The 2020 Wine Case of the Governor of Virginia

The Commonwealth of Virginia is one of the leading wine producers in the United States with no less than 312 vineyards registered in 2019, and the Governors of this East Coast state have always been heavily involved in the wine industry, starting with Thomas Jefferson, who brought the vine from France and tried his hand at growing grapes near his home of Monticello. Every year for the past 38 years in Richmond has been held the Governor’s Cup®, a competition that rewards 12 wines with a gold medal, among the 530 in competition; these 12 wines, chosen by a jury of 19 wine professionals, officially constitute the “Governor’s Cup Case®” for the year. In 2020, two estates had 2 of their respective wines awarded a gold medal: Barboursville Vineyards with a 2014 Octagon and a 2018 Vermentino Reserve, and Pollak

Vineyards with a 2017 Cabernet Franc Reserve and a 2017 Smuggler. Another notable winner this year was 868 Estate Vineyards with a 2017 Vidal Blanc Passito – a dessert white wine (a first for the Governor’s Cup®). All winners and wine profiles can be viewed on the Virginia Wine Marketing Office website www.virginiawine.org