The results are in the Atlantic Seaboard Wine Association Competition held at the beginning of August.
A panel of 12 judges evaluated 389 wines from ten states up and down the East Coast. Virginia entered 226 of them.
While Virginia did not take home the ‘Best of Show’ award, the state did win 14 ‘Best in Class’ awards spanning sparkling, white, red, and hybrid categories. The full list is in the ‘Awards’ section below.
In this week’s edition
🎉 Events: Barboursville's Cab Franc Reserve Feast, Lucie Morton at DuCard, an Early Mountain wine dinner, and more
🍾 Bottle of the Week: Slater Run Vineyards’ 2022 The Pit Jumper
🏆 Awards: Virginia wins 14 Best in Class at ASWA and finalists for the Ordinary Awards are out
🌱 Behind the Scenes: ‘Vine to Glass’ immersive, Linden's harvest pivot, two wineries hiring, and more.
🍷 New Releases: King Family's 2023 Meritage and Early Mountain's 2024 Madison County Chardonnay
💰 Deals: Cana Vineyards’ half-price tastings and Saude Creek educators' happy hour
Events
This Week (August 19–26):
Sustainable wine tasting at Walsh: Walsh Family Wine is hosting a seated comparative tasting on August 21 led by Nate Walsh. It is an exploration of what "sustainable" actually means in the vineyard — from conventional farming and organics to biodynamics and hybrid varieties.
Starry Nights returns at Veritas: Veritas Vineyards is bringing back their summer concert series on August 22 — an evening of live music and wine under the stars.
Cabernet Franc Reserve Feast: Barboursville Vineyards is hosting a four-course dinner on August 23 featuring rare and older vintages of their Cabernet Franc Reserve.
20th Anniversary at La Grange: The Winery at Lagrange is celebrating their 20th anniversary with a special wine dinner on August 24 led by Chef Ryan Ross.
Next Week (August 27–September 2):
Early Mountain wine dinner at Elizabeth's: Early Mountain Vineyards is partnering with Elizabeth's — the acclaimed vegan restaurant in D.C. — for a wine dinner on August 27. A one-night-only menu built around Early Mountain's wines. $240 per person.
Lucie Morton at DuCard: DuCard Vineyards in Etlan is hosting a free presentation on August 29 by Lucie Morton — world-renowned viticulturist, author, and filmmaker — on her quest to bring the Cunningham grape back to its ancestral home in Tidewater Virginia.
Lightwell Survey release party at Primrose DC: Lightwell Survey is celebrating the release of their new wines IN LIKE A LION and OUT LIKE A LAMB at a release party at Primrose DC on August 30.
Bottle of the Week
Slater Run Vineyards — 2022 The Pit Jumper
Upperville • Red Blend • $64
Why it’s here
The Pit Jumper just won Best in Class at the 2026 Atlantic Seaboard Wine Association competition — the largest East Coast wine competition in the country. A blend of 88% Petit Verdot and 12% Cabernet Sauvignon, the wine is aged 18 months in French oak.
Tasting notes
🫐 Black plum & cherry • 🍫 Cocoa • 🪨 Graphite • 🌿 Eucalyptus
Awards & Reviews
Virginia wins 14 Best in Class at the ASWA
Of the 14 Best in Class awards Virginia took home, nine went to white or sparkling wines — Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, Viognier, Petit Manseng, Albariño, and others.
Vint Hill Craft Winery in Warrenton was the only producer to win two categories: their Covert Wineworks Cabernet Sauvignon "Bombshell" and Cuvee Blanc "Misty."
And some of the most interesting wins came from grapes that rarely get the spotlight …
Lost Creek Winery — Blanc de Blancs
CrossKeys Vineyards — 2025 Sauvignon Blanc
Southern Revere Cellars — 2024 Chardonnay
Jefferson Vineyards — 2025 Viognier
James River Cellars — Petit Manseng
Vint Hill Craft Winery — Cuvee Blanc "Misty"
Ingleside Vineyards — 2024 Albariño
Private Label Cellars — 2024 Merlot
Vint Hill Craft Winery— Covert Wineworks Cabernet Sauvignon "Bombshell"
Slater Run Vineyards — 2022 Petit Verdot "The Pit Jumper"
Potomac Point Winery — 2023 Tannat
Accord Vineyards — 2025 Vidal Blanc
Effingham Manor and Winery — Effingham Celebration
Fifty-Third Winery and Vineyard — Chambourcin
In other news
The finalists of the 2026 Ordinary Award nominations: The 2026 Ordinary Awards — the Virginia Restaurant, Lodging & Travel Association's annual hospitality honors — named several wineries among this year's finalists.
Behind the Scenes
Vine to Glass immersive: Oak Spring Garden Foundation and Lost Mountain Vineyards are offering a three-day immersive program November 4–6 on the history, science, and artistry of Virginia Piedmont viticulture. Applications due August 31st.
Linden pivots on reds after heavy rain: Linden Vineyards has shared details on their 2026 red wine strategy following recent heavy rains that affected grape growth in the vineyard.
Bluemont bottles 9,000 in a day: Bluemont Vineyard gave a behind the scenes look at a full day of bottling. From filling to corking to labeling, their video shows what it’s like to prep 750 cases of wine.
A new kid on the block: Dan Redding, the author of My NoVa Wine Blog, wrote an excellent profile of Noer Vineyards in Verona. Established in 2024, the winery has 130 acres under vine and collected 2 golds at the Virginia Governor's Cup and 4 golds at the Shenandoah Cup.
Bogaty Family Wine Group is hiring: The group behind Veramar Vineyard, James Charles Winery, and Bogati Winery is looking for a full-time Digital Media & Operations Support team member.
Doukénie Winery is hiring: Doukénie Winery in Hillsboro is looking for part-time Wine Educators (21+) and Staff Support (16+) for year-round roles in the tasting room.
New Releases
King Family 2023 Meritage: King Family Vineyards has released their 2023 Meritage — a blend of Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot, and Malbec.
Early Mountain 2024 Madison County Chardonnay: Early Mountain Vineyards has released their 2024 Madison County Chardonnay, with pairing suggestions now up on their website. Their Brut Sparkling Rosé is also newly available.
Deals & Promotions
Half-price tastings at Cana: Caña Vineyards is offering half-price guided tastings on August 29–30 at $12, or $6 for members.
Educators' happy hour at Saude Creek: Saude Creek Vineyards offers an After-School Special educators' happy hour every Friday from 4–7pm — $3 off glasses of wine with a school ID.
Old barrels for sale at Ox-Eye: Ox-Eye Vineyards has a few old barrels for sale.