The Best Virginia Wines: 2026 Governor’s Cup Case

The 2026 Virginia Governor’s Cup Case recognizes the best of the best wines in Virginia, choosing only a dozen wines to represent the 300+ wineries found throughout the Commonwealth. Now in its 44th year, this annual wine competition has become known as one of the most stringent in the country.

More than 670 wines, ciders, and meads were judged in the 2026 competition, with the top twelve wines winning spots in the Case and the highest-scored wine winning the coveted Governor’s Cup.

This year’s competition saw several varietals rise to the top, with these types of wines winning the most gold medals:

• 50 Meritage wines (a Bordeaux-style blend)
• 30 Cabernet Francs
• 18 Chardonnays
• 14 Merlots
• 13 Petit Mansengs

Although you can sometimes find wines from the Case-winning vineyards at the local grocery store or gourmet shop, visiting the wineries allows you to see where and how these incredible vintages are produced, all against the stunning backdrop of Virginia’s wine country.

Use this 2026 Governor’s Cup Case guide to help you decide which Virginia wineries to visit this spring.

Valley Road Vineyards—Afton

Governor's Cup Winner: 2023 Cabernet Franc Reserve

Tasting Notes: A beautiful Virginia cabernet franc with a medium garnet color, notes of violets and black cherry, and a spicy, peppery palate. The balanced tannins result in a long, pleasing finish. Tomato-based dishes, grilled meats, and flavorful cheese will pair well with this wine.

Visiting the Winery: You'll find Valley Road Vineyards at the northern end of the Nelson 151 Craft Beverage Trail, making it ideal for starting or capping off a trip through the Blue Ridge. Enjoy a self-guided tasting flight or schedule a private tasting for an in-depth journey into the winemaking process.

7 Lady Vineyards—Manakin-Sabot

Governor’s Case Winner: 2023 Meritage

Tasting Notes: A Bordeaux-style blend made with Merlot, Cabernet Franc, and Petit Verdot, this wine has a beautiful violet hue and aromas of black cherry, sandalwood, crushed raspberry, dried sage, and wild violets. A luxurious, velvety mouthfeel concludes with a hint of slate minerality and a polished finish of cocoa. Pair with duck breast, wild mushroom risotto, or a peppercorn-crusted beef tenderloin.

Visiting the Winery: Just west of Richmond, 7 Lady Vineyards is part of the 55-acre Dover Hall estate. The winery tasting room broke ground in 2025 and expects to open to the public in late 2026.

Barboursville Vineyards—Barboursville

Governor’s Case Winner: 2024 Vermentino

Tasting Notes: This vermentino has a pale yellow color and an intense aromatic smell of flowers, citrus fruits, and anise. On the palate, the wine is rich yet soft, gradually replaced with a freshness and a long complex aftertaste. Very drinkable yet rewarding and complex, it pairs well with fresh goat cheese or burrata or seafoods like oysters on the half shell, grilled shrimp, scallops, or rockfish.

Visiting the Winery: Barboursville Vineyards is part of the esteemed Monticello Wine Trail, and as the 2025 winner of the Virginia Governor’s Cup, the winery is a must-visit for Virginia wine enthusiasts. While at the vineyards, don’t miss the historic Barboursville Ruins, one of Thomas Jefferson’s famed architectural endeavors, just steps away from the winery.

Fifty-Third Winery & Vineyard—Louisa

Governor’s Case Winner: 2023 Two Springs

Tasting Notes: A medium-bodied red with suede-like tannins and a fresh acidity, the 2023 Two Springs presents with notes of black plums, strawberry jam, dried violets, cherries, black raspberries, and a strawberry finish. We recommend pairing the wine with flank steak, grilled ribeyes, rack of lamb, or red-sauce Italian pasta dishes, as well as cheeses like Parmesan or Pecorino Romano.

Visiting the Winery: Fifty-Third Winery & Vineyard is conveniently located between Richmond and Charlottesville. The rural tasting room is designed with modern features and was awarded a Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design Platinum award in 2011 for its utilization of a rainwater harvesting system, a geothermal HVAC system, and solar panels that provide for about 15% of the tasting room’s power.

Glen Manor Vineyards—Front Royal

Governor’s Case Winner: 2023 Vin Rouge

Tasting Notes: The vin rouge at Glen Manor Vineyards was originally created to be a red table wine, but as the vines have aged and the roots have become more established, the wine has graduated to a vintage perfect for those special occasions. 2023 was a long, warm, dry growing and ripening season with low humidity, leading to an especially delicious vintage. This wine can shine on its own or can be paired with leaner beef and pork cuts, hearty stews, pasta with mushroom or meat sauce, or a savory bowl of French onion soup.

Visiting the Winery: Located approximately 70 miles west of Washington, D.C. and just north of Shenandoah National Park, Glen Manor Vineyards is situated on a western flank of the Blue Ridge Mountains. The vineyards are established within the rolling landscape in rocky, well-draining soil—the ideal growing conditions for vines to thrive. Spend an afternoon hiking within Shenandoah National Park, then reward your efforts with a glass or two of award-winning wine at Glen Manor Vineyards.

CrossKeys Vineyards—Mount Crawford

Governor’s Case Winner: 2024 Cabernet Franc

Tasting Notes: On the nose, CrossKeys Vineyards’ 2024 Cabernet Franc is perfumed with violets, ripe cherries, and plums, and you may even detect traces of olives. The palate is complete, balanced, and long, and bright red fruit blends with robust tannins into a finish laced with subtle hints of earthiness and cedar. This wine pairs perfectly with rich, flavorful meat dishes like a lamb roast, stews, and even an Indian curry.

Visiting the Winery: In the heart of the Shenandoah Valley, CrossKeys Vineyards is just 15 minutes west of downtown Harrisonburg. The 125-acre estate winery features a Tuscan-style villa and an on-site gourmet bistro. Panoramic views of the Blue Ridge Mountains make this winery an idyllic place to spend an afternoon sipping wine and enjoying Virginia’s natural beauty.

Granite Heights Winery—Warrenton

Governor’s Case Winner: 2024 Humility

Tasting Notes: Lagrein, the varietal that is used in Humility, is known as a “brother” to Syrah and a "cousin” to Pinot Noir. It is a distinctive, deep-hued Italian red known for its bold structure and aromatic profile. Intense notes of black cherry, blackberry, plum, and violet are found in this award-winning red, complemented by earthy, smoky, and chocolatey undertones. You’ll discover firm, slightly astringent tannins and high acidity when drinking this wine. The high tannin and acidity make it excellent to pair with hearty, fatty foods, including roasted meats and aged, savory cheeses.

Visiting the Winery: Granite Heights Winery is a 168-acre farm with more than 12 acres under vine. The historic tasting room is a renovated structure originally built in the 1800s. On sunny days, take your wine tasting outside to enjoy on the spacious patio or pack a picnic to pair with your wine and relax under the shade of one of the property’s ancient trees.

Michael Shaps Wineworks—Charlottesville

Governor’s Case Winner: 2023 Cabernet Franc

Tasting Notes: Ripe with dark cherry, eucalyptus, and oaky notes, Shaps’ Cabernet Franc has a medium body that makes it a very versatile pairing wine. Try with grilled vegetables, pan-seared duck, roasted lamb, and all types of cheese.

Visiting the Winery: With a location a few miles outside Charlottesville on Harris Creek Road, Michael Shaps Wineworks offers tastings of both Virginia wines and wines made at Shaps’ vineyard in the Burgundy region of France. As one of Virginia’s most acclaimed winemakers, Michael Shaps crafts wines that have helped make the Commonwealth an internationally recognized wine destination.

Pollak Vineyards—Greenwood

Governor's Case Winner: 2023 Merlet Reserve

Tasting Notes: This Merlot Reserve is made by selecting the best barrels of that year’s vintage and blending after five months of aging and a secondary fermentation process. Then, the blend is aged an additional 13 months on French oak to create a bright red with aromas of cherry and a full mouthfeel highlighted by soft, rounded tannins. Pair with braised short ribs, savory mushroom dishes, or roasted lamb.

Visiting the Winery: Pollak Vineyards was established with the goal of making French-style wines from Virginia grapes. The 98-acre farm features a cozy tasting room with a fireplace to stay warm during the cooler months, a spacious veranda with views of the Blue Ridge Mountains, and acres of picturesque vines. Looking to add a fun twist to your vineyard visit? Set up a horseback ride through the vines with Indian Summer Guides.

The Winery at La Grange—Haymarket

Governor's Case Winner: 2024 Petit Manseng

Tasting Notes: Notes of shortbread pastry, vanilla ice cream, tropical fruit tart, kiwi, tangerine, candied pineapple, and orange blossom are found in this petit manseng. There are endless options for food pairings, from Hawaiian pizza and pork barbecue to lobster, scallops, and fruit-based desserts.

Visiting the Winery: The Winery at La Grange grows more than six acres of different grape varieties on its property, located near Silver Lake Regional Park. Reserve space at a picnic table or on the BBQ or Manor patios to sip and savor views of the property. Check the calendar to see when special events are coming up, including afternoons with free live music.

Trump Winery—Charlottesville

Governor's Case Winner: 2018 Blanc de Noir

Tasting Notes: The 2018 Blanc de Noir is a sparkling wine with a pale yellow hue and vibrant acidity. Aromas of fresh apples, pears, and candied lemon peel make up the nose, followed by balanced layers of nutty, complex brioche and dough. Finished with a reserve dosage for a classic Brut style, this is a beautifully balanced and refreshing wine that can be paired with mushroom dishes and seafood such as smoked salmon.

Visiting the Winery: Located in the Monticello AVA, Trump Winery includes wine and cider tasting rooms. There's also an on-site hotel, the Albemarle Estate, featuring expansive gardens and luxurious accommodations.

Woodbrook Farm Vineyard—Orange

Governor’s Case Winner: 2024 Petit Manseng

Tasting Notes: The nose on this petit manseng presents with tropical fruits like pineapple, mango, and papaya. The rich, layered palate is energized by a refreshing wave of bracing acidity, and notes of candied citrus peel and brown spice add nuance and intrigue to the finish. Serve with seared scallops, grilled shrimp topped with a fresh mango salsa, or chicken tagine with apricots. The bright acidity and tropical fruit also go well with Virginia ham and briny Chesapeake Bay oysters.

Visiting the Winery: One of the newest wineries in the Commonwealth, Woodbrook Farm Vineyard is emerging as an exceptional producer of Virginia wines. Large windows within the tasting room frame a jaw-dropping backdrop of the Blue Ridge Mountains. After visiting the winery, head next door to James Madison’s Montpelier for a tour of this Founding Father’s estate.

Blue Bee Cider—Richmond

Cider of the Year: 2024 Hewe’s Crab

Tasting Notes: A single varietal cider that is full bodied and bright with tropical aromas, balanced acidity, and a silky-smooth mouthfeel.

Visiting the Cidery: Originally established just south of the James River in Richmond, Blue Bee Cider moved to Scott’s Addition for nearly a decade before relocating to a brand-new spot near Staples Mill Road and Broad Street. As the first urban cidery for the capital city, they are well known for their array of dry ciders made from heirloom apples.

These wineries (and cidery!) were recognized in the 2026 Governor’s Cup Case, but there are dozens of wineries that earned bronze, silver, and gold medals for their wines. Check the complete list and visit these remarkable vineyards to experience the absolute best of Virginia vino!