September 19, 2025 – Seriously? An Albariño from Virginia winning Best of Show? An unoaked Chardonnay from Delaware taking Best of Class and outshining one from California? Is it global warming or all that West Coast influence wreaking a different kind of change in East Coast viticulture and winemaking practices?
Truth is, it’s both.
Pitting the Best of the East against the Best of the West at the annual East Meets West Wine Challenge generally results in the East Coast getting trampled by a West Coast Cabernet blend or Chardonnay.
But this year was different. My panel, which judged East Coast wines, had many wonderful hybrids and native grapes, but also an increasingly impressive showing of Vinifera that is being planted in the right spots and made with careful intent, and not just throwing sugar at unripe fruit. Climate is also playing a role.
We sent up the excellent 2024 Albariño, from Potomac Point Winery in Northern Virginia that became best of the East and eventually prevailed over the Best of the West to take Best of Show.
Would it have won if a West Coast Albariño had made it to Sweeps? I’d like to think so, as the 2024 Navarro Grüner Veltliner it was pitted against in the final voting was a very strong contender. This varietal in the hands of genius winemaker Jim Klein has risen to the top in many competitions since its introduction. Pretty much every white varietal this man makes is a Double Gold medal winner, so for the Potomac Point Albariño to prevail in final voting was a major victory.
Congratulations to Potomac Point Winery for this achievement which not only included Best of Show for the 2024 Albariño, but they also earned a Double Gold Medal “Best of Class” for their 2023 Tannat, as well as a Gold for their 2024 Petit Manseng and their Cabernet Franc.
In a statement, the winery said, “For our 2024 Albariño to be named “Best of Show” among all the wines entered from across the globe is a testament to its exceptional quality, balance, and expression of Virginia’s unique terroir. We are truly humbled by this recognition.”
Best of Sweepstakes, East Coast:
2024 Potomac Point Winery Albariño, Virginia – Best East Coast White, Best of East Coast, Best of Show
NV Lucas Vineyards Cayuga White Sparkling, Finger Lakes – Best East Coast Sparkling
2023 Lucas Vineyard Cabernet Franc, Finger Lakes – Best East Coast Red
NV Lucas Vineyards Riesling Ice Wine, Finger Lakes – Best East Coast Dessert Wine
Best of Sweepstakes, West Coast:
2024 Navarro Grüner Veltliner, Anderson Valley – Best West Coast White, and Best of West Coast
2024 Maryhill Winery Rosé, Columbia Valley – Best West Coast Rosé
2020 Fall Brook Winery 33°N BDX South Coast (Imperial County) – Best West Coast Red
2023 Pennyroyal Fortified Muscat, Anderson Valley – Best West Coast Dessert Wine
Personal Favorite Sweepstakes wines:
2024 Thirsty Owl Traminette, Finger Lakes – So fun! Kinda like Gewurztraminer in its spice and verve
2022 Lemon Creek Syrah, Lake Michigan Shores – Spicy, lively, nostril-tingling rocketship
2023 Thirsty Owl Diamond, Dessert Wine, Finger Lakes – Pure New York! Excellent way to end the evening
2024 Navarro Gewurztraminer, Anderson Valley – Sweet spice and good acid attack
2023 Braxton Grenache, Russian River Vineyards – Great fruit and herbs; intriguing hint of tarragon
2023 Lucas Vineyard Cabernet Franc, Finger Lakes – Sensational aromatics, sandalwood, pepper, so fun and cool as a cucumber – a perfectly serious, chillable red
NV Nassau Valley Naked Chardonnay, DE – Pure unoaked Chardonnay flavors, nicely composed and really fun to drink – and the label is a hoot?
A big shoutout to Lucas Family Vineyards, one of the first wineries on Cayuga Lake in the Finger Lakes region of New York, who scored Best of Class for six wines entered, and Best Dessert, Best Red and Best Sparkling in the Sweepstakes round.
Founder and matriarch, Ruth Lucas, moved with her family, including her tugboat captain husband and three kids, from Long Island to a 68-acre farm in the Finger Lakes region. From their first estate vintage in 1980, they’ve been creating award-winning wines, and are now growing 14 varieties. Winemaker Jeff Houck, Ruth’s son-in-law, has helped the winery grow to over 26,000 cases annually, with 25 different wines. Congratulations to the family for an outstanding showing.
Wines to Explore
It’s safe to say that the world, at this moment, is quite uncertain. Perhaps it’s time to explore some wines you’ve never experienced from the far reaches of winedom before the next dumb thing happens.
I suggest buying the Lucas Vineyards Cayuga White (hybrid) sparkling, the Thirsty Owl Diamond dessert wine, and the Lucas Vineyards Riesling Ice Wine, for starters, to add a little sweetness to the end of the day. Cab Franc lovers should definitely check out the 2023 Lucas Vineyard Cabernet Franc.
And, if you are a Riesling fan, the 2024 Maryhill Riesling from Columbia Gorge, WA, Best of Class winner for this varietal on the West Coast side, was awarded Best of Show Riesling.
Ever had Rkatsiteli? The most widely grown white variety in Georgia (as in the country), it’s a grape worth a try, and the 2024 Rayson Rkatsiteli from North Carolina was a spot on example, bright citrus, spicy and fruity (peachy as well as tropical), with edge flavors of green tea. Fascinating!
So much good wine, so little time. Put something different in your glass and let your tastebuds escape the ordinary.
About the author
Laura Ness is a longtime wine journalist, columnist and judge who contributes regularly to Edible Monterey Bay, Spirited, WineOh.Tv, Los Gatos Magazine and Wine Industry Network, and a variety of consumer publications. Her passion is telling stories about the intriguing characters who inhabit the fascinating world of wine and food.
