The recent recognition of our 2022 Quaker Run Cabernet Franc with 95 Points and a Gold Medal at the 2026 Decanter World Wine Awards has brought well-deserved attention to one of the most distinctive vineyard sites in Virginia.

Among more than 16,000 wines tasted by over 240 judges, fewer than 6% earned scores of 95 points or higher. While we are honored by this recognition, the story of this wine begins long before it reaches the cellar.

For Winemaker Maya Hood White, great wines are always rooted in place.

"While it sometimes feels cliché to say, our winemaking philosophy is based in the vineyard and once the fruit enters the cellar, we look to best represent each site."

That philosophy is perhaps most evident at Quaker Run, our mountainside estate vineyard that has become home to some of Early Mountain's most expressive red wines.

Quaker Run is not a typical vineyard site. Formed by an ancient landslide, the vineyard features a remarkable diversity of soils and rock types rarely found within a single site.

This complexity contributes to wines of concentration, structure, and character.

"Quaker Run is our mountainside site that is home to our more extractive red wines," Maya explains. "It is a site that was formed by a landslide and shows greater soil and rock diversity than usually seen at this elevation."

Over time, the team began noticing something even more compelling.

"Through this site we realized we not only see great extractive wines, but it also shows a unique aromatic profile, especially in Tannat, Merlot, and Cabernet Franc, which has significantly influenced our winemaking."

For Cabernet Franc, those characteristics translate into wines that combine depth and structure with vibrant aromatics and freshness.

Why Cabernet Franc Thrives in Virginia

Cabernet Franc has long been considered one of Virginia's signature varieties. It is capable of producing wines with both immediate appeal and remarkable aging potential when grown in the right place.

At Early Mountain, achieving that balance begins with farming.

"Age-worthy wines are a matrix effect of balance and structure," says Maya. "We gravitate to sites, and farm towards goals of great phenolic structure, acidity, and ripening sugars resulting in balanced alcohol in the final wines."

The result is a wine that reflects both the variety and the vineyard.

A Recognition for Virginia Wine

The Decanter award is an exciting achievement for our team, but it is also part of a larger story.

Virginia continues to prove itself as one of the most dynamic wine regions in the country, and Cabernet Franc remains one of its most compelling varieties.

The 2022 Quaker Run Cabernet Franc represents years of thoughtful farming, careful winemaking, and a commitment to showcasing what Virginia does best.

For us, the recognition is gratifying. But more importantly, it reinforces what we have always believed: extraordinary wines begin with extraordinary sites. And Quaker Run is one of the most extraordinary sites we know.

Experience the 2022 Quaker Run Cabernet Franc in our Tasting Room or have it shipped directly to your door. Shop now.