Bluestone Vineyard was awarded a total of 2 Double Golds and 5 Gold medals in the competition
September 16, 2025 (Bridgewater, VA) — Bluestone Vineyard once again proved the strength of Virginia wine at the 2025 International Eastern Wine Competition and West Coast Wine Competition held in Windsor, Calif., earning an impressive array of top honors, including four Best of Class designations, multiple Double Gold medals, and overall high ratings from the judges. Bluestone Vineyard is proud to represent Virginia wines on this international stage and shine a light on the incredible Shenandoah Valley winemaking region.
This two-pronged East vs. West contest first chooses winners in the separate International Eastern Wine Competition and West Coast Wine Competition before the top wines from each are pitted against each other in an East Meets West Taste Off. Eligible wines can come from all over the United States and the world. Expert judges evaluate entries on aroma, flavor, color, and overall quality.
Bluestone’s standout for this year’s competition is the 2023 Petit Verdot, which received Double Gold, Best of Class, and a remarkable 98 points. Judges praised it as “a combination of Bordeaux and grace; totally representing the best of the East Coast, with blueberry jam and sassy acids.” Crafted with 50% new French oak for a refined influence from aroma to finish, this wine shows deep color and intense concentration. The grapes were sourced from the well-drained hillside vineyard on the southern side of Spring Creek Road, owned by Chris Runion and managed by Bluestone Vineyard, allowing the wine to capture a bold expression of its Allegheny-facing terroir.
In addition, six other Bluestone entries earned gold awards or better. 2023 Moscato, 2023 Cabernet Sauvignon, and 2023 Merlot were each awarded Best of Class designations. 2023 Moscato, earned gold with 93 points, features big flavors of peaches, honey, and sour apple. Bluestone Vineyard is one of the few wineries to make Moscato in the state. The 2023 Cabernet Sauvignon, with 91 points, is currently an unreleased vintage that we are excited to release in the Tasting Room later this fall. 2023 Merlot earns a Double Gold, with an impressive 96 points. This Merlot presents a soft texture with impressive weight on the palate. Look for luscious notes of ripe plums and dried figs that embody its rich, approachable style.
Beau, 2023 Cabernet Franc, and 2023 Houndstooth round out the gold medal wines. Beau, earning a score of 91, is a Vidal Blanc-Traminette blend sweetened to 3% residual sugar. One of Bluestone’s signature wines, Beau is a sweet golden white named after a sweet golden retriever who is featured on the label. 2023 Cabernet Franc was awarded gold with 90 points. This wine is a vibrant varietal with enticing notes of cherry and raspberry, subtly layered within the wine’s well-structured profile. Our flagship red blend, 2023 Houndstooth, bringing in 91 points, continues to showcase the excellent 2023 vintage. A blend of Cabernet Franc, Merlot, and Petit Verdot, it was separately fermented and aged in 40% new oak for depth, structure, and a seamless balance of fruit and oak.
“The 2023 season gave us ideal conditions, and these awards reflect the incredible work of our entire team,” said Lee Hartman, Bluestone Vineyard’s winemaker. “From vineyard to cellar, I’m incredibly proud of the craftsmanship and commitment from our team. These results aren’t just a win for Bluestone; they’re a testament to the Shenandoah Valley wine industry.”
In addition to these winners, the 2023 Petit Manseng and 2023 Vidal Blanc each earned silver medals, adding to Bluestone’s diverse portfolio of award-winning wines.
Below is the full list of gold medal winners awarded to Bluestone Vineyard at this year’s competition.
2023 Petit Verdot
Best of Class, Double Gold
Score: 98 | Notes: Combination of Bordeaux and grace; Totally represents the best of the east coast; blueberry jam and sassy acids
Beau
Gold
Score: 91 | Notes: Tasty, easy to appreciate, slight spice component
2023 Cabernet Franc
Gold
Score: 90 | Notes: Toasty, herbal finish, cherry cola
2023 Cabernet Sauvignon
Best of Class, Gold
Score: 91 | Notes: Dark fruit, depth of flavor, lingering finish
2023 Houndstooth
Gold
Score: 91 | Notes: Dried herbs, tobacco leaf, dusty
2023 Merlot
Best of Class, Double Gold
Score: 96 | Notes: Ripe, juicy, crunchy blue fruits, cola, plum
2023 Moscato
Best of Class, Double Gold
Score: 93 | Notes: Powerhouse of fruit, excellent acidity
For more information specific to the East Meets West wine competition, visit https://www.winecompetitions.com/2025-east-meets-west-results.
ABOUT BLUESTONE VINEYARD
Bluestone Vineyard, which opened its Tasting Room in 2011, is a Virginia farm winery with 26 acres of vines in the Shenandoah Valley, producing award-winning wines from 100% Virginia-grown grapes.
For more information about Bluestone Vineyard and the wines, please visit www.bluestonevineyard.com, call 540-828-0099 or contact winemaker Lee Hartman at lee@bluestonevineyard.com.
