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State Fair names wine competition medal winners

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state fair of virginiaNineteen Virginia wines representing 10 wineries garnered gold medals, and 19 wines representing nine wineries won silver medals June 11 in the 25th State Fair of Virginia Commercial Wine Competition.

Entries from from Ingleside Vineyards in Westmoreland County, Maggie Malick Wine Caves in Loudoun County and Pearmund Cellars in Fauquier County captured the most gold medals with three each.

The competition drew nearly 110 entries from 27 Virginia wineries and meaderies statewide. A panel of wine retailers, writers, collectors, restaurateurs and other industry professionals sampled and critiqued entries at The Meadow Event Park in Caroline County. There were two medal categories, along with three wine label categories.

The State Fair wine competition promotes and showcases a vibrant and important element of Virginia agriculture and benefits the fair’s scholarship program.

Wines were judged per national industry standards. Judges awarded gold and silver medals and label awards. The Best in Show wines will be announced Sept. 27 at the fair’s benefit gala, Black Tie & Boots.

Virginia is ranked fifth nationwide for number of wineries and for wine grape production and is home to more than 250 wineries. The Virginia wine industry employs more than 8,200 full-time workers and contributes almost $1.4 billion to the state’s economy, according to a 2015 economic impact study.

2018 medal winners

Gold Medal

  • Chateau MerrillAnne LLC – Petit Verdot 2015
  • Effingham Manor Winery – Kings Ransom 2016
  • Generals Ridge Vineyard – General’s Reserve 2016
  • Horton Vineyards – Albarino 2017
  • Horton Vineyards – Petit Manseng 2016
  • Ingleside Vineyards – Albarino 2017
  • Ingleside Vineyards – Petit Verdot 2015
  • Ingleside Vineyards – Pinot Grigio 2017
  • James River Cellars – Monitor vs CSS Virginia 2014
  • Maggie Malick Wine Caves – Albarino 2017
  • Maggie Malick Wine Caves – Petit Verdot 2015
  • Maggie Malick Wine Caves – Viognier 2017
  • Pearmund Cellars – Cabernet Franc 2016
  • Pearmund Cellars – Petit Manseng 2017
  • Pearmund Cellars – Petit Verdot 2016
  • Vint Hill Craft Winery – Double Barrel Reserve 2016
  • Vint Hill Craft Winery –  Petit Verdot 2016
  • Willowcroft Farm Vineyards – Assemblage Select 2015
  • Willowcraft Farm Vineyards – Petit Verdot 2016

Silver Medal

  • Barboursville Vineyards – Cabernet Franc Reserve 2016
  • Barboursville Vineyards – Allegrante 2017
  • Casanel Vineyards – Carmenere 2016
  • Casanel Vineyards – Petit Verdot 2016
  • Generals Ridge Vineyard – Petit Manseng 2015
  • Generals Ridge Vineyard – Petit Verdot 2014
  • Horton Vineyards – Nebbiolo 2014
  • Ingleside Vineyards – Cabernet Franc 2015
  • Ingleside Vineyards – Viognier 2017
  • Maggie Malick Wine Caves – Fortissimo 2015
  • Maggie Malick Wine Caves – Rose Wine 2017
  • Maggie Malick Wine Caves – Tannat 2015
  • Mountain Run Winery – Meritage 2015
  • Mountain Run Winery – Chardonnay 2016
  • Mountain Run Winery – Merlot 2015
  • Mountain Run Winery – Viognier 2017
  • Philip Carter Winery – Cleve 2015
  • Philip Carter Winery – Nomini Hall 2016
  • Vint Hill Craft Winery – Cabernet Sauvignon 2016

Best Rosé

  • Barboursville Vineyards – Allegrante 2017
  • Maggie Malick Wine Caves – Rose Wine 2017

Best Fruit Wine

  • Castle Gruen Vineyards & Winery LLC – Love Sweet Love Peach

Best Mead

  • Blacksnake Meadery – Sweet Virginia

Blue ribbon winners in the 2018 State Fair of Virginia Wine Label Competition are:

Best Single Bottle Design

  • Philip Carter Winery, 1762 2014

Most Elegant Label

  • Philip Carter Winery, Nomini Hall 2016

Most Creative Label

  • Honah Lee Vineyard, Vidal Blanc 2017

Best Typography in a Vineyard Series

  • WhiteBarrel Winery

Best Overall Vineyard Series

  • Effingham Manor Winery

Best in Show

  • Ingleside Vineyards, The Chesapeake Series

Best in Show Runner Up

  • Philip Carter Winery, 1762 2014

The 2018 State Fair of Virginia will run from Sept. 28 through Oct. 7. Information is available at StateFairVa.org.

The State Fair is held each fall at its permanent home at The Meadow Event Park in Caroline County. The fair’s mission is to increase agricultural and natural resource awareness and interest through educational programs, exhibitions and competitions in a fun, family-friendly setting.

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