#United States #Sweet Briar #Governor's Cup #Virginia Wine

A Stellar Achievement for Sweet Briar College Farm Winery

Sweet Briar College Farm Winery has achieved remarkable recognition in the Virginia wine industry, just after bottling its inaugural independent vintage from the 2023 harvest. Competing in the esteemed Virginia Governor's Cup for the first time, the winery struck gold, securing a gold medal for its entry named Earned the Rosé, alongside two silver medals for Leading the Way Chardonnay and Meadow Merlot. This achievement highlights the college's dedication to both wine excellence and women's leadership.

A Celebration of Tradition and Excellence

The name Earned the Rosé pays homage to the college's motto, reflecting a legacy of education and empowerment for women. Six judges conducted rigorous single-blind tastings over three days, savoring each entry without knowing the names or vintages of the wines. The final assessment was made by a 12-judge panel, where only the highest-scoring wines received gold medals, which are now featured on the Virginia Gold Medal Wine Trail, attracting wine enthusiasts eager to experience Virginia's best.

Professor Lisa Powell, Ph.D., who leads the agriculture and sustainability programs at Sweet Briar, emphasized the significance of this win: “Our wines honor Sweet Briar College's traditions and core values while promoting our sustainability initiatives. The grapes for our award-winning wines were grown right here on campus, beautifully situated near a wildflower field that supports biodiversity and provides excellent foraging for pollinators.”

Educational Opportunities and Sustainability

Sweet Briar College is not just about winning awards; it is also committed to creating educational opportunities for its students. The winery serves as a practical learning ground where students engage in viticulture and the wine industry. They participate in hands-on learning, which includes grape pruning, yield estimation, and even marketing research about the wines. Many students have engaged in research projects that stem from their experiences in the vineyard, including studies on invasive pest traps and marketing strategies for their wines.

The collaboration with Michael Shaps Wineworks has been pivotal in producing quality wines, with bottling done in Charlottesville, Virginia. This partnership has allowed students to gain a comprehensive understanding of the winemaking process, from grape to bottle.

In Conclusion

The sweet success of Sweet Briar College Farm Winery at the Virginia Governor's Cup not only celebrates the quality of its wines but also solidifies the institution's commitment to empowering women through education and sustainability initiatives. Visitors looking to explore and taste these award-winning wines can find information on campus visits at sbc.edu/farm. Sweet Briar College exemplifies how a dedication to tradition, leadership, and environmental stewardship can yield excellence in the world of viticulture.

For those interested in deeper community engagement, this victory serves as an invitation to explore what Sweet Briar College has to offer, embedding its history and future in the celebrates of Virginia's wine culture.