Main Street Station Richmond, Virginia Small grapes, big wines... that's the big story the Virginia Wine Dogs took away from the 2023 Virginia Governor's Cup Competition. And as a member of one of the smallest breeds in the dog world, Yorkshire Terrier and blogger-in-chief Ecco is thrilled the wine world has discovered small is beautiful.  Governor Glenn Youngkin introduces the winemakers in the Governor's Cup Case, noting: "We only serve Virginia wines" at the Executive Mansion. Before introducing Virginia's top 12 wines for 2023, a few observations. Big Future for Petits ..read more

Winemaker Andrew Bilenkij takes home Governor's Cup with first vintage-to-bottle wine at Delfosse   Main Street Station Richmond, VA  For the second year in a row, a Meritage blend claimed Top Dog honors in the Virginia Governor’s Cup competition, and once again, Petit Verdot is the dominant grape. The 2021 Screaming Hawk Meritage from Delfosse Vineyards and Winery is a blend of Petit Verdot (50%), Cabernet Sauvignon (30%), Cabernet Franc (10%) and Malbec (10%). The grapes are estate-grown. Located in Nelson County, about 30 miles outside Charlottesville in the Mont ..read more

Main Street Station Richmond, Virginia For the first ime in 15 years, a dessert wine claimed the coveted Virginia Governor's Cup. At the 2020 Governor's Cup Celebration, 868 Estate Vineyards in Purcellville won "Best in Show" honors for the 2017 Vidal Blanc Passito, beating out more than 530 wines. And for the first time, Loudoun County can claim to be first in grapes. The award-winning wine is made from from 100 percent Loudoun County fruit. The Monticello AVA has dominated past competitions; The Barns at Hamilton Station won the 2017 Governor's Cup; but with grapes from the Charlott ..read more

Wine Dog York awaits reveal of the Virginia's top wine Main Street Station Richmond, Virginia "There is a spirit in our wine industry, a very special spirit,"  said Governor Glenn Youngkin as he revealed the winner of the 2022 Virginia Governor's Cup competition. The Commonwealth is currently home to 315 wineries, and has claimed its place as one of the top producers in the country - and in the world - as is evident from the quality of the 12 wines comprising this year's Governor's Cup Case. The 2022 case stands out as one of the most balanced in the competition's history - bot ..read more

Briede' Family Vineyards Winchester, Virginia Always on the trail for a new adventure, the Wine Dogs set out to explore Briede' Family Vineyards and loved the hospitality! Built in an old horse stable, the tasting room is small but delightfully decorated with a French country flair. Owners Paul and Loretta Briede' purchased the property in 2000 then decided to start planting and established the vineyard in 2013. Paul's pride and joy is the Arandell, with Briede' being the only place in the world it is produced. The grape's tiny red-black clusters create an inky wine that delights the pal ..read more

Cana is Top Dog in VA Wine and super dog friendly!  Main Street Station Richmond, Virginia This year the Virginia Governor's Cup Celebration occurred in March, which happens to be Women's History Month; coincidentally, Melanie Natoli made history as the first woman to win the coveted award. Her Cana Vineyards 2019 Unite' Reserve beat out 614 wines from over 100 wineries to earn best-in-state honors.  Unite' is a red blend dominated by Petit Verdot (65%) and finished with Cabernet Franc (29%) and  Merlot (6%). All of the fruit comes from Cana's Middleburg estate ..read more

The Homestead ResortHot Springs, Virginia The Wine Dogs were very excited when they learned the venerable Homestead Resort was opening the Virginia Wine Experience, a new venue that "showcases the history of winegrowing in Virginia from the founding of Jamestown in 1607 through today." So when an unrelated event brought them to The Homestead, they put "The Experience" at the top of their activities list. The Experience has a dedicated site across from The Homestead's Wine Cellar. The seating area offers  spectacular views of the mountain retreat from floor-to-ceiling full length windows ..read more

Main Street Station Richmond, VA Representatives of the nine wineries in the Governor's Cup Case await Governor Ralph Northam's announcement of the winner of the 2019 Governor's Cup. With upwards of 300 wineries in Virginia, sniffing out the cream of the crop is no easy task, even for the most seasoned Wine Dog. Virginia’s Governor’s Cup Competition assembles a distinguished panel of judges under the direction of Master of Wine Jay Youmans to help shine a spotlight on the top-producers in the industry and on emerging trends. A Wine Dogs “paws up” to each of the nine wineries whose 1 ..read more

We are days away from learning who will win the 2019 Virginia Governor's Cup. What we do know is that 68 wines earned gold in the competition. This year's spirited competition included 510 wines from 102 Virginia wineries. For a full list of medal winners, click here. Paws up to Winemaker Michael Shaps whose Virginia Wine Works made nearly one-third (22) of the golden wines under his own label and for other wineries. Shaps purchased Shenandoah Vineyards, Virginia's second-oldest winery, in November. He believes the Shenandoah Valley has the state’s best grape growing poten ..read more

Ingleside Vineyards Oak Grove, VA The Virginia Wine Dogs are hot on the trail - the Gold Medal Wine Trail that is - sniffing out the 47 wineries, cideries and meaderies that racked up gold in the 2021 Governor's Cup Competition. First stop, Ingleside Vineyards in the Northern Neck of Virginia (the George Washington Birthplace American Viticultural Area - Washington's birthplace is just down the road). Ingleside numbers itself among the pioneers of the modern Virginia wine industry - opening in 1980 with the first wave of post-prohibition wineries. Doug Flemer planted his grapes on the hi ..read more