Category: Wine News

Gold Medal Winners

/ Paul / Leave a comment

The Gold Medal winners in the Virginia Wineries Association Governor’s Cup Wine Competition have been announced. 64 different wines from 40 different wineries were awarded gold medals. 19 world-class judges tasted over 530 wines to select the best. Next week the Governor’s Cup winner will be announced at a special event held in Richmond. Congratulations to all the gold medal winners!

 

 

868 Estate Vineyards – Vidal Blanc 2017
Afton Mountain Vineyards – Tradition 2017
Barboursville Vineyards – Octagon 2014
Barboursville Vineyards – Vermentino Reserve 2018
Barboursville Vineyards – Octagon 2017
Bluestone Vineyard – Blue Ice 2015
Breaux Vineyards – Nebbiolo 2015
Breaux Vineyards – Merlot 2016
Cardinal Point Winery – Clay Hill Cabernet Franc 2017
Chester Gap Cellars – Cabernet Franc 2017
Chisholm Vineyards – Cabernet Sauvignon 2016
Chestnut Oak Vineyard – Chestnut One 2017
CrossKeys Vineyards – Ali d’Oro 2016
Cunningham Creek Winery – Herd Dog Red 2017
Delaplane Cellars – Williams Gap 2017
Delaplane Cellars – Rusticity 2017
DuCard Vineyards – Petit Verdot 2017
DuCard Vineyards – C’est Trop 2017
Early Mountain – Petit Manseng 2018
Early Mountain – Shenandoah Springs Cabernet Franc 2017
Fifty-Third Winery and Vineyard – Viognier, Monticello AVA 2018
Glen Manor Vineyards – Hodder Hill 2015
Greenhill Vineyards – Mythology 2016
Hamlet Vineyards – Eltham 2017
Hark Vineyards – Merlot 2017
Honah Lee Vineyard – Petit Manseng 2017
Jefferson Vineyards – Meritage 2017
Jefferson Vineyards – Jefferson’s Own Estate Reserve Red Wine 2017
Keswick Vineyards – Les Vents d’Anges 2018
Keswick Vineyards – Cabernet Sauvignon Estate Reserve 2016
King Family Vineyards – Loreley 2017
King Family Vineyards – Mountain Plains Red 2017
Lake Anna Winery – Tannat 2017
Lake Anna Winery – Chardonnay 2018
Lake Anna Winery – Petit Verdot 2017
Lost Creek Winery – Cabernet Franc 2017
Michael Shaps – Meritage 2016
Michael Shaps – L. Scott 2017
Michael Shaps – Petit Verdot 2017
Michael Shaps – Cabernet Franc 2017
Michael Shaps – Raisin d’Etre Blanc 2016
Michael Shaps – Meritage 2017
Michael Shaps – Petit Manseng 2018
Muse Vineyards – Cabernet Franc 2015
Narmada Winery – Chardonel Reserve 2017
Paradise Springs Winery – The Moment 2016
Pippin Hill Farm & Vineyards – Petit Verdot 2017
Pippin Hill Farm & Vineyards – Wild Common Reserve 2017
Pippin Hill Farm & Vineyards – Easton Blue 2016
Pollak Vineyards – Cabernet Franc Reserve 2017
Pollak Vineyards – Smuggler 2017
Pollak Vineyards – Cabernet Franc 2017
Pollak Vineyards – Cabernet Sauvignon 2017
Pollak Vineyards – Meritage 2017
Potomac Point winery – Petit Verdot 2017
Rockbridge Vineyard – V d’Or 2017
Rosemont Vineyards – Cabernet Franc 2017
Shenandoah Vineyards – Shenandoah Reserve Red 2017
Sunset Hills Vineyard – Mosaic 2017
The Barns at Hamilton Station Vineyards – Meritage 2017
Trump Winery – Blanc de Blanc 2014
Trump Winery – Cabernet Sauvignon 2017
Winery 32 – Thoroughbred Blend 2016
Zephaniah Farm Vineyard – Friendship 2017

This information was provided to us by the Virginia Wine Board Marketing Office.

25th Anniversary

/ Paul / Leave a comment

On Saturday I attended the 25th Anniversary celebration at Gray Ghost Vineyards. Twenty five years ago on July 9th Al and Cheryl Kellert opened the doors to Gray Ghost Vineyards. They were only tasting one wine on that day, a Vidal.

The day began with an opening reception. Amy Payette, Virginia House of Delegates from the 18th district Michael Webert, Richard Leahy and Al Kellert all spoke during the reception.

Following the reception there were events that took place all day. You could enjoy a tasting of their current release of wines (even the limited release 2017 Merlot). The wine library was open tasting four vintages of library wines. The barrel room was also open for tasting of the 2016 Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon (first time a reserve barrel as been opened!). There was also beautiful music in the barrel room from harpist Tess Miller. If that wasn’t enough, you could also take a vineyard tour, winery tour and enjoy live music around the grounds at Gray Ghost. And if you got hungry Talk of the Mountain Seafood was on hand to fill that hunger.

It was an amazing day. The events continued again on Sunday. We have been part of the Gray Ghost family for many years. We want to congratulate them on reaching their 25th year. We know they will continue on into the future with great success. And we of course will continue to visit Gray Ghost, help in harvesting and enjoying their wines for years to come. Congratulations Gray Ghost!

Before I left, I bought a case of the limited release 2017 Merlot. If you haven’t been to Gray Ghost Vineyards, it’s one winery in Virginia that you must visit. And when you do, tell them Virginia Wine Time sent you!

We Remember Carol Mercer Jensen

/ Warren and Paul / Leave a comment

The Virginia wine blogging community lost a cherished member on Wednesday when Carol Mercer Jensen passed away due to cancer. Readers may know that Carol and her husband, Kurt, chronicled their passion for Virginia wine on their blog, Wine About Virginia. It was Virginia wine that introduced us to Carol and Kurt over 13 years ago after we had also started our own blog, Virginia Wine Time. in fact, the four of us and other Virginia wine blogging pioneers eventually earned the nickname, the Virginia Wine Mafia. I am not sure that we were really a mafia, but we all enjoyed getting together to share our experiences with Virginia wine.

Over the years, Paul and I developed a friendship with Carol and Kurt. Carol was thoughtful and generous with an easy sense of humor. She was an adored wife and a beloved mother of two daughters, Laura and Diana. To us, Carol was a warm-hearted friend, and we will miss her terribly.

Paul and I extend our deepest sympathies to Kurt Jensen and his daughters Laura Brown and Diana Robbins.

Starting Summer at Slater Run Vineyards

/ Warren / 2 Comments

It has been a while since we have been on the wine trails; however, this past weekend we made certain to enjoy the transition from spring to summer with a visit to Slater Run Vineyards. Our summer plans include outdoor concerts, picnics, and gatherings with friends, and our quest was to stock up on summer pours that would be appropriate for warm nights, festive fireflies, and summer fun!

Our visit to Slater Run Vineyards coincided with the winery’s opening of its new spacious tasting room. The well-appointed tasting room highlights a trendy yet tasteful barn-like atmosphere with plenty of glass doors and windows to maximize exposure to green space and mountain views. We also appreciate the no pets, no children rule; yes, we like dogs and love toddlers, but wine tasting is an adult (and human) experience. (Sorry to offend anyone!)

Kathy skillfully guided us through our tasting experience. My palate was tuned in to summer wines, and the 2018 Pinot Gris with its citrus notes and refreshing palate was an instant hit for me. We both enjoyed the 2018 Rose, a blend of Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Merlot. Bright red berry aromas and red berry flavors screamed summer. (Readers may already know that 2018 was a very difficult growing season due to heavy rain, so get ready for lots of rose from Virginia wineries.) Lean meats on the grill should pair well with the light-bodied 2016 Cabernet Franc with its brambleberry notes and spicy finish. Grilled steaks and heartier meats would appreciate the 2016 Roots as a sidekick. Cabernet Sauvignon dominates this blend and is accompanied by Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot, and Merlot. Dark fruit prevails on the palate and the mouthfeel is heavier; however, the tannins are pliable; this one is accessible now but feel free to store on the rack for fall.

We enjoyed a bottle of the 2018 Rose with sliced ham, fresh strawberries, and light cheeses while taking in the scenic view from the patio. A gentle breeze and the scent of blossoms filled with warm air. Of course, we left with a case of our favorite wines, and we encourage readers to do the same. Please visit the new (and expansive) tasting room at Slater Run Vineyards to enjoy their excellent wines. Be sure to mention that Virginia Wine Time sent you!