Press Releases

Governor McDonnell Announces Wine Export Agreement between Chateau Morrisette and China's Tianjin Commodity Exchange

Governor Bob McDonnell announced today as part of his trade and marketing mission to Asia that Chateau Morrisette and the Tianjin Commodity Exchange Company Limited (TJComex) have reached a five-year agreement to export Chateau Morrisette wines to China. The inaugural sale of more than 1,150 cases of wine from Chateau Morrisette was scheduled to arrive in Tianjin, China's fourth largest city, during the Governor's mission to Asia.

Sunset Hills Vineyards Setting The Pace In 2013

After bringing home several medals at the 2013 Finger Lakes International Wine Competition -- double-gold for its 2012 Traminette, silver for its 2012 Chardonnay and a Bronze for its 2012 Chambourcin -- Sunset Hills is winning medals in 2013 at a pace that exceeds its own record of 25 awards in 2012.

Virginia Uncorked

Kevin Malone of Tuskie’s Restaurant Group (TRG) today announced that effective immediately, all Tuskie’s Restaurant Group Restaurants will waive the normal corkage fee on any bottle of Virginia Wine purchased that same day from a Virginia winery.

Virginia Wins 61 Medals at San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition

Virginia Wines continue to show well on the international stage, this time at the largest competition of American Wines in the world. Competing among 5,500 entries from more than 25 states, Virginia earned five gold medals, 28 silver medals (including one cider) and 28 bronze medals.

Virginia Wine & Dine Month to Celebrate Love by the Glass

Virginia is taking dining to a new level this March with LOVE by The Glass: Virginia Wine & Dine Month. For epicurean travelers, March is an ideal time to visit Virginia, as restaurants and wine shops statewide put local Virginia wines front and center on menus.

Governor McDonnell Announces Barboursville Vineyards Awarded 2013 Governor’s Cup

Governor Bob McDonnell, who championed major changes to the Virginia Governor's Cup competition in 2011 that made it one of the most stringent and comprehensive wine competitions in the United States, 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.

Governor McDonnell Announces Sales of Virginia Wine Reach New All-Time High

Governor Bob McDonnell today announced that sales of Virginia wine reached an all-time high in fiscal year 2012, increasing by just over 1.6% from fiscal year 2011. Virginia wineries sold almost 485,000 cases of wine in FY 2012 versus a little more than 477,000, the previous record high, in FY 2011.

2012 Town Point Virginia Wine Competition

The 21st Annual Town Point Virginia Wine Competition was held on Friday, October 5 , 2012, at the Town Point Club in downtown Norfolk under the direction of Dr. Roy L. Williams. Twenty-seven Virginia wineries submitted wines to this year’s competition which was judged by fourteen judges including local chefs, wine writers, wine consultants and members of the wine industry.

Inaugural Virginia Wine Summit Kicks Off October Wine Month

Governor Bob McDonnell and First Lady Maureen McDonnell hosted the first annual Virginia Wine Summit on October 2 at the Richmond Marriott. The sold-out event brought together domestic and international wine experts and industry leaders to taste Virginia wines and discuss key topics in moving the Virginia wine industry forward.

US Treasury Approves Middleburg AVA

A testament to the quality and growing prominence of Virginia Wine, the US Treasury Department has designated Middleburg Virginia AVA as the newest American Viticulture Area (AVA) in the Federal Registry.

The Winery at La Grange Commemorates First Export Shipment of Full Containers of Virginia Wine to China at Ceremony on Aug. 20

A ceremony to commemorate the first two full containers of Virginia Wine exported to China was held on Mon. Aug. 20 at the Winery at La Grange in Haymarket, Va.

OVER 60 RESTAURANTS AND WINE RETAILERS RECEIVE VIRGINIA WINE MASTER’S AWARDS

The Virginia Wine Master’s Awards were distributed to 64 restaurants and wine shops throughout Virginia for 2011. This program highlights the businesses that are taking the localvore movement to the next level, specifically as it regards to their efforts in promoting and selling Virginia wines.

Virginia Celebrates 250th Anniversary of American Wine at London International Wine Fair

Virginia Wines continue to share the spotlight on the international stage, this time at the 2012 London International Wine Fair (LIWF), where award-winning wineries from the Central Virginia, Northern Virginia and Hampton Roads Regions will be pouring May 22 - 24.

Virginia Wines Shine at 29th San Diego International Wine Competition

Virginia Wines continue to show well on the international stage, this time at one of the longest running wine competitions in the United States. Barrel Oak, Ingleside, Keswick and North Gate Vineyards all were awarded gold medals, and Barrel Oak, Gray Ghost, Ingleside, Jefferson and Keswick Vineyards were awarded silver medals at the 29th San Diego International Wine Competition held March 10 -11, 2012.

Governor McDonnell Showcases Virginia Wines, Food, Tourism and Film in Québec

Governor McDonnell Showcases Virginia Wines in California

Governor Bob McDonnell welcomed top wine and travel journalists and industry leaders at a special event March 27 in San Francisco to promote Virginia’s wine, tourism and film industries.

Governor McDonnell Announces Glen Manor Vineyards Awarded 2012 Virginia Governor’s Cup

Governor Bob McDonnell, who championed major changes to the Virginia Governor's Cup competition last year that made the event one of the most stringent and thorough wine competitions in the United States, has awarded the 2012 Virginia Governor's Cup to Glen Manor Vineyards 2009 Hodder Hill Meritage.

Virginia Wine Industry Jobs Grow by 50%; Economic Impact Doubles, New Study Finds

Economic Impact of Virginia Wine Industry Increases 106% to $747 Million Over Figures from Last Study in 2005.

Virginia Wines Awarded 22 Medals at 2012 San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition

Twenty-two awards went to Virginia wines at the 2012 San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition last week, including one Best in Class and one Double Gold. This competition is the largest competition of American wines in the world.

Virginia Named One of the 10 Best Wine Travel Destinations of 2012 by Wine Enthusiast

Wine Enthusiast Magazine has named Virginia as one of the 10 best wine travel destinations for 2012. The article, listed online and in the February issue of Wine Enthusiast Magazine, highlights Virginia as one of only three domestic destinations to make the list of wine regions that are ideal for wine lovers to visit in 2012.

Governor McDonnell Announces Revamped and Enhanced Governor's Cup Virginia Wine Competition

Governor Bob McDonnell announced today major changes to the Virginia Governor's Cup competition that, once implemented, will make it one of the most stringent and thorough wine competitions in the United States.

Governor and First Lady McDonnell Promote Virginia Wine in India

Virginia Wine Impresses One of India’s Top Wine Importers, Retailers and Connoisseurs Sanjay Menon

Two Virginia Wineries Recognized as Green Travel Leaders

During the 2011 VA-1 Virginia Tourism Summit, which took place October 17-19 in Richmond, two Virginia wineries were recognized by Virginia Green as Green Travel Leaders. Both Cooper Vineyards and DuCard Vineyards made the list of 19 different businesses throughout the Commonwealth that were recognized for their efforts of green businesses in their industry.

New Kent Winery Reserve Chardonnay Awarded 2011 Virginia Governor’s Cup White

New Kent Winery's 2009 Reserve Chardonnay has been awarded the 2011 Virginia Governor's Cup for White Wines.

Governor McDonnell Announces Virginia Wine Month

Governor Bob McDonnell has proclaimed October as Virginia Wine Month for 2011. October Virginia Wine Month is in its 23rd year as a major state initiative to highlight Virginia’s beautiful vineyards, world class wines and festivals during the height of fall foliage season.