NELSON COUNTY, Va. (CBS19 NEWS) -- A Nelson County winery was named the winner of the highest award for wine in the Commonwealth on Thursday night.

Central Virginia wineries did very well in this year's Governor's Cup. Delfosse Vineyards won the state's highest award for 2023.

This accolade and others given to wineries and cideries around the area could lead to a surge in tourism as the summer months roll around.

"From the first day I started here, this has always been a goal," said Michael Albers, the owner of Delfosse Vineyards.

Albers says he and his crew were extremely excited and celebrated by drinking the wine that won the Virginia Governor's Cup for them. He says by working as a team, their goal is to win the cup every year by submitting different blends.

"I'm always telling the team, 'we got to win the cup, we got to win the cup.' And if we aren't getting better every year, we're falling behind," he said.

This year Delfosse did win, and it hopes this will help attract even more tasters.

"We're hoping that this gives us exposure and people want to come out and drink our beautiful wines. You saw the property, it's beautiful here, it’s a little slice of heaven. It’s a nice way to enjoy an afternoon, have a bottle of wine, sit outside, or in the tasting room," said Albers.

The Governor's Cup also brings more tourists to the area. Brantley Ussery with the Charlottesville Albemarle Convention and Visitors Bureau says, because of wineries like Delfosse, Central Virginia is a prime travel destination. This is especially true if area producers are recognized and earn awards.

"We're that spot right here in Virginia where visitors can come and get these experiences. They can try all these different wines that we're producing at a top-notch level and they can do that right here in Central Virginia," said Ussery.

The U.S. Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau has ranked Virginia as the 10th largest producer of wine in the country. 

Albers says all the wineries in the area are part of a tight-knit community.

"We all get together and drink wine, last night a little too much wine, and it’s a really great atmosphere and group network within the wine community," he said.

Starting March 1, people will be able to taste the wines included in this year's Governor's Cup Case on the Gold Medal Wine Trail.