Wine Enthusiast....

VIRGINIA....IS FOR WINE LOVERS

As with many things, when it came to wine, Thomas Jefferson was ahead of his time.  The famed Virginian loved wine and often brought back cases from Europe, but he also believed that his home state was capable of producing world-class wines.  In 1773 Jefferson brought Italian winemaker Filippo Mazzei to his Monticello estate in Charlottesville to try winemaking. Their experiment ultimately failed, but they had planted the seeds of what would lead to a new era of winemaking in Virginia.

Yes, Virginia, you can find great wines in the Old Dominion, as well as superb winery experiences.  With more than 75 wineries spread throughout the state, it's easy to plan your own wine trail.  I recommend starting with those near Charlottesville and Monticello.  

Fittingly, one of the leaders in this new era was (and is) Jefferson Vineyards, just down Thomas Jefferson Parkway from Monticello.  It's a great place to begin a central Virginia wine trail, because this is where Jefferson first instructed Mazzei to plant vines.  There's a pleasant tasting room, winery tours on the hour, and an excellent choice of Viognier, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, and more.  A deck just off the tasting room is a perfect picnic spot, with a gourmet grocery, called Brix, nearby.

Kluge Estate Winery and Vineyard on Grand Cru Drive is the next stop. Just opened to the public earlier this year, the sprawling facility includes a tasting room, the winery and a farm shop with lots of local produce.  Their first bottling is Kluge Estate New World Red, a Bordeaux-style blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Cabernet Franc.

Other excellent winery experiences in the Charlottesville area include Barboursville Vineyards (Italian-style wines and dining) and King Family Vineyards/Michael Shaps Wines.  

Along with the requisite visit to Monticello, eat a meal at historic Michie Tavern, enjoy the University of Virginia's campus, and simply soak up the bucolic atmosphere.

Virginia Wine Marketing Office: 804/786-0481; www.virginiawines.org
Jefferson Vineyards: 434/977-3042; www.jeffersonvineyards.com
Kluge Estate Winery and Vineyard: 434/977-3895 (ext. 55); www.klugeestate.com
First Colony Winery: 877/979-7105 or 434/979-7105; www.firstcolonywinery.com
Barboursville Vineyards: 540/832-3824; www.barboursvillewine.com
King Family Vineyards/Michael Shaps Wines: 434/823-7800; www.kingfamilyvineyards.com