Last week I asked you all what Virginia's signature white grape is. Thirty-three of you voted and… drumroll… Viognier won.
Nearly half of you (45%) sided with the old guard, while the varietal getting lots of attention, Petit Manseng, came in second at 30%. The crown stays put for now.
I'm also starting Virginia Uncorked, my new series of interviews with influential figures within the state’s wine industry.
For my inaugural edition, I chat with Scott Elliff, founder and owner of DuCard Vineyards, which is one of the state's greenest wineries. We discuss the 2023 vintage that earned six gold medals, his take on the frost that's reshaping 2026, and more.
In other news, Governor Spanberger formally requested federal support for Virginia farmers after the April freeze. Also, the Virginia Wine Board awarded $421,000 in research, education, and marketing projects that “further a vibrant and sustainable Virginia wine industry.”
But enough news for a moment. There's a drag brunch and a Cajun festival to go to…
In this week’s edition
🎉 Events: A drag brunch, Cajun Fest at Breaux, and more through June 14
🍾 Bottle of the Week: Blenheim Vineyards' 2020 Viognier
🏆 Awards: Monticello Gold Medals, Barrel Oak wins Best of NoVA, and more
🍷 New Releases: The 2025 vintage of one of the state’s best Albariños
🤝 Virginia Uncorked: Scott Elliff of DuCard Vineyards
📰 News: Spanberger requests federal freeze relief
💰 Deals: Barrel Oak 15% online orders and a teacher discount at La Grange
Events
This Weekend (June 5–7):
Sip Into Summer Wine Festival: Woodbrook Farm Vineyard near Orange is hosting the Sip Into Summer Wine Festival on June 6, showcasing Chestnut Oak, Chiswell, Delve Wines, Fifty-Third, Pollak Vineyards, and more.
Bloom Dinner at Echelon: Echelon Wine Bar in Leesburg is hosting a Terroir to Table Bloom Wine Dinner on June 6, featuring an illustrated vineyard talk from Lost Creek owner and winemaker Todd Henkle.
A Fest Less Ordinary: 868 Estate Vineyards is hosting A Fest Less Ordinary on June 7 from noon to 7pm. It’s seven hours of live music on the Hillsboro lawn with Blue Ridge views.
Pride in the Vines: Mt. Defiance Cidery in Leesburg is hosting two Pride in the Vines events on June 7 — a Drag Brunch followed by Proudly Poured, an outdoor wine festival featuring inclusive Loudoun wineries.
5K at Barrel Oak: Barrel Oak Winery & Brewery is hosting a 5K run/walk through the property on June 7 — registration includes a t-shirt, collapsible wine glass, a finisher medal that doubles as a wine stopper.
Next Weekend (June 12–14):
Cajun Fest: Breaux Vineyards is hosting Cajun Fest on June 13 with plenty of Cajun cuisine, Zydeco music, and all the décor to match.
Boxwood's Crémant launch party: Boxwood Estate Winery is unveiling their very first Crémant on June 13 — a milestone release timed to 20 years of winemaking, 200 years of Boxwood Farm, and 250 years of America. Dress Americana-inspired.
Wine cocktail class at Revalation: Revalation Vineyards is hosting a hands-on wine cocktail class on June 13. Learn how to craft a variety of wine-based spritzers, sangrias and more.
Chardonnay tasting at DuCard: DuCard Vineyards is hosting another Armchair Expedition with wine educator Ann Czaja on June 14. This time it’s all things Chardonnay.
Bottle of the Week
Blenheim Vineyards — Viognier 2020
Charlottesville • Viognier • ~$25
Why it’s here
The owners of my local wine bar were raving about the exceptional balance of Blenheim’s 2020 Viognier — and they were not lying. Dry, pale lemon in color, with gorgeous peach and honeysuckle notes. There’s a lovely minerality that lingers between sips.
Tasting notes
🍑 Peach & apricot • 🌸 Honeysuckle • 🪨 Minerality
Virginia Uncorked
Scott Elliff
Founder & Owner of DuCard Vineyards
In this year’s award season, DuCard Vineyards' 2023 vintage earned six gold medals across two major competitions. They also happen to be one of the state's greenest wineries.
I spoke with founder Scott Elliff on what made the year special, how the devastating April frost is reshaping 2026, and why he loves imagining reactions to their wines out west:
"In California, they've got to be thinking — Virginia?! Who are these guys getting these gold medals?!"
Want more winemaker interviews like this one?
Awards & Reviews
Monticello Wine Trail releases Gold Medal winners: The Monticello Wine Trail has released the 2026 Monticello Cup Gold Medal winners ahead of Monticello Wine Week (June 22–29). More than 40 wines received gold medals, including Barboursville, King Family, Pollak, Southwest Mountains, Valley Road, and more. The Monticello Cup winner will be announced June 26 at Boar's Head Resort.
Barrel Oak wins Best Winery in Northern Virginia: Barrel Oak Winery & Brewery has been named Best Winery in Best of NoVA 2026 awards by Northern Virginia Magazine. Stone Tower Winery in Leesburg was the runner-up.
53rd Winery wins Best of Lake Anna: Fifty-Third Winery and Vineyard took home three wins in the 2026 Best of Lake Anna Readers' Choice Awards — Best Winery, Best Winemaker, and Best Wine Selection.
Early Mountain's Petit Manseng earns 95 from Decanter: Early Mountain Vineyards' 2023 Petit Manseng has been awarded 95 points by Decanter, which described it as "a benchmark for the state" in their recent feature.
New Releases
Cana's 2025 Albariño: Cana Vineyards has released their 2025 Albariño. Cana has been one of the standard-bearers for Albariño in the state. There latest vintage is described as “fresh and inviting aromas of lychee, mandarin orange, and white pear.“
Chrysalis debuts a Dry Petit Manseng: Chrysalis Vineyards has released their 2024 Dry Petit Manseng with notes of mango and peach.
Wine News
Spanberger requests federal freeze relief: Governor Spanberger has formally requested federal support for Virginia farmers following the April freeze. The Virginia Wineries Association estimated that losses are well above the 30% disaster trigger.
Virginia Wine Board awards $421K: The Virginia Wine Board has launched 13 new competitive grants totaling $421,271 for FY2027. The majority — 71% — goes to research, including work on spotted lanternfly, downy mildew, fungicide resistance, and vineyard cover crops.
America's first Black-owned winery gets a visit: Matt Fitzsimmons of Wine Trails and Wanderlust made the trip to Woburn Winery in Clarkesville, which is widely believed to be the first Black-owned winery in America. The full piece is worth your time.
Behind the Scenes
Ashton Creek earns regenerative certification: Ashton Creek Vineyard has been certified as a regenerative vineyard and lamb operation — one of a small number of Virginia wineries to earn the designation, covering sustainable soil health, biodiversity, and farming practices.
Growing season update from Linden: Jim Law of Linden Vineyards is out with a new dispatch on the growing season — variable weather, a busy team, and the vines continuing to push through.
Veritas is hiring for harvest: Veritas Vineyard & Winery is seeking interns for the 2026 harvest, with positions starting in July.
Deals & Promotions
Barrel Oak ships to your door: Barrel Oak Winery is offering 15% off your first online order with code SHIP2SIP.
Teacher appreciation at La Grange: The Winery at La Grange is offering half-price tastings and a 20% off bottle discount for teachers with a valid ID throughout June.
Midweek deal at Grace Winery: The Inn at Grace Winery is offering 50% off the second night for two-night stays between June 7 and July 30.
Corks & Caps at Horton: Horton Vineyards is bringing back its Corks & Caps passport program. Visit Horton and other participating partners to collect stamps to earn a free t-shirt.