Gold Medal Wines of the 2026 Virginia Governor’s Cup

How the Governor’s Cup Wines are Judged

In the preliminary judging rounds, panels of six judges taste different selections of wines over three days. The schedule helps prevent palate fatigue that could occur if all judges sampled hundreds of wines during a 10-day period. Tastings are conducted single-blind, meaning judges know only the grape variety or category of each wine, not the winery or place of origin.

Wines that advance to the final round are tasted again to determine the 12 with the highest average scores. These wines make up the Governor’s Cup Case. The wine with the highest overall score receives the title of 2025 Governor’s Cup winner, announced at the Virginia Governor’s Cup Gala in March.

Governor’s Cup Gold Wines of 2026

This year’s gold medal-winning wines and ciders represent eight Virginia wine regions and at least 30 grape varieties grown across the state, highlighting the diversity of Virginia’s terroir. Excluding ciders, red blends and red varietal wines dominated the awards, earning 63% of the gold medals.

Among those, red blends—including Meritage blends—received 62 gold medals, accounting for 30% of the total. Cabernet Franc was the top-performing single-varietal wine with 30 gold medals, or 14%. That marks a shift from last year, when Petit Verdot led with 13% of the gold medals; this year, single-varietal Petit Verdot accounted for 5%. In addition to the wines, 11 ciders also earned gold medals in this year’s Virginia Governor’s Cup.

What Makes a Gold Medal Winning Wine?

To receive a gold medal, a wine must receive an average score of 90 points or higher on a 100-point scale. Gold Medal wines are recognized as superior in both character and style, with some being considered among the best wines in the world.

Wines are judged using the same 100-point scale as the other prestigious wine competitions throughout the country. Each judge compiles tasting notes on each wine based on:

A gold medal winner must earn over 90 out of 100 possible points. A wine awarded 95-100 points is considered a “classic,” one of the best wines in the world.

2026 Virginia Governor’s Cup Best Wines & Ciders from Central Virginia

In Central Virginia, wines are known for bright fruit flavors, balanced acidity, and approachable tannins. Varietals such as Viognier, Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot perform particularly well. Ciders from the region are crisp and refreshing, Together, these beverages showcase Central Virginia’s distinctive terroir and the documented expertise of its winemakers and cidermakers.

• 600 Vineyard & Winery (2) – 2023 White Blend, 2024 Petit Manseng
• 7 Lady Vineyards (4) – 2022 Cabernet Franc, 2022 Meritage, 2023 Meritage, 2023 Petit Manseng
• Afton Mountain Vineyards (2) – 2019 T, 2024 Albariño
• Albemarle CiderWorks (1) – 2023 Crab Medley
• Ankida Ridge Vineyards (1) – 2024 Chardonnay
• Barboursville Vineyards (3) – 2019 Octagon, 2020 Octagon, 2024 Vermentino
• Barn at 678 Vineyards (3) – 2021 Reserve Red, 2023 Merlot, 2024 Viognier
• Blue Bee Cider (2) – 2024 Charred Ordinary, 2024 Hewe’s Crab
• Capstone Vineyards (3) – 2023 Francis, 2023 Merlot, 2023 St. Dominic
• Castle Hill Cider (1) – 2022 9 Year Pommeau
• Chateau Morissette (1) – 2024 Vidal Blanc
• Chestnut Oak Vineyard (2) – 2023 Chestnut Two, Blanc de Blanc
• Chiswell Farm & Winery (2) – 2023 Meritage, 2023 Merlot
• Cunningham Creek Winery (2) – 2021 Meritage, 2022 Herd Dog Red
• DuCard Vineyards (3) – 2023 Cabernet Franc, 2023 Cabernet Franc Vintners Reserve, 2023 Triskele
• Early Mountain Vineyards (2) – 2021 Eluvium, 2022 Novum
• Eastwood Farm and Winery (3) – 2023 Meritage Reserve, 2024 Chardonnay Reserve, 2024 Petit Manseng
• Fallen Tree Vineyard (2) – 2021 Meritage, 2022 Petit Verdot
• Fifty-Third Winery and Vineyard (3) – 2021 Merlot, 2023 Romulus, 2023 Two Springs
• Flying Fox Vineyard (2) – 2021 Trio, 2023 Trio
• Grace Estate Winery (2) – 2021 Red Wine, 2022 Cabernet Franc
• Hark Vineyards (5) – 2022 Ember, 2022 Spark, 2023 Cabernet Franc, 2023 Petit Verdot, 2024 Rousanne
• James River Cellars (2) – 2022 Cabernet Franc, 2024 Gewurztraminer
• Jefferson Vineyards (3) – 2022 Meritage, 2023 Meritage, 2023 Viognier
• Keswick Vineyards (2) – 2024 Cabernet Franc, 2024 Petit Manseng
• King Family Vineyards (2) – 2023 Brut Rosé, 2023 Merlot
• Knight’s Gambit Vineyard (1) – 2023 Chardonnay
• Merrie Mill Farm & Vineyard (1) – 2022 Red Blend
• Michael Shaps Wineworks (3) – 2023 Cabernet Franc, 2023 Chardonnay, 2023 En Hommage L Scott
• Mount Ida Reserve, Tasting Room & Taphouse (2) – 2023 Reserve Mount Pleasant Petit Manseng, 2024 Pleasant Viognier
• Mountain & Vine Vineyards and Winery (1) – 2023 Screaming Hawk Meritage
• Nouveau Farms (1) – 2024 NO. 1
• Pippin Hill Farm & Vineyards (4) – 2021 Cabernet Franc Ridge Reserve, 2024 Petit Manseng, 2024 Sauvignon Blanc, 2023 Cabernet Franc Reserve
• Pollak Vineyards (3) – 2023 Chardonnay Reserve, 2023 Merlot Reserve, 2023 Nebbiolo
• Prince Michel Vineyard & Winery (1) – 2024 Petit Manseng
• Revalation Vineyards (1) – 2023 Cabernet Franc
• Southern Revere Cellars (1) – 2024 Chardonnay
• Southwest Mountains Vineyards (2) – 2023 Chardonnay Reserve, 2023 Viognier
• Stinson Vineyards (2) – 2021 Meritage, 2023 Mourvedre
• Trump Cidery (2) – Appleachian, Donny Appleseed
• Trump Winery (6) – 2018 Blanc de Noir, 2019 Blanc de Blanc, 2021 New World Reserve, 2022 New World Reserve, 2023 Chardonnay Reserve, Presidential Reserve
• Valley Road Vineyards (3) – 2021 Meritage, 2023 Cabernet Franc Reserve, 2024 Albariño
• Veritas Vineyards & Winery (3) – 2023 Monticello White, 2023 Veritas Reserve, Scintilla
• Woodbrook Farm Vineyard (3) – 2023 Overnight Hero Estate Reserve Red, 2024 Petit Manseng, 2024 Pinot Gris

2026 Virginia Governor’s Cup Best Wines & Ciders from Northern Virginia

In Northern Virginia, wines often feature vibrant fruit flavors, bright acidity, and smooth, approachable tannins. Varietals such as Cabernet Franc, Chardonnay and Petit Manseng perform particularly well in the region. Ciders are typically crisp and lively.

• 50 West Vineyards (2) – 2023 Cabernet Franc, 2024 Vidal Blanc
• 868 Estate Vineyards (2) – 2022 Meritage, 2023 Meritage
• The Barns at Hamilton Station Vineyards (2) – 2023 Cabernet Franc, 2023 Meritage
• Barrel Oak Winery (1) – 2023 Meritage
• Braebourne Winery (1) – 2020 Blanc de Blanc
• Breaux Vineyards (1) – 2021 Meritage
• Cana Vineyards and Winery of Middleburg (1) – 2022 Petit Verdot
• Carriage House Wineworks (2) – 2021 Red Barouche, 2023 Petit Verdot Reserve
• Chrysalis Vineyards at the Ag District (3) – 2022 Norton, 2024 Albariño, 2024 Albariño Verde
• Delaplane Cellars (1) – 2023 Rusticity
• Domaine Fortier Vineyards (2) – 2017 Cabernet Franc Reserve, 2023 Les Quatre
• Doukénie Winery (1) – 2021 Merlot
• Endhardt Vineyards (1) – 2021 Merlot
• Fox Meadow Vineyards & Winery (2) – 2023 Merlot, 2024 Fiery Run Chardonnay
• Gadino Cellars (2) – 2021 Merlot, 2024 Pinot Grigio
• Good Spirit Farm (3) – 2021 Cabernet Franc, 2024 Albariño, 2024 Dolce Lina
• Granite Heights Winery (3) – 2021 Merlot, 2022 Humility, 2024 Humility
• Greenhill Vineyards (1) – 2023 Cabernet Franc
• Hillsborough Winery, Brewery & Vineyard (1) – 2023 Ruby Nights 20th Anniversary Reserve
• Lake Anna Winery (2) – 2019 Clockwork, 2023 Chardonnay Barrel Select
• Lost Creek Winery (1) – 2021 Allure
• Molon Lave Vineyards (4) – 2023 Cabernet Sauvignon, 2023 Chardonnay, 2024 Petit Manseng, 2024 Viognier
• Mountain Run Winery (1) – 2022 Meritage
• Narmada Winery (3) – 2021 Melange, 2021 Merlot, 2023 Reflection
• OH’s Vineyard by the Walo (2) – 2023 Fifty/Fifty, 2023 Sparkling Rosé
• Old House Vineyards (1) – 2021 Petillante
• Paradise Springs Winery (2) – 2023 Petit Verdot (Brown Bear Vineyard), 2024 Petit Manseng (Concrete)
• Philip Carter Winery (2) – 2022 Tannat, 2024 Chardonnay
• Potomac Point Winery & Vineyards (3) – 2022 Cabernet Franc, 2023 Tannat, 2024 Albariño
• Private Label Cellars (1) – 2023 Synchronicity
• Rome-Key Estates (1) – 2022 Confluence
• Sunset Hills Vineyard (1) – 2023 Cabernet Franc
• Three Creeks Winery (3) – 2022 Blanc de Blanc, 2022 Cabernet Franc, 2022 Petit Verdot
• Toll Gate Farm & Vineyards (1) – 2023 Cabernet Franc
• Two Twisted Posts Winery (1) – 2023 Cabernet Franc
• Walsh Family Wine (1) – 2021 Bethany Ridge Tannat
• WildKind Estate (1) – 2024 WildKind White
• Williams Gap Vineyard (3) – 2023 Merlot, 2023 Williams Gap Red, 2024 Albariño
• The Wine Reserve at Waterford (2) – 2021 Prossimo Meritage, 2022 Phoebe Petit Verdot
• The Winery at Bull Run (1) – 2024 Petit Manseng
• The Winery at La Grange (3) – 2022 Petit Verdot, 2024 Petit Manseng, 2024 Rosé
• The Winery at Sunshine Ridge Farm (2) – 2023 Merlot, 2023 Viognier
• Zephaniah Farm Vineyards (1) – 2023 Cabernet Franc

2026 Virginia Governor’s Cup Best Wines & Ciders from the Shenandoah Valley

In the Shenandoah Valley, wines are prized for their rich fruit flavors, balanced acidity, and structured tannins. Varietals such as Cabernet Franc, Viognier and Petit Verdot thrive in the valley’s fertile soils. Ciders from the region are crisp and aromatic, often highlighting local apples with subtle spice and a touch of natural sweetness..

• Barren Ridge Vineyards (4) – 2019 Meritage, 2022 Petit Verdot, 2023 Chardonnay, 2024 Viognier
• Bluestone Vineyard (3) – 2023 Cabernet Franc, 2023 Houndstooth, 2024 Oaked Chardonnay
• Brix & Columns Vineyards (1) – 2024 Cabernet Franc
• Cave Ridge Vineyard (2) – 2023 Pinot Noir, 2024 Albariño
• Ciders from Mars (1) – XRF
• Common Wealth Crush Co (1) – 2023 Tannat Trot Rock
• CrossKeys Vineyards (4) – Blanc de Noir, 2024 Cabernet Franc, 2024 Casa Nikoo, 2024 Oaked Chardonnay
• Ecco Adesso Vineyards (1) – 2022 Old World Cabernet Franc
• Glen Manor Vineyards (1) – 2023 Vin Rouge
• Muse Vineyards (3) – 2021 Cabernet Sauvignon, 2021 Petit Verdot, 2022 Vin Gris de Gamay
• Noer Vineyards (2) – 2024 Sauvignon Blanc, 2024 Semillon
• Reitano Vineyards (1) – 2024 Sparkling Cider
• Rockbridge Vineyard & Brewery (3) – 2019 DeChiel Reserve Meritage, 2021 DeChiel Reserve Cabernet Franc, 2022 DeChiel Reserve Chardonnay
• Sage Bird Ciderworks (2) – Folklore Pet Nat, Kingston Black
• Shenandoah Vineyards (3) – 2021 Lemberger, 2021 Reserve Red, 2023 Cabernet Franc
• Slater Run Vineyards (1) – 2025 Pétillant Naturel Sparkling Rosé
• Wolf Gap Vineyard & Winery (1) – 2022 Cabernet Sauvignon, 2024 Sauvignon Blanc

2026 Virginia Governor’s Cup Best Wines & Ciders from West & South Virginia

In West and South Virginia, varietals such as Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot, and Viognier thrive. Ciders from the area are crisp and flavorful. Together, these beverages reflect the region’s diverse terroir and the growing skill of its winemakers and cidermakers.

• Daring Wine & Cider Company (1) – 2021 Barbera
• Hamlet Vineyards (2) – 2023 Eltham, 2024 Pinot Gris
• Rosemont Vineyards (2) – 2023 Kilravock, 2024 Traminette

2026 Virginia Governor’s Cup Best Wines & Ciders from Coastal Virginia

In Coastal Virginia, wines often feature bright, crisp fruit flavors, balanced acidity, and soft, approachable tannins, shaped by the region’s sandy soils and maritime climate. Ciders from the area are typically refreshing and aromatic, highlighting local apples with subtle spice and natural sweetness. Together, these wines and ciders reflect the distinctive terroir and the region’s growing craft beverage scene.

• Good Luck Cellars (2) – Inheritage, 2022 Petit Verdot
• Ingleside Vineyards (1) – 2024 Petit Manseng
• New Kent Winery (2) – Reserve Chardonnay, 2021 Cabernet Franc
• Williamsburg Winery (1) – 2021 Adagio
• Wind Vineyards at Laurel Grove (2) – 2022 Bord Blanc, 2022 Sangiovese
• Zoll Vineyards (1) – 2023 Chardonnay

Judges for the 2026 Virginia Governor’s Cup

Beginning in 2024, Virginia wine expert Frank Morgan assumed responsibility for coordinating the judging of the Governor’s Cup. With a decade of experience judging the competition, Morgan saw an opportunity to refine the criteria. Among his key changes, he now selects judges exclusively from wine professionals with a deep knowledge of Virginia wines, ensuring that the unique nuances of the state’s terroir are fully recognized and celebrated.

“It is a privilege to serve as Director of Judging for the Virginia Governor’s Cup wine competition and work with Christina Sandridge, Executive Director of the Virginia Wineries Association, and a great team of volunteers dedicated to delivering a successful competition,” Morgan told us. “The 2026 competition marks another record-setting year, with more wineries participating than ever before. The record number of gold medals this year is a testament to quality gains across the state.”

The History of the Virginia Governor’s Cup Awards

Once again, the leaders of Virginia’s wine industry have showcased the excellence of the state’s wines. Their innovation, dedication, and willingness to experiment continue to drive the region forward, producing wines that captivate both enthusiasts and judges.

The Virginia Governor’s Cup Competition, redesigned in 2012, has become one of the most competitive and rigorous wine competitions in the United States. To qualify, all entries must be made entirely from Virginia-grown grapes, highlighting the state’s unique terroir and commitment to quality.