King Family Wins 2018 Virginia Governor's Cup for its 2014 Meritage
Governor Ralph Northam awarded the 2018 Virginia Wineries Association’s (VWA) Governor's Cup to King Family Vineyards for its 2014 Meritage. Like all wines entered in the competition, it is made from 100 percent Virginia fruit.
This is the third time King Family Vineyards has won the Governor’s Cup. They also won in 2010 for their 2007 Meritage and in 2004 for a 2002 vintage Cabernet Franc. The Governor’s Cup was awarded Tuesday evening, February 27 at the Main Street Station in Richmond, Virginia.
“I am pleased to present this award to winemaker Matthieu Finot and to David and Ellen King of King Family Vineyards as well as their entire team, who have proven again that they are leaders in producing outstanding Virginia wines,” said Governor Northam. “I also want to congratulate all of the wineries included in the 2018 Governor’s Cup Case. Virginia’s wine industry has grown exponentially in recent years, with an enormous impact on economic development and tourism in the Commonwealth, thanks to the hard work of people in wineries across the state.”
King Family Vineyards’ 2014 Meritage is 100 percent Monticello AVA fruit and 91 percent estate fruit. The wine was aged 18 months in French oak and went through malolactic fermentation. The composition of the wine is 50 percent Merlot, 23 percent Petit Verdot, 21 percent Cabernet Franc, and 6 percent Malbec. The wine shows complexity with notes of bright red fruit, violets and dried rose petals with a youthful and focused structure.
“This is King Family Vineyard’s third Governor’s Cup win and it is also a win for the Monticello AVA. Well done,” Secretary of Agriculture and Forestry Bettina Ring said.
2018 Virginia Governor’s Cup Competition
The 2018 Virginia Governor’s Cup Competition was conducted over four weeks of preliminary tastings, held at the Capital Wine School in Washington, D.C in January. The final round of tastings was held at The Jefferson Hotel in Richmond in early February. The Governor's Cup award winner was selected from the 2018 Governor's Cup Case, a selection of the top 12 scoring red and white wines chosen from more than 440 entries from 100 wineries. The esteemed panel of judges, including Jay Youmans – one of only 45 Masters of Wine (MW) in the U.S. – had the difficult task of ranking each wine based on a unified scoring system.
2018 Governor’s Cup Case - 12 Outstanding Wines from Virginia
This year’s results offer wide geographic diversity; and patterns are beginning to emerge. The results highlight several regions that are growing grapes with distinction. Six wines are from the Monticello AVA, four wines are from the Northern Virginia area and one is from the Shenandoah Valley.
Also this year’s results show wide diversity in the grape varieties being grown across the state. Reflecting that diversity are three Petit Verdots, three Bordeaux style blends, 2 Viogniers, two Cabernet Francs and two dessert wines.
Brix & Columns Vineyards: The wines selected for the Governor’s Case were a varied mix of red and white varietals and a sprinkling of blends and dessert wines. Jefferson Vineyards had two Viogniers place: the 2015 was fermented in a combination of oak and stainless, while the 2016 was done entirely in oak. Keswick Vineyards and Potomac Point Winery both had their 2016 Cabernet Francs selected. Three Petit Verdots were chosen (all 2015): The Barns at Hamilton Station, North Gate Vineyard, and Veritas Vineyard & Winery. Blends are often seen as the perfect marriage that brings out the best characteristics of the varietals that they contain, and three made their way into the case this year. They were The Barns at Hamilton Station Meritage (2015), Early Mountain Vineyards Eluvium (2015), and King Family Vineyards Meritage (2014). Every good meal deserves a good dessert, and this case provides two very special dessert wines: Barboursville Vineyards 2014 Paxxito and Cross Keys Vineyards 2015 Ali d’Oro.
King Family Vineyards 2014 Meritage
The 2018 Virginia Governor's Cup Winner (see above).
Barboursville Vineyards 2014 Paxxito
Barboursville Vineyards: Having won designation as “Best Dessert Wine” at the Virginia State Fair and the Gold Medal in California’s Sommelier Challenge in 2017, Paxxito 2014 has now followed in the footsteps of the 2013 vintage, by winning the Gold Medal of the 2018 Virginia Governor's Cup competition. Not to be outdone by the new vintage, Paxxito 2013 came along to be tasted again in this new group of entries, by a new panel of judges, and won the Gold Medal for the second year in a row -- establishing a sibling rivalry of which more news may follow. A patient labor of intensive hand selection and extended fermentation and aging in our winery, Paxxito is capable of great aging in bottle, and worthy of the most celebratory occasions. Served by Governor Kaine to Queen Elizabeth II on her visit to Jamestown in 2007, and recognized internationally as one of our region’s finest wines, Paxxito is possibly the longest smile in Virginia wine.
CrossKeys Vineyards 2015 Ali d'Oro
CrossKeys Vineyards is a beautiful 150 acre vineyard located in the heart of the Shenandoah Valley. With gorgeous views of the Blue Ridge Mountains the tasting room is the perfect place to spend the afternoon tasting their 12 varietals.
CrossKeys Vineyards: CrossKeys Vineyards Dessert Wine, Ali d’ Oro, translated from Italian means, “Gold of the Ali.” Ali d’ Oro is produced in the Eiswine style with Vidal Blanc and Traminette grapes by our wine makers, Stephan Heyns and Steven Monson. It is also named after the owner, Nikoo Baktiar’s, late father, Ali, who inspired and supported her dream to establish CrossKeys Vineyards here in the Shenandoah Valley.
Early Mountain Vineyards 2015 Eluvium
Located at the foot of the Blue Ridge Mountains, Early Mountain Vineyards is run by a husband and wife team who strive to craft high quality wines that reflect Virginia by paying close attention to vines, soil and climate. Visit their award winning tasting room, sip wines on the cozy outdoor patio, or stay the night in their charming guest cottage.
Early Mountain Vineyards: As one of the top twelve wines in the state recognized with this honor, the inclusion of Eluvium is a testament to our winemakers, our Quaker Run vineyard, and the noble qualities of Virginia’s blossoming wine region.
Jefferson Vineyards 2016 Viognier
Jefferson Vineyards 2015 Viognier
The winery sits at the foot of the Blue Ridge Mountains and is about a mile away from historic destinations like Monticello and Ash Lawn Highland.
Jefferson Vineyards: Our winery has been awarded two places in the 2018 Governor’s Case, making it the first time a Virginia winery has the distinction of two Viognier wines in this prestigious wine competition.
Keswick Vineyards 2016 Cabernet Franc Estate Reserve
Keswick Vineyards won the Virginia Governor's Cup in 2016. See: Virginia's Best Wines: 2016 Virginia Governor's Cup, USA
Winemaker's notes: Fruit for this cabernet franc comes from the 7 acre 'Bordeaux block' at the back end of the estate, planted in Nasom series soil which is very rocky, creating excellent conditions for growing superb berries. After being hand-picked and hand-sorted, the fruit was de-stemmed and transferred to small lot fermentation units. The majority of the lots were fermented naturally as is typical of our reserves. During the course of fermentation stems were added to the units and the wine was punched down six times daily.
North Gate Vineyard 2015 Petit Verdot
Nestled on 26 acres, this environmentally friendly tasting room is LEED certified and 100% solar powered. If that isn’t impressive enough their wines have been nationally and internationally recognized with over 50 medals.
Vicki Fedor and Mark Fedor: This is our finest Estate Grown wine. Petit Verdot is often used for blending and brings rich tannins and deep color to the table. We also believe this grape can make a nice varietal wine, showcasing its intensity and complexity to make it the big, bold red in the line-up. Sweet violet aromas, fresh cedar and just the right amount of French oak integrate into a soft start, bold mid-palate, and lingering finish. Pairs well with Beef Braciole or a classic aged beef steak dinner. 95% Petit Verdot, 5% Merlot.
Potomac Point Winery 2016 Cabernet Franc
Veritas Vineyards & Winery 2015 Petit Verdot
Veritas Vineyard and Winery is one of the most stunning wineries in Virginia, with a front-row view of the famous Blue Ridge Mountains from the back lawn. The winery has a barn-style tasting room that lends a cozy vibe, complete with a stone fireplace surrounded by couches that invites you to get comfortable as you sip on some of the finest wines in Virginia. From spring to fall, the vineyards often books wedding parties on the weekends that wish to say “I Do” in an unforgettably romantic location.
Virginia Cellars 2015 The Barns at Hamilton Station Petit Verdot
Virginia Cellars 2015 The Barns at Hamilton Station Meritage
The Barns at Hamilton Station won the Virginia Governor's Cup in 2017. See: Virginia's Best Wines: 2017 Governor‘s Cup Gala in Richmond, Virginia, USA
The Barns at Hamilton Station is located in a one hundred year old barn just ten minutes outside of Leesburg. One of Virginia’s most well-known winemakers, Michael Shaps is the man behind the award winning varietals. With gorgeous views and an inviting atmosphere you’re sure to enjoy your time at The Barns. See: A New Winery in Virginia - The Barns at Hamilton Station Vineyards, USA
Now in its 36th Year
Now in its 36th year, the Virginia Governor’s Cup competition was revamped in 2012 to become one of the most stringent and thorough wine competitions in the country. The competition is a result of a partnership among the gubernatorial-appointed Virginia Wine Board (VWB), the Virginia Vineyards Association (VVA), and the VWA, which owns and manages the competition. Any wine made from 100 percent Virginia fruit was eligible for the competition, while ciders and fruit wines had their own category and medalists. All entries included an affidavit with a certification of 100 percent Virginia fruit and vineyard particulars, including grower names and location, as well as information on alcohol, acidity or basicity (pH), and residual sugar.
Both the Governor's Cup Competition and the resulting Governor’s Cup Case boost the visibility of the state's highest-scoring wines through various programs and exposure to top industry critics and tastemakers. Wine included in the Governor’s Cup Case will be used by the Virginia Wine Board Marketing Office for marketing purposes in Virginia, across the country, and around the world. Governor’s Cup Case wines will also be used by Governor Northam on select domestic and international marketing missions and other events designed to promote Virginia’s burgeoning wine and winery tourism industries.
According to a 2017 economic impact study, the Virginia wine industry employs more than 8,200 people and contributes almost $1.37 billion to the Virginia economy on an annual basis. Nationwide, Virginia is in the top five states in number of wineries and wine grape production. In 2017, Virginia wine sales reached an all-time high of more than 587,700 cases or over 7.0 million bottles. More than 2.2 million tourists visited Virginia wineries in 2015.
The rapid growth of Virginia's vibrant wine industry has made it one of the fastest growing agricultural sectors in the state. Today, there are over 280 wineries in Virginia, and 300 vineyards that cultivate over 3,800 acres of grapes. Virginia wines have been gaining praise among wine critics for caliber of wines being produced and for the dramatic increases in wine quality in recent years. Both the Governor's Cup® Competition and the resulting Governor’s Cup Case® boost the visibility of the Virginia wine region through various marketing programs and exposure to top wine critics and tastemakers.
2018 Virginia Governor's Cup Gold Medalists
99 Virginia wines have been awarded gold medals in the 2018 Virginia wine competition. The gold medalists from this year's Governor's Cup were selected from 442 entries of both red and white wines, from 100 different Virginia wineries. Ninety-nine of the wines scored a 90 or higher on a 100-point score range. This is the highest number of gold medals ever received for this prestigious competition (a full list is included at the bottom of this release).
Patterns emerged with this year’s awards. Of the gold medal winning wines, strong categories for 2018 included:
- 36 Bordeaux Blend wines
- 11 Petit Verdots
- 11 Viogniers
- 8 Chardonnays
- 5 Petit Mansengs
- 3 Tannats and 3 red blends with Tannat
- 4 dessert wines
Commenting on this year’s judging, Jay Youmans said, “There are several factors that contributed to this banner year for the Virginia Governor’s Cup. Several judges commented that the white wines really stood out this year. In addition, the overall caliber of wines were outstanding. The scores of wines that were sent to the final round of judging from the preliminary round were on average, two points higher than in previous years. This is a significant difference. Combined, the end result is an exceptional year for wines in this competition.”
2018 Governor’s Cup Gold Medalists
868 Estate Vineyards, Cabernet Franc Reserve, Cabernet Franc, 2015
868 Estate Vineyards, Meritage Reserve, Meritage, 2015
Afton Mountain Vineyards, Chardonnay Estate Reserve, Chardonnay, 2016
Afton Mountain Vineyards, Tradition, Meritage, 2016
Barboursville Vineyards, Octagon, Meritage, 2012
Barboursville Vineyards, Paxxito, Dessert, 2013
Barboursville Vineyards, Paxxito, Dessert, 2014
Barboursville Vineyards, Octagon, Meritage, 2014
Barboursville Vineyards, Octagon, Meritage, 2015
Barboursville Vineyards, Vermentino Reserve, Vermentino, 2016
Bluestone Vineyard, Inc., Cadenza, Meritage, 2014
Bluestone Vineyard, Inc., Petit Manseng, Petit Manseng, 2016
Bold Rock Hard Cider, Crimson Red Vintage Dry, Cider, NV
Bozzo Family Vineyards LLC, 2nd Act, Meritage, 2016
Breaux Vineyards, Meritage, Meritage, 2015
Breaux Vineyards, Nebbiolo, Nebbiolo, 2015
Casanel Vineyards & Winery, Petit Verdot, Petit Verdot, 2015
Castle Hill Cider, Serendipity, Cider, 2016
Chateau Morrisette, 2015 Petit Verdot, Petit Verdot, 2015
Chisholm Vineyards at Adventure Farms, Viognier2016, Viognier, 2016
Cooper Vineyards,53rd Winery and Vineyard Petit Verdot, Petit Verdot, 2015
CrossKeys Vineyards, Ali d'Oro, Dessert, 2015
Doukenie Winery, Petit Verdot, Petit Verdot, 2015
Doukenie Winery, Vintner's Reserve, Meritage, 2015
Doukenie Winery, Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Franc, 2015
Ducard Vineyards, Petit Verdot, Petit Verdot, 2014
Ducard Vineyards, Signature Viognier, Viognier, 2016
Early Mountain Vineyards, Eluvium 2014, Meritage, 2014
Early Mountain Vineyards, Eluvium 2015, Meritage, 2015
Early Mountain Vineyards, Quaker Run Chardonnay, Chardonnay, 2015
Early Mountain Vineyards, Chardonnay 2016, Chardonnay2016
Early Mountain Vineyards, Novum 2015, Meritage, 2015
Effingham Manor & Winery, Tannat, Tannat, 2014
Flying Fox Vineyard, Trio, Meritage, 2015
Flying Fox Vineyard, Viognier, Viognier, 2016
Fox Meadow Winery, Le Renard Rouge, Meritage, 2015
Glen Manor Vineyards, Hodder Hill, Meritage, 2013
Glen Manor Vineyards, Hodder Hill, Meritage, 2014
Glen Manor Vineyards, Hodder Hill, Meritage, 2015
Granite Heights Winery, Lomax Reserve, Meritage, 2012
Ingleside Vineyards, Virginia Gold, Meritage, 2014
Ingleside Vineyards, Left Bank, Meritage, 2014
Jefferson Vineyards, LP, Meritage, Meritage, 2014
Jefferson Vineyards, LP, Viognier, Viognier, 2015
Jefferson Vineyards, LP, Viognier, Viognier, 2016
Keswick Vineyards. Cabernet Franc Estate Reserve, Cabernet Franc, 2016
King Family Vineyards, Meritage, Meritage, 2014
King Family Vineyards, Mountain Plains, Meritage, 2015
King Family Vineyards, Loreley, Dessert, 2015
King Family Vineyards, Viognier (Small Batch Series), Viognier, 2016
King Family Vineyards. Chardonnay, Chardonnay, 2016
Lost Creek Winery, Reserve Chardonnay, Chardonnay, 2015
Michael Shaps Wineworks, Michael Shaps L. Scott, Tannat blend, 2013
Michael Shaps Wineworks, Michael Shaps Meritage, Meritage, 2014
Michael Shaps Wineworks, Michael Shaps Petit Verdot, Petit Verdot, 2015
Michael Shaps Wineworks, Michael Shaps L. Scott, Tannat blend, 2015
Michael Shaps Wineworks, Michael Shaps Petit Manseng, Petit Manseng, 2015
Michael Shaps Wineworks, Michael Shaps Chardonnay. Chardonnay, 2015
Michael Shaps Wineworks, Michael Shaps Meritage., Meritage, 2015
Michael Shaps Wineworks, Michael Shaps Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Franc, 2015
Michael Shaps Wineworks, Michael Shaps Petit Manseng, Petit Manseng, 2016
Mountain and Vine Vineyards and Winery, Grand Cru Reserve Meritage 2016
Muse Vineyards, Thalia, Marsanne, Roussanne, and Viognier, 2016
Naked Mountain Vineyard, Tannat, Tannat, 2016
Narmada Winery, Yash Vir, Meritage, 2014
North Gate Vineyard, Petit Verdot, Petit Verdot, 2015
Paradise Springs Winery, PVT, Tannat blend, 2013
Paradise Springs Winery, Meritage, Meritage, 2015
Paradise Springs Winery, Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Franc. 2015
Paradise Springs Winery, Petit Manseng, Petit Manseng, 2016
Paradise Springs Winery, Chardonnay, Chardonnay, 2016
Pearmund Cellars, Ameritage Reserve, Meritage, 2015
Pearmund Cellars, Petit Manseng, Petit Manseng, 2016
Pippin Hill Farm & Vineyards, Vintner's Meritage Reserve, Meritage, 2013
Pippin Hill Farm & Vineyards, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Sauvignon, 2015
Pippin Hill Farm & Vineyards, Merlot Reserve, Merlot, 2015
Pippin Hill Farm & Vineyards, Viognier, Viognier, 2016
Pollak Vineyards, Meritage, Meritage, 2013
Pollak Vineyards, Meritage, Meritage, 2014
Pollak Vineyards, Cabernet Franc Reserve, Cabernet Franc, 2015
Potomac Point Winery, Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Franc, 2016
Stinson Vineyards, Chardonnay, Chardonnay, 2015
Tarara Winery, Nevaeh Red, Merlot/Syrah Blend, 2015
Thistle Gate Vineyard LLC, Petit Verdot, Petit Verdot, 2015
Trump Winery, Sparkling Blanc de Noir 2012, Sparkling, 2012
Two Twisted Posts Winery LLC, Thomas Great, Meritage, 2014
Upper Shirley Cellars, Upper Shirley, Tannat, Tannat, 2015
Valley Road Vineyards, LC, Viognier, Viognier, 2015
Veritas Vineyards & Winery, Petit Verdot, Petit Verdot, 2015
Veritas Vineyards & Winery, Vintner's Reserve, Meritage, 2015
Veritas Vineyards & Winery, Viognier, Viognier, 2016
Veritas Vineyards & Winery, Sauvignon Blanc, Sauvignon Blanc, 2016
Virginia Cellars, The Barns at Hamilton Station, Petit Verdot, Petit Verdot, 2015
Virginia Cellars, The Barns at Hamilton Station, Meritage, Meritage, 2015
Virginia Cellars, Hamlet Vineyards, Petit Verdot, Petit Verdot, 2015
Virginia Cellars, Brix & Columns Vineyards Viognier, Viognier, 2016
Virginia Cellars, Nicewonder Vineyards Viognier, Viognier, 2016
Whitebarrel Winery, Fig Wine, Fruit Wine, NV
Willowcroft Farm Vineyards, Willowcroft Assemblage Select, Meritage, 2015
Wine Producer Virginia
Virginia is the 5th largest wine industry in the US, with nearly 300 wineries and over 3,500 acres of vineyards. In the original charter of the thirteen colonies was a royal commission to pursue three luxury items that England was unable to provide for itself: wine, silk, and olive oil. Every colony made attempts to satisfy the requirements of its charter. Despite many years of failure, the early Americans persisted in their efforts. A big step forward was made in 1740 when a natural cross pollination occurred between a native American grape and a European vitis vinifera. Other successful crossings followed.
In 1762, John Carter, who had 1,800 vines growing at Cleve Plantation, sent 12 bottles to the Royal Society of Encouragement of the Arts, Manufacture and Commerce in London for their evaluation. Minutes of their meeting on the 20th of October 1762 declared Carter’s wines to be “excellent” and a decision was taken to reward Carter’s efforts with a gold medal for his wines. These were the first internationally recognized fine wines produced in America.
Over the past 30 years or so, Virginia wines have experienced a tremendous development - to elegant and balanced, mostly European vinifera-based wines. Recently, Donald Trump as well as AOL founder Steve Case bought a Virginia winery.
Today, the vitis vinifera grapes Chardonnay and Viognier are the leading white varieties. Increasingly they are made without any or with neutral oak, to retain natural acidity and freshness. It appears Viognier is on its way to becoming Virginia’s official “signature grape”.
For French-American hybrid varieties, Seyval Blanc is still popular, but resembles now the fresh and crisp wines from France’s South West. Vidal has become the backbone of the artificially frozen (cryoextraction), ice wine which I am not a great fan of. Cryoextraction is an approach, developed by the French, which kind of simulates the frost in the vineyard in the wine cellar.
As far as red wines are concerned, there has been a shift from straight varietal wines to blends, with the blends now being dominated by Merlot and Cabernet Franc. Mirroring the Virginia white wines, there is an increasing focus on neutral oak and clean, vibrant fruit.
Tannat, Uruguay’ signature grape from the South West of France, is showing up in more Virginia wines, usually as a blend. The only red French American hybrid which has performed consistently well in Virginia is Chambourcin, which resembles the Gamay grape of Beaujolais.
Finally, Claude Thibault, a native from France, has taken Virginia sparkling wines to a new level. His NV Thibault-Janisson Brut, made from 100 percent Chardonnay, is as close as you can get to Champagne outside of France.
See:
American Wines with French Roots: The Wines President Obama Served at the State Dinner for President Hollande, USA/France
As Close as You Can Get to (French) Champagne at the US East Coast – Claude Thibaut and His Virginia Thibaut Janisson Sparklers at screwtop Wine Bar
Claude Thibault of Thibault Janisson – an Ultra-premium Sparkling Wine Producer in Virginia, USA - at American Wine Society (Northern Virginia Chapter)
Virginia Wines in Germany
A group of wine experts, including Riesling and German wine expert Stuart Pigott, star winemaker Uwe Lützkendorf, Wolgang Junglas, President of the German Association of Wine Journalists and Writers, wine retailer Armin Busch, wine tour organizer Annette Schiller and myself, retasted the Virginia Governor's Cup Case 2016 last year in Frankfurt/ Germany. See: Tasting the Best of Virginia Wines in Frankfurt, Germany, with Stuart Pigott: Virginia Governor's Cup Case 2016
Though Stuart Pigott is mostly known as Riesling and German wine expert, the by far most comprehensive assessment of the wines of Virginia recently is the in-depth article by Stuart Pigott on JamesSuckling.com in 2017. For an introduction go to Stuart Pigott's website.
We have scheduled a tasting of the 2017 Virginia Governor's Cup Case in Frankfurt later this year: Upcoming Tours/ Wine Dinners/ Tastings - Annette and Christian Schiller/ ombiasyPR & WineTours/ schiller-wine, Germany, France, USA (March 1, 2018)
We are looking forward to taste the 2018 Virginia Governor's Cup Case in Frankfurt once it has been sent to Germany.
Pictures: Tasting the Best of Virginia Wines in Frankfurt, Germany, with Stuart Pigott: Virginia Governor's Cup Case 2016
Previous Virginia Governor's Cup Competitions
Tasting the Best of Virginia Wines in Frankfurt, Germany, with Stuart Pigott: Virginia Governor's Cup Case 2016
Virginia's Best Wines: 2017 Governor‘s Cup Gala in Richmond, Virginia, USA
Virginia's Best Wines: 2016 Virginia Governor's Cup, USA
Virginia's Best Wines: 2015 Virginia Governor's Cup, USA
Virginia's Best Wines: 2014 Virginia Wineries Governor’s Cup, USA
Governor’s Cup Competition 2013, Virginia, USA
schiller-wine - Related Postings
American Wines with French Roots: The Wines President Obama Served at the State Dinner for President Hollande, USA/France
As Close as You Can Get to (French) Champagne at the US East Coast – Claude Thibaut and His Virginia Thibaut Janisson Sparklers at screwtop Wine Bar
Claude Thibault of Thibault Janisson – an Ultra-premium Sparkling Wine Producer in Virginia, USA - at American Wine Society (Northern Virginia Chapter)
Bordeaux Meets Virginia: Visiting Rutger de Vink and his RdV Vineyards with Anne Cuvelier from Chateau Leoville Poyferre in St. Julien, Bordeaux
Northern Virginia Magazine October 2012: Wine Recs from Local Winos
Virginia Wines Shine in San Francisco - 2012 San Francisco International Wine Competition, USA
Jim Law and Linden Vineyards in Virginia – A Profile, USA
Boxwood Winery in Virginia: Lunch with Wine Makers Rachel Martin and Adam McTaggert in the Chai between the Tanks – TasteCamp 2012 East Kick-Off, USA
An Afternoon with Jordan Harris, Winemaker of Tarara, Virginia, USA
Vineyard Walk, Wine Tasting in the Vineyard and Lunch in the Tarara Tank Cellar with Wine Maker Jordan Harris, Tarara Winery, USA
Visiting Jennifer Breaux Blosser and Breaux Vineyards in Virginia, USA
Bordeaux Meets Virginia: Visiting Rutger de Vink and his RdV Vineyards with Anne Cuvelier from Chateau Leoville Poyferre in St. Julien, Bordeaux
Judging Virginia Wines in Suffolk, Virginia - Virginia Wine Lover Magazine Wine Classic 2012
A New Winery in Virginia - The Barns at Hamilton Station Vineyards, USA
Boxwood Winery in Virginia: Lunch with Wine Makers Rachel Martin and Adam McTaggert in the Chai between the Tanks – TasteCamp 2012 East Kick-Off, USA
Book Review: "Beyond Jefferson's Vines - The Evolution of Quality Wine in Virginia" by Richard Leahy, USA
TasteCamp 2012 in Virginia, USA – A Tour d’Horizont
As Close as You Can Get to (French) Champagne at the US East Coast – Claude Thibaut and His Virginia Thibaut Janisson Sparklers at screwtop Wine Bar
Visiting Wine Maker Doug Fabbioli and his Fabbioli Cellars in Virginia, USA
North Gate Vineyard in Virginia, USA – A Profile
Virginia Wine Chat “Live” with Frank Morgan at Breaux Vineyards, Virginia, USA