Virginia wines show well in San Francisco competition

Published March 18, 2013 by Robert Powell, III

Virginia wines captured 61 medals in the recent San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition.

Commonwealth wineries earned five gold medals, 28 silver medals (including one cider) and 28 bronze medals. 

The gold medal winners included Barboursville Vineyards, Barrel Oak Winery, Gray Ghost Vineyards and Narmada Winery.

The competition drew 5,500 entries from more than 25 states. The panel of more than 70 judges included members of the media, restaurant and hospitality industry wine buyers, retail wine buyers, wine educators, and winemaker and industry representatives.

The gold medal winning wines were: Barboursville’s 2008 Malvaxia Passito, Barrel Oak’s 2010 Cabernet Franc and 2011 Petit Manseng Reserve, Gray Ghost’s 2011 Adieu Late Harvest Vidal and Narmadas’ 2010 Cabernet Franc.

Virginia’s wine industry has grown from six wineries in 1979 to more than 200 today.