(DOSWELL, June 27, 2018)—Nineteen Virginia wines representing 10 wineries garnered gold medals, and 19 wines representing nine wineries won silver medals June 11 in the 25th State Fair of Virginia Commercial Wine Competition.
Entries from from Ingleside Vineyards in Westmoreland County, Maggie Malick Wine Caves in Loudoun County and Pearmund Cellars in Fauquier County captured the most gold medals with three each.
The competition drew nearly 110 entries from 27 Virginia wineries and meaderies statewide. A panel of wine retailers, writers, collectors, restaurateurs and other industry professionals sampled and critiqued entries at The Meadow Event Park in Caroline County. There were two medal categories, along with three wine label categories.
The State Fair wine competition promotes and showcases a vibrant and important element of Virginia agriculture and benefits the fair’s scholarship program.
Wines were judged per national industry standards. Judges awarded gold and silver medals and label awards. The Best in Show wines will be announced Sept. 27 at the fair’s benefit gala, Black Tie & Boots.
Virginia is ranked fifth nationwide for number of wineries and for wine grape production and is home to more than 250 wineries. The Virginia wine industry employs more than 8,200 full-time workers and contributes almost $1.4 billion to the state’s economy, according to a 2015 economic impact study.
The 2018 medal winners are:
Gold Medal
Chateau MerrillAnne LLC – Petit Verdot 2015
Effingham Manor Winery – Kings Ransom 2016
Generals Ridge Vineyard – General’s Reserve 2016
Horton Vineyards – Albarino 2017
Horton Vineyards – Petit Manseng 2016
Ingleside Vineyards – Albarino 2017
Ingleside Vineyards – Petit Verdot 2015
Ingleside Vineyards – Pinot Grigio 2017
James River Cellars – Monitor vs CSS Virginia 2014
Maggie Malick Wine Caves – Albarino 2017
Maggie Malick Wine Caves – Petit Verdot 2015
Maggie Malick Wine Caves – Viognier 2017
Pearmund Cellars – Cabernet Franc 2016
Pearmund Cellars – Petit Manseng 2017
Pearmund Cellars – Petit Verdot 2016
Vint Hill Craft Winery – Double Barrel Reserve 2016
Vint Hill Craft Winery – Petit Verdot 2016
Willowcroft Farm Vineyards – Assemblage Select 2015
Willowcraft Farm Vineyards – Petit Verdot 2016
Silver Medal
Barboursville Vineyards – Cabernet Franc Reserve 2016
Barboursville Vineyards – Allegrante 2017
Casanel Vineyards – Carmenere 2016
Casanel Vineyards – Petit Verdot 2016
Generals Ridge Vineyard – Petit Manseng 2015
Generals Ridge Vineyard – Petit Verdot 2014
Horton Vineyards – Nebbiolo 2014
Ingleside Vineyards – Cabernet Franc 2015
Ingleside Vineyards – Viognier 2017
Maggie Malick Wine Caves – Fortissimo 2015
Maggie Malick Wine Caves – Rose Wine 2017
Maggie Malick Wine Caves – Tannat 2015
Mountain Run Winery – Meritage 2015
Mountain Run Winery – Chardonnay 2016
Mountain Run Winery – Merlot 2015
Mountain Run Winery – Viognier 2017
Philip Carter Winery – Cleve 2015
Philip Carter Winery – Nomini Hall 2016
Vint Hill Craft Winery – Cabernet Sauvignon 2016
Best Rosé
Barboursville Vineyards – Allegrante 2017
Maggie Malick Wine Caves – Rose Wine 2017
Best Fruit Wine
Castle Gruen Vineyards & Winery LLC – Love Sweet Love Peach
Best Mead
Blacksnake Meadery – Sweet Virginia
Blue ribbon winners in the 2018 State Fair of Virginia Wine Label Competition are:
Best Single Bottle Design
Philip Carter Winery, 1762 2014
Most Elegant Label
Philip Carter Winery, Nomini Hall 2016
Most Creative Label
Honah Lee Vineyard, Vidal Blanc 2017
Best Typography in a Vineyard Series
WhiteBarrel Winery
Best Overall Vineyard Series
Effingham Manor Winery
Best in Show
Ingleside Vineyards, The Chesapeake Series
Best in Show Runner Up
Philip Carter Winery, 1762 2014
The 2018 State Fair of Virginia will run from Sept. 28 through Oct. 7. Information is available at StateFairVa.org.
The State Fair is held each fall at its permanent home at The Meadow Event Park in Caroline County. The fair’s mission is to increase agricultural and natural resource awareness and interest through educational programs, exhibitions and competitions in a fun, family-friendly setting.
Media: Contact Greg Hicks, vice president of communications, at 804-290-1139.