Vintner Zach Pierce at work filtering 2023 releases. Staff photo
March 9, 2023–As winter covers the tidewater region of Virginia, wineries across the state slow down and prepare for the next summer season. They also compete!
Last month wineries from across the state convened at the Main Street Station in Richmond, Virginia to celebrate the winners of the 2023 Virginia Governor’s Cup competition. The competition is one of the “most stringent competitions in the United States,” according to Virginia Wineries Association, which hosts the competition, and celebration, with the Virginia Wine Board and the Virginia Vineyards Association.
About 614 wines, from across the commonwealth, were tasted in a blind taste-test by a panel of 12 judges this year. The judges use the 100 point scale, which is used by Wine Spectator, Wine Advocate, Wine Enthusiast and others. They rate appearance, aroma, flavor, overall quality and commercial suitability. Gold medals were awarded to 142 of the 614 wines which were submitted.
This year Ingleside Plantation Winery submitted 8 wines and came away with 8 medals.
Ingleside’s Albarino 2021 was awarded a gold medal in this year’s competition. “Gold is something to strive for each year,” stated Zach Pierce, the 29-year-old vintner at Ingleside. “The Albarino has been our mainstay here for a long time,” he added.
In addition to the gold medal, Ingleside brought home 6 silver medals for their 2021 Bourbon Barrel Chardonnay, Chardonnay Reserve and Pino Grigio; and their 2019 Petit Verdot Reserve, Right Bank, Virginia Gold.
They also won a bronze medal for their 2019 Left Bank.
All of the award winning wines are currently available for purchase at the winery; except for the Chardonnay Reserve.
Pierce also noted that last year, at the 2022 San Fransisco International Wine Competition, Ingleside brought home a “Double Gold Winner” for their 2019 Petit Verdot Reserve. The San Fransisco competition was founded in 1980 and is one of the oldest competitions of its kind.
Ingleside’s Winery, located about 10 miles from the town of Colonial Beach, was founded in 1980 and hosts many special events throughout the year.
Pierce, who holds a chemistry degree from Bridgewater College, came to Ingleside after a year of employment with the petrochemical industry. He thereafter developed his interest in wines while living in Hungary for about 30 months. He was hired by Ingleside in 2021 and finds great satisfaction in using his chemistry in creating award-winning wines at the winery.
Early this summer the vintner anticipates the release of the rose and whites from 2022. “We may also have a new Coastal Red blend and another red blend from 2021,” he added.