Glen Manor Vineyards does it again – ’15 Cabernet Franc makes Governor’s Case

The ‘home team’ scores (again) in Richmond – Jeff White’s Glen Manor Vineyards Governor’s Case selection as one of the Commonwealth’s top 12 wines is announced. Courtesy Photo/Glen Manor Vineyards

Warren County Supervisor Linda Glavis can again beam over one of her South River District constituent’s success in Virginia’s commercial agricultural endeavors. In her February 19 district report Glavis noted that Jeff White’s Glen Manor Vineyards had scored two golds and a silver medal in a qualifying round of the 2019 Virginia Governor’s Cup competition. That competition held last week in Richmond names the commonwealth’s top 12 wines annually.

And last week in Richmond one of those Glen Manor Vineyards qualifiers, a 2015 Cabernet Franc, was chosen as one of the Virginia’s top 12 wines released for consumption this year. The much-sought-after designation qualifies selected wines for a place in the Governor’s case.

“We are honored to be included and have released 10 cases of this wine to the Virginia Wine Marketing Office for use in 2019 state events and marketing opportunities,” White told Royal Examiner.

The designation carries on Glen Manor’s record of success at the Governor’s Cup. White’s vineyard and wine making products have made the Governor’s Case previously, beginning with a 2012 nod for his Hodder Hill, circa 2009 as the Gold Medal winner as best of the season; then three more qualifiers for various vintages of the Hodder Hill in 2018; as well as several silver medals over the years.

The 10 cases of Glen Manor’s 2015 Cabernet Franc sent to Richmond will be put to good use, not only becoming part of the commonwealth’s marketing of its products for national or international consumption, but also being presented by the governor at state meals, often with an international array of guests.

Jeff and wife Kelly holding the 2012 Governor’s Cup and the 2009 Glen Manor Vineyard’s Hodder Hill that earned it – Courtesy Photo/Glen Manor Vineyards

We asked White about the process of winemaking at Glen Manor in southern Warren County that has led to his repeated success in the state-wide competition.

“So, basically we make our wines in the vineyard and not in the winery. If we can grow exceptionally tasty grapes then no intervention is needed once the grapes arrive at the winery. A lot depends on the weather, but we as winegrowers dance all spring, summer and fall with the weather in our vineyards.

“We use the vines canopy to allow sunlight and warmth to the grape clusters and also to cool and quicken evaporation of rain and dew water on the grapes.

“Once in the winery we only add yeast and organic yeast nutrients to the now grape juice. The grape has everything else it needs to make a great wine. We are now not even adding yeast, allowing a wild or natural fermentation to take place. All of these things produce a wine reflective of, and unique to this place and the year in which it was grown.  We never add artificial, acid, tannin, colorants, enzymes, sugar, water, etc.”

So there you have it: a little cooperation from Mother Nature; the distinctive ambiance of the South River District of Warren County and Glen Manor’s terrain, naturally-occurring nutrients; and Jeff White’s magic wand waved over the entire winemaking process – simple enough.