After recently tasting Virginia wines comprising the 2026 Virginia Governor’s Cup Case, I have decided to dedicate time to acquiring these and other medal winners at the 2026 Governor’s Cup Wine Competition. Helping me in this effort are tasting passes available at virginiawine.org. The Gold Medal Wine Trail, in particular, allows users “access to winning wineries, ciders, and meaderies from the Virginia Governor’s Competition. Check in for points as you immerse yourself in Virginia’s award winning wine country to unlock prizes and seasonal raffles.” The passes are “mobile exclusive” and “no app to download.” Using these passes are quite easy. Users check in once they reach their destination, and then can unlock discounts on wine purchases, including 3 packs, upgrades to hosted bar tasting, discounts off guided Governor’s Cup Tasting, etc. Users also accumulate points along the way to earn points toward rewards such as playing cards, a gold medal wine trail cap, and a Virginia wine pullovers. With my passes in tow, I checked in to two Virginia wineries this weekend and earned discounts on award winning wines. Where did I go, and which award winners did I purchase?
- Two Twisted Posts Winery
My first check in was at Two Twisted Posts Winery, and a promised 15% discount on a three-pack of award winning wines began my quest to taste award winning wines. These included:
2022 Chardonnay Sur Lie: This vintage took a silver medal at the 2025 Virginia Governor’s Cup Competition. I noted elements of ripe apple, pear, and baking spices with a creamy mouth feel and lengthy finish. The 2021 vintage earned a double gold in the San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition. (Click here to find out more about sur lie aging.)
2022 Viognier: I typically don’t grab Viognier at a winery, but I get its appeal with the floral aromatics and tropical fruit notes. Viognier can be refreshing, but I often find the floral nose a bit over-the-top, and the finish a bit too flabby. However, this gold medal winner at the San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition expressed enough honeysuckle aromas to remind me it was over Viognier. Rich fruit flavors of peach and apricot flood the palate. Aging in French oak provides an elegant oak nuance.
2023 Cabernet Franc: This has not yet been released to the public, so I did not taste this one. However, I knew it earned a gold at the 2026 Virginia Governor’s Cup Competition. I bought a bottle to round out my three-pack, and I will enjoy at a later time.
2. Williams Gap Vineyards
I wrapped up my tasting at Two Twisted Posts Winery, and I used my tasting pass at William Gap Vineyards. A 20% discount on a three-pack of any three wines was an extra incentive.
2023 Chardonnay Black Label: This Chardonnay claimed a silver medal at the 2025 Loudoun Awards, but it was gold to my palate. Ripe apple and pear notes with similar flavors on the palate was laced with trace of mineral too. A generous, ample palate and a vanilla kiss at the end was made possible by a judicious use of oak barrels.
2023 Merlot: This Merlot captured a gold medal at the 2026 Governor’s Cup Competition. Its cherry and pomegranate notes were accented by a hint of crushed herbs. Its juicy palate and rounder feel were framed by velvety tannins.
2023 Williams Gap Red: Another gold medal winner at the 2026 Governor’s Cup Competition, this blend includes merlot, Cabernet Franc, and Cabernet Sauvignon. Dark cherry, dark currants and plum aromas were accented by a licorice note and a toasty edge. Mixed dark fruit was carried through the palate, and its tannin added to the complexity and age-worthiness of this blend.
I treated myself to the 2023 Black Label Chardonnay from Williams Gap Vineyard for dinner. I paired it with Chicken Bordelaise for dinner this week. (Go to thecajuncooks.com for the recipe.) I do believe in spoiling myself, especially with award winning wines from Virginia.
Be sure to access tasting passes to taste your way through the Gold Medal Trail. Along the way, you can earn discounts and points toward gift rewards. Include Two Twisted Posts Winery and Williams Gap Vineyards in your own quest to taste gold. Please mention Virginia Wine Time sent you.