Countdown to the 2025 Virginia Governor’s Cup

Every year, the Virginia Governor’s Cup Competition celebrates the remarkable craftsmanship of Virginia’s winemakers and highlights the best the Commonwealth has to offer. As the 43rd year of this prestigious competition unfolds, anticipation builds for the Governor’s Cup Gala on March 13—a night that promises exceptional wine, cider, and culinary artistry.

A Legacy of Excellence

Since 1982, the Governor’s Cup Competition has long been a benchmark of quality and innovation for Virginia’s wine industry. Each entry is crafted from 100% Virginia-grown fruit, reflecting the authenticity and diversity of the state’s terroir.

Over the decades, the competition has evolved alongside Virginia’s wine scene. A major structural overhaul in 2011 introduced rigorous judging standards, cementing the Governor’s Cup as one of the country’s most respected wine competitions. In 2021, the addition of the Best in Show Cider Award extended this recognition to the growing Virginia cider industry, shining a spotlight on the talent of local cider makers.

Explore past winners.

The Judging Process

The Governor’s Cup judging process exemplifies fairness and precision. Each wine and cider is assessed on a 100-point scale, with criteria including appearance, aroma, flavor, quality, and commercial suitability. Entries are evaluated by an esteemed panel of sommeliers, educators, writers, and industry professionals. Blind tastings ensure impartiality during the preliminary rounds, and the top-scoring entries move to the final round.

In the finals, a select group of judges determines the Governor’s Cup Case—a collection of 12 wines representing the pinnacle of Virginia winemaking—and the top cider. This meticulous process ensures that only the most exceptional entries earn top honors.

Take a look at this year’s judging panel.

What’s New for 2025

This year marks another record-breaking competition, with more than 600 wines, ciders, and meads submitted for review. For the first time, wineries were limited to six entries each, ensuring that only their finest bottlings were presented. This new approach helps judges focus their palates and streamlines the competition. Additionally, there will be new Best in Show categories recognizing high-scoring varieties.

Judging is already underway, and excitement is building—not only for the announcement of the Governor’s Cup Case and Cup winner but also for the return of the Gala’s culinary experience. Local chefs will create curated pairings to complement the gold-medal-winning wines, promising an unforgettable evening for attendees.

A Celebration of Virginia’s Bounty

The Governor’s Cup Gala, held in Richmond’s Main Street Station on March 13th, is the ultimate celebration of Virginia’s wine and cider industry. This year’s event will spotlight local chefs as they collaborate with award-winning producers to showcase the synergy of Virginia’s flavors. Attendees will enjoy gold-medal-winning wines while mingling with the artisans behind the bottles.

In 2024, over 79 wineries earned 138 gold medals, demonstrating the impressive quality of Virginia’s wine industry. This year, the results promise to build on that momentum, with the Gala culminating in the announcement of the Governor’s Cup winner, Best in Show Cider, and more.

Toast to the Future

The Gold Medal Wine Trail launches March 1, pre-sign up now to explore Virginia’s award-winning wines and taste the best of 2025. Register today, and your pass will be ready when it goes live.

The Governor’s Cup is more than a competition—it’s a celebration of Virginia’s past, present, and future as a leading wine and cider region. Raise a glass to another year of excellence in Virginia Wine, whether you plan to attend the Gala or follow along from afar.