Contributed by Mike Feazel
Fluvanna’s Cunningham Creek Winery won two gold medals and three silver in the 43th annual Virginia Governor’s Cup wine competition, the Governor’s Cup announced Monday (Feb. 24).
Cunningham Creek submitted five wines to the competition and it earned gold medals for its 2023 Viognier and 2021 Meritage, plus silver medals for 2021 Cabernet Sauvignon, 2022 Herd Dog Red and 2022 Rivanna Red.
Bruce Deal, Cunningham Creek owner and winemaker, said, “2021 was a very good growing year and is reflected in this Meritage. We used all our red varieties, Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Petit Verdot, in the blend and achieved a remarkable balance. The 2023 Viognier showed the value of small batch processing coupled with excellent grapes.”
This year’s Governor’s Cup received an unprecedented number of entries from across the Commonwealth, organizers said. It’s regarded as one of the nation’s most stringent wine competitions.
The Cunningham Creek winners were among more than 600 entries, and 87 producers were awarded a total of 155 gold medals, underscoring the industry’s continued growth and excellence. To receive a gold medal, a wine must receive an average score of 90 points or higher on a 100-point scale from the competition’s expert panel of world-class judges — led by the esteemed Frank Morgan. A full list of gold medalists is at www.virginiawine.org/governors-cup/awards.
The 2025 Virginia Governor’s Cup Gala will be March 13 at Main Street Station in Richmond. This celebratory event unveils the competition’s top award, the coveted Governor’s Cup Winner. Attendees will get to taste their way through Virginia’s finest, including the Governor’s Cup Case, featuring the 12 highest-scoring red and white wines, and Cider of the Year.
Hosted by the Virginia Wine Board, the gala brings together winemakers, industry professionals, and wine enthusiasts for an evening of celebration, offering a unique opportunity to taste award-winning wines and enjoy thoughtfully crafted fare by local chefs. For tickets and event details, visit https://virginiawine.ticketspice.com/2025-virginia-governors-cup-gala
On March 1, Virginia wine lovers can explore the Gold Medal Wine Trail, a complimentary mobile passport featuring gold medal winners. By checking in at participating venues, users unlock access to exclusive prizes and special offers. To pre-sign up or learn more, visit www.virginiawine.org/pages/taste.
The Virginia Wineries Association’s Governor’s Cup is held in partnership with the Virginia Wine Board and the Virginia Vineyards Association. All entries must be made from 100 percent Virginia-grown fruit to be eligible. Each wine is ranked based on a unified scoring system. For more information about the Virginia Governor’s Cup® Competition and for a full list of winners, visit: www.virginiawine.org/governors-cup.
