Boordy Vineyards wins Maryland Governor’s Cup, Port of Leonardtown Winery wins Jack Aellen Cup
February 11th – (ANNAPOLIS, MD) – The Maryland Governor’s Cup will take up a year-long residency at Boordy Vineyards in Baltimore County. The 2020 Maryland Wine Governor’s Cup Competition featured 160 entries from nearly 30 Maryland wineries. This annual competition features Maryland-made wines, produced with grapes and fruits grown in the state. Maryland vineyards currently grow nearly 1000 acres of grapes throughout each of the state’s unique growing regions.
“For the second year in a row, a Bordeaux blend has taken top honors,” says Kevin Atticks, Executive Director of the Maryland Wineries Association. “The Landmark Reserve further illustrates that serious red blends have become the benchmark.” The Bordeaux-style blend was produced from grapes grown on the winery’s South Mountain Vineyard in Frederick County.
The Governor’s Cup Competition was twice delayed due to COVID restrictions. Originally planned for August 2020, the competition was finally held on February 5 with a cohort of judges and staff.
“We are honored and humbled to win the 2020 Maryland Governor’s Cup Best in Show with our 2015 Landmark Reserve, particularly because it coincides with Boordy’s 75th anniversary,” says Rob Deford, proprietor at Boordy Vineyards. “The Landmark Reserve is an elegant, beautifully-structured Cabernet Sauvignon-based blend made exclusively with grapes from our South Mountain Vineyard – an exceptional vineyard site that has now produced 3 Governor’s Cup winners in the past 9 years.”
“2015 was a fantastic growing year, but a wine of this caliber would not be possible without the dedication and perseverance of our vineyard and winemaking teams, who work tirelessly each year to grow and produce wines of originality and personality that are a joy to drink,” said Deford.
“Thanks to competition director Al Spoler, UMD Viticulturist Dr. Joe Fiola, and the Maryland Wineries Association team for running the competition safely and efficiently during these trying times,” Deford added.
Port of Leonardtown Winery Wins Jack Aellen Cup
Southern Maryland’s Port of Leonardtown Winery earned the 2020 Jack Aellen Cup at this year’s competition. The 2019 vintage of McIntosh Run, an apple wine, earned a gold medal and the “Best in Class” distinction for fruit wine at this year’s Governor’s Cup. The wine then secured victory in a final taste-off of fruit wines, meads, and ciders.
“We are elated to win the Jack Aellen Cup for our 100% apple wine, McIntosh Run,” said Lauren Zimmerman, winemaker at Port of Leonardtown Winery. “Like biting into a crisp McIntosh apple, everyone loves this refreshing wine!”
Opened in 2010, Port of Leonardtown Winery is one of the nation’s only winery cooperatives, run by Southern Maryland growers. Winemaker Lauren Zimmerman has produced other “best in show” wines, including the Barbera Reserve 2015.
2020 Maryland Wine Governor’s Cup Results
BEST IN SHOW
- Governor’s Cup: Boordy Vineyards • Landmark Reserve 2015
- Jack Aellen Cup: Port of Leonardtown Winery • McIntosh Run 2019
Best in Class
- Sparkling: Linganore Winecellars • Brut Albariño 2019
- White: Port of Leonardtown Winery • Sauvignon Blanc 2020
- White Blend: Big Cork Vineyards • Viognier/Chenin 2020
- Rosé: Linganore Winecellars • Seventh 2020
- Red: Sugarloaf Mountain Vineyard • Cabernet Franc 2019
- Red Blend: Boordy Vineyards • Landmark Reserve 2015
- Sweet: Dove Valley Winery • Mr. Bentley’s Choice 2019
- Dessert: Robin Hill Farm and Vineyards • Home Sweet Home
- Fruit: Port of Leonardtown Winery • McIntosh Run 2019
- Mead: Loew Vineyards • Honey & Grape
- Port: Harford Vineyard & Winery • Ruby Reserve 2015
Double Gold
- Big Cork Vineyards • Viognier/Chenin 2020
- Boordy Vineyards • Landmark Reserve 2015
- Dove Valley Winery • Perky Peaches
- Harford Vineyard & Winery • Ruby Reserve 2015
- Linganore Winecellars • Brut Albariño 2019
- Linganore Winecellars • Saperavi 2019
- Links Bridge Vineyards • Chardonnay 2019
- Port of Leonardtown Winery • Sauvignon Blanc 2020
- Robin Hill Farm and Vineyards • Home Sweet Home
- Sugarloaf Mountain Vineyard • Cabernet Franc 2019
- Windridge Vineyards • Seneca 2017
Gold
- Big Cork Vineyards • Cabernet Franc 2018
- Big Cork Vineyards • Cabernet Franc 2019
- Big Cork Vineyards • Chardonnay 2019
- Big Cork Vineyards • Malbec Rosé 2020
- Big Cork Vineyards • Sauvignon Blanc 2020
- Big Cork Vineyards • Viognier 2019
- Blue Mountain Wine Crafters • Passionate Plum 2019
- Blue Mountain Wine Crafters • Whiskey Barrel Aged Cabernet Franc 2019
- Chateau Bu-De Winery • Kartograf I 2017
- Crow Vineyard & Winery • Crow Club Select
- Crow Vineyard & Winery • Malbec
- Dove Valley Winery • Forbidden Apple
- Dove Valley Winery • Mr. Bentley’s Choice 2019
- Linganore Winecellars • Cabernet Franc 2019
- Linganore Winecellars • Chardonnay Reserve 2019
- Linganore Winecellars • Seventh 2020
- Loew Vineyards • Honey & Grape Non-Vintage
- Love Point Vineyards and Winery • Merlot 2019
- Port of Leonardtown Winery • 10th Anniversary Red
- Port of Leonardtown Winery • Barbera Reserve 2017
- Port of Leonardtown Winery • McIntosh Run 2019
- Robin Hill Farm and Vineyards • Berry Blessed
- Robin Hill Farm and Vineyards • Legacy 2019
- Sugarloaf Mountain Vineyard • Cabernet Franc Reserve 2017
- Windridge Vineyards • Encampment 2019
- Windridge Vineyards • Ithaca Reserve 2019
See the entire list of medalists on MarylandWine.com.
About the Competition. The Maryland Governor’s Cup Competition awards the best Maryland wines produced from grapes, fruit, and honey grown within the state. Fruit wines, meads, and ciders produced in Maryland that are judged at this competition vie for the Jack Aellen Cup. Red, white, rosé, sparkling, and fruit wines were entered into this year’s competition and judged by wine experts from around the region.
About the Jack Aellen Cup. The Jack Aellen Cup specifically highlights the top-scoring fruit wine, cider or mead. The cup is named after Linganore Winecellars founder, Jack Aellen, who pioneered wines made from fruit and honey in Maryland. The “Jack Aellen Cup” is presented annually alongside the Governor’s Cup.
About the Maryland Wineries Association. The Maryland Wineries Association (MWA), formed in 1984, is the non-profit trade association that represents more than 85 member wineries in Maryland. MWA’s mission is to develop and expand the grape and wine industry in Maryland – through education and promotion.
