Loudoun wineries won four best-in-show awards and 32 gold medals during the 2026 Governor’s Cup competition.
But for the first time since 2019, no Loudoun wine was selected for inclusion in the Governor’s Case, which showcases the commonwealth’s top 12 selections.
The top awards were announced during a March 12 gala in Richmond.
Valley Road Vineyards in Afton took the top prize—the 2026 Governor’s Cup—for its 2023 Cabernet Franc Reserve. Other top-rated wines were: 7 Lady Vineyards, 2023 Meritage; Barboursville Vineyards, 2024 Vermentino; CrossKeys Vineyards, 2024 Cabernet Franc; Fifty-Third Winery and Vineyard,2023 Two Springs; Glen Manor Vineyards, 2023 Vin Rouge; Granite Heights Winery, 2024 Humility; Michael Shaps Wineworks, 2023 Cabernet Franc; Pollak Vineyards, 2023 Merlot Reserve; The Winery at La Grange, 2024 Petit Manseng, Trump Winery, 2018 Blanc de Noir; and Woodbrook Farm Vineyard, 2024 Petit Manseng. Blue Bee Cider won the Cider of the Year award for its 2024 Hewe’s Crab.
Loudoun wines winning best-in-show recognition in specific categories were: 50 West Vineyards for its 2024 Vidal Blanc, Chrysalis Vineyards at The Ag District for its 2022 Norton, Good Spirit Farm for its 2024 Albariño, and Walsh Family Wine for its 2021 Bethany Ridge Tannat.
Twenty-six Loudoun wineries were awarded medals in the competition. Chrysalis, Good Spirit Farm, Three Creeks Winery, and Williams Gap Vineyard each brought home three gold medals.
50 West Vineyards: Gold: 2023 Cabernet Franc, 2024 Vidal Blanc; Silver: 2021 Aldie Heights Cuvee, 2022 Aldie Heights Cuvee, 2023 Ashby Gap, 2024 Petit Manseng.
8 Chains North Winery Silver: 2022 Cabernet Sauvignon, 2022 Furnace Mountain Red, 2022 Merlot, 2024 Albariño, 2024 Sauvignon Blanc; Bronze: 2022 Cabernet Franc.
868 Estate Vineyards: Gold: 2022 Meritage, 2023 Meritage; Silver: 2023 Cabernet Franc, 2024 Sauvignon Blanc.
Bleu Frog Vineyards Silver: 2023 Cabernet Franc, 2024 Bleu Blanc.
Bozzo Family Vineyards: Silver 2022 RickC, Petit Verdot, 2023 La Famiglia Bozzo; Bronze: 2022 Linda V, Petit Manseng.
Breaux Vineyards Gold: 2021 Meritage; Silver: 2020 Cabernet Sauvignon, 2020 Nebbiolo, 2021 Nebbiolo, 2022 Cabernet Franc, Free Run; Bronze: 2022 Merlot Reserve.
Cana Vineyards and Winery of Middleburg: Gold: 2022 Petit Verdot; Silver 2021 Unité, 2023 Albariño, 2024 Chardonnay, 2024 Rosé of Cabernet Franc.
Carriage House Wineworks Gold: 2021 Red Barouche, 2023 Petit Verdot Reserve; Silver: 2022 Chardonnay, 2022 Tannat.
Chrysalis Vineyards at The Ag District Gold: 2022 Norton, 2024 Albariño, 2024 Albariño Verde; Sliver: 2022 Norton (Locksley Reserve); Bronze: 2021 Papillon, 2024 Viognier.
Domaine Fortier Vineyards Gold: 2017 Cabernet Franc Reserve, 2023 Les Quatre; Silver: 2021 Chardonnay, 2021 Petit Manseng, 2021 Petit Verdot.
Doukénie Winery Gold: 2021 Merlot; Silver: 2023 Zeus, 2024 Chardonnay.
Endhardt Vineyards Gold 2021 Merlot; Silver: 2021 Petit Verdot, 2022 Fervor Red, 2022 Golden Turkey, 2023 Chardonnay, 2024 Sauvignon Blanc Upper Block.
Fabbioli Cellars: Silver: 2024 Sparkling Petit Manseng; Bronze: 2021 Tannat.
Good Spirit Farm Gold: 2021 Cabernet Franc, 2024 Albariño, 2024 Dolce Lina; Silver: 2022 Chardonnay, 2022 Petit Manseng; Bronze: 2021 Chardonnay.
Greenhill Vineyards, Gold: 2023 Cabernet Franc; Sliver: 2024 Chenin Blanc; Bronze: 2024 Riesling.
Hillsborough Winery, Brewery & Vineyard Gold: 2023 Ruby Nights 20th Anniversary Reserve; Silver: 2021 Bloodstone, 2022 Petit Verdot, 2022 Ruby; Bronze: 2020 Onyx.
Lost Creek Winery: Silver: 2021 Cabernet Franc, 2021 Petit Verdot, 2023 Chardonnay, 2023 Sparkling Wine.
Mount Defiance Cidery and Distillery: Silver: 2023 Red 1863.
Sunset Hills Vineyard Gold: 2023 Cabernet Franc; Silver: 2021 Roots, 2022 Blue Ridge Veil, 2023 Petit Verdot, 2024 Chardonnay.
The Barns at Hamilton Station Vineyards Gold: 2023 Cabernet Franc, 2023 Meritage.
Three Creeks Winery Gold: 2022 Blanc de Blanc, 2022 Cabernet Franc, 2022 Petit Verdo; Bronze: 2022 Viognier.
Two Twisted Posts Winery Gold:2023 Cabernet Franc; Silver: 2022 Thomas Great, 2023 Cabernet Sauvignon, 2023 Chardonnay, 2023 Petit Verdot.
Walsh Family Wine Gold:2021 Bethany Ridge Tannat; Silver: 2021 Russ Mountain Merlot, 2022 Bethany Ridge Cabernet Franc, 2022 Paeonia Red, 2022 Paeonia White, 2024 Bethany Ridge Chenin Blanc.
Willowcroft Farm Vineyards Silver: 2023 Merlot, 2023 Petit Verdot; Bronze: 2024 Cold Steel Chardonna.
Williams Gap Vineyard Gold: 2023 Merlot, 2023 Williams Gap Red, 2024 Albariño; Silver: 2023 Black Label Cabernet Franc, 2023 Petit Verdot, 2024 Petit Manseng.
Zephaniah Farm Vineyard Gold: 2023 Cabernet Franc; Sliver: 2019 Three Captains Red, 2021 Merlot, 2022 Friendship, 2022 Three Captains Red; Bronze: 2024 Viognier.
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