Winners Announced: Best of Fauquier County Wine 2017

Fauquier County’s Third Annual Wine Tasting & Competition attracted 500 wine connoisseurs and 14 local wineries to Airlie on Saturday, February 25th, creating a festive atmosphere that spotlighted and recognized some of the region’s best wines.

The event, sponsored by the Fauquier County Department of Economic Development and hosted by Airlie, featured two competitions: a professional tasting by three certified wine judges, and a “People’s Choice” competition that determined winners by popular vote. Each competition had four categories, and seven different wineries took home awards.

The biggest winner this year was Chateau O'Brien, which took Best Red and Best in Show for both the People's Choice Awards and the Professional Competition. Blue Valley Vineyards won Best White and "Industry's Best" in the People's Choice Award, as well as Best Rose' in the Professional Competition. Desert Rose Winery, Vint Hill Craft Winery, and Aspen Dale Winery also took home awards.

Read more about the Fauquier County Wine Trail, and check out our Three Days on the Fauquier Wine Trail itinerary.

Following are the official results of the competition:


 PEOPLE’S CHOICE AWARDS 

• BEST RED
Chateau O’Brien Winery
2012 Limited Reserve Tannat

• BEST WHITE
Blue Valley Vineyards
2015 Estate Sauvignon Blanc

• INDUSTRY/WINE BUYERS BEST
Blue Valley Vineyards
(What does this mean?... Industry professionals, including restauranteurs, wine shops, inns and others, participated in a private tasting and then voted on their favorites.)

• BEST IN SHOW
Chateau O’Brien Winery
2012 Limited Reserve Tannat
(What does this mean?... This winery received the most votes in total – red, white & industry votes.)
 
PROFESSIONAL COMPETITION

• BEST IN SHOW
Chateau O’Brien Winery
2012 Chateau O’Brien Limited Reserve Tannat
(What does this mean?... This winery received the most votes for overall favorite.)

• BEST WHITE WINE
Desert Rose Ranch Winery
2016 Desert Rose “Uncork the Cure” Cancer

• HONORABLE MENTION - BEST WHITE
Vint Hill Craft Winery
2015 Vint Hill Traminette

• BEST RED WINE
Chateau O’Brien Winery
2012 Chateau O’Brien Limited Reserve Tannat

• HONORABLE MENTION - BEST RED
Aspen Dale Winery
Non-vintage Parris Country Blend Merlot

• BEST ROSE’ 
Blue Valley Vineyard
2015 Blue Valley Rose’

“This year marked the third time for the County’s Wine Tasting and Competition and it was the best one yet! The turnout was the largest so far, with 500 people participating in various segments of the event with attendees coming from all over Virginia and Maryland to taste our local Virginia wines. We expect that this event, and our partnership with the local wine industry will continue to grow!” said Fauquier County Department of Economic Development Director, Miles Friedman.

One competition wine at each winery table was paired with a featured hors d'oeuvre, prepared by Airlie’s world-class chefs, during the tastings and competitions. The wine/food pairings were accented with cheese boards and fresh bread & fruit around the tasting room. The evening concluded with a sold-out wine dinner, featuring a five- course meal prepared by Airlie and paired with wines from event participants. The Elizabeth Lawrence Band and Leon Rector provided live music throughout the day.