Gold Medal Wines of the 2025 Virginia Governor’s Cup

The 2025 Virginia Governor’s Cup Awards marked yet more advances for the estimable Virginia wine industry. This year, Virginia wineries submitted more than 620 wines for consideration. Of those wines, 87 wineries won a total of 155 gold medals altogether after several rounds of sampling by world-class judges.

In preliminary judging rounds, groups of six judges taste 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 more than 600 wines over the course of 10 days. These are single-blind tastings, meaning that judges only know the grape or category of a wine, nothing about the winery or provenance.

Wines that move into the final round are then tasted again to determine the 12 wines with the highest average scores. These wines are identified as the “Governor’s Cup Case” while the wine with the highest overall score will be given the coveted title of the 2025 Governor’s Cup Winner at the Governor’s Cup Gala in March.

This year’s Gold Medal-winning wines and ciders represent eight wine regions and more than 20 grape varieties grown in Virginia, representing the diverse terroir of the region. Red blends and varietals swept the awards with 61% of the gold medals. Within this category, and following last year’s trends, Meritage blends won 32 (19% of the total) gold medals, closely followed by single-varietal Petit Verdot wines at 13% with 16 golds. In addition to the wines, six ciders also earned gold 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 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:

• 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 a “classic,” one of the best wines in the world.

Read on to learn more about the 155 Gold Medals and 87 wineries honored in the 2025 Virginia Governor’s Cup Awards, representing the best of Virginia Wine Country.

2025 Virginia Governor’s Cup Best Wines & Ciders from Central Virginia

• 7 Lady Vineyards (3) – 2017 Petit Manseng, 2022 Meritage, 2023 Petit Manseng
• Afton Mountain Vineyards (1) – 2019 T
• Albemarle CiderWorks (2) – 2023 Brut d’Albemarle – Harrison, 2023 Brut d’Albemarle – Orchard Blush
• Ankida Ridge Vineyards (2) – 2022 Pinot Noir, 2023 Chardonnay
• Ashton Creek Vineyard (2) – 2023 Merlot, 2023 Petit Manseng
• Barboursville Vineyards (6) – 2017 Cabernet Franc, 2017 Nebbiolo, 2017 Octagon, 2021 Nebbiolo, 2021 Octagon, 2023 Vermentino
• Barn at 678 Vineyards (1) – 2019 Meritage
• Chateau Morrisette (1) – 2021 Cabernet Sauvignon
• Chiswell Farm & Winery (2) – 2021 Cabernet Sauvignon, 2022 Cabernet Franc
• Cunningham Creek Winery (2) – 2021 Meritage, 2023 Viognier
• Dovecote Farm Wines (1) – 2022 Chardonnay
• DuCard Vineyards (3) – 2021 Triskele, 2022 Cabernet Franc Vintners’ Reserve, 2023 Cabernet Franc Vintners’ Reserve
• Eastwood Farm and Winery (1) – 2022 Petit Verdot
• Everleigh Vineyards (2) – 2020 Chardonel, 2021 Chardonel
• Fallen Tree Vineyard (2) – 2021 Cabernet Franc, 2021 Chardonnay
• Fifty-Third Winery and Vineyard (3) – 2021 Rock Ridge, 2021 Romulus, 2023 Albariño
• Grace Estate Winery (3) – 2021 Tannat, 2022 Cabernet Franc, 2022 Chardonnay
• Hark Vineyards (1) – 2022 Spark
• Horton Vineyards (2) – 2017 Stonecastle Red, Suil
• James River Cellars (1) – 2023 Rosé
• Jefferson Vineyards (3) – 2021 Meritage, 2022 Petit Verdot, 2023 Viognier
• Keswick Vineyards (2) – 2019 Cabernet Sauvignon, 2023 Viognier
• King Family Vineyards* (4) – 2021 Loreley, 2021 Meritage, 2021 Mountain Plains Red, 2023 Viognier
• Loving Cup Vineyard & Winery (1) – 2023 Loving Cup White
• Michael Shaps Wineworks (3) – 2017 L. Scott, 2021 L. Scott, 2022 Chardonnay
• Mountain & Vine Vineyards and Winery (2) – 2022 Screaming Hawk Meritage Reserve, 2023 Chardonnay
• Pollak Vineyards (5) – 2022 Cabernet Franc Reserve, 2022 Meritage, 2022 Merlot Reserve, 2022 Smuggler, 2023 Viognier
• Prince Michel Vineyard & Winery (1) – Tres Bien
• Reynard Florence Vineyard (1) – 2023 Merlot
• Southwest Mountains Vineyards (2) – 2021 Petit Verdot Reserve, 2023 Petit Manseng
• Stinson Vineyards (3) – 2021 Tannat, 2023 Cabernet Franc, 2023 Mourvedre
• Sweet Briar College Farm Winery (1) – 2023 Earned the Rosé
• Trump Winery (2) – 2018 Blanc de Blanc, 2018 Sparkling Rosé
• Valley Road Vineyards (3) – 2020 Petit Verdot, 2022 Cabernet Franc, 2023 Petit Manseng
• Veritas Vineyards & Winery (2) – 2022 Veritas Reserve, 2023 Monticello White
• Woodbrook Farm Vineyard (1) – 2023 Viognier

*winner of the 2024 Virginia Governor’s Cup

2025 Virginia Governor’s Cup Best Wines from Northern Virginia

• 50 West Vineyards (1) – 2021 Aldie Heights Cuvée
• 868 Estate Vineyards (3) – 2022 Chardonnay, 2022 Meritage, 2023 Sauvignon Blanc
• Blue Valley Vineyard & Winery (1) – 2021 Petit Verdot
• Breaux Vineyards (3) – 2020 Meritage, 2022 Cabernet Sauvignon, 2022 Petit Verdot
• Cana Vineyards and Winery of Middleburg (1) – 2023 Albariño
• Carriage House Wineworks (2) – 2022 Petit Manseng, 2022 Petit Verdot Reserve
• Casanel Vineyards & Winery (1) – 2021 Petit Verdot
• Chrysalis Vineyards at the Ag District (1) – 2022 Bull Run Mountain Cuvée
• Delaplane Cellars (1) – 2022 Piedmont Station
• Domaine Fortier Vineyards (1) – 2023 Albariño
• Doukénie Winery (2) – 2022 Chardonnay, Alethia
• Endhardt Vineyards (3) – 2020 Petit Verdot, 2021 Fervor Red, 2021 Golden Turkey
• Good Spirit Farm (1) – 2023 Albariño
• Granite Heights Winery (2) – 2021 Humility, 2023 Humility
• Lake Anna Winery (1) – 2019 Clockwork
• October One Vineyard (1) – 2022 Rescue
• Old House Vineyards (2) – 2022 Cabernet Franc, 2023 Vidal Blanc
• Paradise Springs Winery (2) – 2023 Cabernet Franc (Brown Bear Vineyard), 2023 Petit Manseng (Concrete)
• Philip Carter Winery (1) – 2023 Ten Vines Red
• Potomac Point Winery & Vineyards (1) – 2023 Albariño
• Rome-Key Estates (2) – 2021 Roots, 2022 Blue Ridge Veil
• The Barns at Hamilton Station Vineyards (2) – 2022 Chardonnay, 2022 Meritage
• The Wine Reserve at Waterford (2) – 2021 Gila Petit Verdot, 2021 Quat Cabernet Franc
• The Winery at La Grange (2) – 2022 Petit Manseng, 2023 Petit Manseng
• The Winery at Sunshine Ridge Farm (1) – 2023 Vidal Blanc
• Walsh Family Wine (1) – 2021 Late Harvest Petit Manseng
• Williams Gap Vineyard (2) – 2022 Chardonnay, 2023 Black Label Chardonnay
• Willowcroft Farm Vineyards (1) – 2022 Petit Verdot

• 8 Chains North Winery (1) – 2023 Sauvignon Blanc
• Barren Ridge Vineyards (1) – 2019 Meritage
• Bluestone Vineyard (1) – 2023 Houndstooth
• Brix & Columns Vineyards (1) – 2020 McGahey
• Cave Ridge Vineyard (1) – 2022 Blanc de Blanc Sparkling Riesling
• CrossKeys Vineyards (2) – 2022 Petit Verdot, 2023 Chardonnay
• Ecco Adesso Vineyards (1) – 2022 New World Cabernet Franc
• Great Valley Farm Winery(1) – 2022 Petit Verdot
• Jump Mountain Vineyard (1) – 2021 Cabernet Sauvignon
• Muse Vineyards (1) – 2020 Clio
• Rockbridge Vineyard & Brewery (2) – 2019 DeChiel Cabernet Franc, 2019 DeChiel Syrah
• Sage Bird Ciderworks (2) – Aura, Virginia Hewe’s Crab
• Shenandoah Vineyards (4) – 2019 Riesling, 2021 Cabernet Sauvignon, 2022 Petit Verdot, 2022 Reserve Red
• Wolf Gap Vineyard & Winery (1) – Clare Sparkling Rosé

• Burnbrae Vineyards (2) – 2022 Petit Verdot, 2023 B_bV Blanc
• Daring Wine & Cider Company (2) – 2022 Crab Apple Blend, 2023 Ann’s Cuvee
• Hamlet Vineyards (1) – 2023 Pinot Gris
• Rosemont Vineyards (1) – 2022 Kilravock

• Black Heath Meadery (2) – Aw Schmucks, There’s Pie
• Buskey Cider (1) – Virginia Brut
• Three Leg Run Winery (1) – 2023 Petit Manseng
• Williamsburg Winery (2) – 2019 Trianon, 2021 Gabriel Archer Reserve
• Wind Vineyards at Laurel Grove (2) – 2022 Chard Sur Lie, 2022 Sangiovese

Judges for the 2025 Virginia Governor’s Cup

Beginning in 2024, Virginia wine expert Frank Morgan took over coordinating the judging for the Governor’s Cup. Morgan, who has been involved in judging the Governor’s Cup for 10 years, saw an opportunity to improve the judging criteria. Among other changes implemented, Morgan selects the judges from among wine professionals with a history in and understanding of Virginia wine to make sure the subtleties of the Virginia terroir are fully appreciated.

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 43rd 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 2024 Governor’s Cup Competition, 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.