After our trip to Linden, we decided to stop at Fox Meadow Winery to see what’s happening. We did not have reservations so we weren’t sure what we would be allowed to do at Fox Meadow.
Once we arrived, masked up and went to the tasting bar, we were informed that we wouldn’t be able to do a tasting since we didn’t have a reservation. We would however, be allowed to enjoy a bottle on the deck or on the lawn. So we decided to check out the 2019 Barrel Fermented Chardonnay on the deck. The weather was beautiful and the views were gorgeous.
The 2019 Barrel Fermented Chardonnay did not disappoint. We noted apple and pear on the nose and tropical/citrus notes on the palate. The oak finish was not overwhelming and could stand up to some creamy dishes.
Having enjoyed the 2019 Barrel Fermented Chardonnay, we decided to bring home a few other wines to add to our rack. We committed to returning when we could do a full tasting and see what else we might like. If you happen to visit Fox Meadow Winery, tell them Virginia Wine Time sent you!
Virginia Wineries Association Announces 2021 Governor’s Cup® Gold Medalists
Nearly 100 Wines Awarded Gold Medal Distinction, New Cider Category Introduced in Acclaimed Wine Competition
Richmond, Va. (March 2, 2021) – The Virginia Wineries Association is honored to announce that 96 Virginia wines from 47 different wineries have been awarded gold medals in the 2021 Governor’s Cup® Wine Competition. Originating in 1982, the Virginia Governor’s Cup® is one of the most stringent wine competitions in the U.S.
Over the past four weeks, a panel of world-class judges have blind sampled and scored a record 544 wines that were submitted in this year’s competition. Wines awarded gold medals received a score of 90 or higher on a 100-point score range and are deemed “Outstanding” by the judges.
A testament to Virginia’s diverse terroirs and grape varieties grown in the Commonwealth, the gold medal winners include wines made from over 20 varietals produced across Virginia’s distinct winegrowing regions. With an increase in gold medal winners from last year’s competition, statistics from the 2021 Governor’s Cup® gold medal winners include:
59 Golds – Central VA
2 Golds – Chesapeake Bay
9 Golds – Hampton Roads
17 Golds – Northern VA
9 Golds – Shenandoah Valley
In recent years, Virginia wineries have cultivated more unexpected varietals in the region, such as Tannat and Petit Verdot. These grapes are well-represented among gold medal winners, indicating that experimentation in Virginia’s vineyards has proven fruitful. Bordeaux-style blends and hearty reds are stalwarts in the Virginia wine landscape and received the most gold medals in this year’s competition. A number of white wine varieties such as Chardonnay, Petit Manseng and Sauvignon Blanc rounded out the gold medal winners, for a diverse list taking center stage in Virginia’s booming wine industry.
Of the gold medal winning wines, the 12 wines that receive the highest scores will comprise the Governor’s Cup Case®, showcasing the best wines in the Commonwealth. The wine scored highest will be awarded the grand prize of the Governor’s Cup, which will be announced in a virtual celebration on March 9, 2021.
Virginia cider, a fast-growing segment of the Virginia agricultural industry, now has its own category in the Governor’s Cup Competition. Judges for the new “Best in Show Cider” award were selected based on their passion, experience and understanding of the category, and will award their favorite of 27 ciders that were entered.
The esteemed panel of judges was directed by Jay Youmans – one of only 53 Masters of Wine (MW) in the U.S. – who has overseen the competition for ten years. “The decade I’ve spent working with the Governor’s Cup Competition is evidence of the great evolution we’ve seen in Virginia’s wine industry – this year’s gold medal winners are nothing short of impressive. Awarding such a diverse range of wines and introducing a cider category showcases the transformation of the industry, and I’m proud to see the hard work of these winemakers pay off,” said Youmans.
Virginia’s vibrant wine industry – a 400-year-old “experiment” – has made it a significant agricultural sector in the state. Today, over 300 wineries in Virginia cultivate over 4,200 acres of grapes, making it the sixth-largest wine region in the U.S. The Virginia Wineries Association’s Governor’s Cup® Competition is done in partnership with the Virginia Wine Board and the Virginia Vineyards Association. Both the Governor’s Cup Competition and the resulting Governor’s Cup Case boost the visibility of the Virginia wine region through various marketing programs and exposure to top wine critics and tastemakers.
About the Governor’s Cup Competition
The judging panel ranks each wine based on a unified scoring system. Any wine made from 100% Virginia fruit is eligible for the Governor’s Cup® Competition (ciders, fruit wines and meads have their own categories). Entries must include an affidavit with a certification of 100% Virginia fruit and vineyard particulars, including grower names and location, as well as information on alcohol, acidity or basicity (pH) and residual sugar. The Governor’s Cup competition is a partnership among the gubernatorial-appointed Virginia Wine Board (VWB), the Virginia Vineyards Association (VVA), and the Virginia Wineries Association (VWA), which owns and manages the competition.
The Virginia Governor’s Cup® award winners will be announced during a live premiere on Virginia Wine’s Facebook on March 9 at 7 p.m.
For interviews and photo requests, please contact Annette Boyd at 804.402.1896 or Annette.Boyd@Virginiawine.org.
For more information about the Governor’s Cup or events, tours and tastings, please visit the Virginia Wine Marketing Office’s website at http://www.virginiawine.org/ or email information@virginiawine.org.
2021 Governor’s Cup® Gold Medalists Winery Wine Vintage
Afton Mountain Vineyards Cabernet Franc 2017
Albemarle CiderWorks Harrison 2018
Albemarle CiderWorks Pomme Mary 2019
Barboursville Vineyards Octagon 2017
Barboursville Vineyards Octagon 2016
Barboursville Vineyards Paxxito 2017
Barboursville Vineyards Paxxito 2015
Barboursville Vineyards Sauvignon Blanc Reserve 2019
Barboursville Vineyards Vermentino Reserve 2019
Barren Ridge Vineyards Meritage 2015
Blue Bee Cider Firecracker 2019
Bluestone Vineyard Chardonnay 2017
Bluestone Vineyard Merlot 2014
Bluestone Vineyard Petit Manseng 2019
Breaux Vineyards Meritage 2016
Breaux Vineyards Nebbiolo 2016
Breaux Vineyards Sauvignon Blanc 2019
Carriage House Wineworks Petit Verdot 2019
Cave Ridge Vineyard Red Silk Barrel Select Cabernet Franc 2017
Chestnut Oak Vineyard Petit Manseng 2017
Chisholm Vineyards Chambourcin 2019
CrossKeys Vineyards Petit Verdot 2017
Cunningham Creek Winery Estate Petit Verdot 2017
Cunningham Creek Winery Meritage 2017
Delaplane Cellars Tannat 2017
Delfosse Vineyards and Winery Petit Verdot Reserve 2017
Delfosse Vineyards and Winery Screaming Hawk Meritage 2017
DuCard Vineyards Triskele 2017
Early Mountain Cabernet Franc 2019
Early Mountain Capstone Vineyard Cabernet Franc 2019
Early Mountain Eluvium 2017
Early Mountain Five Forks 2019
Fifty-Third Winery and Vineyard Vidal Blanc 2019
Gadino Cellars Petit Verdot 2017
Greenhill Vineyards Chardonnay Reserve 2019
Honah Lee Vineyard Petit Verdot 2017
Horton Vineyards Petit Verdot Private Reserve 2016
Horton Vineyards Tannat 2015
Ingleside Vineyards Albariño 2019
Ingleside Vineyards Chardonnay Reserve 2018
Jefferson Vineyards Cabernet Franc 2019
Jefferson Vineyards Jefferson’s Own Estate Reserve 2016
Jefferson Vineyards Viognier 2019
Keswick Vineyards Estate Reserve Cabernet Franc 2019
Keswick Vineyards Heritage Estate Reserve 2017
King Family Vineyards Loreley 2017
King Family Vineyards Mountain Plains 2017
Lake Anna Winery Petit Verdot 2017
Lost Boy Cider Comeback Kid 2020
Michael Shaps Cabernet Franc 2017
Michael Shaps Chardonnay 2018
Michael Shaps Chardonnay 2017
Michael Shaps Chardonnay 2016
Michael Shaps Meritage 2017
Michael Shaps Meritage 2015
Michael Shaps Petit Manseng 2019
Michael Shaps Raisin d’Etre White 2015
Michael Shaps Roussanne 2019
Michael Shaps Tannat 2016
Muse Vineyards Clio 2017
Narmada Winery Melange 2017
Narmada Winery Yash-Vir 2016
October One Vineyard Cabernet Franc 2019
Paradise Springs Winery Apres Rosé 2018
Pippin Hill Farm & Vineyards Easton Blue 2017
Pippin Hill Farm & Vineyards Easton Blue 2015
Pippin Hill Farm & Vineyards Zero White 2019
Pollak Vineyards Meritage 2015
Pollak Vineyards Meritage 2017
Pollak Vineyards Mille Fleurs 2017
R.A.H Wine Co. Series 1 2017
Rockbridge Vineyard DeChiel Chardonnay 2018
Shenandoah Vineyards Reserve Red 2017
Silver Hand Meadery All Blues 2020
Silver Hand Meadery Black Velvet 2020
Silver Hand Meadery Dream By The Fire 2020
Silver Hand Meadery Raspberry Passion 2020
Silver Hand Meadery Soak up the Sun 2020
Silver Hand Meadery Strawberry Swing 2020
Stinson Vineyards Tannat 2017
Thatch Winery Block 8 Tannat 2017
Thatch Winery Merlot – Mount Juliet Farm Vineyard 2019
The Williamsburg Winery Petit Verdot Reserve 2017
The Winery at Bull Run Barrel Select Viognier 2019
The Winery at Bull Run Cabernet Franc Reserve 2019
The Winery at Bull Run Petit Manseng 2019
The Winery at Bull Run Reconciliation 2019
Trump Winery Brut Reserve 2014
Upper Shirley Vineyards Tannat 2016
Upper Shirley Vineyards Zachariah 2016
Veritas Winery Cabernet Franc Reserve 2017
Veritas Winery Petit Verdot 2017
Veritas Winery Sauvignon Blanc 2019
Veritas Winery Scintilla 2015
Veritas Winery The Momentarius Collection Monticello White Blend 2019
Walsh Family Wine Dutchman’s Creek Cabernet Franc 2019
About Virginia Wine
You can learn a lot about our wine just by looking at a map: Virginia sits halfway between Europe and California and our wines embody this unique position in the world. They are lush but structured; aromatic, expressive and beautifully balanced – blending the subtlety of the Old World with the boldness of the new. Like perfect French spoken with a slight southern drawl. Home to 312 wineries across ten wine regions and seven American Viticultural areas (AVAs), most Virginia wineries are family owned; the average size of a winery is 12.8 acres. This means Virginia wines aren’t massproduced – they are local, artisanal and tell a story shaped by Virginia’s diverse landscape and unpredictable conditions.
Paul and I continue to slowly travel the wine trails of Virginia, and our last trek took us to Cana Vineyards. We had not been to Cana in quite a few years, and we learned that the winery is now owned by Lisa and Bryce Petty. They purchased the vineyard and winery from the Bell family in 2018. Co-owners Michelle and Tom Grant are now also part of the Cana team. The Cana facility now includes the expansive Sunset Pavilion which provided for adequate spacing of customers on a very cold afternoon.
Another noted change from our last visit, though, was the improved quality of the wines. I am an unashamed Chardonnay lover, and Cana’s 2019 Chardonnay hit all the right notes for me. It was elegant and well balanced with lovely pear and apple aromas, while the palate was treated to pear and citrus flavors accented with fall spice and a touch of oak. The 2019 Petit Manseng was another success and an example of what this variety can do in Virginia when in the right hands. Fresh tropical notes with a nice, refreshing acidity ended with a dry finish and destined to pair well with any seafood dish. The 2018 Le Mariage, a blend of Bordeaux varieties with Merlot taking the lead, presented a juicy berry entry on the palate followed by a spicy edge on the finish. Remember, 2018 was a very tricky vintage due to lots of rain and not a lot of sunshine in most parts of Virginia; however, a newcomer to Virginia wine would not have been the wiser after sampling this well-crafted blend. Paul’s favorite was the Cabernet Franc produced from the stellar 2017 harvest. Raspberry and tobacco notes melded with cherry flavors to present a rich wine made more complex by barrel-aging for 15 months. If leg of lamb is on the menu, it might be a good idea to have a bottle of this one on the wine rack as a pairing option.
Our tasting experience was enhanced by the expert knowledge of Don, a familiar face to us from previous visits to Cana (and Chrysalis before that!). Don got us up to speed on the various changes at the winery since our last visit which prompted me to inquire about the winemaker responsible for the improvements noted in the wines. He informed us Melanie Natoli assumed the duties of winemaker and vineyard manager in 2015; we then recalled that Melanie studied winemaking at Fabbioli Cellars. We decided it was time to learn more about Melanie, and she agreed to participate in an interview. (Ordinarily, we would arrange to do this in person, but—-covid.) Continue reading to learn more about the very talented Melanie Natoli.
Photo borrowed from the Cana Vineyards website.
1. Why did you decide to switch careers from being in physical therapy to becoming a wine makers?
I followed my heart. When I make big decisions, I go with my gut. Growing up, no one in my family drank, so I found wine later. Hence, it wasn’t my first career choice, but when I found it, I knew it was my path.
2. Have you found any comparisons between being a physical therapist and a winemaker? Any similar challenges? Rewards?
Good question. They both come from the heart. I’ve always loved science and I chose physical therapy so I could be of service to others. Compassion is rooted in the heart, and so is creative passion for art, winemaking. As a winemaker I still get to connect with people, just in a different way.
3. Why did you decide to become a winemaker in Virginia with its various challenges? Why not someplace like California, for example?
Virginia is where life put me. Virginia is where my love and interest in wine grew. I was close to moving to California and going back to school for a degree in winemaking, but I found/made my own path here and I’m so glad I did. The challenges we face here may cause me to lose a lot of sleep at times, but they’re also what keeps it exciting. There’s always going to be more to learn and I love that.
4. You were awarded Woman Winemaker of the Year at the Women’s International Wine Competition in 2017. Winemaking is still dominated by men, though. Do you think it is still more difficult for women to break into the field and then earn recognition for their achievements?
Sometimes. Starting in this industry as a woman and someone coming in with no experience or connections, I do feel I had to work harder to prove myself, so I have. I’ve had a few interactions that weren’t fair, but I kept my head down, worked harder, and poured myself into my wine. Now I’m proud of what I put in the bottle and I have confidence in my abilities, so that kind of stuff can roll off my back. I’ve only made wine in Virginia, but I have a suspicion the challenge would be greater in other regions. Our industry is young enough that a long history of a good ol boys club wasn’t built. Although there may still be more men working in our industry, the women are here and making their mark. The supportive community of Virginia winemakers is one of the things that makes our region so amazing.
5. What grape varieties do you grow at Cana? Which do you consider to be the flagships at Cana? Do you have plans to expand your portfolio beyond what is currently planted?
Reds: Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot, Norton
Whites: Petit Maseng, Viognier
We have 2 wines that I produce from our estate fruit. The Unite’ Reserve is a blend of Merlot, Cabernet Franc, and Petit Verdot. The blend will vary depending on what shines in the vineyard each year. The other estate wine is our Petit Manseng which often has some of the estate Viognier blended in.
We only have 7 acres on the estate, so we also source from some fantastic partner growers. The 2 estate wines have a special place in my heart because I work the vineyard all season, so those wines I craft every step of the way from budbreak to bottle, but I have some other favorites. I’ve been working with Albarino since 2015, my first vintage at Cana, and I’ve had so much fun developing it. And did you think you’d talk to me without hearing about rose’? That is my number one love. If I’m going to be remembered as a winemaker for one thing, I want it to be dry rose’. Right now, we have 2 in our portfolio, Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon.
As far as new wines for the portfolio. I have two new red varietals hitting the bottle in April, so keep an eye out for them at the end of this year. I’d like to bring back Rkatsiteli, and I always want to make more rose’.
6. You have won a trip to a tropical island for a much needed vacation. You can bring three of your favorite Cana wines along on the trip. Which wines and vintages would they be?
I love this one! I also love the idea of a trip to a tropical island, much needed indeed! Since I make 2 rose’s, that’s 2 of the bottles! Because rose’. The 3rd is a tough choice, because I really love my Albarino, but Petit Manseng would be the perfect pairing for somewhere tropical. That’d be a gametime decision, when do I leave? And for vintages, 2019 or 2020. Those are my favorite white vintages so far, because each year I get to dial it in a little better. Although I may go 2017 for the Petit Maseng, I really loved the acid sweetness balance on that bottle.
We know that we will return to Cana Vineyards sooner rather than later. However, if readers get there before we do, please be sure to mention that Virginia Wine Time sent you!
Fall is already upon us, and we look forward to cooler weather and changing colors. This usually means changing wine tasting habits to heavier pours and heartier meals. However, our trip to the Charlottesville area reminded me that some wines, even Virginia wines, are versatile and meant to be enjoyed throughout the year. Here I will present some examples based on our tasing experience in August.
White Wines:
Albarino and Sauvignon Blanc: These two varieties continue to show well in certain regions of Virginia. Micro-climate is key with these. I continue to be impressed with the Albarino produced by Afton Mountain Vineyards, and the 2019 vintage is very good. One bottle came back to our cottage for a crab cake dinner, and three other bottles came home for future enjoyment. Speaking of seafood, the local oyster season should continue through the fall and both the 2018 Sauvignon Blanc from Stinson Vineyards and 2019 vintage of the same grape from Veritas are option to consider when enjoying freshly shucked bivalves from local watersheds.
Chardonnay: I am a fan of Chardonnay, and I don’t care what ABCers think about it! Virginia Chardonnay often sits in the shadow of the more marketed Viognier; however, I think Chardonnay is the more consistent hitmaker. Styles range, of course, so taste and purchase your own favorites. Pollak Vineyards’ 2018 vintage presents a more fruit-forward, lighter-bodied style while the 2018 vintage from Hark Vineyards presents a fuller-bodied style complete with a toasty edge consistent with some barrel aging. The 2019 bottling from Keswick Vineyards was my favorite—-lots of apple and pear notes with enough body to enjoy on its own or with food. Shellfish, roasted poultry, creamy cheeses—-all should play well with this Burgundy-style Chardonnay.
Petit Manseng: This grape continues to evolve as a contender for the Virginia All-Star variety. It is also one that we continue to grapple with—-do we prefer this as a dessert wine or something to serve with the main meal? Different wineries produce different styles and range from acidic to sweet and everything in between. To be honest, only a few have captured my attention enough to bring home; however, the Michael Shaps 2017 Petit Manseng did indeed capture my palate. Blended with 11% Rousanne and aged in 50% new French oak and 50% neutral French oak barrels for a total of nine months, this Petit Manseng captured the tropical fruit notes and full mouth feel of Rhone white wines. Poultry, including Thanksgiving turkey, herb-crusted pork loin and other roasted fare should partner nicely with this blend.
Rosé:
Never fall into the trap that Rose is a summer sipper. Rosés are the most versatile wines, and they are produced in both dry and off-dry styles. In Virginia, some Rosés feature Merlot or Cabernet Franc, and others capture the fruity essence of Chambourcin. One of our favorites was the Crose 2019 from King Family Vineyards. Dry and reminiscent of Provence-style Rosé, we always have bottles of this one on the wine rack throughout the year. Serve with Thanksgiving dinner, New Years’ Eve party, etc. The same could be said of the 2018 Rosé from Afton Mountain Vineyards—-dry, crisp and refreshing.
Red Wines:
Cabernet Franc: Always a consistent favorite of Virginia wine lovers. Most of the wineries that we visited were offering the lighter-bodied 2018 vintage. Any of these could be an option for Thanksgiving dinner when a lighter-bodied red might be in order. The 2018 vintage from Hark Vineyards, for example, exhibited soft red berry and subtle herbal notes that could partner with turkey stuffed with herbs. On the other hand, feel free to serve these with grilled chicken while the weather is warm.
Merlot: This is another variety that can do well in Virginia. Paul is a fan of this grape, and he enjoyed the 2017 Merlot from Chateau MerrillAnne. A fruity palate and nice acidity makes it a favorite to pair with either grilled filet of beef or wait to pour with a roasted beef tenderloin when the leaves have fallen from the trees. The same is true of the 2017 vintage from Pollak Vineyards—-pour now with a final grilled beef dinner or allow to rest a bit longer on the wine rack.
Red Blends: I think Bordeaux-style blends always present the best from Virginia red wines. We currently have a 2017 Melange a Quatre, a gold medal winner from Revelation Vineyards, on our wine rack and is a blend of Merlot, Cabernet Franc, and Cabernet Sauvignon (+1% Tannat). We were also able to sample the blockbuster 2019 Trevillian from Keswick Vineyards, a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon and Petit Verdot. Of course, no comment on blends would be complete without mentioning the always delicious, always complex Octagon. We indulged in a library tasting of the reserve wines at Barboursville, and the Octagon XVIII Edition 2015 was stunning. Any of blends mentioned here would be a contender for either aging a bit longer or enjoying now (decant first) with heartier meats or braised fare on a chilly evening.
We continue to venture cautiously to Virginia wineries, and we were lucky to be able to visit the wineries mentioned in this post during the weekdays. Now that we are back in weekend mode, we will return to more selective visits. Please plan a tasting (but plan ahead) to the wineries mentioned in this post. Of course, do mention that Virginia Wine Time sent you!
