Here I am practicing my arithmetic, again.  In the past two weeks, I’ve tasted through the 2026 Virginia Governor’s Cup Wine Competition Case Winners (12), and I served Virginia wine with three courses at a diner party I hosted for friends (3).  So yes, that adds up to 15, proving there are numerous ways to appreciate and support Virginia wineries.

Buy Prednisone Online Without Prescription Twelve: Tasting the 2026 Virginia Governor’s Cup Competition Case Winners

Jay Youmans MW , director of the Capital Wine School, conducted a seminar at CWS showcasing the 12 wines that made it into the Virginia Governor’s Case in 2026.  I provided a history of the competition in a previous post, so I will spare readers the details here.  Jay still maintains that Petit Manseng has the potential to become Virginia’s answer to Chenin Blanc, and two of the three white wines in the case were Petit Manseng.  Both the preliminary and final rounds of the competition were once again conducted at Breaux Vineyards.  So what were my impressions of this year’s case winners, including the Governor’s Cup Winner, the Valley Road 2023 Cabernet Franc? Let’s find out:

1. Trump Winery 2018 Blanc de Noir (winemaker:Johnathan Wheeler)— 98% Pinot Noir and 2% Pinot Meunier—This crisp sparkling made the case last year, but this Brut continues to impress with yeasty notes, ripe apple, and lemon nuances.
2. Order Klonopin Online Barboursville Vineyards 2024 Vermentino (winemaker: Luca Paschina)—Floral aromas with notes of melon, citrus,  wet stone, and a bite of pear. This classic Vermentino offered a generous, fruity palate.
3. Order Soma Online The Winery at La Grange 2024 Petit Manseng (winemaker: Seth Chambers)—A golden-hued wine that presented aromas of white blossoms and lush tropical fruit. Tropical fruit flavors finished with a bit of coconut.  Fermentation in neutral French oak helped to provide a rich mouth feel.
4. Woodbrook Farm Vineyard 2024 Petit Manseng (winemaker: Michael Shaps)—I found the oak to be a bit more pronounced on the nose when compared to previous Petit Manseng.  It shared similar fruit elements, though, and seemed more unctuous on the palate.  Lengthy finish, too. Elegant and food friendly, especially with spicy food, roasted chicken or fish served with a beurre blanc sauce. (It’s almost dinner time here, and I’m hungry, so food is on my mind)
5. https://www.mytravelstudio.com/about/ Granite Heights Winery 2024 Humility (winemaker: Luke Kilyuk)—Cabernet Franc proved to be the champion in this year’s case, so what a surprise to learn that Humility features the Lagrein, an Italian variety most commonly grown in Veneto. Violet and tobacco notes were accompanied by fruit elements of blackberry and plum.  It made a juicy splash on the palate with a nice, tannic structure to boot.
6. Fifty-Third Winery and Vineyard 2023 Two Springs (winemaker Chelsey Blevins)—Confession time here—this was my favorite wine in the case lineup.  This is a blend of Cabernet Franc, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Petit Verdot.  Violet and tobacco aromas melded nicely with rich seed berry and plum notes to provide a fruity entry framed by malleable tannins.  Sip with cheeses, serve to impress at a dinner party (yes, I’m still hungry), drink now or hold on for a few years.  It begs for another sip. Just lovely.
7. https://www.allthingsheartandhome.com/tv-wall-ideas/ 7 Lady Vineyards 2023 Meritage (winemaker: Zach Clancy)—This is my first time experience with wine from 7 Lady Vineyards, and this blend of Merlot and Petit Verdot was tight and dense.  Swirling brought forward dark cherry and licorice  notes with a whiff of graphite that finished with a cedar nuance. It was quite tannic and representative of the powerful reds coming out of the 2023 vintage in Virginia.  Buy now, and drink later.
8. https://www.finservpartners.com/service/s-corp-election/ Michael Shaps Wineworks 2023 Cabernet Franc (winemaker: Michael Shaps)—Smoky notes here with a dense color in the glass. Dark cherry and plum elements prevail on the palate. Acidity carries fruit through the palate. Elegant. Buy now but let it breathe before pouring, and buy another bottle to age.
9. Buy Klonopin Online Overnight CrossKeys Vineyards 2024 Cabernet Franc (winemaker: Andrew Bilenkj)—So here was a contrast with the Wineworks 2023 Cabernet Franc.  This award-winner seemed closer to styles produced from Chinon in France with pronounced herbal aromas punctuated by a hint of violet. Bright seed berry flavors and fresh acidity made for an easy sipper.
10. Buy Soma Online Pollak Vineyards 2023 Merlot Reserve (winemaker: Benoit Pineau)—I’ve written about this powerful Merlot before, and swirling provided the aeration needed to bring forward sandalwood notes followed by elements of plum and dark cherry.  Lingering finish on this one, too.  Compelling and yet still brooding—this Merlot will continue to evolve over time.
11. https://masculinidades.org/about/ Glen Manor Vineyards 2023 Vin Rouge (winemaker: Jeff White)—Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Merlot, and Petit Verdot comprise this structured wine.  Jammy fruit preserve—cherry, blackberry, currants—are accented by a bit of cedar on the finish. I have several bottles of this on my wine rack, and I may need to add a few more.
12. Ambien No Prescription Valley Road Vineyards 2023 Cabernet Franc Reserve (winemaker: Corry Craighill)—The 2026 Governor’s Cup winner was saved for last. This was a complex wine that began with notes of violet and forest floor. Alluring flavors of cherry and plum finished with a spicy edge and smooth tannins. Yum. Buy now and hold. Congratulations to Corry Craighill and the Valley Road team for producing this intense gold-medal winner.

+3: A Multi-Course Dinner Party at the Richard Residence

I invited friends over for a dinner party at my home.  I was cook and wine steward; of course, I paired each course with a Virginia wine.

Purchase Tramadol Without Prescription Course 1: Leek and potato soup paired with Capstone Blanc de Blanc

Course 2: Mini crab cakes and mixed salad greens paired with Cana Albarino Reserve 2023

Main Course: Herb-crusted roasted leg of lamb, rice pilaf, and sautéed green beans paired with Arterra Wine Petite Syrah 2023

Dessert: Lemon layer cake with vanilla frosting. No wine served but Louisiana coffee and chicory offered.

Yes, 12+3 do add up to 15, and I had the pleasure of experiencing 15 award winning Virginia wines.  Sharing Virginia wines with friends was also a treat.  Plan to visit the wineries mentioned in this post to taste the excellence for yourself.  Please mention that Virginia Wine Time sent you.