DuCard Vineyards winemaker Julien Durantie accepts a Gold medal and recognition from Virginia Wineries Association President Gerge Hodson for the vineyard’s 2023 Cabernet Franc Vintners’ Reserve wine being one of 12 wines in the 2025 Governor’s Case. PJR photos by Elizabeth Woolhouse.
DuCard Vineyards’ owner Scott Elliff was more than 1,100 miles from Richmond, on March 13 when Governor Glenn Youngkin announced the 2025 Governor’s Case – the 12 best wines produced in Virginia and entered in the annual Governor’s Cup competition.
Perhaps it was good luck for DuCard Vineyards, which was chosen as one of the twelve wines in case with their 2023 Cabernet Franc Reserve wine.
Representing DuCard on the stage was winemaker, Julien Durantie.
Pouring wine with him during the event from DuCard were Assistant Winemaker Kimberly Ahearn, and Directors Beth Wilson and Elizabeth Woolhouse.
“It is great to see our winery represented with gold medals, three this year, as well as being chosen for the Governor’s Case for the first time,” Elliff said via phone from his vacationing Key West residence. “These wines represent DuCard and our authentic way of making wine from grape to glass.”
The Governor’s Cup Gala, held at the Main Street Station in Richmond is in its 43rd year. The competition received over 600 entries from over 140 wineries, cideries, and meaderies in the commonwealth.
The wine must be 100% Virginia grown fruit.
A total of 155 Gold medals were awarded. The esteemed judges evaluated the wine in blind tastings with a unified scoring system based on appearance, aroma, flavor, commercial suitability and overall quality.
The top twelve highest scoring wines become the Governor’s case:
- 50 West Vineyards, 2021 Aldie Heights Cuvée
- Barboursville Vineyards, 2023 Vermentin
- Barboursville Vineyards, 2017 Octagon
- DuCard Vineyards, 2023 Cabernet Franc Vintners Reserve
- King Family Vineyards, 2021 Mountain Plains Red
- Michael Shaps Wineworks, 2022 Chardonnay
- Paradise Springs Winery, 2023 Cabernet Franc, Brown Bear Vineyard
- Potomac Point Winery, 2023 Albariño
- Trump Winery, 2018 Sparkling Rosé
- Valley Road Vineyards, 2023 Petit Manseng
- Veritas Winery, 2023 Monticello White
- Winery at La Grange, 2023 Petit Manseng
Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin presented Orange County’s Barboursville Vineyards the prestigious best wine award for 2025 for its 2023 Vermentin wine.
Of the 12 wines, Governor Glenn Youngkin awarded the 2025 Virginia Governor’s Cup to Barboursville for its 2023 Vermentino – a white wine with 100% Vermentino grapes for achieving the highest score in the competition.
The press release from Richmond stated: “The Virginia Governor’s Cup Case showcases the exceptional quality and diverse range of wines produced in the Commonwealth. This prestigious selection features a well-balanced mix of six white and five red wines, and a sparkling rosé, highlighting the craftsmanship and variety that define Virginia winemaking.
For the fifth year, Virginia cider was judged in its own category with the highest scoring cider awarded as Cider of the Year.
Earning a gold medal in this year’s competition, Daring Wine & Cider Company of Stuart received the Cider of the Year recognition for its Crab Apple Blend.’
To learn more about Virginia Governor’s Cup Competition and a complete list of winners, visit the Virginia Vineyards Association website.
This post originally published by The Piedmont Journal Recorder at https://pjrnews.com/articles/business/ducard-and-barboursville-vineyards-among-the-12-best-wines-in-25-governors-case/