I missed this article on CNN (a reprint from Southern Accents magazine) about the Monticello Wine Trail and Barboursville specifically. I thought this passage was particularly interesting:
Through expertise and patience, Rausse succeeded, and today, the state boasts more than 250 vineyards and attracts half a million winery tourists every year. Now the head viticulturist for Monticello, Rausse passed the Barboursville mantle on to Paschina, who oversees 150 acres of cabernet franc, sangiovese, viognier, pinot gris and other vinifera varietals, as well as the production of 30,000 cases of wine a year.
I follow Virginia wine pretty closely (duh) and I didn't realize there were that many Vineyards. Dezel, Wineona, Paul? Does that number sound right to you?
Through expertise and patience, Rausse succeeded, and today, the state boasts more than 250 vineyards and attracts half a million winery tourists every year. Now the head viticulturist for Monticello, Rausse passed the Barboursville mantle on to Paschina, who oversees 150 acres of cabernet franc, sangiovese, viognier, pinot gris and other vinifera varietals, as well as the production of 30,000 cases of wine a year.
I follow Virginia wine pretty closely (duh) and I didn't realize there were that many Vineyards. Dezel, Wineona, Paul? Does that number sound right to you?
posted by allan at 12:04 AM
5 Comments:
No, Allan, that number doesn't sound right at all. The last time I checked there were 107 WINERIES but there may actually be 250 vineyards....where they grow the grapes and sell to the wineries. I still think the number sounds high.
I think there are 107 wineries but maybe there is 250 vineyards....where they just grow grapes but don't produce wine. I still think the number is a bit high.
Hi Allan,
In agreement with Paul,
I recently spoke with several in the business and it is less than half that number in ‘wineries’ here in VA (107 sounds correct); there are several not opened for business yet but certainly not that many. If there were, boy, we need to go find them (lol)
The thing about the ‘vineyards’ is that I think it would be less Vineyards than wineries, since many VA wineries get their fruit from the same vineyard. And some wineries, which also have vineyards, sell their juice off as well.
I am curious where that number came from; perhaps they were talking about Washington State….they’re at 200 and something.
Happy Sipping!
Dezel
Thanks for the suggestions on wine storage. I will probably have to get something that holds approx 50 bottles of so since I don't have that much space.
So far my experiences with VA wines has been somewhat lackluster. I need to make one of these local wine events and will hopefully find a better experience with VA wines.
TDC: Are you a read or a white wine drinker? If you like reds try Virginia Cabernet Franc and Meritage, both of which are very good. If you like white try Viognier, Virginia makes some of the best Viognier in the world.
Keep with the wine group, we'll get you hooked :).
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