Twenty Virginia wines representing 12 wineries garnered gold medals, and 14 wines representing 11 wineries won silver medals June 12 in the 24th State Fair of Virginia Commercial Wine Competition.

Entries from Ingleside Plantation Vineyards in Westmoreland County captured the most gold medals with five, and wines from Horton Vineyards in Orange County won three.

The competition drew nearly 110 entries from more than 20 Virginia wineries and meaderies statewide. A panel of wine retailers, writers, collectors, restaurateurs and other industry professionals sampled and critiqued entries at The Meadow Event Park in Caroline County. There were two medal categories, along with three label categories.

The State Fair wine competition promotes and showcases a vibrant and important element of Virginia agriculture and benefits the fair’s scholarship program, which offers $70,000 in annual scholarships. The program rewards youth for their achievements in various 4-H, FFA and vocational competitions, as well as in specific equine, fine arts and horticulture competitions.

Wines were judged according to national industry standards. Judges awarded gold and silver medals and label awards. The Best in Show wines will be announced Sept. 28 at the fair’s benefit gala, Black Tie & Boots.

Virginia is ranked fifth nationwide for number of wineries and for wine grape production and is home to more than 250 wineries. According to a 2015 economic impact study, the Virginia wine industry employs more than 8,200 full-time workers and contributes almost $1.4 billion to the state’s economy.

The 2017 medal winners are:
Gold Medal
Barboursville Vineyards – Octagon 2014
Casanel Vineyards – Petit Verdot 2014
Chateau MerrillAnne LLC – Petit Verdot 2015
Chateau Morrisette – Archival II 2013
Cunningham Creek Winery – Petit Manseng 2015
Generals Ridge Vineyard – Petit Manseng 2015
Generals Ridge Vineyard – Petit Verdot 2014
Horton Vineyards – Petit Reserve 2014
Horton Vineyards – Tannat 2014
Horton Vineyards – Viognier 2016
Ingleside Plantation Vineyards – Albariño 2016
Ingleside Plantation Vineyards – Right Bank 2014
Ingleside Plantation Vineyards – Left Bank 2014
Ingleside Plantation Vineyards – Virginia Gold 2014
Ingleside Plantation Vineyards – Petit Verdot 2014
Mountain Run Winery – Chardonnay 2015
Naked Mountain Vineyard – Cabernet Franc 2015
Slater Run Vineyards – Roots 2014
Vint Hill Craft Winery – Covert Wineworks Bebe Le Franc 2015
Vint Hill Craft Winery – Cabernet Sauvignon 2014

Read more at source Augusta Free Press