Crisp air and turning leaves make fall the perfect time to explore the Virginia Governor’s Cup Gold Medal Trail and taste the Commonwealth’s best wines for yourself.
The prestigious Virginia Governor’s Cup, held in May at Main Street Station in Richmond, awarded Gold Medals to Virginia’s best wines, ciders, and meads. From more than 670 entrants, judges awarded 224 Gold Medals to 113 wineries, with the 12 highest-ranked reds and whites named to the “Governor’s Cup Case.” The overall winner was Valley Road Vineyards’ 2023 Cabernet Franc Reserve.
It’s no small feat to win. The competition uses multiple rounds of judging and a rigorous 100-point scale weighing appearance, aroma, flavor, and overall quality.
Now there’s no better season to taste those top wines. The Gold Medal Trail—although not a physical trail—is a map linking more than 100 gold-medal-winning wineries, cideries, and meaderies throughout the Commonwealth. Travel region to region to immerse yourself in Virginia wine culture, soaking in beautiful vineyard vistas and indulging in scrumptious charcuterie. It makes for the perfect autumn weekend trip.
Download Virginia Wine’s free digital passport, present it when you visit participating sites, and earn points that add up to prizes and seasonal raffles. For details on Gold Medal winners and the Gold Medal Trail locations and passport, visit VirginiaWine.org.
This article originally appeared in the October 2026 issue.
Dining and Cooking