The 2024 Virginia Governor’s Cup Awards marked another groundbreaking year for the burgeoning Virginia wine industry. Virginia wineries submitted more than 750 wines for consideration. In 2024, 79 wineries won a total of 138 gold medals altogether after several rounds of sampling by world-class judges.
The 2024 competition had a new director of judging at the helm: Virginia wine expert Frank Morgan. Morgan, who has been involved in judging the Governor’s Cup for 10 years, saw an opportunity to improve the judging criteria and made some changes this year. He increased the number of judges in preliminary rounds to 24 judges separated into four groups. Each group of six judges tasted a different sampling of entries over the course of three days, avoiding “palate fatigue” that might have resulted from all of the judges having to taste nearly 800 wines over the course of 10 days. Morgan selected the judges from among wine professionals with a history in and understanding of Virginia wine to make sure the subtleties of the Virginia terroir were fully appreciated.
Wines that move into the final round were then tasted again to determine the 12 wines with the highest average scores. These were identified as the “2024 Governor’s Cup Case” while the wine with the highest overall score will be given the coveted title of the 2024 Governor’s Cup Winner at the 2024 Governor’s Cup Gala in March.
This year’s Gold Medal-winning wines and ciders represent seven wine regions and 26 grape varieties grown in Virginia, representing the diverse terroir of the region. Red blends swept the awards with 55% of the gold medals. Within this category, Meritage blends won 19% of the total gold medals, closely followed by single-varietal Petit Verdots at 13%. The top white wine was Chardonnay with 14 gold medals. In addition to the wines, eight ciders also earned a Gold Medal in this year’s competition.
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 judge 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:
- Appearance (clarity, color, visually observable characteristics)
- Aroma (clean aromatics, type of aromatics, intensity)
- Flavor (character of the alcohol, flavor intensity, tannins, body)
- Overall quality
- Commercial suitability
A gold medal winner must earn over 90 out of 100 possible points. A wine awarded 95-100 points is considered “classic,” one of the best wines in the world
Read on to learn more about the 138 Gold Medals and 79 wineries honored in the 2024 Virginia Governor’s Cup Awards, representing the best of Virginia Wine Country.
2024 Virginia Governor’s Cup Best Wines & Ciders from Central Virginia
- 7 Lady Vineyards (1) – 2020 Albariño
- Afton Mountain Vineyards (3) – 2022 Albariño, 2017 Tradition, 2019 T
- Albemarle CiderWorks (2) – 2022 Crab Medley, 2022 Royal Pippin, 2022 Wickson
- Ankida Ridge Vineyards (2) – 2022 Chardonnay, 2022 Pinot Noir
- Barboursville Vineyards (4) – 2019 Nascent, 2019 Paxxito, 2020 Octagon, 2022 Vermentino
- Barn at 678 Vineyards (1) – 2021 Reserve Red
- Big Fish Cider Co (1) – 2022 Northern Spy
- Blue Quartz Winery (1) – 2021 Petit Verdot
- Capstone Vineyards (1) – 2022 Vintner’s Blend
- Chateau Morrisette (1) – 2021 Archival XII
- Chestnut Oak Vineyard (2) – 2019 Petit Verdot, 2021 Chestnut One
- Chisholm Vineyards at Adventure Farm (1) – 2019 Petit Verdot
- Cunningham Creek Winery (1) – 2022 Viognier
- DuCard Vineyards (1) – 2019 Triskele
- Early Mountain Vineyards (1) – 2021 Petit Verdot
- Eastwood Farm and Winery (2) – Merlot, 2022 Rosé
- Fifty-Third Winery and Vineyard (2) – 2021 Cabernet Franc Reserve, 2021 Two Springs
- Flying Fox Vineyard (2) – 2017 Cabernet Franc, 2019 TRIO
- Grace Estate Winery (1) – 2021 Petit Verdot
- Hark Vineyards (2) – 2019 Merlot, 2019 Spark
- Honah Lee Vineyard (1) – 2022 Petit Manseng
- James River Cellars (1) – 2021 Petit Verdot
- Jefferson Vineyards (3) – 2021 Cabinet Franc Reserve, 2021 Viognier, 2022 Chardonnay Reserve
- Keswick Vineyards (1) – 2019 Cabernet Sauvignon
- King Family Vineyards (2) – 2019 Meritage, 2021 Mountain Plains White
- Merrie Mill Farm & Vineyard (1) – 2021 Calaboose Cabernet Sauvignon
- Michael Shaps Wineworks (4) – 2020 L. Scott, 2021 Chardonnay, 2021 L. Scott, 2021 Petit Manseng
- Mountain & Vine Vineyards and Winery (2) – 2021 Petit Verdot Reserve, 2022 Chardonnay*
- Pippin Hill Farm & Vineyards (2) – 2019 Petit Verdot, 2021 Chardonnay Reserve
- Pollak Vineyards (2) – 2021 Cabernet Franc Reserve, 2021 Chardonnay Reserve
- Potter’s Craft Cider (2) – 2022 Farmhouse Dry, 2022 Pomme Sauvage Albemarle Pippin
- Reynard Florence Vineyard (1) – 2021 Rechergé
- Southwest Mountains Vineyards (2) – 2021 Cabernet Franc, 2021 Petit Manseng
- Tasting Room & Taphouse at Mount Ida Reserve (2) – 2021 High Ridge 1810 Reserve Red, 2022 Moonlight Red
- Trump Winery (5) – 2017 Blanc de Noir, 2021 Chardonnay Reserve, 2022 Chardonnay, 2022 Sauvignon Blanc, 2022 Viognier
- Veritas Winery (3) – 2021 Momentarius Collection White Blend, 2021 Reserve, 2022 Sauvignon Blanc
- Woodbrook Farm Vineyard (1) – 2020 Petit Verdot
*winner of the 2023 Virginia Governor’s Cup
2024 Virginia Governor’s Cup Best Wines from Northern Virginia
- Breaux Vineyards (3) – 2017 Meritage, 2019 Meritage, 2019 The Fog Nebbiolo Reserve
- Cana Vineyards and Winery of Middleburg (1) – 2022 Albariño
- Carriage House Wineworks (2) – 2020 Barouche, 2021 Petit Verdot
- Chrysalis Vineyards at the Ag District (1) – 2021 Norton Locksley Reserve
- Delaplane Cellars (1) – 2020 Rusticity
- Doukénie Winery (1) – 2020 Petit Verdot
- Endhardt Vineyards (2) – 2020 Fervor Red, 2022 Sauvignon Blanc Upper Block
- Granite Heights Winery (3) – 2019 Cabernet Franc, 2021 Petit Verdot, 2022 Chardonnay
- Greenhill Vineyards (1) – 2021 Tannat
- Hillsborough Winery, Brewery & Vineyard (2) – 2021 Cabernet Sauvignon, 2021 Petit Verdot
- Molon Lave Vineyards (1) – 2022 Three Muses
- Mountain Run Winery (3) – 2021 Mead, 2022 Meritage
- October One Vineyard (1) – 2022 Albariño
- Old House Vineyards (1) – 2020 Petillante
- Paradise Springs Winery (3) – 2021 Tannat, 2022 KIII, 2022 Petit Manseng
- Potomac Point Winery & Vineyards (1) – 2022 Albariño
- Sunset Hills Vineyard (3) – 2021 Mosaic, 2022 Chardonnay, 2022 Viognier
- The Barns at Hamilton Station Vineyards (4) – 2020 Cabernet Franc, 2020 Petit Verdot, 2021 Cabernet Franc, 2022 Viognier
- The Wine Reserve at Waterford (1)– 2022 First Harvest Petit Manseng
- Three Creeks Winery (2) – 2020 Cabernet Sauvignon, 2022 Muscat Ottonel
- Walsh Family Wine (1) – 2021 Paeonia
- Zephaniah Farm Vineyard (1) – 2020 Friendship
2024 Virginia Governor’s Cup Best Wines & Ciders from the Shenandoah Valley
- 8 Chains North Winery (1) – 2022 Albariño
- Barren Ridge Vineyards (2) – 2019 Meritage, 2021 Cabernet Franc
- Bluestone Vineyard (1) – 2017 Petit Verdot
- Brix & Columns Vineyards (1) – 2019 Cabernet Franc
- Cave Ridge Vineyard (2) – 2019 Fossil Hill Reserve, 2022 Sparkling Riesling
- Ciders from Mars, LLC (1) – Maven
- CrossKeys Vineyards (3) – Blanc de Noir, 2022 Chardonnay, 2022 Viognier
- Ecco Adesso Vineyards (1) – 2022 New World Virginia Chardonnay
- Muse Vineyards (2) – 2020 Clio, 2022 Gamay
- Shenandoah Vineyards (1) – 2020 Cabernet Sauvignon
2024 Virginia Governor’s Cup Best Wines & Ciders from West & South Virginia
- Hamlet Vineyards (3) – 2021 Cabernet Sauvignon, 2021 Eltham, 2021 Petit Verdot
- Rosemont Vineyards (1) – 2022 Traminette
2024 Virginia Governor’s Cup Best Wines & Ciders from Coastal Virginia
- Black Heath Meadery (1) – Berry Goode
- Buskey Cider (1) – 2022 Ruby Red Crab Apple
- New Kent Winery (2) – Merlot, Reserve Chardonnay
- Silver Hand Meadery (2) – Raspberry Passion, Virginia Tonight
- SummerWind Vineyard (1) – 2019 Petit Verdot
- Upper Shirley Vineyards (3) – 2018 Zachariah, 2020 Chardonnay, 2021 Viognier
- Williamsburg Winery (1) – 2019 Trianon
- Wind Vineyards at Laurel Grove (1) – 2022 Sangiovese
Judges for the 2024 Virginia Governor’s Cup
The History of the Virginia Governor’s Cup Awards
Once again, the talented leaders of the Virginia wine industry have proved the merits of Virginia wines. Their grit and experimental nature drive our region and continue to produce quality wines that enchant wine lovers and judges alike.
Now in its 42nd year, the Virginia Governor’s Cup Competition was redesigned in 2012 to become one of the most competitive and rigorous wine competitions in the country. All entries must be sourced from 100% Virginia-grown fruit in order to be eligible for competition.
To see who won the Governor’s Cup in recent years, read more on the 2023 Governor’s Cup Competition, the 2022 Governor’s Cup Case, the 2021 Governor’s Cup Winner, the 2020 Virginia Governor’s Cup Awards and the 2019 Virginia Governor’s Cup.
