Commonwealth Quality Alliance Excels at 2014 Governor’s Cup

RICHMOND, Va. - April 3, 2014 - PRLog -- The Commonwealth Quality Alliance (http://www.cqawine.org), or CQA, saw 17 of its 49 approved wines take home honors at the 2014 Governor’s Cup in Richmond, Virginia last month. Founded in late 2012 by the Virginia Wineries Association, the CQA is a quality standards initiative that works to reward and promote Virginia-grown wines that best showcase the Virginia wine industry. With nearly 40% of CQA-approved wines honored at the 2014 Governor’s Cup, the effectiveness of the CQA and its strict certification process has been proven successful.

“The Virginia Wineries Association is extremely proud of the progress the Commonwealth Quality Alliance made this first year,” says Laurie Aldrich, Director of the Virginia Wineries Association. “Each wine honored at the Governor’s Cup is an exemplary illustration of what the Commonwealth has to offer, and thanks to the CQA it will only continue to get better.”

Winning CQA wines at the 2014 Governor’s Cup include:

Cross Keys Vineyards 2011 Meritage – Silver Medal

Flying Fox Vineyard 2011 Trio – Silver Medal

Lake Anna Winery 2012 Chambourcin – Silver Medal

Naked Mountain Winery 2010 Raptor Red – Silver Medal

Naked Mountain Winery 2010 Cabernet Franc – Silver Medal

Naked Mountain Winery 2010 Petit Verdot – Silver Medal

Narmada Winery 2010 Melange – Silver Medal

Narmada Winery 2010 Cabernet Franc Reserve – Silver Medal

Narmada Winery 2011 Petit Verdot – Silver Medal

Narmada Winery 2011 Yash-Vir – Bronze Medal

Quievremont Wines 2012 Meritage – Silver Medal

Rockbridge's 2008 Meritage – Gold Medal

Rosemont of Virginia 2010 Kilravock – Silver Medal

Rosemont of Virginia 2010 Cabernet Franc – Silver Medal

Rosemont of Virginia 2011 Kilravock – Silver Medal

Rosemont of Virginia 2011 Merlot – Bronze Medal

Trump Winery 2009 Blanc de Noir – Silver Medal

The CQA has three objectives: to continuously improve the quality of Virginia wines, to enhance Virginia wines’ competitiveness nationally and internationally, and to increase vineyards’ income and ensure the sustainability of the Virginia wine industry. There is a strict approval process for wines looking to be admitted to the CQA, and each wine must adhere to the following guidelines:

1)  must be made of 100% Virginia fruit

2) must have been bottled and produced in Virginia

3) must be tested for quality and purity.

Wines that meet these standards are admitted to the CQA with a label adhered to the bottles.

For more information about the Commonwealth Quality Alliance, visit cqawine.org. For more information about the Govenor’s Cup, visit virginiawine.org/governors-cup/awards (http://www.virginiawine.org/governors-cup/awards).

About The Virginia Wineries Association

The Virginia Wineries Association has served Virginia Farm Wineries since 1983. VWA is a non-profit trade association that acts on the behalf of the wine industry. The VWA promotes viticulture and vintner practices, provides a multitude of wine resources and benefits to its members. The wineries association hosts Vintage Virginia and supports the Virginia Wine Expo and other wine tasting events. In addition, VWA hosts wine awards such as the Governor’s cup. www.VAWine.org