The Williamsburg Winery recently announced that their 2017 Petit Verdot Reserve wine received a Gold Medal in the 2021 Virginia Wineries Association Governor’s Cup® Wine Competition. More than 500 wines from more than 100 Virginia wineries were entered into this prestigious annual competition. The Governor’s Cup recognizes wines made from 100% Virginia-grown fruit. Judging is done in two rounds in January and February.
The Petit Verdot is a deep and earthy, but approachable wine bursting with ripe strawberry, raspberry and cherry along with some blueberry and blackberry. The Petit Verdot contains a hint of darker dried fruits along with a touch of cocoa and vanilla.
In addition to their Gold Medal, the Williamsburg Winery received more than one dozen medals in the 2021 Governor’s Cup®:
Silver Medals
- 2019 Wessex Hundred Chardonnay
- 2019 Wessex Hundred Viognier
- 2019 Viognier
- 2017 Trianon
- 2019 Stainless Steel Fermented Chardonnay
- 2019 Petit Manseng
- 2017 Gabriel Archer Reserve
- 2015 Adagio
- 2017 Adagio
- 2018 Acte 12 of 1619 Chardonnay
- 2019 Acte 12 of 1619 Chardonnay
- 2019 A Midsummer Night's White
Bronze Medals
- 2019 Wessex Hundred Albarino
- 2019 Sauvignon Blanc
- 2019 Monticello Chardonnay Limited Release
- 2017 Merlot Reserve
- 2017 Cabernet Sauvignon Limited Release
To view more information on the 2021 Governor’s Cup®, visit the website. On March 9 at 7 p.m., the highest 12 ranking red and white wines from the competition judging will become the Governor’s Case, with one bottle taking home the coveted Governor’s Cup during a virtual event.
In addition to the awards at the 2021 Governor’s Cup®, the Williamsburg Winery received two notable mentions in Wine Enthusiast, one of the wine industry’s premier publications. The Williamsburg Winery’s 2017 Merlot Reserve is pictured in the February/March 2021 issue of the magazine and listed among the “Virginia Bottles to Try” in a larger article titled “In These States, Merlot Is a Star in Its Own Right.” The editors credit winemakers in Virginia for putting their stamps on the classic Bordeaux variety.
In that same issue, reviewers gave the Williamsburg Winery’s 2017 Adagio red blend a rating of 92 points. Wines rated 90-93 are considered “a great achievement,” according to Wine Enthusiast’s ratings scale.
About the Williamsburg Winery
The Williamsburg Winery is over 40 acres of vineyards, an on-site garden, a hotel and two restaurants, Café Provencal and the Gabriel Archer Tavern all set on Wessex Hundred, a 300-acre farm. The Williamsburg Winery opened in 1988 and is open year round. There are numerous sites on property for group tastings, weddings and private events. Additionally, the Williamsburg Winery hosts a variety of special events throughout the year that are open to the public.
For more information about The Williamsburg Winery, visit their website or Facebook page.
Williamsburg Winery Media Contact:
Stephanie Heinatz, Consociate Media for The Williamsburg Winery
757-713-2199; stephanie@consociatemedia.com
James City County Media Contact:
Laura Messer, Tourism & Marketing Coordinator
757-253-6607; laura.messer@jamescitycountyva.gov