Paradise Springs 2009 Chardonnay Wins VA Governor’s Cup for Whites

For the first time, an awards ceremony for the Virginia wine Governor’s Cup was staged at Monticello instead of in Richmond or other venues. Since Monticello just produced its first-ever wine festival merely a week ago (a great success in attendance and style), it seemed appropriate that the Governor’s Cup awards ceremony would take place there, where Thomas Jefferson , the nation’s first wine connoisseur and wine prophet, planted vineyards over 200 years ago.

About 20 Virginia wineries were in attendance in the new  Visitors’ Center Wednesday evening 9/29, where tastes of medal-winning wines from the 2010 Governor’s Cup competition were served with impressively original hors d’ouevres from Monticello.

Secretary of Agriculture Todd Haymore read out Governor McDonnell’s proclamation naming October as Virginia Wine Month, then handed the podium over to guest of honor Maureen McDonnell, the First Lady. she dramatically asked Rock Stephens of the Virginia Wine Board for “the envelope”, and then revealed that the winner of the Governor’s Cup , White division for 2010 was Paradise Springs of Clifton, VA  for their 2009 chardonnay, oak style (a very delicate and elegant oak style).

The fruit was provided by Chris Pearmund of Pearmund Cellars who owns the noted Meriwether Vineyard  of 34-year old chardonnay vines in Fauquier County. Pearmund also acted as consultant, making the existing four vintages of Paradise Springs wines under his license.

Paradise Springs winery in Clifton, southern Fairfax County, is a venture between Jane Kincheloe and  her son Kirk Wiles. The land is a family farm that was deeded in a land grant from Lord Fairfax circa 1710. Although the county Board of Supervisors and the mayor supported the winery, the county zonindg office fought the winery tooth and nail; finally, the matter was taken to Richmond, where the state essentially told the zoning office to lay off. The rest, as they say, is now history…