Virginia wines continue to gain recognition and impress wine critics across the country and around the world as evidenced by their acceptance at the latest San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition. The largest competition of American wines, the 2009 San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition (SFCWC), hosted wines from 31 states and countries including New Zealand, Australia, Spain, Germany, and France. The entrants represented 4,736 wines entered into more than 70 wine categories.
Wines Grapes and Virginia Go Back More Than 400 Years
Virginia wines were proud winners in twelve categories this year, snagging awards for six wineries and making the dream of Thomas Jefferson, the father of Virginia wines seem truer than ever. Grape growing in Virginia started as soon as the first settlers stepped off the boats in Jamestown and began transplanting the European vines. Unfortunately, American pests and diseases kept large-scale wine production in Virginia down for more than 300 years.
Thomas Jefferson, the third US President, but to Virginian’s the first father of wines in the US, pushed vine growth at his beloved Monticello home in central Virginia. Mr. Jefferson never saw vineyard success in his lifetime, but today the Monticello wine region of Virginia accounts for 21 wineries of the 140 vineyards on the Virginia Wine Trail. The other 119 wineries are spread among eight other wine regions or APAs throughout the Commonwealth.
Today, Virginia wines have finally taken a major share of the US wine industry. Virginia may be well behind California and New York in recognition and wine production, but Virginia ranks as the seventh largest wine producing state in terms of bottled wine volume and acres of planted vineyards. Virginia currently ranks 5th behind California, New York, Oregon, and Washington in regards to the number of wineries per state. and Virginia is adding acres of new vineyards each year.
Virginia vineyards have tripled in the last 30 years, but still offer a more focused grape groups compared to California’s broad wine industry. Virginia’s wineries have particularly excelled in producing grapes for Viognier, Merlot, Norton, and Cabernet wines and have continued to expand growth of other grapes for further excellence in wines. The 2009 SFCWC awards won by Virginia vineyards prove that Virginia wines are worthy “wines of distinction” for both the public and the expert wine judge.
Virginia Winners by Category, Award Level, Vineyard, and Vintage
211: Chardonnay: $14.00 to $19.99
Bronze - Veramar Vineyards, 2007 Chardonnay
240: Viognier
Double Gold – Keswick Vineyards, 2007 Viognier
Silver – Pollak Vineyards, 2007 Viognier
Silver – White Hall Vineyards, 2007 Viognier
245: Rhone Other White Varietals & Blends
Silver – Sugarleaf Vineyards, 2007 Petit Mansieng
270: White Hybrid
Silver – Rappahannock Cellars, 2007 Seyval Blanc
441: Merlot: $15.00 to $ 24.99
Bronze – Pollak Vineyards, 2006 Merlot
451: Cabernet Sauvignon -$15.00 to $24.99
Silver – Keswick Vineyards, Cabernet Sauvignon
452: Cabernet Sauvignon -$25.00 to $34.99
Silver – Sugarleaf Vineyards, 2007 Cabernet Sauvignon
460: Cabernet Franc
Silver – Sugarleaf Vineyards, 2007 Cabernet Franc
Bronze – Pollak Vineyards, 2006 Cabernet Franc
Bronze – Veramar Vineyard, 2007 Cabernet Franc
461: Petit Verdot
Bronze – Keswick Vineyards, 2007 Petit Verdot
Bronze – Sugarleaf Vineyards, 2007 Petit Verdot
471: Bordeaux Blends: $15.00 to $24.99
Silver – Pollak Vineyards, 2005 Meritage
800: Late Harvest White Dessert
Bronze – Keswick Vineyards, 2006 Viognier
With the recognition of Virginia wines at the 2009 SFCWC this year and the continued and fast-paced growth of vineyards throughout the Commonwealth, wine drinkers can expect to hear more from Virginia wineries and wine lovers!
 |
 |
