Photo courtesy of Virginia Wine Marketing Board
Virginia First Lady Suzanne S. Youngkin collaborated with winemaker Matthieu Finot of King Family Vineyards to create the 2025 Cornus Virginicus IV.
With the holidays approaching, the 2025 version of a limited-release wine collaboration between First Lady Suzanne S. Youngkin and an award-winning Virginia winemaker is now available, so you can serve it with a special meal or give it as a distinctive gift.
The wine, known as Cornus Virginicus, honors Virginia’s agricultural and winemaking excellence along with the farmers, growers, and winemakers behind that success. For this year’s fourth edition of the wine, the producer is King Family Vineyards of Crozet, whose head winemaker is Matthieu Finot.
Photo courtesy of Virginia Wine Marketing Board
Each version of the limited-release wine supports a Virginia agriculture charitable organization chosen by the First Lady.
“Cornus Virginicus is such a special initiative,” said the First Lady. “It shines a spotlight on the artistry of Virginia winemakers and channels that celebration into support for organizations making a difference throughout the Commonwealth.”
The name of the wine—Cornus Virginicus—is Latin for “flowering tree of Virginia.” It pays tribute to the Commonwealth’s official state flower and tree, the dogwood, which is depicted on the wine’s front label as well as the first lady’s seal.
Cornus Virginicus IV: French style crafted in Virginia
Finot was selected as the winemaker for the latest version of the project after winning the 2024 Virginia Governor's Cup for the King Family Vineyard’s 2019 Meritage.
To create the fourth edition release, Finot produced blends of several grape varieties that were reviewed by a tasting panel that included the First Lady and the Secretary of Agriculture and Forestry, Matthew Lohr.
The resulting red wine is a Bordeaux-style blend of 53% Petit Verdot, 30% Merlot, 16% Cabernet Franc and 1% Malbec. It was aged for 20 months, with 40% of that time in new French oak barrels. A total of 121 cases were produced.
You can purchase Cornus Virginicus IV directly from King Family Vineyards or through Virginia ABC.
Supporting Agriculture Organizations
Photo courtesy of Virginia Wine Marketing Board
The fourth edition of Cornus Virginicus is a Bordeaux-style red blend crafted from Virginia-grown grapes.
While each edition of Cornus Virginicus showcases the state’s viticulture industry, it also invests in its future, with support for an agriculture charitable organization chosen by the first lady. This year’s donation will go to Wheatland Farm, a therapeutic equestrian center and inclusive community in Northern Virginia serving children and adults with disabilities and their families.
The equestrian theme also extends to King Family Vineyards, which is known for hosting polo matches every Sunday from Memorial Day through October.
“It has been an honor for King Family Vineyards to contribute to this significant project,” said James King. “As the home of Roseland Polo, our community is deeply connected to equestrian traditions, making it especially meaningful that this wine will benefit Wheatland Farm’s therapeutic equestrian programs.”
The previous three editions of the wine have benefitted the Virginia FFA Foundation, Virginia 4-H, Virginia Agriculture in the Classroom, and the State Fair of Virginia Applied Youth Scholarship Program, contributing more than $28,500 to date.
“Cornus Virginicus highlights the heart of Virginia agriculture,” said Secretary Lohr. “The First Lady of Virginia’s support for initiatives like Wheatland Farm reflects a strong commitment to Virginia’s farming communities and to the continued growth of the Commonwealth’s wine and agricultural industries.”
With more than 300 wineries and 4,000 acres of vineyards, Virginia’s wine industry generates an estimated $1.73 billion in economic impact and provides more than 10,000 full-time jobs throughout the state.
Taste Earlier Limited Editions
Three other wineries that have won the Virginia Governor’s Cup produced the previous versions of the limited-release wine. Two of those are still available to purchase.
Cornus Virginicus III: In 2024, the third edition wine was produced by Mountain & Vine Vineyards and Winery of Faber. The wine is a blend of 60% Cabernet Sauvignon, 20% Merlot and 20% Petit Verdot, with 125 cases produced. You can buy it from the winery or through Virginia ABC.
Cornus Virginicus II: In 2023, the second edition wine was created by Cana Vineyards & Winery of Middleburg and winemaker Melanie Natoli. The wine is a blend of 67% Petit Verdot and 33% Merlot, with 144 cases produced. You can purchase it through Virginia ABC.
Cornus Virginicus I: In 2022, the inaugural edition of the wine was produced by Barboursville Vineyards of Orange County and winemaker Luca Paschina. The wine was a blend of 57% Merlot, 28.5% Cabernet Franc, and 14.5% Petit Verdot. With 199 cases produced, the wine is sold out.
