Frank Morgan Named Virginia Wineries Association Wine Person of the Year 2026

Photos: Frank Morgan (facebook)

Frank Morgan was named Virginia Wineries Association Wine Person of the Year 2026 on March 26, 2026 in Richmond, Virginia.

Frank Morgan (AI) 

Frank Morgan

is a prominent Virginia wine writer, columnist, and the current Director of Judging for the Virginia Governor's Cup Wine Competition. A Virginia native based in Chesapeake, he has spent over 15 years chronicling the state's wine industry through his blog, Drink What YOU Like, which he founded in 2009. 

 

Key Roles and Contributions

 

Judging Leadership: He has served as the Director of Judging for the Virginia Governor's Cup for three consecutive years (2024–2026), overseeing the blind evaluation of hundreds of local wines by panels of world-class experts.

 

Columnist & Author: Morgan writes regular wine columns for The Virginian-Pilot and the Daily Press. He is also the Associate Editor of Virginia Wine Lover Magazine.

 

Advocacy: He founded #VAWineChat, a monthly virtual gathering and "talk show" that connects winemakers with enthusiasts to discuss Virginia’s evolving wine regions.

 

Competition Organizer: Beyond the Governor's Cup, he organizes competitions for the Monticello and Shenandoah Valley Wine Trails. 

 

Recent Highlights (2026)

 

Record-Setting Competition: Under his direction, the 2026 Governor's Cup saw a record 214 gold medals awarded, with Valley Road Vineyards 2023 Cabernet Franc Reserve taking the top prize.

 

Industry Recognition: On March 26, 2026, he was honored with an award for his extensive coverage of Virginia wine at the Eastern Winery Exposition.

 

Meeting Frank Morgan 

 

 

Picture: Christian Schiller and Frank Morgan in Brescia, Italy, see: Blogging,Wining and Dining at the European Wine Bloggers Conference (#EWBC)October 2011 in Brescia, Italy – A Tour D’ Horizont)  

 

 

Picture: Christian Schiller and Frank Morgan of Virginia Live Chat. See: Virginia Wine Chat “Live” with Frank Morgan at Breaux Vineyards, Virginia, USA 

Picture: Annette Schiller with Frank Morgan at the 2017 Governor‘s Cup Gala in Richmond, Virginia, USA  

 

Picture: Washington DC Wine Bloggers - (from left to right) Christian Schiller (schiller-wine) Isaac James Baker (Reading, Writing and Wine) Annette Schiller (Ombiasy Wine Tours) Aaron Nix-Gomez (Hogshead Wine) David White (Terroirist) Frank Morgan (Drink What You Like). See: Virginia versus the World – A Blind Taste-Off, USA    

 

schiller-wine: Related Postings 

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Overview: Rhône Valley 2024 by ombiasy WineTours led by Annette Schiller - Facebook Day-by-day Postings 

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Summary: From Lyon to Paris - Total Immersion in Burgundy and Champagne 2023 by ombiasy WineTours (July 02 - 13, 2023)

Summary: Austria 2023 by ombiasy WineTours - 12 Days: May 28 - June 08, 2023 

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2024 Annual Meeting of the Weinfreundeskreis Hochheim, a 45 Years Old Wine Brotherhood in the Famous Wine Village Hochheim, Rheingau, Germany, with Annette Schiller, Founding Member, and Christian Schiller

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2025 Rieslingfeier Gala Dinner in New York City, Sky Loft, 32nd Floor of 50 Hudson Yard, with 15 #worldclass Winemakers from Germany + Austria and Estimated 300 Wines, many 20, 30, 40 Years old, many Larger Format and almost all Ultra-premium 

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Annette and Christian Schiller Awarded German Wine Society Silver Medallion for their Superior Knowledge of German Wine (USA, Washington DC, December 12, 2025)

 

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With a Large Cheese Cart and Soufflé Flambé au Cognac: 5-course Menu Inspiration - Leisurely Sunday Lunch at Restaurant La Croix Blanche on the Banks of the Loire between Amboise and Blois, with Owner/ Chef Jean-François Beauduin (Bib Gourmand Michelin) - Loire Valley 2025 by ombiasy WineTours

 

Annette Schiller Elected Director of Education and Christian Schiller Re-elected Vice-president at the Membership Meeting of the Washington DC Chapter of the German Wine Society USA (via Zoom), February 21, 2026