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A Sip of Virginia

by Martina Priadka

When Thomas Jefferson, a native Virginian, took over the White House he also took over the cellar. An avid wine enthusiast, Jefferson toured the wine country of France, Italy and Germany before returning to the United States with a plan to grow his own grapes. His attempts failed but his passion for wine lived on making him the largest wine-collecting President to date. Almost two-thirds of his Presidential salary was spent on the White House cellar.

Jefferson's wine growing attempts may have failed but the interest was a success and the wine making trend in Virginia caught on. Growers were slowed down, first, by Phylloxera and vine disease, which only caused a boom in varietal production. From this period the hybrids of seyval blanc, vidal blanc, and chambourcin were born. Next came prohibition shutting the doors on Virginia's wine Industry for decades.

Then, in the 1970's, the growing became serious again and the wines from the popular chardonnay and cabernet sauvignon grapes put Virginia on the East Coast wine-growing map. Virginia and New York became the wine leaders of the area.

To this day, the Virginia wine market is still growing exponentially with riesling, hybrids and Rhône varietals added to the list. Most vineyards are family run and sell the majority of their wine locally. About 10% is shipped out of state, mostly to other East Coast retail outlets and restaurants, but the best way to buy Virginia wine is to meet the growers and producers, enjoy the Virginia hospitality and pick it out yourself. A tour of the Virginia vineyards is fun, beautiful, especially when driving by the Blue Ridge Mountains, and perfect to add on to a holiday in Washington D.C. (see travel).

To begin your checklist I have listed a few places where you will want to pay a visit.

Horton Vineyards
Know for bringing the Norton grape varietal into popularity, Dennis Horton makes a variety of interesting wines. Try the Bin 2000 Stonecastle Red, a Rhône blend with excellent depth and complexity. A taste of the 2000 Cabernet Franc is well worth it giving off a full nose and warm fruit palate. Of course, you have to try the Horton Norton to truly get a sense of what Virginia has brought to the wine scene.

Horton Vineyards | 6399 Spotswood Trail| Gordonville, VA| 800.839.4633 | www.hvwine.com
Tours and Tastings 10am to 5pm 7 days a week

Prince Michel Vineyard and Winery
France meets Virginia at this expansive estate. Complimentary tastings are available 7 days a week. Ask for the Prince Michel 2003 Symbius if you like bold and velvety. The Prince Michel 2004 Ivy Creek Viognier is a fun blend of apricot and tropical flavors. The Prince Michel 2005 Trés Bien is a chance to try 100% petit manseng made in a dessert wine style.

Williamsburg Winery
Located in Southeastern Virginia, this winery boasts the largest annual production and accounts for almost a fourth of all wine production in Virginia. The Governor's White was an immediate hit within two weeks of its release in 1988 and is still their most popular wine to date. Tours are offered daily with a special on-line discount as well. Another benefit is the Gabriel Archer Tavern where lunch is available everyday for around $10 per person and Dinner is available Thursday through Saturday, April through October.

Williamsburg Winery | 5800 Wessex Hundred | Williamsburg, VA| 757.229.0999 | www.williamsburgwinery.com Tastings 10am to 5pm Monday - Saturday and Sunday 11:30am to 5pm April through October | 10:30am to 4pm Monday through Saturday and 11:30am to 4pm Saturday and Sunday November through March

photo by Michael Chung

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