Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve 1998, Virginia Governor’s Cup 2007
With the Governor’s Cup for 2007, this region’s most honored wine crowns an incomparable career as the Secretariat of Virginia viticulture, saturated in Gold. In infancy, not even two months in bottle in 2000, this wine was cited by the Beverage Testing Institute as its highest-rated red wine of any varietal from any State in the 1998 vintage, and quickly won international and regional Gold Medal after Gold Medal -- often twice in consecutive years against entirely new competitors. Thousands of fine wines have fallen to this one.

Its signature finesse and vitality had never left a doubt, from the validation it won for this growing region from The New York Times in 2000, to its citation as an Example of American Greatness, that the Virginia Governor’s Cup was simply bred into its destiny. This wine well earned the right, over the years, to recognition as Puccini’s Prince to the aloof Princess in Turandot confident that a secret locked in itself - il mio misterio è chiuso in me - would win her embrace at light of day. At 9 years off the vine, almost 8 in bottle, this creation remains in a class by itself, a historic turning point in our region, an inspiration, and a fundamental benchmark of our techniques and values in viticultural expession. Consult our Events Calendar for announcements of special dinners and tastings.

Nebbiolo Reserve 2004, Governor’s Cup Gold Medal 2007
To our Secretariat’s success was brought superlative proof of its example, by two wines bred by Italian tradition to be our Native Dancer. This vineyard’s regionally unrivalled success with Nebbiolo - the first vintage, winning the only Gold Medal bestowed for Nebbiolo at the San Francisco International in 2002 - had been resoundingly affirmed by the Critics Challenge International Gold in 2006, and the Tasters Guild International Gold in 2007, before this Governor’s Cup Gold Medal for Nebbiolo Reserve 2004. Its trajectory is only beginning.

Malvaxia Passito 2003, Governor’s Cup Gold Medal 2007
Shining perhaps brightest of all, is this back-to-back Governor’s Cup Gold Medal for Malvaxia Passito in the 2003 vintage this year, after the 2002 vintage last year. This brilliant adaptation of the classic Northern Italian vin santo style of winemaking joins our most consistently Gold Medaled varietals as an undeniable beacon for international acceptance of the Virginia appellation, drawing Louis Roederer Wine Critic of the Year and Decanter editor Andrew Jefford to cite it in Britain’s Financial Times as his decisive favorite in the famous Virginia Wine Experience in London this year. But Malvaxia Passito is as much about wine making as it is about winegrowing, and in this sphere, we look to our left, we look to our right, and find only one Luca Paschina. Fortunate is the man, Virgil had said, who knows the causes of things... that they may speak for themselves.

On the evening of November 25th, by invitation of Chef Patrick O’Connell at The Inn at Little Washington, winemaker Luca Paschina presented Octagon, Nebbiolo Reserve, and Malvaxia Passito from the 2004 vintage, to be paired with the incomparable specialties of leading chefs of North America attending the festive opening of the 33rd Annual International Congress of Relais & Châteaux hostelries and restaurants, in the Great Hall of the National Building Museum in Washington DC. Only once before had the prestigious global association convened in North America, and perhaps never with such a stunning diversity and wealth of gastronomic genius to be savoured and celebrated.

With offerings by Chef O’Connell, Thomas Keller, Daniel Boulud, Gary Danko, and Charlie Palmer among 11 other world-famous chefs from Québec to San Francisco, the majestic 19th Century museum mounted a memorable if all-too-brief exhibition of inspired culinary excellence and sincere professional fellowship, in which it was a joy to take part. Here in Virginia, we continue to furnish the House red, white, and sparkling wines for The Inn at Little Washington, in a relationship inspiring to all our wine production.

On the 3rd of May, Queen Elizabeth II began a week-long visit to commemorate the founding of her namesake’s Jamestown colony, and to address the House of Delegates in Richmond in the Capitol designed by Thomas Jefferson. For Governor and Mrs. Kaine’s private reception for her that evening, Chef Patrick O’Connell prepared an extraordinarily dazzling menu drawn from his legendary cuisine at The Inn at Little Washington.

We were honored to be the one winery commanded to furnish wines for this doubly historic occasion - to entertain Her Majesty on behalf of the People of Virginia, and to accompany the creations of one of the world’s greatest chefs in offerings of splendor, exuberance, and deep affection.

Viognier Reserve 2005 was served with a Coronets of Home Smoked Salmon Tartar, and with Maine Lobster with Grapefruit Butter Sauce. Octagon 2001 was served with Tiny Pasties of Barbequed Rabbit, and with Pastry of Local Asparagus and Virginia Country Ham with Mustard Beurre Blanc. Malvaxia Passito 2003 carried the day with Ginger Pannacotta with Passionfruit Granite, among 7 other dessert selections.

In this 50th anniversary year of the death of Arturo Toscanini, the greatest conductor of the 20th Century, the Italian Embassy in Washington hosted the Symphonica Toscanini on January 11th, in its inaugural concert of a tour commemorating the Maestro's role in broadcasting and recording, as well as in the concert hall and opera house. The evening drew together leaders in the cultural, diplomatic and political life of the nation's capital for a joyous and moving celebration of 4 of Toscanini's signature scores, including Rossini's rousing "Barber of Seville" Overture and the haunting Intermezzo from "Cavalleria Rusticana," conducted by music director Lorin Maazel, -- like Toscanini before him, director also of the New York Philharmonic.

This winery was honored to be commissioned to provide Barboursville Chardonnay 2005 as the white wine of the evening, while our founder's Italian estate furnished the red, Zonin Ripasso 2003. Winemaker Luca Paschina, shown here with Mr. and Mrs. Valfredo Toscanini, represented Barboursville and Dott. and Mrs. Gianni Zonin in an evening of unforgettable warmth.

The first week of December saw this year's Malvaxia Passito grapes being pressed at last, after their 100-day rest of air-drying on open racks, where they had been hand-selected for our most extravagant wine as they concentrated their flavors and sugars into raisins of perfected lusciousness. Alone in this region, in sustaining this centuries-old Italian winemaking tradition, our Malvaxia Passito is recognised as alone also in the splendor of its palate, for pairings with foie gras or with rich dessert cheeses. Charlottesville's Daily Progress was on hand, to witness this exciting phase of what will be an incomparably extended evolution in barrel and bottle for our newest vintage, of a wine which won the Gold Medal of the Virginia Governor's Cup and the Los Angeles International Wine Competition this year.