Thomas Jefferson would continue to be surprised by the progress from his early viticulture attempts! His grape enterprise has become a footnote to history as Virginia wines continue to receive national and international attention in so many award-winning categories.

At this year’s Jeffersonian Wine Grape Growers Society annual Monticello Cup Wine Competition, our region was recognized once again for its fruitful bounty. Barboursville Winery’s Octagon Ninth Edition 2006 earned top honors: The Monticello Cup and a Double Gold in the Meritage category. The Vineyard also earned a Gold for its 2007 Cabernet Franc Reserve.

The other Double Gold winners were Flying Fox Vineyard in Afton for its 2006 Petit Verdot and Jefferson Vineyards for its 2007 Meritage. They also earned a gold for their 2007 Reserve Chardonnay.

Other gold medal winners include: King Family Vineyards‘ 2007 Viognier and its 2007 Meritage, Pollak Vineyards‘ 2008 Pinot Gris, Veritas Vineyard & Winery’s 2007 Reserve Cabernet Franc, and Sweely Estate Winery’s 2006 “1867” Meritage.

Judges included some of the other stars of our region: Sommeliers Richard Hewitt of Keswick Hall and Elaine Futhey of C&O Restaurant in Charlottesville.

So many great wines.

Salud.