Press Releases

Loudoun to Host Inaugural Virginia Wine Country Half Marathon

Jeremy Harvey - Visit Loudoun Oct 05, 2010

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

Karen Batalo - The Virginia Wine Board Marketing Office Sep 29, 2010

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...

Vintage: The Winemaker's Year

Annette Boyd - The Virginia Wine Board Marketing Office Sep 21, 2010

Vintage: The Winemaker’s Year, a feature length documentary exploring the rapid growth of the wine industry in Virginia, will premiere on public television stations across Virginia and the nation in October 2010 in coordination with Virginia Wine Month. The film is distributed by American Public Television. WCVE Richmond PBS is the presenting station...

Festa Rappahannock Celebrates the launch of New "Artisanal Wineries of Rappahannock" Wine Trail

Rappahannock Cellars - Rappahannock Cellars Jul 21, 2010

Rappahannock County, VA, July 15, 2010 – Five wineries located in Rappahannock County, Virginia, will celebrate the launch of the new “Artisanal Wineries of Rappahannock” wine trail at FESTA RAPPAHANNOCK on July 31 and August 1, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. The celebration will take place at Rappahannock Cellars, 14437 Hume Road in Huntly, Virginia. Proceeds will benefit Hospice of the Rapidan

ATLANTIC SEABOARD WINE ASSOCIATION SIXTH ANNUAL WINE COMPETITION

Carl Brandhorst - ATLANTIC SEABOARD WINE ASSOCIATION Jul 17, 2010

July 18 - The Atlantic Seaboard Wine Association held the Sixth Annual Atlantic Seaboard Wine Competition July 17 and 18 in Haymarket, Virginia. 110 wineries from eleven Atlantic Seaboard states entered 538 wines in the competition. The Best of Show was awarded to Rosemont of Virginia Winery for their2007 Meritage...

Governor McDonnell Announces National Wine Bloggers Conference to be Held in Virginia

Stacey Johnson - Office of the Governor Jul 06, 2010

CHARLOTTESVILLE- Governor Bob McDonnell today announced that the national 2011 Wine Bloggers Conference will be held in Charlottesville. The conference is expected to bring at least 300 attendees to the area for the 3-day gathering...

Monticello Wine Trail Awards Announced

Neil Williamson - The Trellis Group Jun 13, 2010

Charlottesville, VA - The Monticello Wine Trail, the richest wine region in the Old Dominion, announced the results of their 20th annual wine competition. The competition, which is limited to wineries in the appellation, received almost 60 wines from sixteen wineries. The wines were evaluated by a tasting panel that included sommeliers, wholesale wine buyers, retailers and other wine industry professionals...

Governor McDonnell Announces Wineries Unlimited to Move to Virginia in 2011

Stacey Johnson - Office of Governor Bob McDonnell Apr 27, 2010

RICHMOND — Governor Bob McDonnell today announced that the Wineries Unlimited trade show will relocate from Pennsylvania to Richmond, Virginia in 2011. Wineries Unlimited is the second largest vineyard and winery conference and tradeshow in North America. It is estimated that the 2011 event will bring over 2,000 visitors and $1.5 million in revenue to Virginia...

Wine Loft celebrates Short Pump grand opening with Virginia Wine Backpack challenge

Karen Batalo - The Wine Loft Richmond Mar 24, 2010

For every bottle of Virginia wine sold between now and the end of the school year, the Wine Loft will sponsor a weekend backpack of food for an at risk child. Of critical importance to the CVFB is stopping childhood hunger. Poverty and food insecurity negatively influence the diet and health of many low-income children. Weekend backpacks are delivered to children at risk of hunger in Richmond, Henrico, and Chesterfield schools. The BackPack Program is designed to meet the needs of hungry children at times when other resources are not available, such as weekends and school vacations...

Virginia's Own Veritas Viognier Poured at State Department Celebration of International Women of Courage

Andrew Hodson - Veritas Vineyards & Winery Mar 10, 2010

Emily Hodson Pelton the winner of the National Women’s Wine Competition 2007 was invited to the State Department where the Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and guest speaker Michelle Obama honored –The Fourth International Women of Courage Awards to ten women from around the world. The award recognizes their courage and leadership as they fight for social justice, human rights and the advancement of women. Deborah Brenner author of Women of the Vine shared the honor of being invited not only to be present at the ceremony but also to pour her Merlot with Emily’s Veritas Viognier 2009. Emily had the honor of meeting both Madame Secretary and the First Lady who affirmed her enjoyment of Emily’s Viognier – high praise indeed.

Virginia Wine Week to Offer Love By the Glass – March 22-28

The Virginia Wine Board Marketing Office - The Virginia Wine Board Marketing Office Feb 28, 2010

Richmond, Va. (March 1, 2010) The Virginia Wine Marketing Office and the Virginia Tourism Corporation today announced Love By the Glass, the first-ever Virginia Wine Week. Wine lovers will celebrate Virginia Wine Week March 22-28, 2010 at more than 100 participating restaurants and wine shops across the state...

King Family Vineyards Meritage Awarded

Karen Batalo - The Virginia Wine Board Marketing Office Feb 25, 2010

Richmond, Va. - Nestled in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains 15 minutes from Charlottesville, a small, family-owned vineyard has achieved what Thomas Jefferson dreamed of at his Monticello vineyards: the production of an award-winning Virginia wine. The King Family Vineyards 2007 Meritage has won the coveted 2010 Virginia Governor's Cup award for red wine. Selected from more than 200 entries representing all of the appellations in the Commonwealth, King Family Vineyards 2007 Meritage is a blend of 56% Merlot, 20% Petit Verdot, 16% Cabernet Franc, and 8% Malbec.

2010 Virginia Governor’s Cup Medal Results

Annette Boyd - The Virginia Wine Board Marketing Office Feb 08, 2010

Leesburg, VA –On January 23, the 2010 Virginia Governor’s Cup Competition took place at Lansdowne Resort. This year the Virginia wine industry changed the Governor’s Cup competition from previous years. Only red wines were tasted (medals listed below). The coveted Governor’s Cup will be awarded to one of the Gold medal recipients at the Virginia Wine Expo’s Governor’s Cup Grand Tasting on February 26th, held in Richmond, Virginia.

Virginia Takes Home 24 Awards at the San Francisco Wine Competition

Annette Boyd - The Virginia Wine Board Marketing Office Jan 14, 2010

San Francisco, CA – Proclaimed as the “Largest Competition of American Wines in the World,” last week the 2010 San Francisco Wine Competition awarded Virginia wineries with 24 awards. With over 63 professional judges on hand, the week-long competition presented Virginia with medals ranging from Gold, Silver to Bronze. Virginia excelled in the Cabernet Franc category where six wineries took home top awards. Another strong category for Virginia was Viognier, bringing home four medals....

Virginia Cider Makers Featured at Blair House Holiday Event

Diane Flynt - Foggy Ridge Cider Dec 17, 2009

Washington, D.C.—A special holiday showcase at Blair House, the nation’s official guesthouse, featured hard cider from Foggy Ridge Cider and Albemarle Ciderworks, two Virginia farm wineries. The Magazine Publishers of America and the US State Department hosted the December 7 gathering, which celebrated American artisan foods and beverages and featured historic rooms decorated by America’s top magazines.

Benchmark Hospitality International Chefs to be Featured at The James Beard House, New York

Ken Ellens - Ken Ellens Communications Dec 14, 2009

New York, October 2009 … For the fifth consecutive year, Benchmark Hospitality International chefs from the company’s fine dining restaurants, luxury hotels and resorts have been invited by the prestigious James Beard Foundation to cook at the storied James Beard House in New York City. What has become an annual tradition for Benchmark chefs was begun five years ago by Bob Zappatelli, who was Benchmark’s revered Vice President Food & Beverage. Mr. Zappatelli passed away last May 31st. Mary Watson, Benchmark Hospitality’s Chief Wine Officer, has paired each course with fine wines. Included is her Signature Blend of Cabernet Franc, Merlot and Tannat -- “Mary’s Cuvée” -- created by Ms. Watson and produced by Virginia’s award-winning Corcoran Vineyards.

Patsy's Restaurant Celebrates the Release of 2007 Adagio Launch

Courtney Darden - The Williamsburg Winery Dec 12, 2009

NEW YORK: Matthew Meyer, Master Winemaker at the Williamsburg Winery will partner with Executive Chef Sal Scognomillo, of the legendary Patsy’s Restaurant on the evening of Tuesday, January 19th to launch Matthew’s 2007 Adagio wine...

The Virginia Wine Board Welcomes Diane Flynt

Annette Boyd - The Virginia Wine Board Marketing Office Dec 08, 2009

On December 2, 2009 the Virginia Wine Board welcomed Diane Flynt as its newest member. Diane is the owner and operator of Foggy Ridge Cider in Dugspur, Virginia. Appointed by Governor Timothy M. Kaine, Diane was formally sworn in for her duties in late November in preparation for the upcoming meeting. Virginia cideries come under Farm winery statute because they contain 18 percent or less of alcohol by volume.

9th Annual Norton Wine & Bluegrass Festival Oct. 3rd & 4th

Hump Astorga - Chrysalis Vineyards Sep 13, 2009

Visit Chrysalis Vineyards (Middleburg, VA) in the midst of harvest and experience their hottest festival of the year...

Leadership Changes for the Virginia Wine Board

Annette Boyd - Virginia Wine Board Marketing Office Sep 02, 2009

Richmond, VA – On Thursday, August 20, 2009, at the Virginia Wine Board's quarterly meeting, John H. “Rock” Stephens of The Vineyard at Point Breeze, located on Virginia's Eastern Shore, was elected Chairman of the Virginia Wine Board. Jennifer “Jenni” McCloud of Chrysalis Vineyards, located in Middleburg Virginia was elected Vice Chairman, and Marcie Siegel of Sweely Estate Winery in Madison Virginia, joined the Board after being appointed by Governor Timothy M. Kaine on July 20, 2009. Other existing board members include: Dean Triplett of Willowcroft Farm Vineyards, Luca Paschina of Barboursville Vineyards, Mills Wehner of Chatham Vineyards, Patrick G. Duffeler Sr. of Williamsburg Winery, and Ruth Saunders of Silver Creek Orchards.

THE TIDES INN WELCOMES THE RETURN OF "WOMEN WILD ABOUT WINE"

Jeong Ku Hwang - The Tides Inn Jun 02, 2009

Weekends in October will once again bring together friends and fine wine in Virginia's Northern Neck. IRVINGTON, VA (June 3, 2009) - The Women Wild About Wine Weekends at the Tides Inn returns in time for October's wine harvest and Virginia's wildly popular wine month. Virginia celebrates its 21st Virginia Wine Month with festivals, tours, concerts and more from the state's 140 wineries. October has become an eagerly awaited annual highlight as Virginia's wine production ranks fifth in the U.S...