Virginia Wine Market Wine Submission for Review FAQs

Answers for wine producers and trade professionals

Last Updated December 2025

Who can submit wines for review?

Licensed Virginia wineries, bonded producers from other regions represented in Virginia, importers, and distributors may submit. Wines must be commercially finished with final labels. We do not accept tank or barrel samples.

What styles do you cover?

We review sparkling, white, rosé, red, dessert, and fortified wines that are available in Virginia. We also consider cider and mead when produced in Virginia or represented by a Virginia market participant. Special features occasionally focus on regions such as Monticello, Shenandoah Valley, Northern Virginia, and Hampton Roads.

How many bottles should be sent?

Send two bottles of each wine. This provides a primary evaluation and a second bottle for confirmation if needed. Large formats or micro-lots may send one bottle. Note “one-bottle submission” on the packing list.

What information must accompany each wine?

Include a one-page fact sheet per wine and email a copy on ship date. List the producer name, vintage, appellation, grape composition, suggested retail price, total case production, Virginia availability, ABV, residual sugar if applicable, closure, brief winemaking notes, and media contact details. Sparkling wines should include method, disgorgement date, and dosage. Sweet or fortified wines should include residual sugar and fortifying spirit information where relevant. Cider and mead should list varieties or sources and carbonation level.

Do you charge a fee to review wines?

No. Submission and evaluation are editorial functions and free of charge. Advertising and sponsorship are handled separately and do not influence coverage.

How do you taste?

Wines are grouped by style or variety and tasted primarily blind, with bottle identities concealed. After initial assessments and notes, identities are revealed to verify technical details. A second bottle may be opened to check potential bottle variation. Tastings are conducted with clean glassware, consistent temperatures, and neutral lighting.

What about shipping and weather?

Use sturdy molded shippers or professional wine packaging. Choose midweek delivery and avoid extreme temperatures. We may request a weather hold during heat or cold snaps. Carriers are not refrigerated.

When should wineries submit for seasonal features?

We accept year-round. For spring rosé coverage, ship by late February. For holiday sparkling features, ship by early October. Regional packages are scheduled throughout the year. Submissions received six weeks ahead of a planned feature are more likely to be considered.

What is the scoring system?

Reviews may include a score and a concise tasting note. Notes emphasize aroma, palate texture, structure, and finish, along with price and availability when supplied. Style cues are included when helpful, such as sweetness level for off-dry wines.

What does a “drink window” or readiness statement mean?

When provided, a readiness statement indicates whether a wine is best enjoyed now or may improve with short- to medium-term cellaring. It is an editorial estimate based on style, structure, and balance, not a guarantee of future performance.

How long does the review process take?

Most wines are evaluated within eight to twelve weeks of safe receipt. Volume, scheduling, and special features can extend that window. All coverage decisions are at editorial discretion.

Where are reviews published?

Reviews appear on Virginia Wine Market and may be included in themed roundups, buying guides, and regional features. Selected notes are promoted across our newsletters and social channels.

Will you notify producers before publication?

No. Reviews are released to the public when published. We do not share notes or scores in advance in order to preserve editorial independence and fairness.

Can producers request or influence a specific reviewer?

No. Tastings are coordinated by the editorial team. Assignments are based on scheduling, expertise, and the need for consistent peer comparison.

Can reviews be corrected?

Factual corrections such as pricing, case production, or distributor changes can be requested by email. We review and update when appropriate. Sensory judgments and scores are not revised unless a clear error occurred, such as a mislabeled bottle.

May producers quote or republish reviews?

Short excerpts may be quoted with clear attribution to Virginia Wine Market. Full reprints, logo use, shelf talkers, and advertising excerpts may require written permission. Contact the editorial inbox for asset requests.

What happens to leftover samples?

Samples are not returned. Retained bottles may be used for re-tasting, training, or educational purposes. We do not resell samples.

What are common reasons a sample is not evaluated?

Leaking or heat-damaged bottles, missing or noncompliant labels, incomplete product information, or wines not available in Virginia within ninety days are typical reasons. Unfinished or experimental lots are also ineligible.

Do you cover sustainability certifications?

Yes. If a wine or estate carries a recognized certification, include the certifying body and year on the fact sheet. Sustainability claims without verification may be described as “self-reported.”

Can you help with Virginia market resources?

We maintain guides and news on Virginia wine, including regional profiles and consumer education. For trade-oriented resources such as distribution toolkits or competition calendars, consult industry organizations in the Commonwealth. These can help with go-to-market planning while your wines are under review.

How do we get the submission form?

Download the Virginia Wine Market Sample Submission Form, complete one per wine, place a printed copy inside the case, and email a digital copy on ship date. This ensures accurate listings for pricing and availability.

Who do we contact with questions?

Email the submissions inbox listed on the current form for questions about eligibility, scheduling, or shipping logistics. For portfolio shipments spanning multiple brands, reach out before sending so we can coordinate receiving and tasting groups.