Barboursville Vineyards Wins Best White Wine, Best American Winery in 2021 Sommelier Challenge Competition

 Barboursville Vineyards achieved two impressive distinctions in the 2021 Sommelier Challenge International Wine & Spirits Competition. The first was for winning Best White Wine, for their inaugural release of Nascent 2018, a high-end white blend of estate-grown Viognier, Vermentino and Falanghina. The second was being designated the domestic Winery of the Year in the same event.

The blend is 80% Viognier, 14% Vermentino, 6% Falanghina. The blend was aged at least one year in wood, and another six months in stainless steel. “Aging on fine lees, frequent stirring, patience and time; that’s what builds a great white wine.” He also chose a portion of the vineyard, for quality. “I want to make a proprietary white from our heritage with very good potential.”

On the palate, the wine was dense, layered with firm acidity but with the fruit and oak still in the stage of integrating. There was a hint of some tropical fruit notes at first, but the density and richness of the texture showed that this was a white wine that was still too young and needs more time but shows the promise of what can be produced for a reserve white wine in Virginia. The Nascent was given a 96 point score by the Sommelier Challenge, and retails for $50.00.

Barboursville Vineyards also won the 2021 Sommelier Challenge American “Winery of the Year” award.