Over 150 Maryland-Grown Wines from Across the State Competed for Prestigious Award
September 1, 2015 (Baltimore, MD) – The Maryland Wineries Association proudly announces the winners of the 27th Annual Maryland Governor’s Cup Competition. The judging for the prestigious awards took place on Sunday, August 23 in Timonium with over 20 wine experts from the region who tasted over 150 different wines, including sparkling, whites, rosés and reds. Gold medal-winning wines competed for Best in Class and Best in Show honors. Big Cork Vineyards’ Petit Verdot 2013 earned the Governor’s Cup Best in Show. (Big Cork is located in Washington County) This is the winery’s second Best in Show this year; the Big Cork Vineyards Chardonnay 2014 was awarded the Winemasters Choice Best in Show in June.
Joe Fiola, Ph.D., University of Maryland Viticulturist and Small Fruit Specialist, and known to many as the pioneer of Maryland wine, as in attendance. “The 2015 Governor’s Cup Competition displays how the Maryland industry continues to evolve and improve. Lots of creative blends and the highest percentage of gold medals ever,” said Fiola. “Big Cork Vineyard’s Petit Verdot is a monster red wine that displays both the quality and unlimited potential of the Washington County, Maryland territory.”
Competition Director Al Spoler continues to be impressed by the world-class wines coming out of Maryland. “The 2015 Governor’s Cup demonstrated how our state continues to evolve as a wine growing region,” said Spoler.
Petit Verdot is the most obscure and least heralded of the Bordeaux varieties (Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Merlot, Malbec and Petit Verdot), and has captured the interest of several winemakers around the state.
Nine wines earned Best in Class awards, highlighting a variety of styles from various winegrowing regions throughout the state.
Awards will be presented in September at an event with state representatives.
About the Maryland Wineries Association
The Maryland Wineries Association is a non-profit trade organization representing Maryland’s 65+ wineries. Founded in 1984, the MWA’s mission is to develop and expand the grape and wine industry in Maryland through events, education and promotion. From the Eastern Shore to mountains of Western Maryland, and south to St. Mary’s County, wine is growing throughout Maryland.
2015 Maryland Governor’s Cup Competition Results
Best in Show
- Big Cork Vineyards • Petit Verdot 2013 (Washington County)
Best in Class
- Best White: Sugarloaf Mountain Vineyard • Chardonnay Reserve 2014 (Montgomery County)
- Best White Blend: Old Westminster Winery • Greenstone 2014 (Carroll County)
- Best Rosé: Linganore Winecellars • Pinky’s Rosé 2014 (Frederick County)
- Best Red: Big Cork Vineyards • Petit Verdot 2013 (Washington County)
- Best Red Blend: Black Ankle Vineyards • Feldspar NV (Frederick County)
- Best Off-Dry: Turkey Point Vineyard • Vidal Blanc 2014 (Cecil County)
- Best Cider: Great Shoals Winery • Hard Cherry 2015 (Montgomery County)
- Best Fruit: Port of Leonardtown Winery • McIntosh Run NV (St. Mary’s County)
- Best Dessert: Turkey Point Vineyard • Late Harvest Vidal 2014 (Cecil County)
Gold Medals
- Big Cork Vineyards • Barbera 2013
- Big Cork Vineyards • Chardonnay 2014
- Big Cork Vineyards • Meritage 2013
- Big Cork Vineyards • Merlot 2013
- Big Cork Vineyards • Petit Verdot 2013
- Big Cork Vineyards • Sauvignon Blanc 2014
- Big Cork Vineyards • Syrah Rosé 2014
- Big Cork Vineyards • Vidal Ice 2014
- Big Cork Vineyards • Viognier 2014
- Black Ankle Vineyards • Crumbling Rock 2012
- Black Ankle Vineyards • Feldspar NV
- Boordy Vineyards • Chardonnay Reserve 2014
- Boordy Vineyards • Dry Rosé 2014
- Boordy Vineyards • Merlot Reserve 2012
- Boordy Vineyards • SCV 2014
- Bordeleau Vineyards • & Winery • Pinot Grigio 2013
- Bordeleau Vineyards • & Winery • Petit Verdot NV
- Crow Vineyards • Chardonnay 2013
- Crow Vineyards • Vidal Blanc 2013
- Great Shoals Winery • Hard Cherry 2015
- Great Shoals Winery • Peach Draft 2015
- Knob Hall Winery • Jealous Mistress NV
- Knob Hall Winery • Rosé 2014
- Knob Hall Winery • Vidal Blanc 2013
- Layton’s Chance Vineyard • Reserve Traminette 2013
- Layton’s Chance Vineyard • Vidal Blanc 2013
- Linganore Winecellars • Blackberry Kiss 2014
- Linganore Winecellars • Chardonnay Reserve 2014
- Linganore Winecellars • Pinky’s Rosé 2014
- Linganore Winecellars • Retriever Red 2014
- Linganore Winecellars • Vignoles 2014
- Loew Vineyards • Honey & Grape NV
- Loew Vineyards • Serendipity 2012
- Old Westminster Winery • Greenstone 2014
- Old Westminster Winery • Revelry, First Edition NV
- Old Westminster Winery • Sauvignon Blanc 2014
- Old Westminster Winery • Somm Cuvée 2013
- Old Westminster Winery • Tapestry, Second Edition NV
- Old Westminster Winery • Viognier 2014
- Port of Leonardtown Winery • 5th Anniversary Red NV
- Port of Leonardtown Winery • Chambourcin Reserve 2011
- Port of Leonardtown Winery • McIntosh Run NV
- Port of Leonardtown Winery • Vintner’s Select Vidal Blanc 2014
- Sugarloaf Mountain Vineyard • Cabernet Franc Reserve 2012
- Sugarloaf Mountain Vineyard • Cabernet Sauvignon 2013
- Sugarloaf Mountain Vineyard • Chardonnay Reserve 2014
- Sugarloaf Mountain Vineyard • Comus 2012
- Turkey Point Vineyard • Late Harvest Vidal 2014
- Turkey Point Vineyard • Vidal Blanc 2014
Silver Medals
- Big Cork Vineyards • Cabernet Franc 2013
- Big Cork Vineyards • Malbec 2013
- Big Cork Vineyards • Nebbiolo 2013
- Big Cork Vineyards • Russian Kiss 2014
- Big Cork Vineyards • Syrah 2013
- Black Ankle Vineyards • Leaf Stone 2012
- Boordy Vineyards • Landmark Reserve 2012
- Boordy Vineyards • Pinot Grigio 2014
- Boordy Vineyards • Vidal Blanc 2014
- Bordeleau Vineyards • & Winery • Cabernet Sauvignon Lot 6 NV
- Bordeleau Vineyards • & Winery • Chambourcin Lot 6 NV
- Bordeleau Vineyards • & Winery • Merlot Lot 6 NV
- Cabin Vineyard • Cabin Red 2013
- Cabin Vineyard • Cabin Red 2012
- Catoctin Breeze Winery • Adagio 2013
- Catoctin Breeze Winery • Cabernet Franc 2013
- Catoctin Breeze Winery • Overture 2013
- Clovelly Vineyards • Devils Reach 2013
- Clovelly Vineyards • Vidal Blanc 2014
- Cygnus Wine Cellars Manchester Hall 2014
- Dove Valley Winery • Gold 2013
- Dove Valley Winery • Miss Bianca’s Passion 2013
- Dove Valley Winery • Mr. Bentley’s Choice 2013
- Dove Valley Winery • Summer Hill NV
- Harmony Vineyard • Judith Rosé 2014
- Harmony Vineyard • Harmony Concerto 2013
- Knob Hall Winery • Chambourcin 2013
- Knob Hall Winery • Gold Digger NV
- Layton’s Chance Vineyard • Farm White 2013
- Layton’s Chance Vineyard • Lazy Day Rosé 2014
- Linganore Winecellars • Bacioni 2013
- Linganore Winecellars • Terrapin 2014
- Linganore Winecellars • Traminette 2014
- Loew Vineyards • Harvest Red 2012
- New Market Plains • Chardonnay 2014
- New Market Plains • Rich Forest Chardonnay 2014
- New Market Plains • Rosé 2014
- Old Westminster Winery • Albariño 2014
- Old Westminster Winery • Cabernet Franc – Home 2013
- Old Westminster Winery • Cabernet Franc – Links Bridge 2013
- Old Westminster Winery • Channery Hill 2012
- Old Westminster Winery • Chardonnay 2014
- Old Westminster Winery • Cornerstone 2013
- Old Westminster Winery • Pinot Gris 2014
- Old Westminster Winery • Rosé 2014
- Orchid Cellar • Merlot 2011
- Port of Leonardtown Winery • 5th Anniversary White NV
- Port of Leonardtown Winery • Albarino 2014
- Rocklands Farm Honey Blossom 2014
- Romano Vineyard & Winery • Liberty 2013
- Romano Vineyard & Winery • Fallen Leaf 2013
- Romano Vineyard & Winery • Chambourcin 2013
- Royal Rabbit Vineyard • Baroness 2014
- Royal Rabbit Vineyard • Chevalier 2013
- Royal Rabbit Vineyard • Comtess 2014
- Serpent Ridge Vineyard • Cabernet Franc 2010
- Serpent Ridge Vineyard • Cabernet Sauvignon 2012
- Sugarloaf Mountain Vineyard • Cabernet Franc 2012
- Sugarloaf Mountain Vineyard • Circe 2013
- Sugarloaf Mountain Vineyard • Evoe 2011
- Sugarloaf Mountain Vineyard • Pinot Grigio 2014
- Turkey Point Vineyard • Chardonnay 2014
- Turkey Point Vineyard • Rosé 2014
- Turkey Point Vineyard • White Wine 2014
Bronze Medals
- Catoctin Breeze Winery • Syrah 2013
- Clovelly Vineyards • Chambourcin 2013
- Clovelly Vineyards • Rosé 2014
- Crow Vineyards • Reserve White Blend 2013
- Cygnus Wine Cellars • Cabernet Franc 2012
- Cygnus Wine Cellars • Chancellor 2014
- Dove Valley Winery • Riesling 2013
- Knob Hall Winery • Cabernet Franc 2012
- Layton’s Chance Vineyard • Farm Red 2013
- Linganore Winecellars • Chambourcin Reserve 2013
- Linganore Winecellars • Indulgence 2012
- Loew Vineyards • Two Consenting Grapes NV
- Loew Vineyards • Celebration NV
- Orchid Cellar • Mazer Red NV
- Port of Leonardtown Winery • Chardonnay 2013
- Port of Leonardtown Winery • Petit Verdot Reserve 2012
- Port of Leonardtown Winery • Traminette 2014
- Rocklands Farm Farmhouse Red 2014
- Royal Rabbit Vineyard • Chatelaine 2014
- Royal Rabbit Vineyard • Viscount 2013
- Thanksgiving Farm • Dessert Wine 2013
- Thanksgiving Farm • Farmhouse Red 2012
Log on to www.marylandwine.com for the complete list of medal winners.
