| Virginia is known as much for its many products and | | | | businesses--a quick internet search on Virginia wines |
| resources as it is for it rich Colonial heritage and | | | | and the Virginia Wine Association will lead you to a |
| history. As early as the 1600s the commonwealth has | | | | wealth of information to help you plan a fun wine |
| been a center of production for many goods and | | | | tour. Once you're on the road, look for the road signs |
| luxuries. Historians tell of our forefathers growing | | | | bearing a purple cluster of grapes that indicate the |
| tobacco along the cobbled streets of Jamestown, | | | | directions to your destinations. You are more likely to |
| and for nearly a century Suffolk has been regarded | | | | find them off the beaten path, on state and local |
| one of the peanut capitals of the world. Cotton, ham, | | | | roads, rather than the interstates. |
| and seafood are also popular exports, as is wine. Few | | | | When you plan your next Virginia wine tour, be sure |
| people outside the bacchanalian world realize that | | | | to take a few detours to the Northern Neck region |
| Virginia is popular wine country, ranking tenth among | | | | near Stafford and King George Counties and |
| US states in grape production! | | | | Washington, DC. Here are a few popular picks which |
| There are over one hundred active wineries in the | | | | are certain to please the palate: |
| commonwealth of Virginia, covering nearly 2500 acres | | | | Hartwood Winery - Fredericksburg |
| of land, and producing as many as three hundred | | | | This historic farm has been producing fine wine since |
| thousands cases a year. On average, over four | | | | '89! Hartwood Winery hosts many tastings and |
| thousand tons of grapes are produced annually to | | | | events throughout the year, allowing visitors to |
| make Virginia wine. You'll find nearly every variety of | | | | sample their crisp Chardonnays and Clarets. |
| red and white grown in Virginia, from the sweetest | | | | Lost Creek Winery - Leesburg |
| Rieslings and tart Chardonnays, to the sharpest | | | | Lost Creek offers unusual but delicious blends to |
| Merlots and Cabernets this side of the Mississippi | | | | savor, from apple and grape wines to late harvest |
| River. | | | | wines made from high-sugar grapes. |
| Wine festivals are hosted all over the state, as many | | | | Three Fox Vineyards - Delaplane |
| as three hundred annually, with many state vineyards | | | | Three Fox specializes in Pinot Grigio, Sangiovese, and |
| taking home national and international awards for | | | | Viognier vintages on their fifty-acre farm. Wine |
| their produce. Wine making has been a devoted | | | | aficionados are also invited to subscribe to a special |
| practice in Virginia since the dawn of the early | | | | vintner's circle, where one can "sponsor" vines and be |
| colonies; it is a tradition well-preserved in the | | | | trained in the winemaking process. |
| thousands of bottles sold each year to wine | | | | Linden Vineyards - Linden |
| enthusiasts. Not only is Virginia the first state to | | | | For over twenty-five years, Linden has produced |
| produce US presidents, it is the first to produce wine, | | | | some of the finest Bordeaux wines in the |
| and over the centuries the practice has aged as well | | | | Commonwealth. Tours and seminars on wine making |
| as the vintages! | | | | and growing are hosted in the winter and summer, |
| In Northern Virginia in particular, one doesn't need to | | | | making Linden the perfect spot for an education as |
| travel "sideways" to enjoy a pleasant winery tour. | | | | well as recreational stop on any Virginia wine tour. |
| From Stafford County to the lip of the DC beltway | | | | If you enjoy what you taste at these and other |
| one can over 30 wineries, many of which offer tours | | | | Northern Virginia wineries, be sure to take a few |
| and tasting specials. As the majority of Virginia | | | | bottles home with you, especially if you are out of |
| wineries are small, family-owned enterprises, it is | | | | state. Presently, Virginia wines are mainly available |
| strongly recommended to contact ahead of time for | | | | within Virginia, though the state has reciprocity |
| operating and tour hours. On occasion, some wineries | | | | agreements with thirteen states to allow the wine to |
| may schedule events in conjunction with other local | | | | be sold elsewhere in the country. Salud! |