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Saint Paul’s Albariño wins Best in Show in NC contest

By Lightning Reports, Published: August 21, 2025

A white wine made by Saint Paul Mountain Vineyards won Best in Show at the North Carolina Wine Competition in the Vinifera/Hybrid category, marking another trophy for the winery on Chestnut Gap Road.

The North Carolina Wine & Grape Council awarded more than 275 medals as it celebrated 20 years of exceptional winemaking and judging. Saint Paul’s 2024 Albariño was created by Tim Crowe, an experienced winemaker with more than 30 years in the luxury wine industry.
Crowe, who is the head winemaker at Saint Paul Mountain Vineyards, has worked across three continents and four U.S. states, leading vineyard operations from Napa Valley to New Zealand, and has held pivotal roles at notable estates like Stone Tower Winery and Frank Family Vineyards.
A UC Davis-trained enologist, Crowe has been recognized for his commitment to quality and innovation in winemaking.
In addition to the recent Best in Show award for Albariño, Saint Paul has won five Governor’s Cups for its wine, which is produced locally from locally grown grapes.
Noble Cider of Asheville won Best in Show for its Spice Merchant
In the Cider/Mead/Dessert category and Best Cider overall.