Harrisonburg, November 23, 2020:
The Shenandoah Valley Wine Trail, comprised of wineries in the Shenandoah Valley American Viticultural Area, presented the second Shenandoah Cup trophy to the top-rated wine submitted in its competition at a Virtual Gala on November 22. Cave Ridge Vineyard’s 2017 Petit Verdot won the Cup. Seven wines won gold medals, 17 earned silver medals, and eight earned a bronze medal.
Members submitted 36 wines for judging by a panel organized by Frank Morgan, a Virginia wine writer for various publications and the author of the “Drink What You Like” blog. Gold medals were awarded to:
- Bluestone Vineyard 2017 Oaked Chardonnay
- Bluestone Vineyard 2015 Blue Ice
- Cave Ridge Vineyard 2015 Red Silk
- Cave Ridge Vineyard 2017 Petit Verdot
- CrossKeys Vineyards 2017 Meritage
- Muse Vineyards 2016 Clio (Meritage blend)
- Rockbridge Vineyard 2017 Tuscarora White
Morgan emceed the virtual Gala and commented “I was most impressed by the diversity of varieties that showed well,” Morgan said. “There are some seriously great wines being made in the region. I think it’s deserving of more recognition.”
During the virtual gala each of the gold medalist winemakers told how their winery got started and a little about how their winning wine was produced.
The Shenandoah Cup competition’s goal is to draw more attention to the Shenandoah Valley AVA by highlighting the superior growing conditions for wine grapes and the resulting wines that are being made. The Virtual Gala can be viewed on the Shenandoah Valley Wine Trail’s Facebook page.