FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
August 30, 2018
PORT OF LEONARDTOWN WINERY CLAIMS TOP HONORS AT 2018 MARYLAND GOVERNOR’S CUP
Among nine best-in-class winners, Port of Leonardtown takes the 2018 Governor’s Cup
(BALTIMORE, MD) – Port of Leonardtown Winery earns the 2018 Maryland Governor’s Cup for their best-in-show winning Barbera Reserve 2015. This Port of Leonardtown Winery entry was awarded a gold medal and secured the best-in-class title in the Red Wine category before claiming the annual competition’s top honor. Great Shoals Winery earned a best-in-show award with their Hard Strawberry wine scoring the Jack Aellen Cup. With the Governor’s Cup, Port of Leonardtown Winery takes seven gold medals home from this competition, and also becomes the first winery in Southern Maryland to earn the top award.
“There is no doubt that it is in our state’s best interest to keep our farms growing, thriving, and innovating, and that includes our vineyards and our swiftly growing wine industry,” said Maryland’s Governor Larry Hogan. “Agriculture is such a significant part of our history, our heritage, and our economy, and our wine producers are an important part of that.”
“Congratulations to St. Mary’s County’s Port of Leonardtown Winery, the recipient of the 2018 Maryland Governor’s Cup,” said Hogan.
Winemaker Lauren Zimmerman is ecstatic about the big win. “Having won many Best-in-Class awards for our estate grown wines in the past, it is a true honor to win the prestigious Governor’s Cup,” she said. The winery plans to unveil the award-winning Barbera Reserve 2015 to the public at the 35th Annual Maryland Wine Festival on Saturday, September 15, 2018 at the Carroll County Farm Museum.
Port of Leonardtown is a cooperative winery consisting on 11 vineyards in Southern Maryland. All the grapes that go into our wines are grown in St. Mary’s, Charles, and Calvert Counties.
“It’s absolutely no surprise that Port of Leonardtown had such a huge day, said Competition Director Al Spoler. “They’ve been steadily improving for some time now, and today they entered the conversation about Maryland’s best wineries.”
2018 Maryland Wine Governor’s Cup Results
BEST IN SHOW
Governor’s Cup: Port of Leonardtown Winery • Barbera Reserve 2015
Jack Aellen Award: Great Shoals Winery • Hard Strawberry 2018
BEST IN CLASS
White: Big Cork Vineyards • Sauvignon Blanc 2017
White Blend: Big Cork Vineyards • Russian Kiss 2017
Rosé: Cabin Vineyard • Breeze 2017
Red: Port of Leonardtown Winery • Barbera Reserve 2015
Red Blend: Port of Leonardtown Winery • Old Line Red 2015
Off-Dry: Big Cork Vineyards • Vidal Blanc 2017
Sweet: Robin Hill Farm & Vineyards • Bliss 2017
Dessert: Dove Valley Winery • Late Harvest Vignoles 2016
Fruit: Great Shoals Winery • Hard Strawberry 2018
GOLD MEDALS
Antietam Creek Vineyards • Antietam Reserve 2015
Antietam Creek Vineyards Chardonnay 2016
Big Cork Vineyards • Barbera 2016
Big Cork Vineyards • Russian Kiss 2017
Big Cork Vineyards • Sauvignon Blanc 2017
Big Cork Vineyards • Vidal Blanc 2017
Boordy Vineyards • Albariño 2017
Boordy Vineyards • Chesapeake Icon Chardonnay 2017
Boordy Vineyards • Landmark Reserve 2015
Boordy Vineyards • Lost Order No.191 2015
Bordeleau Winery • Cabernet Sauvignon NV
Cabin Vineyard • Breeze 2017
Catoctin Breeze Vineyard • Oratorio Barbera 2016
Cool Ridge Vineyard • Grüner Veltliner 2017
Cool Ridge Vineyard • Viognier 2017
Dove Valley Winery • Late Harvest Vignoles 2016
Dove Valley Winery • Mr. Bentley’s Choice 2016
Great Shoals Winery • Hard Strawberry 2018
Hidden Hills Farm and Vineyard • Perlino 2017
Knob Hall Winery • Chambourcin Reserve 2015
Linganore Winecellars • Mango Sangria NV
Linganore Winecellars • Midnight Bramble 2015
Linganore Winecellars • Vignoles 2017
Links Bridge Vineyards • Vidal Blanc 2017
Port of Leonardtown Winery • Albariño 2017
Port of Leonardtown Winery • Barbera Reserve 2015
Port of Leonardtown Winery • Captain’s Table 2016
Port of Leonardtown Winery • Chambourcin Reserve 2014
Port of Leonardtown Winery • Old Line Red 2015
Port of Leonardtown Winery • Vidal Blanc 2016
Port of Leonardtown Winery • Vintner’s Select White 2017
Robin Hill Farm & Vineyards • Bliss 2017
Robin Hill Farm & Vineyards • Legacy 2017
Robin Hill Farm & Vineyards • MD-32 2017
Royal Rabbit Vineyards • Chatelaine 2016
Royal Rabbit Vineyards • Chatelaine’s Blush 2017
Sugarloaf Mountain Vineyard • EVOE! 2015
See the entire list of medalists on MarylandWine.com.
About the Competition. The Maryland Governor’s Cup Competition awards the best Maryland wines produced from grapes, fruit and honey grown within the state. Fruit wines, meads, and ciders produced in Maryland that are judged at this competition vie for the Jack Aellen Cup. Named for Jack Aellen, the founder of Linganore Winecellars and pioneer of honey and fruit wines in the state, this award celebrates non-grape wines. Over 150 red, white, rosé, sparkling, and fruit wines were entered into this year’s competition, held at the Center Club in Baltimore on August 26, 2018, to be judged by wine experts from around the region.
About the Maryland Wineries Association. The Maryland Wineries Association (MWA), formed in 1984, is the non-profit trade association that represents more than 80 member wineries in Maryland. MWA’s mission is to develop and expand the grape and wine industry in Maryland – through education and promotion.
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