Fabbioli Cellars wins big at Loudoun Wine Awards
By Brian Yost
Fabbioli Cellars was the big winner at the second annual Loudoun Wine Awards held Oct. 14 in Leesburg, walking away with four awards, including Winemaker of the Year for Doug Fabbioli and the Chairman’s Grand Award for their 2013 Cabernet Franc Reserve, the best wine out of more than 100 entrants.
The award ceremony took place in grand style at the Lansdowne Resort and Spa in Leesburg and was kicked off with a reception that included a chance to sample the Loudoun wines that received silver or gold in the competition. From there, guests moved into the ballroom for dinner and the awards ceremony.
Loudoun County has the largest concentration of wineries in Virginia and is also the region of fastest expansion, with more new wineries opening annually than any other part of the state. The region is also unique in its prominence as perhaps the most important wine-producing county in the state.
With that as a backdrop, the Loudoun Wineries Association assembled to honor some of the key players and best wines, with a panel of wine experts narrowing the field to just 11 of the county’s top wines.
The award recipients represent only a small fraction of the excellence that is demonstrated in Loudoun’s wine community. As such, it is appropriate to recognize the Loudoun Wineries Association chaired by Todd Henkle of The Vineyards and Winery at Lost Creek and the other board members. Given the level of leadership and cooperation, we can look forward to another year of quality in Loudoun County wine. ML
Wine Awards by Category:
- Best Hybrid White: 2015 Vidal Blanc, Cana Vineyards and Winery
- Best Hybrid Red:2014 Chambourcin, North Gate Vineyards
- Best Vinifera White: 2015 Rkatsiteli, Cana Vineyards and Winery
- Best Vinifera Red (tie): 2013 Cabernet Sauvignon, Zephaniah Vineyards, 2014 Merlot, North Gate Vineyards
- Best Chardonnay: 2014 Chardonnay, 868 Estate Vineyards
- Best Viognier: 2015 Viognier, Sunset Hills Vineyard
- Best Cabernet Franc: 2013 Cabernet Franc Reserve, Fabbioli Cellars
- Best Petit Verdot: 2014 Petit Verdot, Doukenie Winery
- Best Bordeaux Blend (tie): 2013 Tre Sorelle, Fabbioli Cellars, 2014 Philosophy, Greenhill Winery and Vineyards
Grand Awards:
- Winemaker of the Year: Doug Fabbioli, Co-founder and Winemaker, Fabbioli Cellars
- Winegrower of the Year: Quintin Garcia, Vineyard Manager, Sunset Hills Vineyard
- Wine Ambassador of the Year: Bonnie Archer