Earlier this month at a private reception hosted in Trump Tower atrium, Governor of the Commonwealth of Virginia Bob McDonnell and Donald Trump touted Virginia wines and food and promoted the film industries and tourism.

Along with over 200 other guests, I sampled a number of Virginia foods and 11 of their award-winning wines from five different wineries. My favorites were both a Virginia Viognier: The dry and crisp 2008 Viognier from Michael Shap ($28) and the smooth-textured and slightly fruity 2010 Viognier Reserve from Barboursville ($22). Both are 100% Viognier.

Or course, we sampled Virginia ham and peanuts – but the event’s star was the tender roast beef sandwich and horseradish sauce made with Ayrshire Farm’s heritage beef.

We each left with our own take-home bottle of Trump own wine, from Trump Vineyards, one of the more than 220 wineries in Virginia.

If you’re interested in learning more about Virginia, click here.

– bonnie