As a newly reestablished winery in Central Virginia and the birthplace of American Wine, we are humbled and honored to have received a gold medal for our 2023 Table White Wine at the 2026 Monticello Cup Wine Competition.
The Monticello Cup celebrates excellence in winemaking throughout the Monticello American Viticultural Area (AVA) and has become an honorable distinction for wineries in Central Virginia. Our AVA is home to an extraordinary community of winemakers and grape growers committed to the progress and growing reputation of our region. While each winemaker has their own philosophy and style, there is a spirit of collaboration here that is truly special. Our neighbors willingly share knowledge, celebrate each other’s successes, and offer support when facing this region’s unique challenges. While attending the medal ceremony on the last Friday in June, what we witnessed was more than a room of individuals collecting a prize, but an uproar of cheers and hugs as a community celebrated the artistry and craft of their friends and colleagues.
Being recognized amongst a sea of talent we admire so deeply is an honor beyond words.
This achievement represents the remarkable gifts of our winemaker, Jess Trapeni, and her dedication to creating fun, fresh, and approachable wines. Upon first trying this vintage of our Seyval and Vidal Blanc blend, we knew from the first spark of mouthwatering acidity to the delightful tropical finish that this wine was particularly special.
Oakencroft has always believed that thoughtful, low-impact choices in the vineyard will produce healthier grapes and great wines. From the beginning, we planted hybrid grape varieties, not because they are the easiest, but because we believe they are an important part of the future of sustainable viticulture in Virginia. These grapes are naturally more pest, fungus, and disease resistant, which is a tall challenge to growers in our humid climate. By embracing hybrid varietals such as Seyval Blanc, Vidal Blanc, and Chambourcin, we’ve been able to establish a low-impact approach to winemaking while also producing wines with character.
Receiving this recognition is especially meaningful because it affirms that these choices matter. It tells us that sustainable farming and hybrid varieties deserve a place and have a promising future among Virginia’s finest wines.
