March 16, 2026 (Bridgewater, VA) — Bluestone Vineyard is proud to announce that three of its wines have been awarded gold medals at the 2026 Virginia Governor’s Cup Wine Competition, one of the most prestigious wine competitions in the country and the premier showcase of Virginia wine.
Bluestone Vineyard’s 2023 Houndstooth, 2023 Cabernet Franc, and 2024 Chardonnay were each recognized with gold medals, highlighting the winery’s continued commitment to crafting expressive, high-quality wines from estate-grown fruit.
Bluestone’s flagship red, 2023 Houndstooth reflects the near-perfect growing conditions of the 2023 season. Crafted from Cabernet Franc, Merlot, and Petit Verdot, each fermented separately to preserve varietal character, this blend is artfully composed just before bottling to achieve exceptional balance. Aged in 40% new oak barrels, it offers depth, structure, and a harmonious integration of fruit and oak. This wine has also received additional recognition, earning a gold medal at the 2025 Virginia Governor’s Cup Competition and a gold medal with 91 points at the 2025 East Meets West International Wine Competition, further underscoring its quality and consistency.
The 2023 Cabernet Franc highlights one of Virginia’s signature grape varieties and has already earned notable recognition, receiving a Gold Medal and 90 points at the 2025 East Meets West International Wine Competition as well as 90 points from wine critic James Suckling. This vibrant, spice-driven varietal offers enticing notes of cherry and raspberry, subtly layered within the wine’s well-structured profile. With time and proper aeration, these flavors unfold beautifully, revealing the depth and character of Bluestone’s Cabernet Franc. Suckling praised the wine, noting “herb-kissed aromas of black raspberries and brandied cherries with tobacco leaves and tilled earth… sweetly spiced flavors of vanilla and bergamot anchor the sappy, tannic palate.”
The 2024 Chardonnay reflects a growing season that allowed the fruit to develop remarkable balance and ripeness. A dry summer, followed by moisture from the remnants of Hurricane Debby in August, created ideal conditions for extended hang time on the vine and excellent fruit chemistry at harvest. The grapes were gently pressed, with only the finest press fraction sent to barrel. Fermented dry and aged in 20% new French oak, the wine underwent malolactic fermentation and remained on the heavy lees for 15 months, resulting in a Chardonnay with rich texture, depth, and a creamy, layered finish.
“These wines each tell a slightly different story about our vineyard and our approach to winemaking,” said Lee Hartman, Winemaker at Bluestone Vineyard. “Cabernet Franc has long been a cornerstone of Virginia wine. Houndstooth reflects the creativity and blending that allows us to build depth and character. Chardonnay continues to show people how beautifully it performs here. Awards like this are meaningful because they recognize not just a single bottle, but the many small decisions from the vineyard rows to the cellar that shape a wine along the way.”
The 2026 Governor’s Cup Competition received 677 submissions from 156 producers across Virginia, making it the largest and most competitive year in the event’s history. Gold medals are awarded only to wines receiving 90 points or higher through a rigorous blind tasting process conducted by nationally recognized wine professionals.
Bluestone Vineyard, located just outside Bridgewater in Virginia’s Shenandoah Valley, has been producing Virginia wines since 2011. Known for its sweeping mountain views and welcoming tasting room, the winery focuses on crafting wines that reflect both the region and the dedication of its team.
About Bluestone Vineyard
Bluestone Vineyard is a family-owned winery located in the Shenandoah Valley of Virginia in Bridgewater, Virginia with 26 acres of vines. Since opening in 2011, Bluestone has focused on producing distinctive Virginia wines while offering visitors a memorable experience overlooking the vineyard and surrounding mountains
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.
