker for this edition after winning the 2022 Virginia Governor's Cup for Cana Vineyard and Winery of Middleburg's 2019 Unité Reserve. This year's blend was selected by a tasting panel including the First Lady of Virginia and is 67% Petit Verdot and 33% Merlot. A total of 144 cases of wine were produced. Natoli commented on the wine sharing, "This second edition of Cornus Virginicus highlights the depth and elegance in Virginia wine. The blend brings together fruit from our estate vineyard in Loudoun County and Silver Creek Orchards in Nelson County; a harmonious representation of northern and central Virginia." Cornus Virginicus Edition II is available for purchase online through Virginia ABC and Cana Vineyards and Winery of Middleburg. Purchasers can select to pick up the wine at a Virginia ABC location of their choice or at the winery. The wine can be shipped directly to their door through Cana Vineyards and Winery of Middleburg as well. For more information, visit www.virginiawine.org/pages/cv. Cornus Virginicus is Latin for "Flowering tree of Virginia" and pays tribute to the Commonwealth's official state flower and tree— the Dogwood— and the First Lady of Virginia's seal. Depicted on the front label, the Dogwood tree is symbolic of the tradition, strength and beauty found throughout Virginia.

Delfosse Vineyards and Winery Wins 2023 Virginia Governor's Cup® for the 2021 Screaming Hawk Meritage

Virginia Wineries Association Announces Virginia Governor's Cup® Gold Medalists

The 2023 Virginia Governor’s Cup® Competition marks another record-breaking year for the Virginia Wine industry. With 614 entries from across the state, 66 wineries in the Commonwealth were awarded with 142 gold medals.

Virginia Wine Contributes $1.73 Billion to Virginia Economy

A new study finds the economic impact of Virginia wines to be an estimated $1.73 billion as of 2019. After evaluating all economic activity in Virginia related directly or indirectly to wine production, sales and wine grape farming, the study reports a 27% increase in overall economic impact from 2015 ($1.37 billion).

Cana Vineyards Wins 2022 Virginia Governor's Cup® with 2019 Unité Reserve

*Edited on June 8, 2022: Winemaker Melanie Natoli Becomes the First Woman to Receive Coveted Cup in Over 20 Years

Virginia Wineries Association Announces Virginia Governor's Cup® Gold Medalists

Virginia’s Barboursville Vineyards Takes Home 2021 Governor’s Cup® with 2015 Paxxito

Virginia Wine Industry Honors Two Individuals for Virginia Wine Person of the Year and for the Gordon Murchie Lifetime Achievement Award

Last week, the Virginia Wineries Association announced two achievement awards for leaders that have been instrumental in propelling the Virginia wine industry forward.

Virginia’s Horton Vineyards Wins the 2019 Governor’s Cup® with 2016 Petit Manseng Wine

Virginia Wineries Association Announces 2019 Governor's Cup® Gold Medalists

The Virginia Wineries Association Governor’s Cup® Wine Competition judging is complete, with 68 Virginia wines awarded gold medals in the 2019 Virginia wine competition. Held over a four-week period during late January and early February, the competition, now in its 37th year, was revamped in 2012 to become one of the most stringent and thorough wine competitions in the country.

2018 Monticello Cup Gold Medals Announced

Twenty-two wineries from the Monticello Wine Trail (MWT) competed in the 2018 Monticello Wine Competition, a friendly competition among wineries in the Monticello American Viticultural Area (AVA). This year's competition was coordinated by the Virginia Wine & Spirits Academy, and all entered wines contained a minimum of 85% fruit from the Monticello AVA and were produced by a member of the MWT.

Virginia Wine Four Centuries of Change Now Out

Attorney Andrew Painter today presented autographed copies of his recently-published book, Virginia Wine: Four Centuries of Change to Virginia’s outgoing Secretary of Commerce and Trade, Todd A. Haymore and Virginia Wine Marketing Office Director Annette R. Boyd. Painter also provided autographed copies for former Virginia Governor Terry McAuliffe and First Lady Dorothy McAuliffe an appreciation for the administration’s support of the Virginia wine industry.

Virginia Wineries Association Announces 2017 Governor's Cup® Gold Medalists

The Virginia Wineries Association Governor’s Cup® Virginia Wine Competition judging is final and the list of golds are announced. Twenty-three Virginia wines have been awarded gold medals in the 2017 Virginia wine competition, which was held over a four week period during January/early February. Now in its 35th year, the competition was revamped in 2012 to become one of the most stringent and thorough wine competitions in the country. 

Governor McAuliffe Announces Virginia Wine Sales Reach Record High in FY 2016

RICHMOND – Governor Terry McAuliffe today announced that sales of Virginia wine reached another record high during fiscal year 2016, with more than 556,500 cases, or over 6.6 million bottles, sold. These sales represent a 6 percent increase from fiscal year 2015, when Virginia wineries sold more than 524,800 cases. Sales of Virginia wine have increased by 34 percent since fiscal year 2010.

Governor McAuliffe Announces Keswick Vineyards’ 2014 Cabernet Franc Estate Reserve Awarded 2016 Governor’s Cup

RICHMOND – Governor Terry McAuliffe tonight awarded the 2016 Virginia Wineries Association’s (VWA) Governor's Cup to Keswick Vineyards for its 2014 Cabernet Franc Estate Reserve, a pure Cabernet Franc varietal. This award marks the second Virginia Governor’s Cup for Keswick Vineyards, who received its first in 2009 for its 2007 Cabernet Sauvignon. The Governor’s Cup was awarded Monday evening, February 22 at the Hotel John Marshall.

Toll Gate Farm’s Bill Freitag Named VVA Grower of the Year

CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. – The Virginia Vineyards Association announced today that Bill Freitag, owner of Toll Gate Farm vineyard, Flint Hill, VA, is the 2016 Grower of the Year

North Mountain Vineyards in the Shenandoah Valley of Virginia was awarded a Silver Medal for its 2013 Zweigelt

North Mountain Vineyards in the Shenandoah Valley of Virginia was awarded a Silver Medal for its 2013 Zweigelt by the International Wine Challenge in Vienna, Austria.AWC Vienna is the largest officially recognized wine competition in the world

Wine writer Richard Leahy presents newly released second, revised edition of Beyond Jefferson’s Vines

Wine writer Richard Leahy today presented and autographed copies of his newly released second, revised edition of Beyond Jefferson’s Vines to Secretary of Agriculture Todd Haymore at the Patrick Henry Building today along with copies for Governor and Mrs. McAuliffe.

Monticello Cup Press Release

The Monticello Cup Awards ceremony was held on Thursday, April 9, 2015 at the Jefferson Theater to celebrate the winning wines of the Monticello Cup, the competition of the 32 wineries of the Monticello American Viticultural Area (AVA). 71 wines were entered in the Monticello Cup competition, all with at least 75% fruit from the Monticello AVA and from wineries within the Monticello AVA. There were 10 gold (including the cup winner and three “best of” awards), 25 silver, and 31 bronze medals.

International Wine Review Releases Virginia Wine Report

International Wine Review Releases Virginia Wine Report 45 page edition Virginia Wine Comes of Age, provides an in-depth account of the impressive growth in the Virginia wine industry and the many improvements made in the quality of the wines. Read about one of America’s most exciting wine regions and its many outstanding wineries and wines in this report available for download.

Virginia Wins 29 Medals at 2015 San Diego International Wine Competition Two Best of Class, 10 Golds, 16 Silvers, and 3 Platinum Medals added to growing list of international awards

Virginia Wins 29 Medals at 2015 San Diego International Wine Competition Two Best of Class, 10 Golds, 16 Silvers, and 3 Platinum Medals added to growing list of international awards

Luca Paschina, winemaker and general manager of Barboursville Vineyards, inducted into the Order of Merit of the Italian Republic

The President of Italy’s Council of Ministers has announced the induction of Luca Paschina, winemaker and general manager of Barboursville Vineyards, into the Order of Merit of the Italian Republic, with the rank of Commendatore.

The Virginia Wine Board Presents the Third Annual Virginia Wine Summit

The third annual Virginia Wine Summit, hosted by The Office of Governor McAuliffe, will bring wine experts and industry leaders from around the country to Richmond on October 21, 2014 to discuss, taste, and celebrate the exciting state of Virginia's wine and food culture. Panels, tastings, and discussions will be held throughout this day-long event, featuring an address by keynote speaker Ray Isle, Executive Wine Editor of Food & Wine.

B-Thin Pinot Gris

Bogati Bodega & Winery is introducing B-Thin Pinot Gris, a new patent pending light wine which possesses all the flavors that you want and expect so you may enjoy it guilt-free. This wine captures wonderful floral notes, ripe apple and prickly pear characters, and shows palate length and freshness. While full of taste and lighter in calories not only will the health conscious wine drinkers savor the wine but even oenophile will find the wine to be outstanding due to the wine’s palate; which is long with intense tropical fruit. The acidity of the wine gives it a length which enables the wine to pair especially well with spicy foods. Starting in June, 2014, Bogati Bodega B-Thin Pinot Gris will be available for purchase.

Gray Ghost Takes Gold and Sweeps Three Competitions!

Gray Ghost’s 2013 Gewurztraminer continues to bring home top honors, winning Gold medals at three consecutive competitions, the Pacific Rim International in California, the Finger Lakes International in New York and the Tasters Guild International in Michigan! In addition to the Gold medals, Gray Ghost swept all three competitions, bringing home a total of seven Silver medals and four Bronze medals.