Press Releases

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.

Jancis Robinson Features and Reviews Virginia Wines

This week, Robinson has featured Virginia wines on her award winning website, www.JancisRobinson.com, in the form of two videos, two articles, and tasting notes of the Virginia wines she sampled while visiting the Commonwealth. In her tasting notes, she reviewed 53 Virginia wines from 21 different wineries.

Virginia Wine Marketing Board Announces 2011 Virginia Governor’s Cup White Wine Competition Results

Of the 162 wines entered from 52 wineries, there were seven Gold medalists, 42 Silver medalists and 54 Bronze medalists.

Virginia Sesquicentennial Winery Passport

The Virginia Wine Board unveiled the Virginia Sesquicentennial Winery Passport, a guide to 23 Virginia Wineries with special labels commemorating the150th anniversary of the Civil War, and the 42 battlefields located near them (http://www.virginiawine.org/sesquicentennial).

Virginia Wines Shine at Competitions In 2011

Virginia wines were recently well represented at two prominent wine competitions. Among the 51 Virginia wineries that participated in the International Eastern Wine Competition and Atlantic Seaboard Wine Competition, Virginia took away 226 medals including 11 Best in Class, 1 Double Gold and 18 Gold medals.

First Ever Virginia Viognier Virtual Tasting to be Held July 14, 2011

On Thursday, July 14th at 7:00 pm ET, wine bloggers, winemakers, and general wine enthusiasts alike will sign onto Twitter and Facebook to “virtually” taste six of Virginia’s outstanding Viognier wines.

Gray Ghost Captures Gold, Sweeps 3 California Competitions!

Gray Ghost’s 2010 Adieu captured Gold at the 2011 Monterey Wine Competition held in King City, California! As a result of this award, the Adieu will be featured at the 18th Annual Monterey Wine Competition Grand Tasting held in May.

Payette Client Captures Top Honors

Under the tutelage of Tom Payette, international winemaking consultant and second generation Emile Peynaud student, Fox Meadow’s 2008 Le Renard Rouge captured top honors at the 2011 Virginia Governor’s Cup wine competition.

VA Agribusiness Council Awards Rausse Distinguished Service

Richmond, Virginia – Gabriele Rausse, of Charlottesville, has been awarded the Virginia Agribusiness Council’s 2011 Distinguished Service Award during the Virginia Wine Expo on February 25, 2011 in Richmond. Rausse, a winery owner, consultant, and educator, was recognized by Virginia Agribusiness Council President Donna Pugh Johnson for his meritorious service to the State’s agribusiness industry.

Three Winemakers, Three Vineyards, Three Varietals, One Wine

“Three winemakers, three vineyards, three varietals, one wine” is the unique tagline for a unique Virginia wine named “3”. A triumvirate effort from winemakers Emily Pelton, Jake Busching and Matthieu Finot was born over a friendly beer and a what-if statement.

2011 Virginia Grower of the Year Award

The Virginia Vineyards Association Grape Grower of the Year award was presented to John H. “Rock” Stephens of The Vineyard at Point Breeze, located on Virginia's Eastern Shore.

Fabbioli Cellars Embarks On Educational Mission

Jefferson Vineyards and Barboursville Vineyards Receive High Honors at Winemaker Challenge

Two Virginia wineries walked away with prestigious medals at the second annual Winemaker Challenge in San Diego, CA last month. Both Jefferson Vineyards, located in Charlottesville, VA and Barboursville Vineyards, located in Barboursville, VA each received a silver and gold medals for their wines.

First Lady Maureen McDonnell to present VVA Grower of the Year Award

Virginia First Lady Maureen McDonnell will present the Grower of the Year Award at the annual Winter Technical Meeting of the Virginia Vineyards Association, February 18th, in Charlottesville.

Virginia Wine Gazette

Editor Laura A. Rydin of Virginia Wine Gazette is pleased to announce several exciting changes to the Commonwealth’s long-established quarterly publication devoted to the wines of Virginia.

Cooper Vineyards Anticipates LEED Platinum Certification

Cooper Vineyards, located in Louisa, VA is in the process of becoming LEED Platinum certified, making them the first winery in that category on the East Coast and the second in the country.

Virginia Wineworks announces the release of the state’s first Bag in the Box wine

Virginia Wineworks, located in Charlottesville, Virginia, is now packaging its Wineworks brand in easy to use, recyclable three-liter boxes. This new and efficient method of packaging is environmentally friendly, eliminating the large and frequent truckloads needed to transport bottles.

Sunset Hills Vineyard: Turning Sunshine into Wine with the Largest Solar Energy System in Loudoun County, VA

Just an hour outside Washington, DC, noise and congestion give way to rolling hills, horse farms and grape vines. It is here in Virginia, and at Sunset Hills Vineyard in particular, that green scenery and green technology make the perfect pair. Sunset Hills Vineyard is in the process of installing 154 solar panels on the south-facing roofs of their case storage and tasting room barns that will supply all of the winery’s electrical needs. With a 35 kilowatt rating, this solar installation is the largest on record for Loudoun County.

USDA awards Virginia Tech $3.8 million to stimulate eastern U.S. wine industry

The USDA’s National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) awarded $3.8 million to researchers in the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences at Virginia Tech to lead a multistate effort to further improve grape and wine quality in the eastern United States.

Loudoun to Host Inaugural Virginia Wine Country Half Marathon

Visit Loudoun announced today that Loudoun County has been chosen as the host site for the new Virginia Wine Country Half Marathon to be held on June 4, 2011. The Wine Country Half Marathon series consists of “boutique” destination running races held in scenic wine regions, complimented by wine, food and entertainment driven activities.

2010 Governor's Cup for White Wine Results

Richmond, Va. - Aged in first and second year French oak for nine months Sur Lie, Paradise Springs 2009 Chardonnay has won the coveted 2010 Governor's Cup for White Wine. This, in the winery's first year of operation. “Paradise Springs winning this award is a great example of what can be accomplished when we all work together as industry. Many talented minds with great vision and execution worked hard to reach this pinnacle. After everything we have been through to open Paradise Springs, receiving this recognition is a great reward. We will carry the Governor's Cup with honor as we look forward to the many great years ahead. The future of Virginia wine is bright," said Paradise Springs co-founder Kirk Wiles...