Chrysalis Vineyards Wine Named "Best of Show - White Wine" at the 2002 San Diego National Wine Competition
- 2001 Viognier sweeps the highest awards winning a Gold Medal, Best of Class and Best of Show - White Wine at a major National wine competition -

May 2, 2002
Media Contact: Edwin Prugh
eprugh@chrysaliswine.com
540-687-8222 x 205

MIDDLEBURG, Va., May 2, 2002 -- Chrysalis Vineyards announces today that its 2001 Viognier has been named the "Best of Show - White Wine" at the 2002 San Diego National Wine Competition. The 2001 Viognier was catapulted to "Triple Gold" status by winning a Gold Medal, Best of Class award and the highest award "Best of Show - White Wine".

The 2002 San Diego National Wine competition was held April 27 and 28 at the Handlery Hotel & Resort in San Diego, California. Wine judges were assembled from the nations top food and wine establishments to taste and study some 2,050 wines from California, Washington, Oregon, Virginia and other states across the nation. The distinguished judges include winemakers, wine writers, educators, wine trade professionals and wine enthusiasts, most with veteran experience at the San Diego National Wine Competition. Out of the 2,050 wines tasted, only 5 wines were chosen to receive "Best of Show" awards. The San Diego National Wine competition is one of the nation's premier wine events. In 2001, 389 wineries from 29 states presented 1,991 different wines for blind tastings. The competition is one of the largest national gatherings of American wines. Only wines made from grapes grown in the United States are accepted. It is a competition that places the consumer's point of view first, because the wine-drinking public watches this competition for what wines to purchase and for progress reports on the country's best wineries.

The Chrysalis Vineyards Viognier has a history of winning awards that showcase its outstanding quality. The 1999 Viognier won the Best of Show - Grand Champion award at the State Fair of Virginia. The 2000 Viognier won the coveted Jefferson Cup wine trophy, which is the oldest wine competition in the state of Virginia. The Jefferson Cup competition tasted over 300 wines from throughout Virginia and acclaimed the Chrysalis Vineyards Viognier to be the top wine in the state.

In addition to the 2001 Viognier being named "Best of Show - White Wine" at the San Diego National Wine Competition, three other Chrysalis Vineyards wines won awards. The 2000 Locksley Reserve Norton won a Silver Medal, the 2001 Whole Cluster Pressed Norton won a Bronze Medal, and the 2001 Mariposa, a dry rosé wine that is a blend of Norton and Chardonnay, won a Bronze Medal. All of the award-winning Chrysalis Vineyards wines will be poured at the annual Wine & Roses Charity Wine Tasting, June 8, 2002, in San Diego, California.

"This is a major national award for Chrysalis Vineyards. We are ecstatic to have our Virginia-grown Viognier named as the Best of Show - White Wine at the 2002 San Diego National Wine Competition. This award continues to showcase Chrysalis Vineyards as a leading winery in Virginia and an emerging national producer of excellent quality wines." said Jennifer McCloud, president and proprietress of Chrysalis Vineyards.

Chrysalis Vineyards mission:
"To proudly restore Virginia wines to world renown, and celebrate the homecoming of Norton, the Real American Grape!"

Chrysalis Vineyards is the closest vineyard destination to Washington, D.C., only 35 miles west. The 209-acre Locksley Estate is located just off Route 50, east of Middleburg, Virginia and open daily 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Chrysalis brands are distributed at the winery, as well as in fine wine shops and restaurants throughout the state of Virginia with expanded national distribution coming soon. Visit www.chrysaliswine.com or call 1-800-235-8804 for more information on Chrysalis Vineyards.