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Virginia Wines Keep Expanding
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Grape growing in Virginia started as soon as the first settlers stepped off the boats in Jamestown and began transplanting the European vines. Thomas Jefferson, the third US President, but Virginian’s first father of wines, pushed vine growth at his beloved Monticello home in central Virginia. Mr. Jefferson never saw vineyard success in his lifetime, due to American pests and diseases which kept large-scale wine production in Virginia below potential until the last fifty years.
Expansion of wines in the Commonwealth has taken off in the last thirty years and now ranks 5th in the number of wineries per state and 7th in overall bottle production. Vineyards are receiving both domestic and international recognition for Merlot, Cabernet and even the special Virginia Viognier. In 1995 Virginia had 46 wineries listed which have now grown to the current list of 156 wineries listed on the Virginia Wine trail this year.
Virginia Viticulture Areas
Virginia has a diverse climate across the state from the low lying Virginia Beach areas to the Blue Ridge Mountains with the more temperate central Virginia climate. This varied landscape is identified by six AVA (American Viticulture Areas) in Virginia. Most wine tasters won’t care about the AVA designation, but the areas are important for the impact that the climate and terrain has on the grape and resulting taste.
Virginia Wine Trails
Virginia wineries are conveniently grouped along twelve wine trails spread across the AVA designations. The trails breakdown the current 156 wineries into regional groups, creating easy tasting tours and event opportunities. The Richmond area sits in the Heart of Virginia Wine Trail and consists of James River Cellars, Lake Anna Winery, Grayhaven Winery, and Cooper Vineyards.
- The James River Cellars winery is located in Glen Allen, Virginia just outside of Richmond. The wines offer some of Virginia’s best, winning Governor Cup awards over the years for many varieties including dessert wines.
- Lake Anna Winery is further of the Rt. 95 corridor from Richmond, in Spotsylvania, but still near enough to attend a wine tasting and enjoy the views.
- Grayhaven Winery is close to Rt. 64 and is known for their wines using grape varieties such as Pinotage, Seyval, and Vidal Blanc.
- Cooper Vineyards is located in Louisa and offers a collection of interesting wines including their Ice wines and Noche, a Norton and chocolate blended wine.
The VirginiaWine organization website provides the Virginia wine taster a complete guide of tasting events and winery information. The Heart of Virginia wine tour is a pleasant way to enjoy local wines and learn more about winemaking in Virginia.
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