BARBOURSVILLE VINEYARDS WINS 2007 GOVERNOR’S CUP

Competition receives record-breaking participation from Virginia wineries.

ALEXANDRIA, VA - From a field of over 350 entries in this year's Governor's Cup Wine Competition, Barboursville Vineyards received the distinguished 2007 Governor's Cup for their 1998 Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve. On behalf of Governor Tim Kaine, Virginia's Secretary of Agriculture and Forestry, Robert Bloxom presented the 2007 Governor's Cup, the highest award in the state for a Virginia wine, to winemaker Luca Paschina of Barboursville Vineyards at the awards ceremony and tasting yesterday at the Bank of America building in Richmond, Virginia.

"I appreciated the panel's choice for this Governor's Cup. It is our practice to cellar wines of significant age worthiness, and I hope this award encourages others to do the same for two reasons. The first is experimental and diagnostic. I would know much less about the performance of the clones I select, and the vineyard management techniques I adopt, without having this evolving database available to me; and I strongly recommend this practice for verifying what works and what does not, in our wine region. The second reason for cellaring a fine vintage is obvious but too seldom implemented. It is up to us, to portray the character of the best our region can produce."

"The 1998 Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve has been one of the most instructive validations of our growing region with which I have had the opportunity to work. A very fine growing season coincided with a combination of new clonal selections, trellising and pruning methods, and barrique selections -- among other things -- which showed dramatic promise in this wine, right away, and have soundly influenced our technique in our Bordeaux varietals in subsequent years, adapting well to vintage variations. Our very happy relationship with this wine has led directly to the evolution of Octagon as one of the fine red wines, joining those grown by others also, which have propelled Virginia to international recognition, and has set a solid pathway for our subsequent Cabernet development. I believe we producers will have cause to be just as grateful to the vintages of 2002, 2006 and 2007 in our Bordeaux-based red wines, as they evolve in bottle."

"I believe that we winegrowers must cultivate what works and grows best in our own areas, rather than what we like to drink or what appeals to the market at any given time. We have brought Virginia distinction as one of the truly leading wine regions of the New World, when we have been willing to exploit its unique conditions. The honors bestowed today on our Nebbiolo and Malvaxia Passito are a perfect case in point. The first, even though a grape identified with my home province in Italy, happens to adapt very well to growing conditions of our Piedmont, as we have been delighted to verify since 1998. The second is based on a technique -- naturally air-drying the grapes -- which is especially well suited to Virginia's 4th-Quarter climate. Although demandingly artisanal in its methods, this traditional style of winemaking is also gratifying for being environmentally responsive in the fullest sense. The more Virginian our wines, the more outstanding they will be."

In 2006, Barboursville celebrated the winery's 30th anniversary as "setting the standard" for a region now populated by more than 100 vineyards. The winery is the sole American venture of Italy's Zonin winemaking family, leaders in Italian viticulture since 1821, and the reason that winemaker Luca Paschina arrived from Italy 17 years ago to bring his craft to Virginia. Barboursville's signature wine is Octagon, a blend of Merlot, Cabernet Franc and Cabernet Sauvignon, aged in its own barrel room, which was finished last year for the vineyard's 30th anniversary.

During Thursday evening's invitation-only awards presentation, Secretary Bloxom also recognized the gold medal winners, awarding the "Best of White" to Horton Cellars for their 2006 Petit Manseng and the "Best of Dessert" to Oakencroft Vineyard & Winery for the 2005 Encore Late Harvest Dessert Wine. Gold medal winners displayed and poured their award-winning wines during the ceremony.

The 25th Annual Governor's Cup Wine Competition, sponsored by the Virginia Wineries Association (VWA), took place in September. A panel of approximately 30 judges evaluated over 350 entries from 64 Virginia wineries and vineyards across the state. After a full day of tasting and deliberation, the judges awarded 25 gold medals, 103 silver medals and 119 bronze medals.

Yogi Barrett, Executive Vice President of the Tasters Guild and coordinator of the Governor's Cup declared this "a record-breaking year" for the competition. He stated, "The substantial participation in this year's competition is further reinforcement of a flourishing industry and the remarkable progression of the quality of Virginia wines." The rapid growth of Virginia's vibrant wine industry has made it one of the fastest growing agricultural sectors in the state. In 1979, there were only six wineries in Virginia. Today, there are more than 120 wineries, with growth escalating as fast as the state's advancements in wine quality and reputation. For a complete list of winners and further information about events, tours and tastings, please visit VWA's website at www.virginiawines.org or call 1-800-VA-VINES (828-4637).

2007 Governor's Cup Winners: 1998 Barboursville Winery Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve Best of White 2001 Horton Vineyards 2006 Petit Manseng Best of Dessert 2005 Oakencroft Vineyard & Winery Encore Late Harvest Dessert