The Virginia Governor’s Cup Awards is the state’s premier wine competition. In 2025, a panel of professional judges evaluated over 620 of the finest Virginia wines from more than 300 wineries statewide. The judges awarded a record-breaking 155 Gold Medals to 87 wineries. The 12 highest-rated wines earned a place in the prestigious Virginia Governor’s Cup Case, with the top-scoring bottle crowned as the Virginia Governor’s Cup winner. Below, explore the 2025 Virginia Governor’s Cup Case winners, recognized as the best wines in the Commonwealth.
For more information about the best Virginia wines, the wineries, their locations and how to find them, visit our Virginia Winery Maps section.
And the Cup winner is…
Barboursville Vineyards
2023 Vermentino
Barboursville Vineyards’ 2023 Vermentino is a distinguished white wine that exemplifies the winery’s commitment to quality and Virginia’s unique terroir. This vintage presents a parchment hue, with aromas of starfruit, cantaloupe, vanilla, and honey. On the palate, it is crisp and fruit-forward, delivering flavors of apple and lemon curd. The wine’s composition includes 100% Vermentino grapes, and it has an alcohol content of 12.2% by volume.
Acclaimed Italian winemaker Luca Paschina has been the estate director and winemaker at Barboursville Vineyards in Virginia since 1990. Under his leadership, the vineyard has become one of the most respected wineries on the East Coast, producing world-class wines that showcase Virginia’s terroir. Barboursville Vineyards is known for its commitment to quality and innovation. Its flagship wine Octagon, a Bordeaux-style blend, has gained national and international acclaim. Paschina’s expertise and passion have been instrumental in elevating Virginia’s wine industry, proving that the region can produce wines to rival those from the most respected wine regions.
50 West Vineyards
2021 Aldie Heights Cuvee
The 2021 Aldie Heights Cuvée from 50 West Vineyards is a bold and complex red blend comprised of 47% Tannat, 44% Petit Verdot, 7% Merlot, and 2% Cabernet Sauvignon. This wine aged for 26 months in French oak barrels. It offers aromas of black currant and cedar, leading to a palate rich with black fruit, dark chocolate, cedar and graphite notes.
50 West Vineyards, established in 2015, is on historic Route 50 in Middleburg. They produce exceptional wines using old-world techniques in a modern, sustainable facility. The vineyard spans five farms in Northern Virginia, with a mission to craft 100% Virginia wines that reflect the region’s unique terroir.
Barboursville Vineyards
2017 Octagon
Barboursville Vineyards’ 2017 Octagon is a distinguished Bordeaux-style blend. It showcases the winery’s commitment to crafting exceptional wines. This vintage presents an attractive deep garnet color, with elegant aromas of blueberry, black currant, fresh flowers and dry herbs. On the palate, it offers a medium body, silky tannins, and a cool, refined finish.
Barboursville Vineyards, established in 1976 by esteemed Italian wine magnate Gianni Zonin and currently run by his son Francesco Zonin, grows estate-bottled wines of European heritage. Their wines merit comparison with the finest of their kind grown anywhere in the world. The estate occupies land that was once part of a vast estate owned by a close friend of Thomas Jefferson. The winery’s mission is to produce exceptional wines that reflect Virginia’s unique terroir. They honor the land’s rich history while embracing innovative winemaking techniques.
DuCard Vineyards
2023 Cab Franc Vintners Reserve
DuCard Vineyards’ 2023 Cabernet Franc Vintner’s Reserve is a robust and smooth red wine. It showcases an intense garnet color with earthy aromas of currant, plums, and fennel. On the palate, it offers expressions of clove, black cherry, and pink peppercorn, complemented by classic chalky tannins that provide a welcoming first impression.
Established over two decades ago, DuCard Vineyards sits at the eastern edge of the Shenandoah National Park. What began as a personal endeavor evolved into a celebrated winery guided by three core principles: producing fine wines of outstanding character, being environmentally responsible and providing knowledgeable service in a beautiful, relaxed setting.
King Family Vineyards
2021 Mountain Plains Red
King Family Vineyards’ 2021 Mountain Plains Red is a Bordeaux-style blend composed of 45% Cabernet Franc, 37% Merlot, and 18% Petit Verdot. This dark ruby-colored wine reveals layers of red plums, black cherry, and currants entwined with tobacco and green herbs, offering a full-bodied palate of juicy fruits, spices, and firm tannins, complemented by herbaceous raspberry notes.
Established in 1998, King Family Vineyards is a family-owned and operated winery located in Crozet, Virginia, nestled in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains. Founded by Ellen and the late David King, the vineyard began with the planting of the original vines and has grown to encompass nearly 30 acres. The winery has an additional 20 acres under vine on a neighboring farm and is now run by the founders’ three sons. Their mission is to craft exceptional wines that embody the rich, beautiful, and complex history of American wine, offering visitors an authentic and welcoming experience that reflects the spirit of Virginia’s wine country.
Michael Shaps Vineyards
2022 Chardonnay
Michael Shaps’ 2022 Chardonnay exemplifies his dedication to crafting exceptional wines that reflect both tradition and Virginia’s unique terroir. This vintage, produced in the traditional Burgundian manner, resulted in a full-bodied wine with a rich mouthfeel balanced by elevated acidity that keeps it refreshing. The warmer-than-usual vintage allowed for earlier harvesting, leading to riper fruit flavors and a smoother texture.
Shaps is a renowned figure in Virginia’s wine industry as well as being one of its most decorated winemakers. In 2007 he founded Michael Shaps Wineworks, Virginia’s first contract winemaking operation. MS Wineworks has grown to serve over twenty wineries across the region in addition to his own winery. Trained in Burgundy, France, Shaps combines the elegance and history of French winemaking with Virginia’s terroir to craft exceptional award-winning wines.
Paradise Springs Winery
2023 Cabernet Franc
Paradise Springs Winery’s 2023 Cabernet Franc is a medium-bodied red wine. It showcases the winery’s dedication to quality and Virginia’s unique terroir. This vintage offers aromatic notes of black cherry and licorice, complemented by a hint of white pepper spice. On the palate, the silky texture of fine-grain tannins reveals flavors of cherry and blueberry culminating in a finish accented by baking spice.
Established in 2007 as a family business, Paradise Springs Winery in Clifton, Virginia rests on land originally part of an early 18th-century land grant from Lord Fairfax. The winery is a bicoastal one with a sister vineyard in California. Their mission is to craft high-quality wines that reflect Virginia’s rich history and terroir. They offer guests an authentic and immersive wine experience.
Potomac Point Winery
2023 Albariño
Potomac Point Winery’s 2023 Albariño is a crisp, aromatic white wine featuring bright citrus and grapefruit notes, complemented by vibrant acidity and a refreshing finish.
Established in 2007 by Skip and Cindi Causey, Potomac Point Winery is a Tuscan-style estate nestled in Stafford, Virginia, just outside Washington, DC. Their mission is to craft exceptional wines while providing an immersive experience rich in ambiance, transporting guests to the enchanting ambiance of Tuscany.
Trump Winery
2018 Sparkling Rosé
Trump Winery’s 2018 Sparkling Rosé is a vibrant expression of Virginia’s winemaking prowess. Crafted in the traditional Méthode Champenoise, this Brut Rosé blends 88% Chardonnay and 12% Pinot Noir, resulting in a wine with fresh strawberry and cherry aromas that dominate the nose and front palate, complemented by citrus notes of ruby red grapefruit and lemon meringue on the finish.
Established in 1999 by Patricia Kluge as Kluge Estate Winery and Vineyard, the property was acquired by Donald Trump in 2011 and rebranded as Trump Winery. The winery’s mission is to transform the perception of Virginia wines through innovation, dedication, and award-winning quality, offering guests unparalleled experiences in a breathtaking setting.
Valley Road Vineyards
2023 Petit Manseng
Valley Road Vineyards’ 2023 Petit Manseng is a testament to the winery’s commitment to producing distinctive Virginia wines. This vintage presents a ripe bouquet of tropical fruits interwoven with honey on both the nose and palate. The soft sweetness engages the front palate, while the acidity punches through on the finish.
Established in 2015 by a group of friends with diverse professional backgrounds, Valley Road Vineyards is nestled in Virginia’s historic Monticello Viticultural Area. Their mission is to provide outstanding estate wines in a charming farm winery setting, reflecting the unique terroir of the region.
Veritas Vineyards
2023 Monticello White
Veritas Vineyards’ 2023 Monticello White is a vibrant white blend that showcases the winery’s dedication to crafting exceptional Virginia wines. This wine delights with its vibrant citrus-tropical fruit bouquet and delicate floral notes, complemented by a luxuriously rich texture that unfolds on the palate, offering a round mouthfeel and luscious tropical finish.
Established in 1999 by Andrew and Patricia Hodson, Veritas Vineyards has grown into a family-owned and operated winery nestled in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains. Over the past 25 years, they have expanded to over 50 acres, cultivating ten varietals and producing a diverse portfolio of wines. Their mission is rooted in a love of wine and a commitment to quality, consistently producing complex and elegant wines that reflect the unique terroir of the Monticello wine region.
Winery at La Grange
2023 Petit Manseng
The Winery at La Grange’s 2023 Petit Manseng exemplifies their dedication to crafting distinctive Virginia wines. This wine is celebrated for its tropical fruit aromas, notably pineapple and honeysuckle, complemented by flavors of coconut and vanilla, culminating in a bright acidity with hints of almond and brioche.
Established in 2006 and nestled in Haymarket, Virginia, The Winery at La Grange operates within a meticulously restored 18th-century manor house. Their mission focuses on producing high-quality wines that reflect the rich history and unique terroir of the region, offering guests a harmonious blend of historical ambiance and modern winemaking excellence.
And the
2025 Cider of the Year is…
Daring Wine & Cider Company
Crab Apple Blend
Daring Wine & Cider Company’s Crab Apple Blend Cider is a distinctive and flavorful offering that showcases the unique characteristics of Virginia’s apples. Crafted from a blend of 75% Hewes Crab Apple and 25% Ruby Red Crab Apple, this cider presents a complex apple aroma with notes of strawberry and white blossoms. On the palate, it is crisp and fruit-forward, delivering mouth-watering flavors of apple and lemon curd. With an alcohol content of 8% by volume, it pairs excellently with cheddar, hard cheeses, and herbed roasted meats.
Daring Wine & Cider Company is a small, woman-owned winery and cidery located in Stuart, Virginia. Founded in 2021 by long-time friends Jocelyn Kuzelka and Megan Hereford, the company specializes in producing small-lot wines and ciders using 100% Virginia-grown fruit. Their mission is to craft high-quality beverages that honor the brave and bold individuals who have inspired them along the way. Both founders bring extensive experience in the wine industry, with Jocelyn serving as a consultant to winemakers and cidermakers across the country since 2008. Through Daring Wine & Cider Company, they aim to transform the traditional archetype of a male-owned and operated wine business, standing on the shoulders of pioneering women in Virginia’s wine and cider industries.
The Governor’s Cup Case holds the twelve highest-ranking gold medal winning wines of the renowned Governor’s Cup Competition. The 2024 competition was won by King Family Vineyards with an impressive lineup in the 2024 Cup Case. For previous Cup Case winners, read about the 2023 competition won by Mountain & Vine Vineyards & Winery, the 2022 competition won by Cana Vineyards & Winery in Middleburg, the 2021 competition won by Barboursville Vineyards, the 2020 competition won by 868 Estate Vineyards, and the 2019 competition won by Horton Vineyards. ~
