Uncorking Virginia’s Wine Country • Rich History, Unique Experiences & Natural Beauty

Virginia is for Wine Lovers

By Carrie Dykes

Although some would say the wine industry in Virginia is in its infancy, there is a remarkable history that goes back the 1800’s, involving one of our Founding Fathers! Now it is now the 5^th largest producing state in the country with over 260 wineries. Each corner of Old Dominion is rife with natural beauty, history and all-star restaurants. From the mountains to the beach, city to the country-side, one thing is certain—Virginia is for Wine Lovers.

In 1807, Thomas Jefferson planted 24 varieties on his property in Monticello. A connoisseur himself, he aspired to grow vinifera but also played around with New World alternatives—Vitis labrusca and Vitis rotundifolia. Unfortunately his efforts never produced a single bottle.

The discovery in the late 1800s that native and European vines could be grafted brought a new hope to Virginia’s developing wine industry. While they were making progress with European varietals because of this discovery, it was a U.S. wine grape that really shook things up!, Norton, a grape cultivated in Richmond by Doctor Daniel Norton, made wines that were named “best red wine of all nations” at the Vienna World’s Fair in 1873; plus a gold medal for Norton at the Paris World’s Fair of 1889 when the Eiffel tower was constructed. Unfortunately, just as things started looking up for Virginia oenophiles, along came Prohibition…

Sweet Concord grapes were planted and wine grapes were pulled up. Grapes used for making wine served no purpose in an alcohol-free United States.

Twenty years later, when Prohibition was repealed, Virginia had to start from scratch and began experimenting with vinifera plantings. A few notable successes over the years include Italian pioneer vintner Gianni Zonin hiring Gabriele Rausse to grow and harvest vinifera grapes near Charlottesville. He established Barboursville Vineyards and then helped other vineyards do the same. By 1995, Virginia had 46 wineries. By 2005, there were 107. Now there are 260 and counting! “The vision of one of Virginia’s most renowned native sons, Thomas Jefferson, is now coming true.” ^[1]

Virginia Wine Country Terroir & Climate

Generally speaking, Virginia’s weather is considered a humid, subtropical region due to winter frost. During the summer, it can get a bit “sticky” due to the abundant water along the East Coast with the Chesapeake Bay and the Atlantic Ocean as well as the Potomac, Rappahannock, York, and James rivers and their tributaries. The air is, on average, 10 degrees cooler with less humidity in the mountains and Pinot Noir and Chardonnays have started to pop up from these areas.

There are seven AVAs, twelve different wine growing areas and five distinct climate regions: the Tidewater, Piedmont, Northern Virginia, Western Mountain and Southwestern Mountain.

They vary in climate, but there are common threads throughout the state.

Virginia Wine Country Regions/AVAs

Within the twelve wine growing areas are seven AVAs : George Washington Birthplace, Middleburg, The Monticello, The North Fork of Roanoke, The Rocky Knob, The Shenandoah Valley and Virginia’s Eastern Shore.

Wine Grape Varieties Grown in Virginia

Virginia is coming into their own and now have a keen sense of what grows well in each area.  Chardonnay is the largest planted grape, followed by Cabernet Franc, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon and then Petit Verdot in that order. The sixth largest planted grape is Viognier. The next tier of grapes includes Sauvignon Blanc, Pinto Grigio, Petit Manseng, Tannat, Chambourcin, Norton, Vidal Blanc and Traminette. There are currently 23 grape varieties that are followed in the industry survey that measures grape production in VA.

Some have come to know Viognier as “the official grape of Virginia”, but Cabernet Franc, Chardonnay and Petit Verdot are encroaching on that status.

A Few Key Grapes

Viognier

Best known as the aromatic white grape of the Condrieu appellation in the northern Rhône, Viognier is a floral and perfumed white with a luscious body and low acidity. Wineries in Virginia are experimenting with blends, dessert-styles and even orange wines made with the grape.

Cabernet Franc

Another grape best known for its role in France, Cabernet Franc is a major player in Bordeaux red blends adding finesse, and stands alone in the Loire Valley.  Less tannic than its offspring Cabernet Sauvignon, it has an intense green character in aromas and flavor. Planted widely, it seems to have found a home in Virginia as a leading red variety.

Petit Verdot

This grape is another example of a Bordeaux red grape that is thriving in Virginia, in blends and single varietals. Alive with tannic expression, full body and good acidity; this is a grape that grown and vinified well, has excellent ageability. Library wines are an important part of the growth of a wine region.

Petit Manseng

Another French grape flourishing in Virginia— mostly grown in Southwest France, it has rich aromas of spice and honey. It can be made as a dessert wine or a dry-style, and adds beautiful complexity to blends.

The Best Things To Do in Virginia Wine Country

• Check out a polo match while sipping on small-batch, award-winning wines from King Family Vineyards in Monticello.
• See where Jefferson tried his hand at winemaking and take a short hike to see the ruins of his residency that he designed at Barboursville Vineyards in Monticello.
• Pretend you are at Mardi-Gras at Breaux Vineyards, a Cajun owned and operated winery, boasting a New Orleans themed tasting room in Loudoun County.
• Take in incredible views of the Blue Ridge Mountains at Chateau Morrisette.
• Make a weekend out of it! Stay, play, wine and dine at The Williamsburg Winery.

[1] Old Town Crier Virginia is for Wine Lovers

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