Another Double Gold Viognier Win!
Most Awarded Winery For Virginia’s State Grape? We Think So.
We are deeply humbled to have received another top award for Virginia’s state grape, Viognier! Our recently released 2023 Viognier won a Best of Class at this year’s 2026 San Francisco International Wine Competition, the largest North American wine competition with over 7,000 entries. This is the third Best of Class win awarded to the 2023 Viognier.
A BIG congratulations to our winemaking team, Chris Ritzcovan and David Woodside, for creating high quality Viognier year after year. We are thrilled to champion Virginia’s state grape at national scale and be a part of the dynamic Virginia wine industry.
Our Award Winning Team
Select a team member below to learn more about them!
Chris Ritzcovan, Winemaker
Growing up amongst a family of gardeners and home winemakers, Chris learned at an early age to appreciate the natural world and it’s richness. After graduating from the University of Virginia, his path lead to Jefferson Vineyards where he found his true calling and joined the winemaking team in 2007. Upon being appointed Winemaker in 2013, Chris has continued the tradition of crafting award winning wines and has won prestigious medals in the country’s top competitions. In his free time, when he’s not busy renovating his house, Chris can be found exploring Charlottesville with his family.
David Woodside, Assistant Winemaker
David is a Charlottesville native who found his love for wine in the very area he was raised. While attending James Madison University, he first joined our team working as Tasting Room Ambassador. Upon graduating in 2013, he moved up the ranks and into the production side of the industry where he found his true passion. David enjoys a good round of golf, long walks with his dog, Malcolm, and rooting for his hometown Virginia Cavaliers.
Hector Guzman, Vineyard Foreman
Vineyard foreman Hector Guzman, is responsible for the day-to-day care of our 22 acres of vines. Raised in Guanajuato, Mexico, his previous experience includes tending apple orchards in New York and orange groves in Florida. In the vineyard, he is joined by his wife Nora.
Here’s a look at awards won by the 2023 Viognier:
- 2026 Virginia Governor’s Cup: Gold Medal
- 2026 San Francisco Chronicle: Gold Medal
- 2025 San Francisco International: Best of Class/Double Gold Medal
- 2025 Virginia Wine Invitational: Best of Class/Double Gold Medal
- 2025 American Wine Society Competition: Gold Medal
- 2025 Virginia Governor’s Cup: Best in Show Viognier/Gold Medal
- 2024 San Francisco International: Double Gold Medal
Recent Competitions:
- 2026 Virginia Governor’s Cup Wine Competition:
Gold Medal – Meritage 2022, Meritage 2023, Viognier 2023 - 2026 San Francisco International Wine Competition:
Best of Class/Double Gold Medal – Viognier 2023
Gold Medal – Viognier 2024 - 2025 San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition:
Double Gold: Petit Manseng 2023
Gold Medal: Petit Manseng 2024, Viognier 2023 - 2025 American Wine Society Wine Competition:
Double Gold Medal: Meritage 2023
Gold Medal: Viognier 2023 - 2025 Virginia Wine Invitational:
Best of Class/Gold Medal: Viognier 2023
Gold Medal: Tannat 2023 - 2025 Virginia Governor’s Cup Wine Competition:
Best of Class/Gold Medal: Viognier 2023
Gold Medal: Meritage 2021, Petit Verdot 2022 - 2024 San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition:
Gold Medal: Petit Manseng 2022, Stainless Steel Viognier 2023 - 2024 Virginia Wine Invitational:
Best of Class/Double Gold: Colle, Viognier 2022
Gold Medal: Tannat 2022 - San Francisco International Wine Competition:
Double Gold Medal: Viognier 2023 - 2024 Governor’s Cup:
Gold Medal: Cabernet Franc Reserve 2021, Chardonnay Reserve 2022, Viognier 2021 - 2024 San Francisco Chronicle:
Best of Class: Stainless Steel Viognier 2022, Viognier 2021
Previous top Viognier awards:
2020 Viognier
DOUBLE GOLD, 2022 San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition
2019 Viognier
DOUBLE GOLD, 2020 San Francisco International
2018 Viognier
DOUBLE GOLD, 2020 San Francisco Chronicle
BEST IN CLASS, 2019 Atlantic Seaboard
2016 Viognier
GOVERNOR’S CASE & GOLD, 2018 VA Governor’s Cup
GOLD, 2017 San Francisco International
GOLD, 2017 Atlantic Seaboard
2015 Viognier
DOUBLE GOLD, 2016 San Francisco Chronicle
GOVERNOR’S CASE & GOLD, 2018 VA Governor’s Cup
GOLD, 2016 Jefferson Cup Invitational
2013 Viognier
DOUBLE GOLD, 2014 San Francisco International
PLATINUM, 2014 Virginia Wine Lover Magazine
2012 Viognier
CUP & GOLD, 2013 Jefferson Cup Invitational
2010 Viognier
CUP & GOLD, 2011 Jefferson Cup Invitational
2009 Viognier
PLATINUM, 2010 Virginia Wine Lover
2008 Viognier
DOUBLE GOLD, 2009 Jefferson Invitational
GOLD, San Francisco International
2007 Viognier
DOUBLE GOLD, 2008 Finger Lakes International
GOLD, 2008 San Diego International
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