ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1997, Roanoke Times
DATE: Wednesday, April 9, 1997 TAG: 9704090015
SECTION: EXTRA PAGE: 8 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: BETH CRITTENDEN SPECIAL TO THE ROANOKE TIMES
Vivid red and gold daffodils were reflected in the polished silver Governor's Cup as the revered prize for Virginia's best wine of the year was presented to White Hall Vineyards for its 1995 Cabernet Sauvignon last week.
The Virginia Wineries Association and Gov. George Allen gave accolades to a handful of Virginia wineries, retailers and restaurants for their efforts in creating, selling and promoting Virginia wines during the afternoon ceremony on the sunny lawn of the Governor's Mansion.
White Hall Vineyards' owners Tony and Edith Champ and winemaker Brad McCarthy accepted the award for their wine as the winner of the 1997 Governor's Cup Virginia Wine Competition. The winning wine was chosen from among 175 Virginia wine entries by a panel of internationally renowned wine experts during the week of tasting and evaluating.
Allen shared the podium with the Father of Virginia Wine, Thomas Jefferson (who was convincingly played by historian Bill Barker), as both related the rich history of wine in Virginia and talked up its future as one of the state's major tourism industries.
Allen introduced the Champs, who planted their Charlottesville area vineyard in 1991 after relocating from New York City. Their 1995 Cabernet marked their second vintage. Tony Champ described his winning wine as "a blend of 76 percent Cabernet Sauvignon and 24 percent Merlot with cherry and raspberry flavors, deep color and a lovely mouth-feel."
Three other Virginia wineries were honored as Best of Class winners in the competition, including Shenandoah Chardonnay Lot 95 for the best white wine, Rockbridge 1995 V d'Or for the best dessert wine, and Barboursville NV Brut for the best sparkling wine.
The ceremony was followed by a gala reception at Richmond's Jefferson Hotel, where other awards were presented to Virginia wine retailers, restaurants and wineries.
Richmond's Belle Kuisine at Stony Point was named the 1996 Virginia Wine Industry's Retailer of the Year, chosen from among 32 wine retailers receiving gold cluster awards as being the retailer which did more to promote Virginia wines than any other in the state.
Kroger at Cave Spring was the only wine retailer in the Roanoke Valley to receive a gold cluster award and six other Southwest Virginia wine shops and grocery stores received three, two and one cluster awards for their efforts in promoting Virginia wines.
The Old Mill Room at The Boar's Head Inn in Charlottesville was named the 1996 Virginia Wine Restaurant of the Year from among 37 Virginia restaurants receiving gold cluster awards. Seven other Southwest Virginia restaurants received gold clusters. including the Donaldson Brown Hotel & Conference Center at Virginia Tech, The Homestead in Hot Springs, The Inn at Union Run, Jacob's Lantern at the Blacksburg Marriott, Lexington Golf & Country Club, Peaks of Otter Lodge and The Wilson-Walker House. Twenty-four other area restaurants received three, two and one cluster awards.
Virginia's Gabriele Rause was named 1996 Virginia Wine Industry Person of the Year at a special ceremony at the Jefferson Hotel, where he was lauded for his hard work and guidance of so many Virginia wineries since coming to the state in 1976. Rause is assistant director of garden and grounds at Monticello. He also has worked as a consultant to 35 Virginia vineyards and helped establish nine Virginia wineries.
This was the 15th Governor's Cup Wine Competition.
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