The most planted grape variety is Chardonnay, though Cabernet Franc and Viognier are also well illustrated throughout the region. The top 5 grape varietals produced are Chardonnay, Cabernet Franc, Merlot, Vidal Blanc, and Viognier. ![]() French hybrid varieties account for nearly 20% of total wine grape production, while American varietals make up only about 5%. By capacity, Vitis vinifera varieties represent 75% of total production. There are a lot of grape varieties that you will come across in the Virginia wine region. Grape varieties from Virginia Wine Region The intent of the VWDC is to provide wholesale wine distribution services for Virginia farm wineries, many of which are too small to manage on their own. The state of Virginia has taken an active role in helping promote the wine industry in the state even to the extent of managing a state wide distributor company for Virginia wineries called Virginia Winery Distribution Company (VWDC) that was established by the Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services. Two of the more well known organizations are the Virginia Vineyards Association (VVA) and the Virginia Wineries Association (VWA). Wine industry Ī growing number of for-profit and non-profit organizations have been established since the 1980s to help promote Virginia Wine. Chateau Morrisette, with the help of Governor Bob McDonnell's office, will be exporting its Merlot to China, and plans to add other wines later. Īs Virginia wines sold in Virginia have the requirement that the majority of the grapes used must be grown in Virginia, and since Virginia is not growing enough grapes to support the number of wineries, one Floyd County winery has expanded its operation in a five-year contract to export its wines to China. To encourage visitors, they often play host to special events with music, food, and other activities. As a result, the wineries rely on wine tourism and direct sales for most of their revenue. Almost all of these are small, family-owned vineyards and wineries, and only the very largest have developed distribution networks. By 2012 there were over 230 wineries operating in Virginia. Throughout the 1980s and 1990s, many other vineyards and wineries joined the mix and by 2009, over 163 wineries were operating in Virginia. Barboursville Vineyards served as a catalyst in the 1970s, alongside the now defunct Oakencroft Vineyards. The rebirth was led in part by the investment of the Zonin family of Italy in a new vineyard in Barboursville in 1976. In the early 1900s, Charlottesville's Monticello Wine Company and its Virginia Claret Wine were so well-regarded that the city declared itself to be "the Capital of the Wine Belt in Virginia." The vineyard at Thomas Jefferson's Monticello home did not produce wine until the late 20th century. ![]() The central and northern Virginia counties, in particular those located just east of the Blue Ridge Mountains, account for the significant majority of the commonwealth's production. The commonwealth ranks fifth in the nation for both bearing acreage and grape production. Īs of 2016, the commonwealth has approximately 2,600 acres (11 km 2) under cultivation, with a total harvest of over 6500 tons. As of 2012, the top 5 varietals produced are Chardonnay, Cabernet Franc, Merlot, Vidal blanc and Viognier. French hybrids varieties account for nearly 20% of total wine grape production in the commonwealth, while American varietals make up only about 5% of the total. By tonnage, Vitis vinifera varieties represents 75% of total production. Virginia has hot humid summers that can be challenging to viticulture, and only within the last twenty years has the industry developed beyond novelty status. Wine has been produced in the area since the early days of European colonization in the 17th century. Virginia wine refers to wine made primarily from grapes grown in the commonwealth of Virginia. Humid subtropical with maritime and continental in highland areasĪglianico, Albariño, Barbera, Black Muscat, Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cayuga, Chambourcin, Chancellor, Chardonel, Chardonnay, Colombard, Concord, Corot noir, De Chaunac, Fer, Gewürztraminer, Graciano, Grüner Veltliner, Malbec, Malvasia, Marechal Foch, Merlot, Munson, Muscat Canelli, Muscat Ottonel, Nebbiolo, Niagara, Norton, Petit Manseng, Petit Verdot, Pinot blanc, Pinot gris, Pinot noir, Pinotage, Primitivo, Riesling, Rkatziteli, Roussanne, Ruby Cabernet, Sangiovese, Sauvignon blanc, Scheurebe, Semillon, Seyval blanc, Steuben, Syrah, Tannat, Tempranillo, Tinta Cão, Touriga Nacional, Traminette, Trebbiano, Verdelho, Vidal blanc, Vignoles, Villard blanc, Viognier, Zinfandel Middleburg AVA, Monticello AVA, North Fork of Roanoke AVA, Northern Neck George Washington Birthplace AVA, Rocky Knob AVA, Shenandoah Valley AVA, Virginia's Eastern Shore AVA
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