Virginia is for Viognier Wine Lovers -
2002 Virginia Governor's Cup Winner

June 17, 2002
Contact: Pamela Jewell
Phone: 804-786-0481
pjewell@vdacs.state.va.us

Richmond, Virginia - Proving that Viognier and Virginia are a winning combination, AmRhein Wine Cellars has won the coveted Virginia Governor’s Cup Wine Competition for its 2001 Viognier. AmRhein Wine Cellars received the award at the Virginia Wine Honors held June 17 at the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts. Located near Roanoke, AmRhein Wine Cellars is owned by Russell and Paula Amrhein.

Steve Bolleter, winemaker for AmRhein, described the Viognier as “a fairly complex fruit wine with nuances of oak. The wine is well-balanced and presents fruit characteristics without being overpowering. It is very pleasing on the palate.” He recommended serving it with pasta and cream sauce, chicken, salads, or just about anything.

“When we harvested the grape and did preliminary tasting, it was very fruity and rich in sugar levels,” said AmRhein. “2001 was probably one of the best growing seasons in Virginia.”

Botteler said that thanks to the long, dry fall, they were able to let the fruit hang on the vine until it was nice and ripe.

AmRhein’s ‘01 Viognier was produced from Virginia-grown Viognier grapes from Amrhein’s vineyard on Bent Mountain, 2500 feet in elevation. The grapes went through barrel fermentation, a more French style of fermentation, and small amounts of other wines were blended with the Viognier to balance out the flavor profile.

“A lot of hats are going to be taken off for Virginia viticulture for 2001,” commented Amrhein. “It takes team work to make a good wine.” He noted that the work Virginia Tech’s Dr. Tony Wolf, the state viticulturist, and Dr. Bruce Zoecklein, state enologist, have done is phenomenal in taking Virginia viticulture to the next level.

A Roanoke artist, Kathleen Lunsford, designed the unique labels on AmRhein’s wine. Ruby and Fred are the couple on these fun labels dancing under the stars or enjoying a picnic in the vineyard. Eight different poses have been designed.

Amrhein said he has been growing grapes for seven years and currently has 25,000 plants under vine in three different locations at 1,200, 1,700 and 2,500 feet. He’s been making wine for three years and opened the winery just over a year ago. The 2001 Viognier is his third release.

Other gold medal winners in the competition were:

Barboursville Winery 1999 Cabernet Franc Reserve
Breaux vineyards 1999 Merlot
Ingleside Vineyards 2000 Ingleside Chardonnay Reserve
Jefferson Vineyards 2000 Meritage
Linden Vineyards 1999 Hardscrabble Red
Linden Vineyards 1999 Glen Manor Red
Oasis Vineyard 2000 Oasis Meritage
Piedmont Vineyards 2001 Native Yeast Chardonnay
Prince Michel Vineyard 2000 Barrel Select Chardonnay
Rappahannock Cellars 2000 Cabernet Franc
Rappahannock Cellars 2001 Veramar Chardonnay
Rappahannock Cellars 2001 Seyval Blanc
Rockbridge Vineyard 2001 Vd’Or
Rockbridge Vineyard 1998 Red Wine
Rockbridge Vineyard 1999 Merlot
Tarara Winery 2001 Chamborcin Reserve
Tarara Winery 2001 Viognier
Veritas 2001 Cabernet Franc
Whitehall Vineyards 2001 WHV Soliterre
Windham Winery 2000 Vintners Reserve