James Beard just recognized a figure in Virginia’s wine scene.
Lee Campbell, a partner at Common Wealth Crush in Charlottesville, was named an Outstanding Professional in Beverage Service by the James Beard Foundation on Monday.
It’s one of the most prestigious accolades in American food and drink, on par with a Pulitzer or Michelin star.
Campbell, a certified sommelier, helped establish America's natural wine fair circuit and has spent years advocating for Virginia wine nationally. Through Commonwealth Crush, she's advising the next generation of local winemakers.
These reactions show just how beloved she is in the community.
In this week’s edition
🎉 Events: Father's Day events, a blind tasting showdown, and Monticello Wine Week starts Monday
🍾 Bottle of the Week: Hark Vineyards’ 2024 Roussanne
📰 News: A documentary on Virginia’s wine industry
🏆 Awards & Reviews: Fallen Tree voted ‘Best Place to Propose’
🍷 New Releases: A 250th anniversary red and one of my favorite Italian varietals
💰 Deals: Michael Shaps’ summer bundle and Barrel Oak’s World Cup case
Events
This Weekend (June 19–21):
Friday Blind Challenge: Walsh Family Wine (Purcellville) is hosting a blind tasting showdown on June 19. Staffers Pawel and Nate have each curated a custom flight designed to confuse and humble even confident palates. A $50 gift card is on the line.
Backyard Beach Party: Saudé Creek Vineyards (Lanexa) is hosting a Backyard Beach Party on June 20, featuring Jimmy Buffett-style live music, food trucks, and wine slushies. Bring lawn chairs.
Father's Day across the region: Several wineries are rolling out events for June 21. Potomac Point Winery (Stafford) hosts its Father's Day Bistro Brunch from 11am–6pm. Paradise Springs Winery (Clifton) fires up a Father's Day Barbeque with live music starting at 1pm and food at 2pm. Boxwood Estate Winery (Middleburg) offers a Surf & Turf experience with wine pairings and indoor seating. Stone Tower Winery (Leesburg) will throw a family-friendly Summer BBQ, and Byrd Cellars (Goochland) is offering a Dad's BBQ Lunch Box for $15 all weekend.
Next Week (June 22–28):
Monticello Wine Week: More than 40 wineries in the Charlottesville area are opening their doors for Monticello Wine Week starting on Monday. The Monticello Cup winner will be announced at the Gold Medal Celebration on June 26 at Boar's Head Resort.
Virginia Wine Night in DC: Reveler's Hour in Washington, DC is hosting a Shenandoah Valley wine night on June 23 featuring winemaker Ben Jordan of Midland Wines.
Walsh's bar takeover: Walsh Family Wine (Purcellville) is hosting a bar takeover on June 26 featuring three boutique producers: Artemisia, Third Culture Kid, and Present Company, who are launching their first wines this year.
Veritas goes to Spain: Veritas Vineyard & Winery is hosting a Basque Country–inspired dinner on June 26. Bold Spanish flavors will be paired with Veritas wine.
Summer Wine Dinner at La Grange: The Winery at La Grange is hosting a Summer Wine Dinner on June 27, featuring a winemaker-led vineyard tour followed by a family-style feast.
Bottle of the Week
Hark Vineyards — 2024 Roussanne
Monticello AVA • Roussanne • $36
Why it’s here
Monticello Wine Week starts Monday — and Hark Vineyards' 2024 Roussanne won a gold medal at the 2026 Monticello Cup. Roussanne is a white Rhône grape grown almost nowhere in Virginia. Hark made only 95 cases, aged entirely in neutral oak so the fruit really shines.
Tasting notes
🌸 Honeysuckle • 🍏 Green apple • 🍍 Tropical
Wine News
Support 'We the Wine People' documentary
We the Wine People, a completed feature documentary about the people, land, and culture behind Virginia's wine industry, is raising funds for its final push to distribution.
Chrisa Giorgi, an independent documentary filmmaker, spent over a year filming across the state — in vineyards, cellars, tasting rooms, and harvest celebrations.
The film is done, but Giorgi has launched a GoFundMe campaign to help cover the remaining costs, like closed captioning, platform delivery, festival submissions, and marketing.
The Virginia Wine Board backed the project with a $50K grant, but Giorgi has also invested her own funds into the project out-of-pocket.
“I made that commitment because I believe in this story,“ she writes.
Here’s one clip of the documentary featuring Jim Law of Linden Vineyards.
In other news:
Winery for sale: Carriage House Wineworks, a boutique winery in Waterford, is on the market, according to Northern Virginia Magazine. The 14-acre, award-winning estate includes a functioning vineyard, 2,000-square-foot tasting room, and private residence.
Virginia wine's 50-year rise: The Daily Progress, Charlottesville's newspaper, ran a great feature outlining the 50-year journey of Virginia’s wine industry. Timed to America's 250th, the article by David Velazquez starts with Gabriele Rausse arriving from Italy to today’s $8 billion industry.
Awards & Reviews
Best Place to Propose: Fallen Tree Vineyard in Crozet just got voted Best Place to Propose in C-VILLE's reader poll. The winery's response nails it.
New Releases
LIBERTAS: Prince Michel Winery has released LIBERTAS, a limited-edition premium red blend created to mark America's 250th anniversary — exactly 1,776 individually numbered bottles produced.
Breaux's Orleans 2025: Breaux Vineyards has released the Orleans 2025, a sweet wine comprised of 75% Seyval Blanc and 25% Vidal Blanc. Described as “pale yellow in color with fresh and tropical fruits.”
Greenhill's 2025 Falanghina: Greenhill Winery debuted their 2025 Falanghina. Fermented in concrete and finished in neutral French oak, this is another crisp summer white. Falanghina is one of my favorite Italian varietals.
Noer's 2024 Meritage and Merlot: Noer Vineyards has made their 2024 Meritage and Merlot available for online purchase. The Meritage is a savory Bordeaux-style blend that leads with Cabernet Franc, while the Merlot is “a burst black currant” with notes of spice and chocolate.
Behind the Scenes
King Family breaks down the traditional method: King Family Vineyards shares a look at how their Brut is made using the traditional method — riddling, disgorgement, and all.
Pollak's 2025 Meritage is in barrel: Pollak Vineyards gives a behind-the-scenes look at how they are barreling and aging their 2025 Meritage.
Crimson Lane frost report: Crimson Lane Vineyards reports they made it through the spring frost season with much of the vineyard intact and now in bloom.
Veritas is hiring: Veritas Vineyard & Winery is looking for two Chefs de Partie for summer positions.
Deals & Promotions
Three-bottle summer whites bundle: Michael Shaps Wineworks is offering a Summer Whites Trio — the 2023 Sauvignon Blanc, 2022 Petit Manseng, and 2023 Viognier bundled for $68, a 25% discount off the $91 retail price.
Barrel Oak's World Cup case deal: Barrel Oak Winery & Brewery is offering 20% off a case with code WORLDCUP20.