The 2025 Governor’s Cup Goes To…

2025 Reveal

The 2025 Virginia Governor’s Cup Competition once again highlighted the excellence and innovation of Virginia’s wine industry, with over 600 entries resulting in 155 gold medals awarded to 87 producers across the Commonwealth. While golds were earned in eight of Virginia’s wine regions, Central Virginia once again emerged as the leading region, producing just over 50% of the gold medal winners, followed by Northern Virginia with 29% and the Shenandoah Valley with 12%. Red wines dominated the competition, securing 61% of the total gold medals, with Meritage blends standing out as the most-awarded category, earning 32 gold medals. Petit Verdot continued to impress, taking home 16 gold medals, while Cabernet Franc and Petit Manseng also saw strong performances, earning 14 and 13 gold medals, respectively. White wines accounted for 32% of the total medals, with varieties like Chardonnay, Albariño, and Sauvignon Blanc showcasing Virginia’s growing diversity in white wine production.

Just weeks after the gold medal announcement, Virginia wine lovers will come together at the Virginia Governor’s Cup Gala at Main Street Station in Richmond to celebrate this year’s winners. The evening’s highlight will be the reveal of the Governor’s Cup Winner, announced by Governor Glenn Youngkin, along with the unveiling of the Governor’s Cup Case, featuring the 12 highest-scoring wines. Guests will also get to experience the announcing of Cider of the Year and the newly introduced Best in Show categories.

This year, Governor Glenn Youngkin took the stage to celebrate the best of Virginia:

• 50 West Vineyards, 2021 Aldie Heights Cuvée
• Barboursville Vineyards, 2023 Vermentino(Winner of the Virginia Governor’s Cup)
• Barboursville Vineyards, 2017 Octagon
• DuCard Vineyards, 2023 Cabernet Franc Vintners Reserve
• King Family Vineyards, 2021 Mountain Plains Red
• Michael Shaps Wineworks, 2022 Chardonnay
• Paradise Springs Winery, 2023 Cabernet Franc, Brown Bear Vineyard
• Potomac Point Winery, 2023 Albariño
• Trump Winery, 2018 Sparkling Rosé
• Valley Road Vineyards, 2023 Petit Manseng
• Veritas Winery, 2023 Monticello White
• Winery at La Grange, 2023 Petit Manseng

Luca Paschina accepted the Governor’s Cup on behalf of Barboursville Vineyards for their 2023 Vermentino. Located in Barboursville, VA, Barboursville Vineyards has been producing exceptional Virginia wines since 1976.

Barboursville’s Estate Director and Winemaker, Luca Paschina, has been an integral part of the winery since 1990. Paschina along with vineyard manager Fernando Franco and assistant winemaker Daniele Tessaro have worked at experimenting with new grape varieties for Virginia’s climate and building expressive white wines and complex and ageable reds leading its winemaking program to national and international acclaim.  This marks the 6th time Barboursville has won the prestigious Governor’s Cup. Barboursville wines has previously won the coveted Governor’s Cup for their 1988 Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve, 1997 Cabernet Franc, 1998 Cabernet Franc Reserve and 2009 Octagon.

The 2023 Vermentino, received the highest average score from a panel of esteemed judges. The wines were evaluated based on appearance, aroma, flavor, commercial suitability, and overall quality. 

Secretary of Agriculture and Forestry, Matthew Lohr, revealed the 2025 Cider of the Year:

• Daring Wine & Cider Company, Crab Apple Blend

Capping off an evening filled with exciting reveals and award-winning gold medal wines, guests indulged in expertly crafted small bites and snacks curated by talented local chefs. Explore the full menu below:

• Acacia, Chef Dale Reitzer: Seared Rare Tuna with Cucumber Seaweed Salad and Key Lime Panna Cotta
• Alewife, Chef Lee Gregory: Meatballs with Polenta
• Heritage, Chef Joe Sparatta: Virginia Peanut Butter Pie and Strawberry Pâte de Fruit
• Keya & Co, Chef Keya Wingfield: Bombay Spice Chip Chaat and Cardamom Berry Saffron Cake
• Lehja, Chef Sunny Baweja: Virginia Peanut Chaat
• Manny Eats: Chef Manny Baiden: Beef Suya Skewer and Mushroom and Squash Taco
• Midlothian Chef’s Kitchen, Chef David Dunlap: Lamb Wellington and Blood Orange Cake
• Olive Major, Chef Olivia Wilson: Spring Pavlova
• Rappahannock, Chef Paul Jowless & Chef Travis Croxton: Rappahannock Oysters
• The Roosevelt, Chef Leah Branch: Fried Chicken & Crab and Foie Gras Doughnut      
• Truckle Cheesemongers, grazing table

As the evening unfolded, guests had the opportunity to do more than just celebrate Virginia wine, they played a role in shaping its future. The exclusive auction, benefiting the Winemakers Research Exchange, gave attendees the chance to bid on remarkable wines and experiences, with all proceeds supporting vital research to advance winemaking across the state. From prestigious past Virginia Governor’s Cup Cases to signed bottles of Cornus Virginicus, immersive vineyard getaways, and VIP wine and culinary experiences, every auction item was a tribute to Virginia’s thriving wine culture. Between exceptional wine, chef-curated pairings, and the excitement of award announcements, the 2025 Virginia Governor’s Cup Gala was a night to remember. 

Want to experience the best of the Governor’s Cup winners? Hit the road with the Gold Medal Wine Trail, a free mobile passport that guides you to Virginia’s gold medal-winning wineries. Along the way, unlock access to exclusive prizes and special offers as you sip and explore the best that Virginia wine country has to offer.