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!

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.

What's the Buzz? A New Coffee House for Wine Dogs

Alexandria, VA

Wine Dogs have a new hang-out in Northern Virginia. Munchkin was on hand to kick off the Buzz Bark Bash Weekend, aka the grand opening of the new dog-friendly patio at Buzz on Slaters.

For those who unfamiliar with Buzz, it's a great addition to the local scene in North Old Town. Already a hit with the mommy crowd and the wired-in set, Buzz's savvy owners are now catering to canines (and their people).

The kickoff featured yummy biscuits and great Spanish wines provided by Planet Wine in Del Ray. The Marques de Caceres rose was perfect for a sizzling spring evening.

Buzz regularly offers wine by the glass, and some special cocktails. This is not your father's coffee house. But it may very well become Munchkin's!

Wine Dogs Make Wine: Lesson 2 (Primary Fermentation)

Three Fox Vineyards
Delaplane, VA
This week the Wine Dogs got to 1) meet all our fellow classmates, and 2) start primary fermentation of our wine. First thing John told us was that we have to clean, clean, clean. Pomeroy sheds and we don't want any "hair of the dog" in our wine. So we all sprayed down our primary fermentation units (aka buckets) with B-Brite and rinsed. As you can see, we are using very sophisticated equipment.

At last, we are ready for the good stuff. John showed us how to open our home wine kits, which contained the "must", a fancy word for grape juice. Munchkin and Pomeroy supervised as we poured it into the bucke... er, primary fermentation unit. It reminded Munchkin of the Welch's frozen concentrate -- except these are not Concord, but reserve French cabernet grapes. Still, we mixed it with water just like Mommy does to the Welch's, and the taste we snuck (it just dripped out, honest) was very sweet. In fact, we tested the sugar (or Brix), and it measured 17.53 percent. That's going to change once the little yeasties get in there and start turning the sugar into alcohol. We put six grams of yeast into our six gallons of wine. There's a couple of other measures we're watching. We've got a hydrometer to measure the specific gravity (right now, 1.072), and pH strips, which gave us a starting pH of 3.2.

So far, I'd say winemaking is pretty easy, unless you're the yeast. We left them to do the work while Munchkin and Pomeroy went back to the winery and enjoyed a bottle of CabFranc (and a bottle of Merlot) with our new classmate, Elisabeth Morgan, in honor of the Patron Saint of Wine Dogs.

Happy St. Patrick's Day from Munchkin, Pomeroy and our Three Fox friends - Milano, Della, and Giovanni!

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Wine Dogs Make Wine

Three Fox Vineyards, Delaplane, VA
Your favorite wine dogs are about to become winemakers. Munchkin and Pomeroy have enrolled in the home winemaking course offered by John Todhunter of Three Fox Vineyards. John started out as a home winemaker -- for 30 years -- before following his dream and opening Three Fox with wife Holli.

Classes are on Saturday, but because of a conflict, we had a make-up lesson for the orientation on Sunday. We met classmates Joe and Bethany, who are already experienced home-winemakers. The closest we've come is when Pomeroy's Dad left apple cider in the refrigerator to ferment.

We're getting a real winemaking kit, with buckets and carboys and oak chips. We're making Cabernet Sauvignon -- 2-1/2 cases worth, as are five others in our class. Three adventurous groups will be making a Zinfandel-Shiraz blend, and two groups, including Joe and Bethany, making Sangiovese. That's one of Three Fox's specialties, and we got to taste some yummy wine from the barrel, as well as a full set of the current wines thanks to Holli -- the perfect hostess.

Keep watching. We'll be posting after each lesson.

Wine Dogs Hang Out at La Grange

THE WINERY AT LAGRANGE, Haymarket, Virginia

When the weather outside is frightful, the Winery at La Grange offers a warm and inviting setting for wining away the afternoon.

La Grange opened in 2006. It is the sister to Pearmund Cellars, and is producing its own distincitive collection of wines, marked by Chris & Company's high quality.

But beware of ghosts! Thirsty spirits haunt this winery... getting ornery when someone forgets to leave a glass of wine on the tasting room mantle (they prefer the Norton). Send those ghosties to Obedience School.

Munchkin and Pomeroy visited the historic 18th Century manor house on a icy cold, blustery Saturday... the kind of weather no dog should be out in. The tasting room filled up quickly. Everyone joined in trying to guess the answer to the question of the week: Which country produces the most hectaliters of wine a year? Guess wrong and we'll give you the boot (hint, hint).

Cheryl guided us through the standard tasting featuring seven wines - 3 whites, 4 reds - followed by the reserve tasting - 4 more reds. The tasting finished with the Snort - not a reference to Munchkin's breathing, but the name of La Grange's port-style wine. Interestingly, this is not the area's first fine port-style wine. In the 1800s, Robert Portner's vineyard in the area grew grapes for the "Pride of Virginia Port" and won a bronze medal. And to come full circle, Pomeroy lives on a street named for Mr. Portner, who also made a great beer.

Back to the wines. Pomeroy's Dad liked the 2006 CabFranc, with it's peppery finish. The 2006 Fletcher's Charonnay was also a winner. Produced Old World style, without malolactic fermentation, it takes a smokey taste from the oak but is not buttery. The 2006 Tannat was another excellent selection, and will age well. But Munchkin decided the Paws Down favorite was the 2005 Reserve Petit Verdot.

We took a bottle to enjoy in front of a warm fire. Pomeroy chose this elegantly furnished parlor. La Grange has a double set of fireplaces, the legacy of a marital tiff after which owner Benoni Harrison vowed never again to share a hearth with his wife.

For an entirely different experience, check out the cellar at La Grange. The Wine Dogs are especially fond of this room, with its stone walls, wooden tables, and low beamed ceilings (they feel right at home). And the thoughtful proprieters have put out a variety of games and other trivial pursuits. Whatever room you choose, La Grange is a great place to hang out!

MUNCHKIN’S HOLIDAY GIFT RECOMMENDATIONS FOR WINE LOVERS

Your favorite Wine Dog Blogger, Munchkin, has put together a list of gifts from Virginia Wine Country. No matter your taste, you’ll find something here to set any wine lovers’ tail a waggin’.

SIGNATURE RED: 2005 Estate Series Cabernet Franc, Fox Meadow Winery, $27
Cab Franc is becoming a signature Virginia wine, and there’s none better than this gem from our neighborhood winery on Blue Mountain. The peppery FMV Cabernet Franc took Best of Show at the Atlantic Seaboard Wine Competition this year… not bad for a winery that opened its doors last May.

SIGNATURE WHITE: 2005, 2006 Viognier, Rappahannock Cellars,
Virginia’s signature white is the Viognier, and nobody does it better than Rappahannock. After claiming the 2006 Governor’s Cup (and a host of other awards) for the 2005 Reserve, Rappahannock earned double golds this year for its 2006 Viognier.

CLASSIC WHITE: 2006 Reserve Chardonnay, Miracle Valley Vineyard
Mom and I checked out this new addition to Virginia Wine Country just before Thanksgiving (loved meeting Turbo, their Jack Russell). The Reserve Chardonnay is fermented in both Hungarian and then American oak for a truly rich, smoky flavor that was wonderful with turkey.

ROBUST RED: 2006 Ameritage Reserve, Pearmund Cellars, $29
As in “American Heritage,” this rich red wine is produced by blending the vineyard’s best Bordeaux grapes, including the scrumptious Cabernet Sauvignon from the barrel owned by Pomeroy’s dad. Just out this month, this is a full-bodied wine that will warm your toes (good thing, ‘cause it knocks your socks off).

MULLED WINE: 2006 Chambourcin, James River Wine Cellars, $14
Visited this winery with Uncle Jeff and discovered a perfect wine for cold winter nights. This sweet but dry spicy red makes a lovely mulled wine without any fuss. Just warm it on the stove (or even in the microwave) with a dash of cinnamon or cloves and enjoy!

SPARKLING WINE: Monticello Brut, Barboursville Vineyards, $16.99
Toast the New Year in style with the best little bubbly in Virginia. Barboursville created this classic sparkling wine based on Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, using the "Charmat" style of Thomas Jefferson, father of the Virginia wine industry (the Octagon at the Barbour estate was designed by TJ himself).

DESSERT WINE: Vin de Sol, Pearmund Cellars, $25
This aptly named “Sun Wine” is created by aging late harvest Vidal in glass jugs on the winery’s roof (the old Spanish style for producing Sherry). The result is a golden liquor with nutty aromas and dried apricot flavors. Great for sipping after a meal, or pour over ice cream in a pastry shell.

COMMEMORATIVE WINE: Spirit (White, $20), Voyage (Red, $20), Courage (Port, $25), Horton Vineyards
Wine collectors and history buffs alike will treasure Horton’s special commemorative wines marking Jamestown’s 400th anniversary. The labels depict the Susan Constant, Godspeed and Discovery on their voyage to the New World to establish the first permanent English settlement.

COZY ACCOMMODATIONS: Hot Tub Heaven Properties

For a convenient place to stay while picking up your wines, or to give someone a relaxing weekend in Blue Ridge wine country, you can’t do better than Hot Tub Heaven. Each of the four well-appointed vacation chalets and cabins is comfortable and homey and feature hot tubs. Of course, they’re pet friendly. Tell Tom and Deneanne that Munchkin sent you.

Just Call Us Lucy and Ricky... Wine Dogs Stomp Grapes

FOX MEADOW VINEYARDS AND WINERY
Linden, VA
It was a perfect Saturday afternoon for the Harvest Festival at Fox Meadow, aka the Wine Dogs' "Local Cheers Bar" because we have a house on the same mountain so everybody knows our names.

Fox Meadow is a realtively new winery. Owners Dan and Cheryl Mortland opened their tasting room just a year ago last May. And they're already producing award winning wines. The 2005 Cabernet Franc won "best in show" at the Atlantic Seaboard Wine Competition (just like Munchkin's great great grand-daddy at Westminster!). The wine is a family fav, rich and warm with a touch of peppery spice. Can't wait for the 2007... Munchkin and Pomeroy inspected the grapes dripping heavy from the vines, although Cheryl says they're hoping to wait til November to pick.

Add a killer view of the Blue Ridge Mountains (the winery stays open til sundown in the summer so everyone can enjoy the dramatic display as the sun sinks into the valley)... and regular entertainment on a spacious deck (catch my good friend, Robbie Limon, who plays a mean guitar with seventies music when he's not playing Hank Williams or Buddy Holly at the Wayside Inn).... and it's easy to see why Fox Meadow has quickly become a popular destination for locals and weekend wine warriors alike. We, or course, are Friends of the Fox.

This particular weekend, the music was provided by Con and Cash, a talented pair whose repertoire is a little bit country, a little bit folksy, with a touch of bluegrass. There was lots of good paw-stompin' stuff, and Con kept up a great banter with the audience.

Chow-hounds that we are, Roy and I woofed down more than our fair share of the brisket. Catering was provided by the Apple House - exit 13, a must stop when heading out to Blue Ridge wine country.

It was a full house, including Norm and Judy, who were celebrating their anniversary and practicing their tango for their upcoming trip to Argentina.

But we all really started kickin' it into high gear when Dan poured a ton of Merlot grapes into a big vat. Everyone took turns jumping in. Don't know how Roy's Dad ended up in there with Norm, but finally the wine dogs got our turn.

If you've never stomped grapes, be warned. Those little critters get real slippery, and their skins looked like little leaches stuck to mom's legs.But it was a real fun time. And just in case you're wondering, the juice was dumped. There will be no Chateau La Feet 2007 from Fox Meadow.