Washington County wines bring home 20 awards

Hagerstown, Md, (June 17, 2016) – The Washington County Office of Agricultural Business Development is pleased to celebrate the local, award-winning wines recognized during the 2016 Maryland Comptroller’s Cup Wine Competition.

“For every three dollars spent in wineries, tourists will add one dollar additional to the local economy, so wine and the agricultural element is just another piece of our economic development strategy,” said Leslie Hart, Washington County Department of Business Development, ag business development specialist. “The next time you’re out dining, ask for Washington County wine and support our amazing vineyards!”  

Maryland Governor's Cup Competition and the Maryland Comptroller’s Cup Wine Competition are held each year to find the best wines in Maryland. This year Washington County wine swept 20 awards including:

Gold Medalists

Big Cork Vineyards • Black Cap 

Big Cork Vineyards • Cabernet Franc 2014 

Big Cork Vineyards • Chardonnay 2015 

Big Cork Vineyards • Malbec 2014 

Silver Medalists

Big Cork Vineyards • Meritage 2014 

Big Cork Vineyards • Syrah 2014 

Big Cork Vineyards • Syrah Rosé 2015 

Big Cork Vineyards • Vidal Ice 2014 

Big Cork Vineyards • Vidal Ice 2015

Big Cork Vineyards • Viognier 2015 

Knob Hall Winery • Cabernet Franc 2013 

Knob Hall Winery • Cuvée Josephine 2013 

Knob Hall Winery • Petit Verdot 2013 

Knob Hall Winery • Prestige 2013

Bronze Medalists

Big Cork Vineyards • Petit Verdot 2014 

Big Cork Vineyards • Russian Kiss 2015 

Big Cork Vineyards • Sauvignon Blanc 2015 

Big Cork Vineyards • Viognier 2014 

Knob Hall Winery • Chardonnay Reserve 2014 

Knob Hall Winery • Reserve Chambourcin 2013 

“Big Cork Vineyards is proud to be part of such an amazing group of wine producers. We congratulate everyone on their successes and we look forward to continuing to produce great wine in the "Old Line State," said Jed Gray, Big Cork Vineyards, general manager.  

The Annual Comptroller’s Cup Competition is directed by Al Spoler, host of WYPR’s Cellar Notes, and brings together wine makers from across the state for the opportunity to taste and evaluate each other’s wine.  The competition is blind– judges only know the composition of the wine, not the label, price, intended market or any other details.  Panels of five judges are given a flight of wine spanning a single category, and then are asked to evaluate the wines within the category.

If you’re interested in more information about Washington County wines, don’t miss Maryland Wine Week July 18 – 26, 2016.

For additional information please contact Public Relations and Community Affairs Manager James Jenkins at 240-313-2384.

For those in the agriculture community interested in more information contact Leslie Hart, Agricultural Business Development Specialist at: 240-313-2284 or lhart@hagerstownedc.org.

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About the Washington County Department of Business Development, Agricultural Business Development  

Washington County Department of Business Development, Agricultural Business Development is a County agency providing assistance to new and expanding businesses throughout Hagerstown and Washington County, Maryland. The DBD, Agricultural Business Development is responsible for developing, marketing, and managing economic development strategies and implementing marketing programs to attract, retain, preserve and grow agricultural enterprises and related industries. The DBD interacts with a vast network of public, private and nonprofit organizations to address the agricultural and business needs of the community, as well as attract new companies to the county. Visit www.hagerstownedc.org/agricultural-marketing for more information.

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