I read in two different publications this week that Petit Manseng has the potential to be the signature grape of Virginia.
Wine writer Sedale McCall made a compelling case in Decanter (see “Wine News“ below), and Jay Youmans MW, the director of the Capital Wine School, told Virginia Wine Time that the grape could be Virginia’s answer to Chenin Blanc.
And it has been hugely successful here. In fact, two bottles of it made the Governor's Cup case this year — from Woodbrook Farm and The Winery at La Grange.
All this talk got me thinking: What is Virginia’s signature white grape?
I know that all of the winemakers reading this are rolling their eyes at the question. It’s hard to choose between your children, right?
Regardless, I want you to weigh in…
What is Virginia’s signature white grape?
In this week’s edition
🎉 Events: Veritas kicks off their Supper Series, the Wine Country Half Marathon, Bull Run Wine Festival, and more
🍾 Bottle of the Week: Woodbrook Farm Vineyard's 2024 Petit Manseng
🏆 Awards: Ankida Ridge makes a national best-of list and CrossKeys wins double honors
🍷 New Releases: Joy Ting’s exciting Pinot Gris, Boxwood’s first Crémant, and King Family’s inaugural Artist Series
📰 Wine News: A sobering update from Linden and a provocative take on Virginia viticulture
💰 Deals & Promotions: A winery for sale and a dream vineyard rental
Events
This Weekend (May 29–31):
Boots & Brims: Southwest Mountains Vineyards is hosting a Vineyard Boots & Brims Social on May 29 at 6:30pm — line dancing, custom hat options, and food from Street Dogs.
Veritas Supper Series launches: Veritas Vineyard & Winery kicks off their fourth annual Supper Series on May 29, with the first theme being a Parisian-style bistro.
Wine Country Half Marathon at Doukénie: The Virginia Wine Country Half Marathon & Wine Festival returns to Doukénie Winery on May 30 — a scenic race through Loudoun County wine country, capped with live music and tastings from local wineries.
Uncorking Norton: Fifty-Third Winery and Vineyard is hosting A Celebration of Virginia's Native Grape, a guided food and wine pairing on May 30 with pours of Norton from Fifty-Third, Chateau Merrillanne, Horton Vineyards, and Nokesville Winery.
Bull Run Wine Festival: The Winery at Bull Run is hosting their spring wine festival on May 30–31 in Centreville. Tickets include complimentary tastings from Virginia wineries, live music, local artisans, and food under the tents.
Next 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.
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.
Bottle of the Week
Woodbrook Farm Vineyard — 2024 Petit Manseng
Monticello AVA • Petit Manseng • $28
Why it’s here
Since I am harping on about this varietal, it felt right to highlight an exceptional bottle. Woodbrook Farm's 2024 vintage made the 2026 Governor’s Cup case, and at $28, it’s one of the more accessible entry points into what the variety can do in Virginia.
Crafted with Michael Heny and the Michael Shaps team, the bottle beautifully balances its acidity and a whopping 15.5% ABV to deliver lush tropical flavors with distinct oak notes.
Tasting notes
🍍 Pineapple • 🍯 Honeyed richness • 🍋 Citrus • 🌸 Honeysuckle
Awards & Reviews
Ankida Ridge named one of America's best wineries: Ankida Ridge has been named one of the 12 best wineries in the country in a 2026 roundup by The Daily Meal, which cited the winery's exceptional Pinot Noir and Chardonnay from their high-altitude Blue Ridge mountain site — nicknamed "Little Burgundy."
CrossKeys wins double honors: CrossKeys Vineyards took home Gold for Best Winery and Best Outdoor Dining in the Shenandoah Valley Best awards.
Virginia's 2026 Governor's Cup case, reviewed: Virginia Wine Time published tasting notes on all 12 wines from the 2026 Governor's Cup competition case. Author Warren Richard attended a seminar led by Jay Youmans MW, director of the Capital Wine School, who walked attendees through all the wines.
Horton's Rkatsiteli earns 92 points: Horton Vineyards' 2023 Barrel Select Rkatsiteli was featured in The Tasting Panel, receiving 92 points — with notes of dried apricot, yellow melon, honeycomb, and orange zest.
New Releases
An exciting Pinot Gris: Joy Ting is an enologist for the Winemakers Research Exchange who previously worked at Michael Shaps. Joy Ting Wine is her own passion project, and she just released her newest Pinot Gris, Clair.
Boxwood's first Crémant: Boxwood Estate Winery is unveiling their very first Crémant on June 13 — a milestone release celebrating “20 years of winemaking, 200 years of Boxwood Farm, and 250 years of America.”
King Family launches the Artist Series: King Family Vineyards has introduced its inaugural Artist Series — a new collection of three wines released each vintage in collaboration with a different visual artist. It’s first three wines are PNT (a sparkling Merlot pétillant naturel), VRD (a crisp, mineral-driven white), and CRB (a carbonic maceration Merlot).
CrossKeys debuts La Clé: CrossKeys Vineyards has released La Clé, their newest sparkling wine — the name means 'the key' in French.
Revalation's Athena sparkling rosé: Revalation Vineyards is introducing Athena, a new sparkling rosé, now available at the tasting room.
Wine News
Petit Manseng, VA’s signature white?
Writer and sommelier Sedale McCall made the case in Decanter for why Petit Manseng could be the “new signature variety” of the state.
His piece traces the grape's Virginia roots from Dr. Tony Wolf's 1987 plantings at Virginia Tech through Dennis Horton's early adoption, Michael Shaps taking it dry, and Early Mountain Vineyards turning it into a standard-bearer.
According to McCall, 179 acres are planted across the state, more than 60 wineries are pouring it, and Virginia holds the third-largest planting of the variety anywhere in the world.
Read the full Decanter article here. (Paywalled.)
In other news
The most difficult place to grow wine on earth? Tim Jordan, co-founder of Common Wealth Crush and the winemaker behind Star Party and Midland, appeared on the Beyond Organic Wine podcast to discuss why Virginia is one of the most punishing places in the world to grow grapes.
Linden's 2026 vintage update: Jim Law of Linden Vineyards is out with a new post on the state of the 2026 vintage, and it makes for sobering reading.
Behind the Scenes
Pollak replants a troubled block: Pollak Vineyards cleared their original 10-acre vineyard block earlier this year due to disease and has planted flowering mustard in its place — a biofumigant that suppresses soil pests while also improving soil health. (It also looks pretty!)
A first vintage from the cellar: Ox-Eye Vineyards found a bottle of their 2009 Cabernet Franc, their very first vintage, and opened it for dinner — “It's still tasting great.”
Deals & Promotions
Winery for sale! Great Valley Farm Brewery & Winery, a roughly 28-acre property in the Shenandoah Valley, is on the market. The vineyard includes Lemberger and Grüner Veltliner alongside Cabernet Franc and Vidal Blanc.
Live on a vineyard: A 3-bed, 2.5-bath house on the Pearmund Cellars’ property in Broad Run is available for rent starting June 1. Imagine sitting on the back deck taking in 30 acres of farm and vineyard?