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	<title>Richard Leahy</title>
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	<link>https://www.richardleahy.com</link>
	<description>Wine Consultant &#38; Author</description>
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		<title>Monticello Wine Trail Announces 2026 Monticello Cup Gold Medal Winners</title>
		<link>https://www.richardleahy.com/2026/06/01/monticello-wine-trail-announces-2026-monticello-cup-gold-medal-winners/</link>
					<comments>https://www.richardleahy.com/2026/06/01/monticello-wine-trail-announces-2026-monticello-cup-gold-medal-winners/#respond</comments>
		
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[Richard Leahy]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Tue, 02 Jun 2026 02:31:26 +0000</pubDate>
				<category><![CDATA[Competitions]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Events]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[News]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Virginia Wine]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[XXVirginia Wine]]></category>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">https://www.richardleahy.com/?p=6828</guid>

					<description><![CDATA[The Monticello Wine Trail has officially announced the 2026 Monticello Cup Gold Medal Winners, recognizing excellence in winemaking across the Monticello American Viticultural Area (AVA) and celebrating the depth, diversity, and continued momentum of Virginia wine. Organized by wine educator and writer Frank Morgan, the Monticello Cup competition highlights standout winesfrom across the region, judged [&#8230;]]]></description>
		
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		<title>Wines of the Week: Ankida Ridge Pinot Noir Reserve 2017 and Barboursville Octagon 2015</title>
		<link>https://www.richardleahy.com/2026/05/30/wines-of-the-week-ankida-ridge-pinot-noir-reserve-2017-and-barboursville-octagon-2015/</link>
					<comments>https://www.richardleahy.com/2026/05/30/wines-of-the-week-ankida-ridge-pinot-noir-reserve-2017-and-barboursville-octagon-2015/#respond</comments>
		
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[Richard Leahy]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Sat, 30 May 2026 21:04:01 +0000</pubDate>
				<category><![CDATA[Tastings/Evaluations]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Wine of the Week]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[XXVirginia Wine]]></category>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">https://www.richardleahy.com/?p=6823</guid>

					<description><![CDATA[Since I got a Coravin, a wonderful tool that extracts wine from a bottle through the cork and displaces the wine with inert argon gas, I’ve enjoyed sampling wines without having to either open or empty the bottle—I can “have my wine and drink it, too.” Recently during a cool spell, I decided to sample [&#8230;]]]></description>
		
					<wfw:commentRss>https://www.richardleahy.com/2026/05/30/wines-of-the-week-ankida-ridge-pinot-noir-reserve-2017-and-barboursville-octagon-2015/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
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			</item>
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		<title>Tracey Love Named 1st Executive Director of the Monticello Wine Trail</title>
		<link>https://www.richardleahy.com/2026/05/23/tracey-love-named-1st-executive-director-of-the-monticello-wine-trail/</link>
					<comments>https://www.richardleahy.com/2026/05/23/tracey-love-named-1st-executive-director-of-the-monticello-wine-trail/#respond</comments>
		
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[Richard Leahy]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Sat, 23 May 2026 17:29:01 +0000</pubDate>
				<category><![CDATA[News]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Virginia Wine]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[XXVirginia Wine]]></category>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">https://www.richardleahy.com/?p=6814</guid>

					<description><![CDATA[&#160;The Monticello Wine Trail has appointed Tracey Love as its first Executive Director, marking a new chapter for the Monticello American Viticultural Area (AVA) as it builds on its national momentum. The region was named Wine Enthusiast’s Wine Region of the Year in 2023, a recognition that underscored both its quality and collaborative spirit. The [&#8230;]]]></description>
		
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			<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
		
		
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		<title>Monticello Wine Week Returns June 22–28, 2026</title>
		<link>https://www.richardleahy.com/2026/05/17/monticello-wine-week-returns-june-22-28-2026/</link>
					<comments>https://www.richardleahy.com/2026/05/17/monticello-wine-week-returns-june-22-28-2026/#respond</comments>
		
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[Richard Leahy]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Sun, 17 May 2026 22:51:24 +0000</pubDate>
				<category><![CDATA[Events]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[News]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[XXVirginia Wine]]></category>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">https://www.richardleahy.com/?p=6800</guid>

					<description><![CDATA[Monticello Wine Week, sponsored by the Monticello Wine Trail, will take place June 22–28, 2026, across Charlottesville and the surrounding Central Virginia region. This annual celebration highlights the depth, quality, and collaborative spirit of the Monticello American Viticultural Area (AVA), bringing together more than 40 wineries, hospitality partners, and visitors from across the country. Tracey [&#8230;]]]></description>
		
					<wfw:commentRss>https://www.richardleahy.com/2026/05/17/monticello-wine-week-returns-june-22-28-2026/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
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		<title>Iconic Veritas Vineyards To Sell To New, Local Ownership</title>
		<link>https://www.richardleahy.com/2026/05/04/iconic-veritas-vineyards-to-sell-to-new-local-ownership/</link>
					<comments>https://www.richardleahy.com/2026/05/04/iconic-veritas-vineyards-to-sell-to-new-local-ownership/#respond</comments>
		
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[Richard Leahy]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Mon, 04 May 2026 23:06:21 +0000</pubDate>
				<category><![CDATA[News]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[XXVirginia Wine]]></category>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">https://www.richardleahy.com/?p=6794</guid>

					<description><![CDATA[Acclaimed Head Winemaker Emily Hodson will continue to lead the cellar as partner in the new ownership team. &#160; AFTON, VIRGINIA — May 4, 2026 —Veritas Vineyards &#38; Winery, one of Virginia’s most well-known and respected wine and tourism destinations, have agreed to be acquired by a new ownership group, Veritas Legacy Partners, LLC. Leading [&#8230;]]]></description>
		
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		<title>VA Wine Industry Fundraiser at Hazy Mtn. Vineyard, Sat. 4/25, 6-9pm, to Feature Live and Silent Auction, Hors d&#8217;Oeuvres and VA Wine</title>
		<link>https://www.richardleahy.com/2026/04/24/va-wine-industry-fundraiser-at-hazy-mtn-vineyard-sat-4-25-6-9pm-to-feature-live-and-silent-auction-hors-doeuvres-and-va-wine/</link>
					<comments>https://www.richardleahy.com/2026/04/24/va-wine-industry-fundraiser-at-hazy-mtn-vineyard-sat-4-25-6-9pm-to-feature-live-and-silent-auction-hors-doeuvres-and-va-wine/#respond</comments>
		
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[Richard Leahy]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Fri, 24 Apr 2026 22:40:52 +0000</pubDate>
				<category><![CDATA[Events]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[News]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Virginia Wine]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[XXVirginia Wine]]></category>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">https://www.richardleahy.com/?p=6788</guid>

					<description><![CDATA[You may have heard that the Virginia (and Maryland) wine industries were hit hard this week by a freeze, following an early budbreak and most vineyards had green shoots out already, making the crop vulnerable to the freeze with temperatures in the mid-20s F. Despite lighting fires, using fans, and other methods, damage was widespread [&#8230;]]]></description>
		
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			<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
		
		
			</item>
		<item>
		<title>2026 Eastern Winery Exposition Brings over 1,000 to Richmond, VA for the First Time</title>
		<link>https://www.richardleahy.com/2026/04/08/2026-eastern-winery-exposition-brings-over-1000-to-richmond-va-for-the-first-time/</link>
					<comments>https://www.richardleahy.com/2026/04/08/2026-eastern-winery-exposition-brings-over-1000-to-richmond-va-for-the-first-time/#respond</comments>
		
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[Richard Leahy]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Thu, 09 Apr 2026 02:13:51 +0000</pubDate>
				<category><![CDATA[Conferences & Meetings]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[News]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[XXVirginia Wine]]></category>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">https://www.richardleahy.com/?p=6782</guid>

					<description><![CDATA[Frank Morgan moderates with winemakers as attendees tastes gold medal winners of the 2026 VA Governor&#8217;s Case wines From March 24-26th, the 14th Eastern Winery Exposition brought the industry&#8217;s largest trade show and conference for the production grape and wine industries east of the Pacific states to Richmond, VA for the first time, drawing over [&#8230;]]]></description>
		
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		<title>Governor Spanberger Announces 2026 Virginia Governor’s Cup Winner: Valley Road Vineyards’ 2023 Cabernet Franc Reserve</title>
		<link>https://www.richardleahy.com/2026/03/17/governor-spanberger-announces-2026-virginia-governors-cup-winner-valley-road-vineyards-2023-cabernet-franc-reserve/</link>
					<comments>https://www.richardleahy.com/2026/03/17/governor-spanberger-announces-2026-virginia-governors-cup-winner-valley-road-vineyards-2023-cabernet-franc-reserve/#respond</comments>
		
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[Richard Leahy]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Wed, 18 Mar 2026 02:14:18 +0000</pubDate>
				<category><![CDATA[Competitions]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[News]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Virginia Wine]]></category>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">https://www.richardleahy.com/?p=6780</guid>

					<description><![CDATA[March 12, 2026 – During the annual Virginia Wine Governor’s Cup Gala at the Main Street Station, Virginia Governor Abigail Spanberger announced that Valley Road Vineyards of Afton had won the 2026 Virginia Wine Governor’s Cup competition with their 2023 Cabernet Franc Reserve. Following multiple rounds of rigorous blind tasting by nationally recognized wine professionals, [&#8230;]]]></description>
		
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			<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
		
		
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		<title>Wine of the Week: Jump Mountain Borderland 2021 Red Blend, Shenandoah Valley, VA</title>
		<link>https://www.richardleahy.com/2026/03/01/wine-of-the-week-jump-mountain-borderland-2021-red-blend-shenandoah-valley-va/</link>
					<comments>https://www.richardleahy.com/2026/03/01/wine-of-the-week-jump-mountain-borderland-2021-red-blend-shenandoah-valley-va/#respond</comments>
		
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[Richard Leahy]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Mon, 02 Mar 2026 02:44:12 +0000</pubDate>
				<category><![CDATA[Wine of the Week]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[XXVirginia Wine]]></category>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">https://www.richardleahy.com/?p=6775</guid>

					<description><![CDATA[Blend: Tannat 62.5%, Cabernet Franc 25%, Cabernet Sauvignon 12.5% If you&#8217;ve been looking for a red Virginia wine &#8220;for a winter&#8217;s night,&#8221; you can hardly do better than this original, stylish yet elegant blend from the west of Rockbridge County in the shadow of Jump Mountain. **** Jump Mountain Borderland 2021 Color: pleasingly dark and [&#8230;]]]></description>
		
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			<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
		
		
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		<item>
		<title>Damien Blanchon Named 2026 &#8220;Grower of the Year&#8221; by the VA Vineyards Association</title>
		<link>https://www.richardleahy.com/2026/02/25/damien-blanchon-named-2026-grower-of-the-year-by-the-va-vineyards-association/</link>
					<comments>https://www.richardleahy.com/2026/02/25/damien-blanchon-named-2026-grower-of-the-year-by-the-va-vineyards-association/#respond</comments>
		
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[Richard Leahy]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Thu, 26 Feb 2026 03:06:44 +0000</pubDate>
				<category><![CDATA[Conferences & Meetings]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[News]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Virginia Wine]]></category>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">https://www.richardleahy.com/?p=6772</guid>

					<description><![CDATA[On February 25th, At the annual Virginia Vineyards Association Technical Meeting at the Hotel Madison in Harrisonburg, the newly-appointed Virginia Secretary of Agriculture Katie Frazier (herself a Valley native) announced that the 2026 &#8220;Grower of the Year&#8221; Award given by the Association for exemplary work had been won by vigneron Damien Blanchon, both vineyard manager [&#8230;]]]></description>
		
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