Virginia keeps showing up in national rankings.
This week, Travel + Leisure’s 2026 World’s Best Awards just handed Virginia two of the South’s three highest-ranked resorts. The Lodge at Primland took first place, and The Inn at Willow Grove landed third. Both sit squarely in Virginia wine country.
And Tasting Table named Barboursville Vineyards the best winery in Virginia — and one of the 50 best in the country. (See “Awards” below)
Several vineyards are reporting that véraison is underway. It’s the moment when berries begin to color and sugars start to accumulate. Harvest is closer than it feels.
This weekend brings the Norton MiniFest at Potomac Point Winery. It’s well-timed because Virginia Living just published a deep profile of Jenni McCloud, the owner of Chrysalis Vineyards in Middleburg, who tends the largest planting of Norton grapes in the world. The “Bottle of the Week” comes from there.
And one quick note: there will be no edition next week. I'll be back in your inbox two weeks from now on July 29.
In this week’s edition
🎉 Events: Norton MiniFest, Pippin Hill’s garden wine dinner, CrossKeys Oyster Festival, K9s in the Vines, and more
🍾 Bottle of the Week: Chrysalis Vineyards’ 2022 Norton (Bull Run Mountain Cuvée)
🏆 Awards: Virginia collects 30+ medals at 2026 Finger Lakes International
🍷 New Releases: Linden’s 2023 Claret debuts
📰 News: Virginia beverage authority worries state winemakers
🌱 Behind the Scenes: Pollak pours at the Embassy of France
💰 Deals: Virginia Wine’s new tasting passport covering the Chesapeake Bay wine region
Events
🍅 ‘SummerSupperSomm’ continues
23 dinners across Virginia: Six more heirloom tomato and Virginia wine dinners fall in the next two weeks:
July 15 — Penny's Wine Shop, Richmond
July 17 — Echelon Wine Bar & Lost Creek Vineyards, Richmond
July 19 — Mockingbird, Charlottesville
July 22 — Lemaire at The Jefferson Hotel, Richmond
July 26 — The Shack, Staunton (SOLD OUT)
July 27 — Acacia, Richmond
Next Week (July 15–22):
Living Garden Wine Dinner: Pippin Hill Farm & Vineyards is hosting an after-hours wine dinner on July 17 — five courses al fresco with Blue Ridge views and Chef Victoria Cosner's seasonal menu.
Norton MiniFest: Potomac Point Winery in Stafford is hosting a Norton MiniFest & Grape Stomping on July 18. It is a “dedicated celebration of Virginia’s official native grape“ in partnership with the Virginia Norton Network along with Ducard Vineyards and Nokesville Winery.
Picnic party at the Botanical Garden: Present Company, a low-intervention winery from Charlottesville, is teaming up with Fine Creek Brewing for an evening picnic party at the Botanical Garden of the Piedmont on July 18.
Augusta County Fair Wine Festival: The Augusta County Fair Wine Festival takes over Augusta Expo in Fishersville on July 18 — local Virginia vineyards pouring alongside live music at the Shenandoah Valley fairgrounds.
Next Week (July 23–29):
Wintergreen Music Festival: King Family Vineyards is hosting an evening of Baroque chamber music on July 23.
Loire Valley tastings: Slater Run Vineyards in Upperville is running their Sunday Loire Valley tasting series led by Sommelier Sara Gann. Five curated Loire wines per session.
Summer Wine Pairing Party: The Winery at Bull Run in Centreville is hosting a Summer Wine Pairing Party on July 24 — an old-fashioned backyard barbecue from District Pit, paired with Bull Run wines.
CrossKeys 4th Annual Oyster Festival: CrossKeys Vineyards is hosting their 4th Annual Oyster Festival on July 25, featuring fresh Virginia oysters, estate wines, and live music.
Bottle of the Week
Chrysalis Vineyards — Norton, Bull Run Mountain Cuvée 2022
Middleburg • Norton • $25
Why it’s here
Chrysalis Vineyards tends the largest planting of Norton grapes in the world, and this bottling is named for the range that surrounds the estate. This dry red wine spent 7 months in French Oak, and at $25, it’s a great introduction to this signature Virginia varietal.
Tasting notes
🍒 Cherry • 🍦 Vanilla • ☕ Coffee • 🟫 Brown sugar
Awards & Reviews
Virginia collects 30+ medals at Finger Lakes International: Two Virginia wineries took Best in Class honors at the 2026 Finger Lakes International Wine & Spirits Competition at the end of June. CrossKeys Vineyards was honored for their 2024 Meritage and Hazy Mountain Vineyards for their 2025 Chardonnay Musqué Clone 809.
Barboursville named Virginia’s best winery: Tasting Table’s roundup of the best winery in every U.S. state named Barboursville Vineyards Virginia’s pick. “No winery better embodies the potential of Virginia wine,” writer Xenia Turner states.
Two Virginia Blue Ridge resorts top Travel + Leisure’s South rankings: The Lodge at Primland was named the No. 1 resort in the South and No. 14 in the United States in Travel + Leisure’s 2026 World’s Best Awards. The Inn at Willow Grove placed third in the South. (Alexandria Living Magazine)
New Releases
Linden’s 2023 Claret: Linden Vineyards has released their 2023 Claret, the first red of the 2023 vintage.
Revalation Vineyards Athena sparkling rosé: Revalation Vineyards has released their sparkling rosé Athena — 50% Tannat, 29% Vidal Blanc, 21% Merlot, at 8.1% ABV. Now available in the tasting room.
2023 Kilravock Release Party: Rosemont of Virginia is hosting a release party for their 2023 Kilravock on July 25. The 2023 earned Gold Medals at the San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition and the Virginia Governor’s Cup. (Barrel Club and 1858 Wine Club members and guests only.)
Gray Ghost's 2024 Reserve Chardonnay: Gray Ghost Vineyards has released their 2024 Reserve Chardonnay — one of their most decorated wines, now in its latest vintage. Eighteen months in French oak and full malo-lactic fermentation give it the signature profile: toasted oak and baked spiced apple on the nose, ripe fig, pear preserves, and a creamy, buttery finish.
Wine News
Winemakers watch Virginia ABC agents: Virginia’s new state budget calls for the “temporary assignment or use of [Alcoholic Beverage Control Authority] special agents” to oversee enforcement of the state’s newly legal cannabis retail market. The alcohol sector is watching this decision closely, and its concern is straightforward: resources diverted from alcohol enforcement mean less oversight of the industry the beverage authority was built to regulate. (The Daily Progress)
Behind the Scenes
Pollak pours at DC’s Bastille Day: Pollak Vineyards poured at a Bastille Day celebration at the Embassy of France in Washington, D.C., marking 250 years of French-American friendship. They poured the 2023 Sauvignon Blanc and 2024 Cabernet Franc.
868 Estate receives legislative commendation: 868 Estate Vineyards received a formal commendation from the office of State Senator Russet Perry for their award-winning wines.
Véraison underway at Pollak: Pollak Vineyards reports that véraison has begun in the Merlot block at their Windcrest Vineyard in Greenwood — berries are softening and beginning to change color as sugars accumulate and acids mellow.
Fruit set update at Crimson Lane: Crimson Lane Vineyards reports that healthy clusters are forming across the vineyard after an uncertain flowering season with several days of rain. A promising sign for the vintage ahead.
Deals & Promotions
Chesapeake Bay Wine Trail tasting pass: The Chesapeake Bay Wine Trail has launched a free mobile passport covering participating wineries and cideries across the Northern Neck and Middle Peninsula. Check in at each location for $5 off your first tasting, plus chances at rolling prizes throughout the summer.