White Wines Lead the 2025 Case

Main Street Station
Richmond, VA

White wines shine - that was the Virginia Wine Dogs' big takeaway from the 2025 Governor's Cup Competition. We only wish founder Pomeroy - the white Pomeranian - had lived to see this day.

Governor Glenn Youngkin with wife Suzanne salute the Governor's Cup Case winners, noting Virginia wine is shipped to top markets in the world, it is served at the Ambassador's residence in France, and Virginia winemakers are celebrated around the world.

Before introducing Virginia's top 12 wines for 2025, a few observations.

Whites Win!

In a contest where reds once so overpowered that a special set-aside was created for whites, this year Virginia white wines are dominant. The 2025 Governor's Cup Case features six whites including the top wine, Barboursville Vineyards' 2023 Vermentino. Since the contest was revamped in 2012, only one other non-desert white has won, Horton Vineyards' 2016 Petit Manseng in 2019.

Monticello Rules

Wine Enthusiast's 2023 Wine Region of the Year continues to flex its muscle as the king of Virginia wines. Seven of the 12 wines in this year's case come from the Monticello AVA, including the Cup Winner. 

Cabernet Franc Is Back

In recent years, the Wine Dogs have lamented the lack of Cabernet Franc, arguably Virginia's most distinctive varietal, in the Governor's Cup Case. This year's case features two.

Best-in-Show Wines

This year's competition saw the addition of a best-in-show category for major varietals and blends that are not represented in the case. Six wines earned this distinction and are featured at the end of this post.

Judging Director Frank Morgan observed,
"Wines of nuance showed stronger this year."

Distinguished Judging Panel

Judging Director Frank Morgan raised the bar this year, assembling a world-class judging panel with decades of experience, including four Masters of Wine and a Master Sommelier.  

Best of the Best

The Wine Dogs enjoyed an evening of tasting the top wines in Virginia. We'll lead you through the case and best-in-show winners in no particular order.  

York celebrates with Barboursville's Luca Paschina

The Wine Dogs gave an enthusiastic two paws up to Barboursville Vineyards 2023 Vermentino Reserve, the Governor's Cup winner. Read more here. This is an unprecedented sixth Governor's Cup for Barbousville and a fifth for winemaker/general manager Luca Paschina. Barboursville secured a second spot in the case with the 2017 Octagon, a Bordeaux blend that is arguably the crown jewel of Virginia Wine. In all, Luca and his team took home six golds this year.

Jordon Cleary takes the reins as Potomac Point Winemaker; his wife Callie is the Wine Club Manager.

The Spanish grape Alberino is rising fast grape as a top wine in Virginia. Potomac Point Winery's Jordon Cleary joined with owner Skip Causey to craft a delightful example with their 2023 Alberino. Skip is passing the winemaking torch to Jordan this year.

The Winery at La Grange loves dogs, attests General Manager Katie Lee, showing off her tattoo of her 90-pound rescue mutt Cricket.

Another white grape coming into its own in Virginia is Petit Manseng. The Wine Dogs loved the 2023 Petit Manseng from the Winery at La Grange, which was bright and fresh. La Grange frequently holds K9s in the Vines events, the next one on June 21.

The second Petit Manseng in the 2025 Governor's Cup Case comes from Corry Craighill of Valley Roads Vineyards. With 2.2 percent residual sugar, it is balanced by a bright acidity bringing to mind a pleasant nectar. 

Winning Women Winemakers: Emily Hodson of Veritas (l) and Corry Craighill (r) of Valley Roads Vineyards 

Emily Hodson of Veritas Vineyard & Winery is back in the Governor's Cup Case this year with her Monticello White. This wine is a refreshing blend of Chardonnay, Viognier, Sauvignon Blanc, and Petit Manseng.

Jackie and Jessie (above) pour Michael Shaps' (below) gold medal wines.

Michael Shaps racked up seven gold medals this years from his two wineries - namesake Michael Shaps Wineworks and Shenandoah Vineyards and is the consulting winemaker for others. Among the golds, the 2022 Wild Meadow Vineyard  Chardonnay found a spot in the case. This wine is a wow on the nose and benefits from 15 months of aging on lees.

Cellar Rat Bryce Broff shares a sample of Trump Sparkling Rose

In Virginia, Trump means a vineyard in the Monticello region known for outstanding wines, especially sparklings. This year's case features the 2018 Sparkling Rose, a Chardonnay base with a Pinot Noir dosage. Wine Dogs give it paws up.

Paradise Springs CEO Kirk Wiles and Winemaker Rob Cox toast a great Cabernet Franc

Confirmed Cab Franc-o-philes, the Wine Dogs gave an enthusiastic two paws up to Paradise Springs Winery's 2023 Cabernet Franc from the Brown Bear Vineyards in the Shenandoah Valley. The 9% Petit Verdot provides just the right touch to this medium-bodied red with a white pepper finish.

DuCard winemaker Julien Durantie produced an outstanding Cabernet Franc

Oh the joy! Not one, but two Cabernet Francs in the 2025 Governor's Cup Case. Ducard Vineyards' 2023 Cabernet Franc Vintners Reserve is 100 percent Cabernet Franc with a surprisingly full body.

King Family Hospitality Director Juan Delfin proudly displays the Mountain Plains Red

Cabernet Franc is the lead grape (45 percent) in the 2021 Mountain Plains Red from King Family Vineyards, followed closely Merlot (37 percent) and finished with 18 percent Petit Verdot. The result is a complex red blend with a solid tannin structure.

50 West Tasting Room Associate Gunner Isaksen loves pouring the Aldie Heights Cuvee'. 

The Wine Dogs were impressed with the 2021 Aldie Heights Cuvee'. The third and final red blend in the Governor's Cup Case. Tannat (47 percent) and Petit Verdot (44 percent) dominate to produce a bold and powerful wine.

Five additional wines were honored at the Governor's Cup Gala with Best-in-Show honors.

BEST IN SHOW CABERNET SAUVIGNON, Breaux Vineyards 2022 Cabernet Sauvignon

(shown by owner Jennifer Breaux)

BEST IN SHOW DESSERT WINE, 7 Lady Vineyards 2017 Petit Manseng

(shown by Shane Patrick Crews and Peter Moore)

BEST IN SHOW MERLOT, Pollak Vineyards 2022 Merlot Reserve

BEST IN SHOW PETIT VERDOT, Carriage House Wineworks 2022 Petit Verdot Reserve

(shown by Colin Campbell, Cellar Master)

BEST IN SHOW VIOGNIER, Jefferson Vineyards 2023 Viognier

(shown by Chris Ritzcovan, winemaker)

Is Luca the GOAT? Barboursville Claims 6th Governor's Cup (That's Half a Case)

Winemaker and General Manager Luca Paschina claims a record sixth Governor's Cup for Barboursville

Richmond, Virginia

March 13, 2025

The Wine Dogs salute Luca Paschina as the Greatest of All Time in the Virginia wine world. For the sixth time (one-third of the years of the competition), the winemaking team at Barboursville Vineyards have claimed the Virginia Governor's Cup (the fifth under Luca). This year, it was the delightfully refreshing 2023 Vermentino, an Italian white grape, that won the judges over.

The ruins of Governor Barbour's home at Barboursville Vineyards

Located in the Monticello AVA, Barboursville is one of Virginia's oldest vineyards. The Barboursville estate itself dates back to the early 1800s, and the ruins remain on the property. The vineyard was first planted in 1976 by Gionni Zonin. 

Governor Glenn Youngkin presents the 2025 Governor's Cup to Luca Paschina (with First Lady Suzanne Youngkin and Secretary of Agriculture Matt Lohr)

Luca Paschina, a third-generation Italian winemaker, joined Barboursville in 1990 and has crafted 35 vintages on the estate. In 2015, he was honored by his native Italy with induction into the Order of Merit of the Italian Republic. His world-class Octagon, a Bordeaux blend, is Barboursville's centerpiece - the 2017 vintage also finding a place in this year's Governor's Cup Case. 

"Luca Paschina and his team at Barboursville Vineyards embody the passion and pioneering spirit of Virginia wines," the Governor said in presenting the award. "Their dedication to excellence is evident in every vintage they produce, showcasing an unwavering commitment to craftsmanship and innovation."

Cider of the Year - Daring Wine & Cider Crab Apple Blend 

Jocelyn Kuzelka of Daring Wine & Cider Company produced the best-in-show cider -- the Crab Apple Blend. This is the fifth year ciders have had their own category.

More than 620 entries from over 140 Virginia wineries, cideries, and meaderies competed in this year's competition. In all 155 won gold and were showcased at the Celebration, with special recognition given to the top 12 (including the Barboursville Vermentino), which will comprise this year's Governor's Cup Case. Read about them here. 

Congratulations, Luca, from the Virginia Wine Dogs!

Wine Dogs Toast the Inimitable Emma Randell

 March 28, 2025

Emma enthusiastically shares Shenandoah Vineyards' wine at Shenandoah Uncorked 2009 in the Yellow Barn

Sad news in the Virginia Wine World with the recent passing of Emma Randel, recipient of the 2024 Virginia Women in Wine Trailblazer Award.

The Wine Dogs met this charming Grande Dame of Virginia Wine in the fall of 2009 while attending the the Shenandoah Uncorked festival. Emma graciously invited the Wine Dogs to her (Red) barn, home to Shenandoah Vineyards, and Munchkin and Pomeroy jumped at the opportunity to lap up a bit of Virginia wine industry history.

Shenandoah began nearly 50 years ago, when Emma and her husband left New Jersey for Virginia's Shenandoah Valley "for health reasons" (Jim had a heart attack). Once they got to Woodstock and tasted "the local swill," Emma decided she could do better.

The Randels studied, and in April 1976 planted their first vines. The whole Randel pack got involved -- a nephew did the plowing; the children spent their Spring Break planting, with Emma dancing on each plot to make sure the vines were tucked in securely. Emma looks back fondly at those years. "The grapes were young and immature, and so were we."

The grapes matured and so did Emma, who continued running the winery into her 90s. In 2018, she sold Shenandoah Vineyards to Michael Shaps, who had been working with Emma as winemaking consultant. 

Emma Randel shows with originial Wine Dogs Pomeroy and Munchkin at the Shenandoah Vineyards award wall

Over the years, Shenandoah Vineyards wines collected a wide variety of awards for wines  produced primarily from grapes grown on the estate and entirely from grapes grown in the Valley, including a whopping four gold medals in this year’s Governor’s Cup competition. 

Drop by and raise a glass to Emma!

BARKING NEWS: Medals Announced for Governor's Cup Competition

February 25, 2025
Richmond, Virginia

The medal awards for the Virginia Governor's Cup competition are available.

Virginia Wine Dog tails and tongues are wagging about the 155 gold medal winners. Those top dogs competed against over 620 of the best Virginia wines, ciders, and meads from across the Commonwealth. 

Paws up to Frank Morgan and his world-class panel of judges. We can't wait to sample the winners and find out who makes the case and who takes home the Governor's Cup at the Governor's Cup Gala on March 13! 

See all the medal winners here.

Virginia's Wine Women Come of Age

 January 27, 2025

In 2022, Melanie Natoli made history. The winemaker at Cana Vineyards in Middleburg became the first woman to craft the winning wine in Virginia’s prestigious Governor’s Cup competition since it was redesigned in 2012. She was joined on stage by Maggie Malick (Maggie Malick Cave Wines) and Rachel Stinson Vrooman (Stinson Vineyards), whose wines also made the Governor’s Cup Case. Natoli aptly observed that, two years ago, there number of women standing among the crafters of Virginia's top 12 wines was zero.

Maggie Malick (l) and Rachel Stinson Vrooman (r) join Melanie Natoli on center stage at the 2022 Virginia Governor's Cup Gala

Emily Hodson of Veritas receives Rich Smith Award 

January 2025 was a big month for Emily Hodson, head winemaker at Veritas Vineyards. Her 2023 Reserve Chardonnay was served at the Presidential Inaugural Luncheon. She earned Best in Class awards at the San Franciso Chronicle Wine Competition for both her 2023 Sauvignon Blanc and her 2023 Monticello White plus four additional golds. To top it off, Emily received the Rich Smith Award of Excellence for outstanding contributions to the American grape and wine industry. 

The wine world, and not just in Virginia, is beginning to take notice of the women making their mark in our exciting wine region.  

Nancy Bauer, founder of Virginia Women in Wine,
shares the love with Virginia Wine Dog Ecco

And if they haven’t noticed, Nancy Bauer will make certain that they do. Last year, the founder of Virginia Wine Love launched Virginia Women in Wine (VWW). Inspired by the growing recognition of the leading role women are taking in the wine and hospitality industries, the organization’s mission is to strengthen Virginia's wine industry through women-led media and marketing ventures, networking opportunities, and support for projects to raise the bar for women in Virginia wine. 

In conjunction with Women’s History Month this March, Virginia Women in Wine will publish an exciting study, Closing the Gender Gap in Winemaking. VWW also is sponsoring a wine trail from March 14-31, with events showcasing women winemakers, growers, and leaders of the Birthplace of American Wine. 

Women may not have been among the wine pioneers in Jamestown or at Mr. Jefferson’s Monticello, but women certainly have been up to their elbows in Virginia wine since practically the beginning of the modern era. 

Lucie Morton and Biscotti
(Photo by Dave McIntyre)

Lucie Morton began planting grapes in Virginia in the early 1970s. Today, she is among the East Coast’s leading viticulturalists and advises on where and what to plant in vineyards across the state and throughout the region. Morton received is the Virginia Wineries Association’s Lifetime Achievement Award and the American Wine Society National Merit Awards and was named one of Wine Industry Network’s most inspiring people in 2021.

VA Wine Pioneer Juanita Swedenburg

Juanita Swedenburg was among the first wave of winery owners in the modern era, opening Swedenburg Estate Vineyards in Middleburg in 1987. In the 2000s, she led the fight to allow wineries to ship their wines across state lines – a battle she won in the U.S. Supreme Court in 2005. Swedenburg died in 2007, and the winery was sold and now operates as Greenhill Winery and Vineyards.

The Horton clan with Gov. Youngkin
at the 2018 Governor's Cup Gala

Sharon Horton worked side-by-side with her husband Dennis from the founding of Horton Vineyards in 1989. Since Dennis’s death, Horton has become a multigenerational women-led winery.  Sharon continues to oversee the vineyard, with daughter Shannon and granddaughter Caitlin carrying on the tradition as winemakers.

Rachel Stinson with Ecco at Red Wine Tasting

Rachel Stinson Vrooman also has deep roots in Virginia’s wine industry. It was a family decision when the Stinsons decided to turn their farm property into a winery. Scott says he asked who wanted to become a winemaker and daughter Rachel, then a photojournalist in New York, "made the mistake of raising her hand." Her first vintage was 2010.  

Jenn Breaux in the tatsing room with Ecco

Among Virginia’s 300-plus wineries, many have women at the helm. Jennifer Breaux took over operations of Breaux Vineyards in 2005. The sprawling 404-acre estate in Loudoun County is one of the largest in the Commonwealth. Recently, Jenn returned to the tasting room to give her customers that personal touch.

Kelly Knight and Teresa Delmare talk
about running the family winery

At Rappahannock Cellars' annual soup event this past November, founder and patriarch John Delmare announced that Rappahannock is now a women-owned business.  While John continues in a strategic role, daughters Kelly and Teresa have taken over operations of the venture, which currently produces around 12,000 cases of wine annually.

Athena Eastwood shows Ecco her
double-gold winning Petit Verdot

Eastwood Farm and Winery was a women-run enterprise from its birth in 2020. Founded by commodities attorney Athena Eastwood and her daughters Megan Taub and Hannah Velie, almost everyone working at the winery is female. While Athena finds the industry challenging regardless of gender, she says the prevalence of women "creates an environment where all the women help each other - sometimes even bringing their babies to work." Eastwood won two double golds and two golds at the San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition.

Judging just wrapped up for the 2025 Virginia Governor's Cup. We look forward to learning which women will take the stage with award-winning wines this year.