My husband and I are huge proponents of
buying and eating local. We frequent dining establishments that serve
local produce and meat. And....we are fervent supporters of the
burgeoning Virginia burgeoning wine industry. Our wine cellar
consists primarily of Virginia wines and we spend the occasional
weekend exploring the local wineries. And while I couldn't have said
this when we first started wine tasting in our backyard, many of the
wines are not just good – they are excellent. My husband Todd and I
would like to describe ourselves as oenophiles; but we're probably
just winos with evolved taste buds!
I am fortunate to live in the wine
country of the beautiful Commonwealth of Virginia.
Over the last few years Virginia
vintners have made significant progress and the wines can now begin
to compete with some of the more prestigious wine growing regions in
the USA. It will not be long before they rival California offerings.
In fact one grape grower chose Fauquier County, Virginia instead of
Sonoma County, California to grow the grapes he wanted for his
Bordeaux style wines that are blended in France – which are, by
the way, exquisite and world class. Love RdV!
The history of wine in Virginia goes
back to the earliest days of settlement in the early 17th
Century, specifically 1619.The original Acts of the Virginia
Assembly required every land owner to plant ten vines. And who says
history is boring! Jamestown was founded in 1607 – so winemaking
was part of the earliest mandates of the new colony. This might
explain why I had such an instinct that Virginia was the state where
I should ultimately live!
There are micro climates in Virginia
combined with hardscrabble earth that combine to make this an amazing
wine grape cultivation area. Where nothing else will grow, certain
grapes will thrive. While there are suitable micro climates for
growing grapes in various areas of the state, Fauquier County,
Loudoun County, Rappahannock County and Albermarle County are among
the best- all within 90 minutes of my humble abode.
In future posts I will review the wines
offered at specific wineries. But for now, I would encourage anybody
visiting Virginia with even a modest appreciation of wine to explore
some of our local wineries. The people who make wine and volunteer at
Virginia wineries are among the friendliest and most welcoming folks
you could ever meet. The people we meet who volunteer at the wineries
are passionate about their wine and promoting the industry in
Virginia. As aficionados of Napa and Sonoma wineries, we have
embraced the local industry and hope you will too.
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