Governor's Cup Finds New Home: The Barns at Hamilton Station

Emily Pelton, David King Honored by Industry

Hotel John Marshall
Richmond, Virginia

Gov. Terry McAuliffe presents 2017 Governor's Cup to Andrew and Maryann Fialdini 

The barking news out of Richmond is that The Barns at Hamilton Station in Hamilton, VA, will be taking home the 2017 Governor's Cup. The award-winning wine is the 2014 Cabernet Sauvignon, confirming once again that Virginia can produce a full-bodied Cab. The Barns opened in 2012, a post-government-service project of owners Andrew and Maryann Fialdini. Michael Shaps is the winemaker.

A total of 494 wines were judged in this year's competition, one of the most stringent and thorough in the United States. All wines must be crafted from 100 percent Virginia fruit.

York was on hand to represent the Wine Dogs as the team at The Barns at Hamilton Station celebrated their Governor's Cup victory. 

Emily Pelton of Veritas Vineyards in Afton, VA, was recognized as Virginia Wine Person of the Year for her work with the Virginia Winemakers Research Exchange, a research cooperative established in 2014 to help enhance the qualify and economic profitability of Virginia wines. 

Emily Pelton accepts the VA Wine Person of the Year award.

"If you love what you do, you never work a day in your life," said Emily, who serves as Veritas' winemaker. Two of her wines, the 2014 Petit Manseng and the 2014 Petit Verdot (Paul Shaffer 6th Edition) earned spots in the Governor's Cup Case,

David King, founder and owner of the King Family Vineyards in Crozet, VA, received the Gordon Murchie Lifetime Achievement Award. King is a well-respected leader in the Virginia wine industry and long-time member of the Virginia Wine Board. 

David King receives the Lifetime Achievement Award.

"Even after the battles, we can all have a glass of wine - and that makes it all better," he said, adding "We have work to do."  The King Family's Loreley (a Petit Manseng) earned a spot in the Governor's Cup Case.

Rounding out the Governor's Cup Case are  Barboursville Vineyards (2013 Paxito), Breaux Vineyards (2012 Meritage), Horton Vineyards (2015 Viognier), Ingleside Vineyards (2014 Petit Verdot), Jefferson Vineyards (2014 Petit Verdot), Michael Shpas Wineworks (2014 Meritage), and Valley Road Vineyards (2014 Petit Verdot).

Paws up to all the wineries in the Governor's Cup Case, representing the best of Virginia Wine.