Bluestone Vineyard Awarded a Total of 3 Gold Medals
Bridgewater, VA- Bluestone Vineyard’s 2019 Petit Manseng wins a gold medal and is included in the Governor’s Case at the 2021 Virginia Governor’s Cup Wine Competition. This marks the third time in his career, Bluestone’s winemaker, Lee Hartman has had a wine included in the coveted Governor’s Case. In the 2021 competition, 16 world-class judges sampled 544 of the best Virginia wines from over 100 Virginia wineries. The highest 12 ranking red and white wines become the Governor's Cup Case.
That makes the 2019 Petit Manseng among the top 12 wines of the entire competition. Fermented in oak and aged on the lees for 10 months, this wine's weight is offset by its acid and punchy aromatics. Orange blossom, honey and baking spices on the nose head to grilled pineapple and honeysuckle on the palate. The finish is long and mouthwatering like citrus, with a minerality that stays.
“I am very proud that the judges included me in the company of some of my favorite winemakers and mentors in Virginia Wine Industry. It is exciting to be a part of showing how Virginia is world-class wine industry that is producing outstanding wines especially in the Shenandoah Valley,” said Hartman.
The Virginia Governor's Cup, one of the most stringent competitions in the US, is hosted by the Virginia Wineries Association, in partnership with the Virginia Wine Board and the Virginia Vineyards Association. Judges evaluate the wines based on appearance, aroma, flavor, overall quality, and commercial suitability giving each wine a score up to 100. Wines that score between 90 and 100 points are awarded gold and considered to be outstanding wines.
Estate grown 2017 Chardonnay earned a gold medal rating. These particular grapes came from the first harvest from the newer vines on the property to the east of the main estate. After fermentation, the wine stayed on the heavy lees (finished yeast) for 10 months, with monthly stirring of the French oak barrels. This resulted in a wonderful, creamy Chardonnay. The acidity helps focus this wine and gives it structure and an appealing framework. The 2017 Chardonnay now has a total of 13 medals from various wine competitions including 4 golds.
2014 Merlot also landed in the top tier of wines with a gold medal. This medium-bodied wine starts off with big fruit, black cherry notes on the nose and palate and finishes dry. It was aged for 22 months in 50% new French oak barrels. This wine pairs great with lamb and hearty pasta dishes.
“I'm honored to have received three gold medals in this year's Virginia Governor's Cup, the competition that we at Bluestone put the most stock in. Our three wines come across three different vintages, and I've loved these wines since the grapes came in from the field, and I'm humbled that the judges felt the same,” said Hartman.
Full list of medals won by Bluestone Vineyard includes:
Bridgewater, VA- Bluestone Vineyard’s 2019 Petit Manseng wins a gold medal and is included in the Governor’s Case at the 2021 Virginia Governor’s Cup Wine Competition. This marks the third time in his career, Bluestone’s winemaker, Lee Hartman has had a wine included in the coveted Governor’s Case. In the 2021 competition, 16 world-class judges sampled 544 of the best Virginia wines from over 100 Virginia wineries. The highest 12 ranking red and white wines become the Governor's Cup Case.
That makes the 2019 Petit Manseng among the top 12 wines of the entire competition. Fermented in oak and aged on the lees for 10 months, this wine's weight is offset by its acid and punchy aromatics. Orange blossom, honey and baking spices on the nose head to grilled pineapple and honeysuckle on the palate. The finish is long and mouthwatering like citrus, with a minerality that stays.
“I am very proud that the judges included me in the company of some of my favorite winemakers and mentors in Virginia Wine Industry. It is exciting to be a part of showing how Virginia is world-class wine industry that is producing outstanding wines especially in the Shenandoah Valley,” said Hartman.
The Virginia Governor's Cup, one of the most stringent competitions in the US, is hosted by the Virginia Wineries Association, in partnership with the Virginia Wine Board and the Virginia Vineyards Association. Judges evaluate the wines based on appearance, aroma, flavor, overall quality, and commercial suitability giving each wine a score up to 100. Wines that score between 90 and 100 points are awarded gold and considered to be outstanding wines.
Estate grown 2017 Chardonnay earned a gold medal rating. These particular grapes came from the first harvest from the newer vines on the property to the east of the main estate. After fermentation, the wine stayed on the heavy lees (finished yeast) for 10 months, with monthly stirring of the French oak barrels. This resulted in a wonderful, creamy Chardonnay. The acidity helps focus this wine and gives it structure and an appealing framework. The 2017 Chardonnay now has a total of 13 medals from various wine competitions including 4 golds.
2014 Merlot also landed in the top tier of wines with a gold medal. This medium-bodied wine starts off with big fruit, black cherry notes on the nose and palate and finishes dry. It was aged for 22 months in 50% new French oak barrels. This wine pairs great with lamb and hearty pasta dishes.
“I'm honored to have received three gold medals in this year's Virginia Governor's Cup, the competition that we at Bluestone put the most stock in. Our three wines come across three different vintages, and I've loved these wines since the grapes came in from the field, and I'm humbled that the judges felt the same,” said Hartman.
Full list of medals won by Bluestone Vineyard includes:
- Gold and the Governor’s Case: 2019 Petit Manseng
- Gold: 2017 Chardonnay and 2014 Merlot
- Silver: 2019 Vidal Blanc, 2017 Valley Red, 2017 The Steep Face, 2017 Petit Verdot, 2019 Stainless Steel Chardonnay, 2017 Cabernet Sauvignon, 2017 Cabernet Franc, and 2016 Blue Ice
- Bronze: 2017 Viognier and 2019 Bridgewater Gold
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