Fall means a lot of things in the Shenandoah Valley, not least of which is excellent wine and picturesque vineyards. Start with award-winning vintages by some of the most respected Virginia vintners, and then branch out to enjoy a wider array at wine festivals or along the Shenandoah Valley Wine Trail.
Top Shelf Wine
If wine were ranked by which shelf it resides on – like spirits – we’re certain these would go all the way to the top. Since they’re not, silver cups, gold medals, and blue ribbons will have to do. Meet our makers and their high-scoring libations.
Shep Rouse | Rockbridge Vineyard | Raphine
One of the Shenandoah Valley’s oldest wineries is Rockbridge Vineyard, planted by Shep Rouse and his wife Jane in 1988. With just 17 acres of vines Rouse has been crafting some of the top vintages in Virginia for a long time, and his meticulous efforts have paid off repeatedly. In 2022 Rouse was named the Grower of the Year by the Virginia Vineyards Association.
View this post on Instagram
Many vintners have their own “gold standard” choice of wine. It’s the one that is most often entered into competitions and most often yields the best acclaim. For Rouse, V d’Or is that wine. It’s an Ice Wine – a blend of Vidal Blanc, Vignoles, and Traminette, and it’s had an impressive run with repeat gold medals in the Virginia Governor’s Cup competition. V d’Or was included in the Governor’s Case in 2015, 2020, and 2022, and has a collection of golds from 2015, 2019, 2020, 2022, and 2023.
A Few Accolades for Other Rockbridge Wines
- Gold, Meritage 2017, Virginia Governor’s Cup, 2022
- Gold, Rockbridge Traminette 2021, Shenandoah Cup Wine Competition, 2022
- Gold and Governor’s Case, DeChiel Chardonnay 2018, Virginia Governor’s Cup, 2021
- Gold, DeChiel Merlot 2015, Finger Lakes Competition, 2021
- Gold, DeChiel White Riesling 2017, Shenandoah Cup, 2021
- Gold and Governor’s Case, Meritage 2018, Virginia Governor’s Cup, 2014
Don’t Miss
Lee Hartman | Bluestone Vineyard | Bridgewater
If winning a gold in the Virginia Governor’s Cup on your first entry doesn’t say enough about the quality of Lee Hartman’s wines, we’re not sure what will. Leading the winemaking helm at Bluestone Vineyard, Hartman began his adventure in 2008 with 11 acres of grapes. By 2011 the tasting room was open for business. Lee and his family are dedicated to small-batch wines, taking delicate care and consideration of each step of the process.
View this post on Instagram
Hartman’s top wine has proven to be an Ice Wine as well. Called Blue Ice, it’s a sweet realization of frozen Traminette grapes. Blue Ice has won gold in the Virginia Governor’s Cup multiple times, the Shenandoah Cup Wine Competition in 2022, and the San Francisco Wine Competition in 2021.
A Few Accolades for Other Bluestone Wines
- Gold, The Steep Face 2019, and Petit Verdot 2017, Virginia Governor’s Cup, 2023
- Gold, Valley Red 2017 and Cabernet Franc 2017, Virginia Governor’s Cup, 2022
- Gold, Malbec 2021, Petit Verdot 2019, and Cabernet Franc 2019, Shenandoah Cup Wine Competition, 2022
- Gold and Governor’s Case, Petit Manseng 2019, Virginia Governor’s Cup, 2021
- Gold, Chardonnay 2017 and Merlot 2014, Virginia Governor’s Cup, 2021
- Double Gold and Best in Class, Petit Manseng 2019 and The Steep Face 2019, International Eastern Wine Competition, 2021
- Gold, Bridgewater Gold 2019, International Eastern Wine Competition, 2021
- Gold, Houndstooth 2017, San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition, 2021
- Gold, Virginia Governor’s Cup, 2020
- Gold, Cadenza 2014 and Petit Manseng 2016, Virginia Governor’s Cup, 2018
- Gold and Governor’s Case, Chardonnay 2014, Virginia Governor’s Cup, 2016
Don’t Miss
- September 23: Winemaker’s Dinner
Randy Phillips | Cave Ridge Vineyard | Mt. Jackson
The first planting of what would become the wine of Cave Ridge Vineyard took place in 2002. Owner Randy Philips was raised on a citrus and cattle farm in Florida, and like many others, was drawn to the rich limestone soil of the Shenandoah Valley. He has successfully swung his agricultural know-how into winemaking. Phillips has made such a contribution to the Virginia wine industry that the Virginia Wine Association honored him with the Gordon Murchie Lifetime Achievement Award in 2020.
View this post on Instagram
Phillips has received gold medals with Red Silk, a Cabernet Franc, in both the Virginia Governor’s Cup and Shenandoah Valley Wine Competition. However, it’s his 2019 Fossil Hill Reserve (a blend of Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Petit Verdot) that won the Shenandoah Cup in 2022 and received a gold medal in the Virginia Governor’s Cup that same year. It has become a stand-out selection at Cave Ridge.
A Few Accolades for Other Cave Ridge Wines
- Gold, Petit Verdot 2018, Virginia Governor’s Cup, 2023
- Gold, Cabernet Franc 2019, NV Summer Splash, and Petit Verdot 2019, Shenandoah Cup Wine Competition, 2022
Don’t Miss
- September 30: 3rd Annual Sip & Stomp
John Kiers | Ox-Eye Vineyards | Staunton
What began as a family adventure of grape growing for other winemakers has turned into a family legacy: Ox-Eye Vineyards. The Kiers rooted themselves on 100 acres in Augusta County in 1996, planted their first vines in 1999, established their own winemaking facility in 2010, and opened their downtown Staunton tasting room in 2011. Their daughter is following in her parents’ winemaking footsteps, ensuring Ox-Eye wines continue to flow for the foreseeable future.
View this post on Instagram
A Few Accolades for Ox-Eye
- “Best on a Budget” Virginia Winery, Budget Travel, 2021
- Gold, Riesling 2015, Town Point Virginia Fall Wine Classic, 2017
- Silver, Chardonnay 2014 and Riesling 2014, Virginia Governor’s Cup, 2016
- Silver (Riesling, Cabernet Franc, Lemberger), Virginia Governor’s Cup, 2013
More Vineyards and Flavors Worth Exploring
We’d be remiss to exclude some of the other exceptional wine experiences in the Shenandoah Valley.
Barren Ridge Vineyard | Fishersville
The estate-grown 2019 Petit Verdot by Barren Ridge Vineyards won gold and a coveted spot in the Governor’s Case for the 2023 Virginia Governor’s Cup. Enjoy a glass with their excellent view.
CrossKeys Vineyards | Harrisonburg
Vines cover the rolling hills of CrossKeys Vineyards, and they’re producing excellent wines. They’re a beautiful backdrop for a fall day in the Valley, too. Pairs well with Ali 2019 (a blend of Traminette and Vidal Blanc) or Blanc de Noir 2021 (a Pinot Noir) both gold medalists in the 2023 Virginia Governor’s Cup.
Muse Vineyards | Woodstock
What’s better than a gold medal? A platinum. Muse Vineyards received two Best of Show nods and platinum medals in their very first showing at the 2023 San Diego International Wine & Spirits Competition. Roussanne 2019 and Clio 2019 wowed the judges and received the highest scores in their categories. Clio – in any vintage – is the most-awarded Muse wine and should be part of any tasting.
Add in a Wine Festival
As you’re tasting your way through the Shenandoah Valley, perhaps along the Shenandoah Valley Wine Trail or using the Virginia Gold Medal Trail as a guide, don’t forget to include the Thomas Jefferson Wine Festival at Poplar Forest on November 11.