At a virtual ceremony held 11-20-2020, the 2020 Shenandoah Valley Wine Trail Competition Cup was awarded to Randy and Karen Phillips, founders of Cave Ridge Vineyards, for their 2017 Petit Verdot.
“In the years we’ve been growing grapes and making wine, we’ve seen a large increase in the number of wineries in the Shenandoah Valley region. It’s an honor to be judged alongside so many excellent wines from so many talented winemakers,” said Phillips.
Cave Ridge is situated on 60 acres on a mid-valley ridge in Mount Jackson overlooking the Shenandoah Valley. Cave Ridge was founded by Randy and Karen Phillips. The Phillips planted the initial 13 acres of estate vineyards at Cave Ridge in 2002 (they lease another 12 acre property nearby) and opened the tasting room in 2005. Randy Phillips has been Gauthier Vineyard’s mentor and winemaker for a decade. Gauthier Vineyard leases 8 acres of vines fr0m Cave Ridge. Randy makes 75% of Gauthier Vineyard’s wines from those grapes, including Gauthier’s very popular Petit Verdot and Brick House Red blend (named Red Silk at Cave Ridge), Cabernet Franc, Chambourcin, and all of their white wines.
This year marks the second year of the wine competition showcasing the wines of the Shenandoah Valley. Thirty-six of the top wines in the Shenandoah Valley region were entered in this year’s competition. Seven wines scored gold medals, 17 earned silver medals, and eight earned a bronze medal.
The 2020 Shenandoah Valley Wine Trail Competition gold medals:
- Bluestone Vineyard 2017 Oaked Chardonnay
- Bluestone Vineyard 2015 Blue Ice
- Cave Ridge Vineyard 2015 Red Silk
- Cave Ridge Vineyard 2017 Petit Verdot
- CrossKeys Vineyards 2017 Meritage
- Muse Vineyards 2016 Clio
- Rockbridge Vineyard 2017 Tuscarora White