Meet Virginia

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Meet Virginia MEET VIRGINIA KELLY MAGYARICS n a forward-thinking area rich with his- nists couldn’t establish a wine industry. george torical importance, where ingenuity and Washington tried and failed to start a vineyard innovation have coexisted with longstand- at Mount Vernon. Most famously (and perhaps ing traditions and deep-seated beliefs, most discouraging), Francophile and enophile Isuccess eluded would-be vintners for centuries. Thomas Jefferson cultivated European varietals Despite a requirement that every male settler at Monticello for more than 30 years without plant and tend at least 10 vines, Jamestown colo- producing a single bottle of wine. Photos by Kelly Magyarics (left), Kenneth Garrett (right) 82 October 31, 2010 MEET VIRGINIA Kelly Magyarics is a Flash forward 400 years. Today, the state of Political distinctions wine-and-spirits writer Virginia boasts 160 wineries, compared to only and wine educator based 46 in 1995. Wine sales for the year ending June Considering the entire state as one wine- in northern Virginia. 30 were up nearly 13% over the previous year. making region would be as inaccurate as mak- She can be reached Viognier and Cabernet Franc are emerging as ing broad generalizations about California through her website, the state’s varietal stars; Bordeaux blends, spar- wine. “Virginia as a whole is a huge area to be www.kellymagyarics. kling wines, and a quirky indigenous grape also assumed as one viticultural region,” explains com, or at www.twitter. attract their share of attention. If you haven’t al- Jordan Harris, winemaker and general man- com/kmagyarics. ready made her acquaintance, meet Virginia— ager for Tarara Winery in Leesburg. Indeed, six and her wines. of the 187 American Viticultural Areas (AVAs) are found in the state: Eastern Shore, Monti- Potomac cello, Northern Neck Winchester Waterford � � george Washington Shenandoah Valley AVA I81 Leesburg� Middleburg I66 � Birthplace, North Fork The Plains � � Arlington� Washington, D.C. h Front Royal � of Roanoke, Rocky West Virginia Alexandria ShenandoaMonticello AVA Knob, and Shenan- I95 Harrisonburg � � Culpeper Northern Neck George doah Valley (which � Washington Birthplace AVA Barboursville Fredericksburg Staunton � Eastern Shore AVA extends into West Vir- �Gordonsville � Crozet Chincoteague � Keswick Waynesboro�� � � Island ginia). Harris points Afton Charlottesville � Clifton � Forge I64 Tappahannock out that as wineries I64 Lexington Ja � � me s � Blue Ridge North Fork of Roanoke AVA Covington are built closer to one Mountains Richmond I64 another, establishing � Appomattox Hopewell Lynchburg � � Chesapeake Bay �Roanoke Farmville� wine trails and mar- I77 Blacksburg � �Williamsburg Tazewell � Petersburg Newport News keting initiatives, they � Pulaski Virginia � � Roanok Norfolk � � Norton n � Rocky Mount e � Virginia Beach lsto Wytheville Ho I81 I77 � w I95 �Chesapeake Rocky Knob AVA South Boston � Ne � Barboursville Vineyards � Danville � Suffolk Martinsville � A85 Emporia tasting room (left); Box- wood Winery estate in The Plains (top). Sommelier Journal 83.
Recommended publications
  • 2016 Currnet Overview of Virginia Wine.Virpptx.Pptx
    8/17/16& A"Current"Overview"Of"The"Wines"From"Virginia" Jay&Youmans&CWE,&MW& www.capitalwineschool.com& “No&wine&region&in&the&world&is&currently&experimenDng&with& a&wider,&more&diverse&range&oF&grapes&than&Virginia”.&&& 1& 8/17/16& A"Current"Overview"Of"The"Wines"From"Virginia" &BrieF&History&oF&Virginia&Wine& &Climate&&&Soil& & AVA’s& &Breakdown&oF&the&Grapes&planted& &People&that&shaped&the&Industry& &TasDng&oF&10&Virginia&Wines& &Challenges& &PredicDons&For&the&Future& History& • 1600’s&W&&SeXlers&in&Jamestown&hoped&Virginia&would&become& the&major&wine&source&For&the&BriDsh&Empire.& • 1619&W&Virginia&signs&into&law&(called&Acte&12)&&a&requirement& that&each&male&seXler&plant&and&tend&at&least&ten&grape&vines.&& &&& • 1740&WThomas&Jefferson&tries&to&culDvate&grapes&For&more&than& 30&years.&He&Failed&to&produce&a&single&boXle&oF&wine.&& • A`er&11&years&oF&efforts&at&Mount&Vernon,&George& Washington,&too,&had&not&been&able&to&produce&wine.& • 1873&–&A&Virginia&wine&made&From&Norton&(Vi#s%aes#valis)&is& named&“best&red&wine&oF&all&naDons”&at&the&Vienna&World’s& Fair.&1889&W&Another&wine&made&From&Norton&wins&a&Gold& medal&at&the&Paris&World’s&Fair.&& 2& 8/17/16& History& • 1920&W&ProhibiDon& • 1959&–&only&15&acres&oF&commercial&wine&grapes.&Experiments& with&different&types&oF&viniFera&begins.& • 1973,&Chardonnay&is&successFully&produced&at&the&Waverly& Estate&in&Middleburg.&& • 1976,&Italian&pioneer&vintner&Gianni&Zonin&hired&Gabriele& Rausse&to&establish&Barboursville&Vineyards.&& • 1995,&Virginia&has&46&wineries.&& • 2013&–&There&are&230"bonded&wineries&in&Virginia.&&
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  • 2018 Monticello Cup Gold Medals Announced Sarah
    Press Release – Monday, April 30 Immediate Release 2018 Monticello Cup Gold Medals Announced Contact: Sarah Craun, Monticello Wine Trail [email protected] / 434.806.6991 Charlottesville , VA – Twenty-two wineries from the Monticello Wine Trail (MWT) competed in the 2018 Monticello Cup Wine Competition, a friendly competition among wineries in the Monticello American Viticultural Area (AVA). This year’s competition was coordinated by the Virginia Wine & Spirits Academy, and all entered wines contained a minimum of 85% fruit from the Monticello AVA and were produced by a member of the MWT. This year 13 gold medals were awarded out of 58 entries. From these, the Top 3 White, Top 3 Red and overall Monticello Cup Winner, for the highest-ranking wine, will be announced live at the Monticello Cup Awards (MCA) on Monday, May 7, 6pm at the Jefferson Theater. The MCA will also serve as the official start to the 2018 Taste of Monticello Wine Trail Festival. Tickets for the award ceremony are available to the public at www.jeffersontheater.com. Gold Medals – 2018 Monticello Cup Competition Medal Winery Vintage Wine GOLD Afton Mountain Vineyards 2016 Chardonnay Estate Reserve GOLD Barboursville Vineyards 2015 Octagon GOLD Flying Fox Vineyard 2014 Petit Verdot GOLD Jefferson Vineyards 2014 Estate Reserve (Petit Verdot) GOLD Keswick Vineyards 2016 Cabernet Franc Estate Reserve GOLD King Family Vineyards 2015 Meritage GOLD Michael Shaps Wineworks 2017 Rosie Rosé GOLD Pippin Hill Farm & Vineyards 2017 Sauvignon Blanc GOLD Pollak Vineyards
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  • SWX Flyer.Ai
    Virginia’s Shenandoah Valley Wine Country (SWX) Trail Oh Shenandoah! Virginia’s Shenandoah Wine Country (SWX) welcomes visitors with exciting things to see and do: Wine Tours & Tasting, Civil War battlefields, caverns, antiques, antebellum plantations with unique inns, B&B’s, and restaurants. This historic valley is tucked between the Blue Ridge Mountains on the east and the Allegheny Mountains on the west and stretches from the West Virginia line in the north to the James River in the south. Just past Leesburg, Va., about an hour's drive west of Washington DC, the Shenandoah Valley has clearly emerged as the regional wine leader in the eastern United States. Superior dining or romantic picnicking can be found along the Shenandoah Valley Wine Trail (SWX) as well as diversions such as historic plantations, Civil War battlefields and spectacular caverns. All complement a unique wine experience. The Shenandoah Valley is one of the country's most exciting wine producing regions today, with positive critical reviews found in major food and wine publications nationwide. As the praise and awards continue to accumulate, Shenandoah Valley (AVA) wines have become sought-after products in fine restaurants and wine shops both coast to coast and internationally. A tour of the Valley’s vineyards and wineries offers a special experience, with rural scenery, entertainment, quality restaurants and award winning wines. Follow the Shenandoah Valley Wine Country (SWX) Trail on the reverse. Vinyards and Venues From the north, the Shenandoah Wine Country (SWX) Trail the wine, then dump it out. It's not considered bad begins at Veramar Vineyard in Virginia’s hunt country and etiquette and you will be able to visit more wineries in a meanders to Deer Meadow’s wilderness setting near given day.
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  • 2013 Medal Winners
    Winery Varietal Description Medal Altavista Vineyards Shiraz Bronze Altillo Vineyards Cabernet Franc Bronze Altillo Vineyards Chardonnay Silver AmRhein Wine Cellars Pinot Grigio no medal AmRhein Wine Cellars Chambourcin Silver AmRhein Wine Cellars Vidal Blanc Silver AmRhein Wine Cellars Pinot Gris Reserve Silver Annefield Vineyards Viognier Bronze Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Bronze Annefield Vineyards Sauvignon, Petit Verdot Red Cabernet Franc, Vidal Silver Annefield Vineyards Blanc Rose Attimo Vidal Blanc Silver Barboursville Vineyards Muscat Ottonel, Vidal Malvaxia Bronze Barboursville Vineyards Meritage Octagon Gold Barboursville Vineyards Muscat Ottonel, Vidal Malvaxia Silver Barboursville Vineyards Petit Verdot Reserve Silver Barboursville Vineyards Petit Verdot Reserve Silver Barboursville Vineyards Merlot Reserve Silver Barboursville Vineyards Meritage Octagon Silver Barboursville Vineyards Nebbiolo Reserve Silver Barboursville Vineyards Nebbiolo Reserve Silver Barboursville Vineyards Cabernet Franc Reserve Silver Barboursville Vineyards Cabernet Franc Reserve Silver Barboursville Vineyards Cabernet Franc Reserve Silver Barboursville Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve Silver Barboursville Vineyards Viognier Reserve Silver Barrel Oak Winery Cabernet Franc Reserve Bronze Barrel Oak Winery Petit Manseng Reserve Bronze Barrel Oak Winery Cabernet Sauvignon Silver Barrel Oak Winery Chardonnay Reserve Silver Barren Ridge Vineyards Meritage Bronze Barren Ridge Vineyards Vidal Blanc Estate Bottled Bronze Barren Ridge Vineyards Viognier Estate
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  • Vinintell November 2015, Issue 26
    VININTELL November 2015, Issue 26 Virginia North Carolina South Carolina COUNTRY PROFILES US States of North Carolina, South Carolina & Virginia COUNTRY PROFILES USA Country Profiles is an integral part of the South African wine industry’s business intel- ligence. Based on this, SAWIS has decided to compile, in collaboration with WOSA, a number of country profiles to assist exporters. These profiles cover a wide range of topics, including background to marketing thoughts and topics for strategic, tactical and operational decisionmaking. The comprehensive profile is available on the SAWIS website. CONTENTS 1. INTRODUCTION .......................................................................................................... 3 2. DEMOGRAPHICS ....................................................................................................... 5 3. GOVERNMENT ......................................................................................................... 13 4. ECONOMIC SITUATION ............................................................................................ 13 5. AGRICULTURE .......................................................................................................... 15 6. WINE INDUSTRY ....................................................................................................... 16 7. CONCLUSION ........................................................................................................... 23 2 1. INTRODUCTION were the first to cultivate a native American grape variety, the Scuppernong,
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  • Wine by the Bottle
    Champagne and Sparkling Glass Bottle Zardetto Prosecco, Italy NV $10 $35 Nicolas Feuillatte Chouilly, France NV $14 $65 White Wine Barboursville Vineyards Chardonnay, VA $9 $35 Santa Christina Pinot Grigio, Italy $9 $35 Charles Smith Kung Fu Girl Riesling, WA $8 $31 Trefethen Chardonnay Napa, CA $15 $59 Red Wines Barboursville, Cabernet Sauvignon, VA $9 $35 Shooting Star Pinot Noir, Lake County, CA $9 $35 Beran Vineyards Zinfandel, CA $9 $35 L’Ecole #41 Merlot, Columbia Valley, WA $16 $64 WINE BY THE BOTTLE Chardonnay Rombauer Vineyards, Napa Valley Carneros 2015 $64 Chateau Montelena, Calistoga Napa Valley 2014 $78 Jefferson Reserve Monticelo 2015 $48 Stag’s Leap Karia Napa Valley 2015 $54 Sauvignon Blanc Frog’s Leap Napa Valley 2015 $48 Stag’s Leap Napa Valley 2015 $54 Other Whites Conundrum Rutherford Valley 2015 $40 DuCard Viogier Ethan 2017 $55 Cabernet Sauvignon Chateau Montelena, Calistoga 2014 $95 Elizabeth Spencer Special Cuvee Napa Valley 2013 $85 Delfosse Monticello 2014 $58 Darioush Napa Valley 2013 $150 Pinot Noir Belle Glos Clarke & Telephone Santa Maria Valley $95 Chalk Hill Winery Estate Bottled Russian River 2013 $75 Merlot Northstar Columbia Valley 2014 $75 Bluestone Vineyard Bridgewater 2012 $45 Other Reds Jefferson Vineyards Meritage Monticello 2014 $65 Michael Shaps Cabernet Franc 2014 $55 Raumbaur Zinfandel, Napa Valley 2013 $80 Beaulieu Vineyards Tapestry Napa Valley 2013 $75 The Pundit Syrah Columbia Valley 2014 $60 DRAFT BEER 16oz 20oz Boars Head Lager $6 $7 Vienna-Style Lager ABV 4.6% Star Hill Snow Blind $6
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  • Monticello American Viticultural Area Places In
    FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE August 21, 2020 Media Contact: Brantley Ussery Director of Marketing & Public Relations [email protected] 434.953.0005 MONTICELLO AMERICAN VITICULTURAL AREA PLACES IN TOP 10 OF USA TODAY 10BEST READERS’ CHOICE AWARDS CONTEST Twenty wine regions around the country were nominated and the Monticello AVA is one of only two winners on the East Coast CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA – The Charlottesville Albemarle Convention and Visitors Bureau (CACVB) is excited to announce the Monticello American Viticultural Area (AVA) has placed sixth in the USA Today 10Best Readers’ Choice Awards contest. Twenty wine regions across the country were nominated by a panel of experts, followed by a period of public voting lasting several weeks. The Monticello AVA is one of only two wine regions located on the East Coast to place in the top 10. The history of wine in the Charlottesville area dates to the days of Founding Father and third President of the United States Thomas Jefferson, who envisioned the region’s climate and soil to be ideal for grape growing. Though his experiments with growing grapevines were generally not successful, hundreds of years later the area would blossom into one of the most thriving wine regions in the country and has even been dubbed one of the “Top Wine Destinations in the World” by Wine Enthusiast. The Charlottesville area is home to the Monticello Wine Trail, featuring nearly 40 wineries located throughout the heart of Central Virginia. Several of these wineries have received accolades at the state, national and global levels and many have unique stories to tell.
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  • Virginia Celebrates 250Th Anniversary of American Wine at London International Wine Fair Successful Birthplace of American Wine Rooted in British History
    For Immediate Release: Media Contact: Karen Batalo 804.262.9130 [email protected] Virginia Celebrates 250th Anniversary of American Wine at London International Wine Fair Successful birthplace of American wine rooted in British history Richmond, Va. (May 22, 2012) - Virginia Wines continue to share the spotlight on the international stage, this time at the 2012 London International Wine Fair (LIWF), where award-winning wineries from the Central Virginia, Northern Virginia and Hampton Roads Regions will be pouring May 22 - 24. Four wineries from the Monticello AVA, home of Thomas Jefferson, will participate in addition to two from Northern Virginia and one from Hampton Roads, located near the heart of Colonial Williamsburg. "We will be pouring wines at the London International Wine Fair just as we kick off celebrations for the 250th anniversary of the American Wine industry at Philip Carter Winery - Charles Carter's Virginia wines were the first American wines to be internationally recognized with a gold medal from the Royal Society of Arts. We are excited to return to London for our fourth wine fair, where we have received a warm reception and glowing reviews from the international wine press." The following Virginia Wineries (pouring wines listed) are participating in the LIWF: Monticello AVA, Central Virginia Region Barboursville Vineyards, 2008 Cabernet Franc, 2006 Octagon, 2010 Viognier King Family Vineyards, 2010 Viognier Veritas Winery, 2009 Kenmar Dessert Wine, 2010 Petit Verdot Paul Shaffer 4th Edition, 2011 Viognier Virginia
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  • Sarah Richin, Tasting Room Manager
    Sarah Richin, Tasting Room Manager How long have you worked here?: December 2018 - present ​ Where are you from: Originally from Pennsylvania, but I’ve called Virginia my home for the ​ past 6 years until my husband and I decided to relocate to the PNW! We have lived in Portland for the past 2 years, but have finally made the move over the bridge to Vancouver. First love of wine: My love of wine came way after my first wine. I used to swear by the sweet ​ stuff (yup, Moscato and White Zin I’m looking at you). When I moved back to Charlottesville, I was working at a very stressful job and spent my free time exploring the wineries in the Monticello AVA. I decided to make it my life goal to visit all of the wineries in Virginia (I’ve only been to about 50 of the 230+). I fell in love with Bordeaux blends immediately and have been smitten ever since. Since then I moved across the country for the wine industry, started a blog and instagram account (@sipswithsare) and have been studying for my WSET. I currently have my WSET Level 2, next stop: level 3! Favorite current wine at Burnt bridge: The 2016 Malbec is my current favorite. I’ve also fallen ​ in love with the vintage 2013 Couve Cuvee and of course, the Cabernet Francs. Favorite wine of all time from Burnt Bridge: I still need to try more vintage wines, but I ​ LOVED the 2010 Merlot and of course, the 2015 Cabernet Sauvignon. Favorite wine varietal: As I mentioned before I love Bordeauxs, especially Cabernet ​ Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc, but recently I’ve been getting into Carménère.
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  • The Bar in Tenleytown
    e e h h t t AT WHOLEB FOODSA MARKETR® TENLEY AT WHOLEB FOODSA MARKETR® TENLEY WINE MENU BEER MENU Egeo Verdejo 2011, $4 Crisp and elegant, this Verdejo comes from the Rueda DC Brau Fight Club Anti-Gravity Lager, $7 region of Spain renowned for its white wines. Brimming Named after a secret underground skate spot in DC, with grapefruit, lime and mineral flavors, this is a great this Lager is a collaboration between DC Brau and alternative to Sauvignon Blanc. Devils Backbone. Made in a traditional German Lager style using German yeast and hops, it has a smooth, Whitehall Viognier 2011, $6 rich finish. (7.2% ABV) Grown in the Monticello AVA located near Charlottes- ville, Virginia. Viognier has captured much of the Oskar Blues Deviant Dale’s IPA, $6 attention since it thrives in Virginia. Honeysuckle and A Silver Medal Winner at the Great American Beer tropical fruits are balanced with a nice weighty texture in Festival, this IPA has aromas of citrus, grapefruit rind the mouth. and piney resins compliments of generous dry-hopping with Columbus hops. (8% ABV) Barbi Macchiarello Rosado 2011, $4 The rolling hills of Umbria are home to this quality Dogfish Head Namaste, $7 oriented producer, Barbi. This rose is made from Witbier bursting with good karma. Made with dried organic Sangiovese and Ciliegiolo grapes and displays fragrant orange slices, fresh-cut lemongrass and a bit of coriander, this cherry aromas and flavors. Belgian-style white beer is a great thirst quencher. (5.0 ABV) Boas Vinhas Tinto 2009, $4 Flying Dog Gonzo Imperial Porter, $4* Portugal has experienced a revolution in high quality but Brewed in Frederick, Maryland, Gonzo Imperial Porter is inexpensive wines in the last few years.
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  • Virginia: America's Old World Jason Tesauro
    virginia Virginia: America’s Old World It doesn’t get the media coverage that California does, but Virginia is tipped to be the next big thing in American wine. Jason Tesauro picks out the varieties and producers that are bringing the area to wider attention, at home and abroad A dashiNg Dutchman EmergEs from his slick the midpoint between Bordeaux and Napa Valley. travel trailer to pour three wines, including his ‘Very simply,’ said steven spurrier during a 2012 visit, own. The 2008 Château Léoville-Barton (£65) will ‘Virginia makes the kinds of wines i like to drink.’ mellow, but in its adolescence, the second growth is standoffish. Flanking it, a voluptuous 2008 Colgin Then… iX Estate Napa Valley Red Wine (£330). standing Virginia’s wine timeline begins in 1774, when between these classic examples of Bordeaux italian viticulturist Filippo mazzei planted clippings austerity and California opulence, an elegant yet from France, italy and spain at Thomas Jefferson’s juicy wine from a rising star and rocky hilltop one monticello. The 19th-century phylloxera blight and hour west of Washington, DC. Rutger de Vink’s RdV Prohibition (1919) wiped out the wine culture until Vineyards Lost mountain 2009 (£50) wins the day. italy’s Zonin family founded Barboursville (1976) Not surprisingly – i later learn – Jancis Robinson and ushered in the modern renaissance. scored it 18/20. in the 1980s, plantings shifted from French Virginia wines are coming of age at the moment hybrids to vinifera, and the 1990s saw Riesling and when American palates are doing the same. Despite Pinot Noir bulldozed in favour of Viognier, CANADA Wine regions of Virginia Toronto NEW California’s global rise in the 1970s, the us of yore Cabernet Franc and Bordeaux varieties.
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  • OUR WINES Tasting Flights Are Only Available at the Bar — SPARKLING — — RED —
    OUR WINES Tasting Flights Are Only Available At The Bar — SPARKLING — — RED — 2018 SPARKLING BLANC DE BLANC 14 | 40 2018 RED PUMP 9 | 28 Our Blanc de Blanc offers aromas of vanilla, lime and pear Our popular Red Pump is a blend of Merlot, Cabernet Franc, that lead to layered and creamy flavors of apple, honeysuckle, Chambourcin, Cabernet Sauvignon and Tannat. The addition sof oak and Asian pear. The finish is lean and zesty, with of Tannat gives it that earthy nose which transcends to the deep equal parts acidity and tartness, making these bubbles turn any black cherry and blackberry on the palate. The finish is slightly occasion into a celebration. oaky with a nice light acidity and tannins. Ask for it at room temperature or slightly chilled. 2018 SPARKLING ROSÉ 14 | 40 Our Champagne style Sparkling Rosé features both floral 2018 CANNON RED 11 | 32 and fuity characteristics on the nose... lavender, rose petal, Named for our sister property in Charleston, SC, Cannon and strawberry... with hints of raspberry, lilac, and violet Green, this wine may be easy to drink, but it is complex and on the palate. whimsical, “an easy drinking red for a serious red drinker”. The nose has a lovely fuitiness and hints of raisins and lavender. — WHITE — Cherries, raspberries, and elderberries on the palate make for a refeshing finish with light body and tannins. 2018 ZERO WHITE 9 | 28 The Zero White is fuity and complex with fennel pollen, 2018 CABERNET FRANC 11 | 32 lemon, elderflower and a touch of thyme on the nose.
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