The annual Virginia Governor’s Cup Gala is one of the most anticipated celebrations in Virginia Wine Country. It brings together winemakers, industry leaders and wine enthusiasts to honor the Commonwealth’s finest bottles. Hosted each spring by the Virginia Wineries Association, the 2026 gala showcased the wines that rose to the top of this year’s Virginia Governor’s Cup Competition. As always, the event highlighted the remarkable quality and diversity emerging from vineyards across the state. Indeed, from crisp whites and elegant reds to distinctive sparkling and dessert wines, the evening celebrated not only award-winning vintages but also the growers and vintners shaping the future of Virginia wine.
The 2026 Virginia Governor’s Cup Gala
The event was a joyous one, held at the Main Street Station in Richmond. Jubilant wineries poured tastings of their gold-winning wines and industry friends met and enjoyed each others’ company. Throughout the evening, the Virginia Wine Industry celebrated their achievements for 224 gold medals. Producers from every region contributed to the tally and were present to provide the hundreds of guests with tastings.
Inside the Virginia Governor’s Cup Gala
During the festivities, we took the opportunity to reconnect with several friends from across the industry. Representatives from Cunningham Creek Winery (pictured below, top right), CrossKeys Vineyards (below, bottom left) and Southwest Mountains Vineyards—including winemaker Boela Gerber (below, bottom right)—gathered with fellow vintners, vineyard owners and viticulturists. They shared their gold medal-winning wines and waited with anticipation as the evening’s awards were announced.
Wineries from across the Commonwealth were well represented at the event. Notably, nearly half of the awards went to wineries in Central Virginia, followed closely by Northern Virginia. Strong showings also came from Shenandoah Valley, Coastal Virginia and South & West Virginia, underscoring the breadth and growing competitiveness of Virginia’s wine industry.
Winemakers and Wine Lovers Gather to Celebrate Virginia Wine
Granite Heights Winery owners Luke and Toni Kilyk (below, top left) showed off one of their three gold-winning wines. Veritas Vineyards & Winery, a storied and successful winery in Central Virginia, also poured samples of their winning wines (below, top right) for intrigued tasters at the event.
Friends mingled, enjoying winning wine and delicious catering. From seafood to quality cheese & fruit spreads, Virginia caterers offered perfectly paired accompaniments to the wines being poured. We also took the opportunity to catch up with an old friend, Melissa Close-Hart (above, bottom right), chef at Charlottesville’s The Local and Mockingbird restaurants.
Raising a Glass to the Year’s Best Virginia Wines
For the first time, the 2026 Virginia Governor’s Cup winner was kept under wraps until the gala itself. In past years, the winner had been notified in advance, but this year’s shift to secrecy added an extra layer of excitement, palpable among industry members as they mingled and speculated ahead of the announcement.
Barboursville Vineyards’ 2024 Vermentino earned a spot in the coveted Cup Case. Winemaker and CEO Luca Paschina of Barboursville Vineyards (pictured above, top right at right) gave it a nod of approval as he mingled with fellow vintners before the awards ceremony. CrossKeys Vineyards’ 2024 Cabernet Franc (above, top left) also claimed a place in the prestigious Case. Cup Case winners weren’t the only highlights of the evening; several wineries took home multiple gold medals, including Molon Lave Vineyards (above, bottom left), which captured four awards in total.
A Brief History of the Virginia Governor’s Cup
The Virginia Governor’s Cup boasts a storied history in the state’s wine scene. Organizers launched it in 1982 to highlight and encourage quality winemaking across Virginia. What began as a small gathering of about 50 wine enthusiasts celebrating in a field after a local wine festival has grown into a premier statewide competition. In 2012, organizers redesigned it as a professionally judged wine competition and gala event, elevating its prestige. In 2026, wineries from across the Commonwealth submitted a record-breaking number Virginia-grown wines, showcasing the state’s thriving wine industry.
The 2026 Virginia Governor’s Cup Winner
At last, the awards ceremony began. After remarks from several industry leaders, including Secretary of Agriculture Katie Frazier (below, top right at far left), Governor Abigail Spanberger (below, top right at right) took the stage. This year was historic for multiple reasons: for one, Spanberger is Virginia’s first female governor, making her the first woman to preside over the Governor’s Cup awards.
“We all know agriculture is Virginia’s number one private industry,” Spanberger reminded the crowd. “We know it because it drives so much of our economy, and tonight we are shining a spotlight on the talent, the creativity and the innovation within our state’s wine industry…the Virginia Governor’s Cup Competition is a celebration of our culture, our heritage, and the spirit of entrepreneurship that defines the Commonwealth.”
The top honor went to Valley Road Vineyards’ 2023 Cabernet Franc, crafted by winemaker Corry Craighill (above, top right, second from the left), the third female winemaker to receive the Governor’s Cup since the awards inception in the early 80s. Owner Stan Joynes (above, top left at left and top right, third from the left) was ecstatic. “I tasted this wine in barrel, when we were over-vintaging it,” he told us, “and I said, ‘this is the best wine we’ve ever made. So I guess it was!”
The Prestigious Virginia Governor’s Cup Case
The Virginia Governor’s Cup Gala celebrates more than just the Cup and Cider of the Year. Judges also select 12 standout wines to create the Governor’s Cup Case, showcasing Virginia wines as ambassadors across the state and beyond. Gold-winning wineries keep raising the bar, refining their craft and using proceeds from the Gala’s silent auction to fuel innovation. Year after year, Virginia wineries earn top honors at the Governor’s Cup and on the international stage.
This year’s Gala was historic: Gov. Abigail Spanberger, Virginia’s first female governor, presided over her first Virginia Governor’s Cup, shining a spotlight on the state’s award-winning wines and vibrant wine country.
The 2026 Virginia Governor’s Cup Case
The 2026 Virginia Governor’s Cup Case highlights the state’s dynamic winemaking regions and the craftsmanship of its top wineries.
- 7 Lady Vineyards 2023 Meritage
- Barboursville Vineyards 2024 Vermentino
- CrossKeys Vineyards 2024 Cabernet Franc
- Fifty-Third Winery & Vineyard 2023 Two Springs
- Glen Manor Vineyards 2023 Vin Rouge
- Granite Heights Winery 2024 Humility
- Michael Shaps 2023 Cabernet Franc
- Pollak Vineyards 2023 Merlot Reserve
- Trump Winery 2018 Blanc de Noirs
- Valley Road Vineyards 2023 Cabernet Franc Reserve
- Winery at La Grange 2024 Petit Manseng
- Woodbrook Farm Vineyard 2024 Petit Manseng
Central Virginia leads the selections, contributing seven standout wines, including 7 Lady Vineyards’ 2023 Meritage, Barboursville Vineyards’ 2024 Vermentino, Michael Shaps’ 2023 Cabernet Franc and Trump Winery’s elegant 2018 Blanc de Noirs. Woodbrook Farm Vineyard’s 2024 Petit Manseng offers vibrant citrus and floral notes, underscoring the state’s versatility with rare varietals. These wines showcase Central Virginia’s signature balance of ripe fruit, structured tannins, and versatile styles, from bold reds to crisp whites and sparkling wines.
The Shenandoah Valley is represented by CrossKeys Vineyards’ 2024 Cabernet Franc and Glen Manor Vineyards’ 2023 Vin Rouge, demonstrating the region’s cool-climate finesse and capacity for elegant, fruit-forward reds.
Completing the case, Northern Virginia adds Granite Heights Winery’s 2024 Humility, made from the rare Lagrein grape, and the Winery at La Grange’s 2024 Petit Manseng, highlighting aromatic whites and expressive varietals that reflect the region’s unique terroir.
Cabernet Franc appeared three times in the 2026 Governor’s Cup Case, along with a mix of reds, whites, blends, and sparkling wines. The selection reflects the diversity, innovation and growing prestige of Virginia Wine Country.
The 2026 Best in Show Wines
Beginning in 2025, the Virginia Governor’s Cup introduced a Best in Show designation for wine categories receiving at least five submissions, expanding recognition beyond the traditional Governor’s Cup Case. In 2026, the Best in Show winners highlighted the diversity of Virginia wine. The honors went to:
- Good Spirit Farm | 2024 Albariño
- Wolf Gap Vineyard & Winery | 2022 Cabernet Sauvignon
- Knight’s Gambit Vineyard | 2023 Chardonnay
- Hark Vineyards | 2022 Ember (Dessert Wines)
- Chrysalis Vineyards | 2022 Norton
- Paradise Springs Winery | 2023 Petit Verdot (Brown Bear Vineyard)
- Pippin Hill Farm & Vineyards | 2024 Sauvignon Blanc
- Walsh Family Wine | 2021 Bethany Ridge Tannat
- 50 West Vineyards | 2024 Vidal Blanc
- WildKind Estate | 2024 WildKind White (Best White Blend)
- The Barn at 678 | 2024 Viognier
The 2026 Virginia Cider of the Year and the Wine Grower of the Year
Starting in 2021, the Virginia Governor’s Cup began awarding Virginia cideries their own separate award for Cider of the Year. 11 Virginia ciders won golds this year, and out of all of them, Richmond-based Blue Bee Cider (below, top left) won the top award for their 2024 Hewe’s Crab. The small-batch, single-varietal cider celebrates one of Virginia’s historic heirloom apples, the Hewe’s Crab apple. Blue Bee Cider prides itself on being an urban cidery producing a wide range of ciders, from dry and semi-sweet to dessert styles. 2026 marks their first Cider of the Year win.
Afton Mountain Vineyards‘ winemaker Damien Blanchon (above at right) was also present with his multiple gold-medaling wines. Blanchon won the prestigious Grape Grower of the Year award from the Virginia Vineyard Association in 2025, a well-deserved honor. Blanchon immigrated to Virginia from his career as a French winemaker in 2006 and has worked tirelessly for two decades to pioneer sustainable growing practices and contribute vastly to the industry.
Trends from the 2026 Competition
The 2026 Virginia Governor’s Cup highlighted the state’s diverse terroir and winemaking excellence, awarding Gold Medals to more than 300 entries spanning red, white, rosé, sparkling, dessert wines, and ciders. Virginia’s Gold winners represent both traditional and experimental varietals, showcasing the innovation and craftsmanship of the state’s vineyards and cideries.
Red wines dominated the Gold Medal category at the 2026 Virginia Governor’s Cup, led by Red Blends with 62 winners, including 20 Meritage wines. Cabernet Franc followed with 30 Gold Medals, while other notable reds included Merlot (14), Petit Verdot (11), Cabernet Sauvignon (4), and Tannat (4). Single Gold Medals were awarded to Barbera, Chambourcin, Lagrein, Lemberger, Mourvèdre, and Nebbiolo, showcasing the diversity of Virginia’s red wine offerings.
“The Virginia Governor’s Cup Competition is a celebration of our culture, our heritage, and the spirit of entrepreneurship that defines the Commonwealth.”
-Gov. Abigail Spanberger
White wines highlighted Virginia winemakers’ skill with both aromatic and neutral-varietal styles. Top Gold Medal winners included Chardonnay (18), Petit Manseng (13), Viognier (7), and Albariño (7). Additional Golds went to Gewürztraminer, Chardonel, Roussanne, Sauvignon Blanc (3), Traminette, Vermentino, and Vidal Blanc (2).
Virginia’s Sparkling and Rosé wines also earned recognition, with 13 Sparkling and 2 Rosé wines winning Gold. Specialty wines demonstrated creativity, including 1 Dessert Wine and 5 White Blends, reflecting the innovation and range of Virginia winemaking.
Virginia’s Diverse Wine Regions
This year’s gold medal winners spanned seven distinct Virginia wine regions, underscoring the depth and diversity of the state’s wine industry. Central Virginia led with about 43% of gold‑winning producers, anchored by classic Bordeaux‑style blends, Viognier and Petit Manseng. Northern Virginia followed with roughly 37% of winners, showcasing strong Cabernet Franc, Meritage and Albariño performances. The Shenandoah Valley contributed approximately 14%, noted for its expressive reds and lively Chardonnay. Meanwhile, Coastal and Western & South Virginia combined for the remainder, highlighting Petit Manseng and varietals like Barbera and Traminette.
Across all winning bottles, more than 25 grape varieties and nine vintages were represented, led by Red blends, Cabernet Franc, Chardonnay, Merlot, and Petit Manseng — a testament to Virginia’s expanding viticultural excellence and stylistic range.
The full list of gold winners fuels Virginia’s vibrant Gold Medal Wine Trail, inviting wine lovers to explore medal‑winning producers state‑wide.
The Future of Virginia Wine
As the 2026 Virginia Governor’s Cup Gala showed, the future of Virginia wine is as vibrant and varied as the Commonwealth itself. From bold Cabernet Francs and structured Bordeaux-style blends to crisp Albariños, rare varietals and even award‑winning heirloom ciders, the state’s winemakers are proving that innovation, craftsmanship and respect for terroir can flourish side by side. With more regions producing top‑tier wines and a new generation of visionary vintners pushing boundaries, Virginia Wine Country is poised for continued growth, recognition and even global acclaim. Whether through celebrated Gold Medal winners, the coveted Governor’s Cup Case, or the burgeoning Gold Medal Wine Trail, one thing is clear: Virginia’s wines are not just keeping pace—they are defining the future of American viticulture.
Find the full list of the 2026 Governor’s Cup gold winners here. To see who won the Cup in recent years, read more on the Virginia Governor’s Cup 2025 Awards, Virginia Governor’s Cup 2024 Awards, the Virginia Governor’s Cup 2023 Awards, Virginia Governor’s Cup 2022 Awards, the Virginia Governor’s Cup 2021 Awards, Virginia Governor’s Cup 2020 Awards, the 2019 Virginia Governor’s Cup Winners and the 2018 Gold Winners of the Virginia Governor’s Cup. ~
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R. L. JOHNSON is our co-publisher and creative director, Robin Johnson Bethke, who began her career as a professional photographer in Los Angeles before moving into graphic design and art direction when she relocated to Charlottesville in 1994. As our company’s co-founder and visionary, she enjoys all aspects of the publishing process from story conception to graphic design to photography. Her work is often seen in many of our publications.
