(LoudounTimes) - During a July 2012 visit to “D.C.‘s Wine Country” in Loudoun County, Virginia’s Agriculture Secretary Todd Haymore said the wines of Virginia are no longer a hidden gem. Recently-unveiled data from the governor’s office helps prove Haymore’s point. Gov. Bob McDonnell announced Monday that 2012 was a record year for Virginia wine sales. Nearly 485,000 cases of the commonwealth’s wine were sold in fiscal 2012, up almost 8,000 from the previous year. In the past three fiscal years, Virginia wine sales have averaged more than 8 percent annual growth, according to McDonnell’s office.