Atlantic Seaboard Wine Association Wine Competition
The Atlantic Seaboard Wine Association (ASWA) Competition is the largest in the nation focused exclusively on the wines of the East Coast.
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2019 Wine Competition
August 10-11th, 2019
Marrriott Tysons Corner, VA
Details & Forms
To help identify the best of the best, ASWA holds an annual wine competition, the largest in the nation focused exclusively on the wines of the East Coast. The competition covers the 17 states from Maine to Florida that border the Atlantic including Vermont, West Virginia and Pennsylvania. Held in late summer, our professional competition judges hail from all parts of the country and many facets of the wine trade.
We host an awards ceremony on Capitol Hill every year after the completion of the competition under the auspices of the Congressional Wine Caucus. The perpetual Jefferson Loving Cup, designed by Tiffany in sterling silver, is engraved with the winning winery’s name and presented to the Best of Show entrant.
Winning wines are then showcased at the Unified Wine and Grape Symposium in Sacramento, CA, the leading wine industry convention typically drawing 15,000 attendees. The wines generally receive coverage on several west coast radio programs while ASWA representatives are in California, and a seminar and tasting at UC Davis is a regular part of our program. Opportunities for increased exposure continue throughout the year.
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ASWA held its 15th Annual Wine Competition August 10 and 11, 2018 at the Marriott Tysons Corner, VA. Nineteen judges scored 483 wines made in the eastern US. This year’s Best of Show wine, CrossKeys Vineyard Fiore 2017, was selected from thirty-three Best of Category Winners.
CrossKeys Vineyard Fiore 2017, a rosé wine composed of 70% cabernet franc and 30% chambourcin, was made with estate-grown Shenandoah Valley AVA fruit. It shows a rich fruitiness balanced with savory herbal notes. The winery recommends pairing it with soft cheeses, rich seafood dishes, or herb-rubbed poultry to show off the complexity of the wine.
CrossKeys is owned by the Bakhtiar family, and is located in Mount Crawford, VA, in the heart of the Shenandoah Valley. A spokesperson for the family says, “We are honored to be recognized for this prestigious award and our wine making and vineyard team are so happy to see the fruits of their labor not only enjoyed by happy customers but also recognized by this amazing award.”
Grapes for the wine were whole-cluster pressed and fermented in stainless steel. The cabernet franc was harvested early specifically for use in this rosé, and contributes to the more complex herbal and citrus flavors, according to the winery. Suggested retail price of the wine is $19.50.
See our Winners Gallery here!
For details on the winning wines and judges, see the summary of previous years below.
| Year | Judges | Medal Winners | Best of Show |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2018 | Biographies | 72 Golds, 170 Slivers, 152 Bronze | 2017 Fiore by Cross Keys Vineyards & Estate, VA |
| 2017 | Biographies | 73 Golds, 165 Slivers, 148 Bronze | 2013 Cabernet Franc Reserve by Narmada Winery, VA |
| 2016 | Biographies | 52 Golds, 161 Slivers, 196 Bronze | 2014 Cabernet Sauvignon by Pollak Vineryards, VA |
| 2015 | Biographies | 58 Golds, 131 Slivers, 179 Bronze | 2014 Semi-dry Riesling by Dr. Konstantin Frank, NY |
| 2014 | Biographies | 75 Golds, 171 Silvers, 164 Bronze | 2008 Blanc de Noirs by Chateau Frank, NY |
| 2013 | Biographies | 62 Gold, 174 Silver, 221 Bronze | 2010 Cabernet Franc Reserve by Boordy Vineyards, MD |
| 2012 | Biographies | 42 Gold, 111 Silver, 180 Bronze | 2006 Blanc de Noirs by Chateau Frank, NY |
| 2011 | Biographies | 37 Gold, 131 Silver, 187 Bronze | 2010 Estate Reserve Riesling by Martha Clara Vineyards, NY |
| 2010 | Biographies | 34 Gold, 111 Silver, 188 Bronze | 2007 Heritage by Rosemont of Virginia, VA |
| 2009 | Biographies | 20 Gold, 101 Silver,166 Bronze | 2008 Semi-Dry Riesling by Chateau Lafayette Reneau, NY |
| 2008 | Biographies | 56 Gold, 120 Silver,157 Bronze | 2007 Riesling by Newport Vineyards & Winery, RI |
| 2007 | Biographies | 32 Gold, 104 Silver, 161 Bronze | 2005 Cabernet Franc by Fox Meadow Winery, VA |
| 2006 | Biographies | 10 Gold, 56 Silver, 85 Bronze | 2002 Merlot Reserve by Ospreys Dominion Vineyards, Ltd., NY |
| 2005 | Biographies | 13 Gold, 56 Silver, 132 Bronze | 2002 Heritage by Rockbridge Vineyard, VA |
