Monthly Archives: June 2017

La Maison Verte

The Suburban – Urban Foodie Review: La Maison Verte

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By The Suburban

For French cuisine at its absolute finest, go to La Maison Verte. Situated in a 160-year old house in the West Island, the restaurant is a beautiful setting for a special celebration or just a beautiful night out.

My wife and I went to La Maison Verte to celebrate our anniversary, and what can we say: the food was superb! From the freshly prepared halibut and trout filets that we ordered, which were tender yet firm (cooked to perfection), to the refreshing sorbets that were given to us to cleanse our palettes after our freshly-prepared green salads, the staff at La Maison Verte don't miss a thing when it comes to providing patrons with top-notch food in a charming and warm setting (if the weather permits, sit on their terrasse and take in the spectacular waterfront views). They also have a wonderful selection of wines to pair with your meal, and we clanged glasses of Castello del Poggio red wine to celebrate our special milestone. Their vegetable veloute soup was also super tasty, and we indulged in a little dessert too (it was soooo good!). 

The staff was helpful and yet non-intrusive, giving us an opportunity to eat a relaxed meal and reminisce about our wedding and the years since then. We thoroughly enjoyed the entire experience, and we'd definitely come back to La Maison Verte again (and we'd recommend it to our friends too!). 

Zonin's Castello del Poggio

Shanken News Daily – Zonin’s Castello del Poggio Aims For 1 Million Cases

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By Shanken News Daily

A five-time Impact “Hot Brand” winner. Zonin USA's Castello del Poggio has been on a tear in the U.S. market. thanks to the growth of its flagship Moscato 'GT. Castello del poggio was up 22.1% to 539.000 cases last year. making it the markers 10th largest premium-plus imported table wine brand. according to Impact Databank. 

This summer. Zonin USA is extending the Castello del Poggio range in an effort to grow the brand to a million cases over the next three to five years. The expansion will include a Sweet Red Sweet Rosé, Prosecco DOC and Sparkling Moscato, all priced in line with the existing Moscato IGT at around $12.99 a 750-ml. The rollout will be backed by a nationwide ad campaign slated to run across print, digital and broadcast platforms, as well as launch events in more than 20 metro markets.

Tim Matz, Zonin USA's executive vice president and general manager, notes that sweet and sparkling wines resonate with drinkers just entering the category, as well as women from age 25 to 45 and African-American and Latino consumers. The new range is expected to fare well in national retail chains, where Castello del Poggio has emerged as a top-selling Moscato at outlets including Walmart, Food Lion, Meijer, Harris Teeter and Publix.

Castello del Poggio's U.S. foray into sparkling comes as Zonin Prosecco enjoys similar double-digit gains. Last year, Zonin Prosecco rose 18% to 419.000 cases, earning “Hot Brand”

 —Christina Jelski
 

Zonin Prosecco Cuvée 1821

Vinexpo Daily – New Packaging for Zonin Prosecco Cuvée 1821

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By Vinexpo Daily

A new and eye-catching pack is ready for the Zonin Prosecco Cuvée 1821 being poured at Vinexpo this year.

Zonin Prosecco Cuvée 1821 was launched on the market in 2009 and since then, it has always maintained its image, highly regarded for quality and well recognised for its authenticity and attractive reference to the Italian lifestyle.

Recent in-depth qualitative research, undertaken both nationally and on the global market, brought the company to the idea that new value and visibility could be given to Zonin Prosecco, without losing what it had built over the past years. The goal was to boost its distinctiveness and strong character with a contemporary and elegant restyling. As a result of this study, at Vinexpo the Zonin Family presents the new Zonin Prosecco Cuvée 1821 pack, a smart and fresh evolution of the previous one, characterised by a larger logo on a refi ned but noticeable teal coloured background.

Schramsberg Winery

Wine Enthusiast Magazine – Your Guide to Becoming an Expert on Sparkling Wine

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By Wine Enthusiast Magazine

Sparkling wine, fizz, bubbly: call it what you will, but its effervescence spells joy and celebration. These tiny bubbles make all the difference, but how do they get there? How different sparkling wines are made can help you choose the right wine for the right occasion.

First things first: bubbles form when carbon dioxide gas dissolved in wine is released. Most sparkling wine bottles are thus under pressure, which explains the traditional spago (thread) closure for slightly sparkling Prosecco, and the wire muselet for fully sparkling wine. Both keep the cork in place.

Pressure is also why sparkling wine bottles are heavier and thicker than traditional wine bottles and have a deep punt in their bottom. Fully sparkling wine has up to six atmospheres of pressure, so bottles need to be structurally sound and sturdy. As the bottle is opened, that pressure releases and the wine begins to sparkle.

So how does carbon dioxide get into wine? Broadly speaking, there are three ways. The first way is to add it, like in soda. The second method is to trap carbon dioxide from the wine’s initial fermentation. The final way is to put finished wine, known as base wine, through a second fermentation and trap the resulting carbon dioxide. This can happen either in a tank or bottle, and it’s the way most sparkling wine is made. But let’s discuss the first two methods.

Adding carbon dioxide creates the least persistent effervescence, as the wines are just slightly fizzy. A special closure is not necessary.

It’s also possible to make a fizzy wine by trapping carbon dioxide from the first alcoholic fermentation. Usually, such carbon dioxide is allowed to escape, but a pressurized tank traps the gas at a desired point to create a fizzy wine.

Depending on when this process is halted, there can be residual sweetness in the wine. It’s then filtered to prevent further ferment and bottled under pressure, which preserves natural sweetness and fruity flavor. The resulting fizz is lively and frothy. This is how Asti Spumante is made.

Trapping carbon dioxide inside a bottle is known as méthode ancestrale, where a wine with residual sweetness is bottled and continues to ferment until all sugar is consumed. Trendy pétillants naturels, or pét nats, are made in this manner.

Riddling Racks Raventos

But now on to getting bubbles into wine via second fermentation. There’s a huge distinction between secondary fermentation in tank, known as Charmat method, and secondary fermentation in bottle, known as traditional method, méthode traditionnelle or metodo classico. Both create sparkling wine, but they produce different character and virtues. Both of these methods start out with still, dry base wine, to which an exact amount of both sugar and yeast is added which will induce the second fermentation.

For the Charmat method, a base wine that’s augmented with sugar and yeast is put into a pressurized tank where the second fermentation takes place. The carbon dioxide is trapped, and the dead yeast cells sink to the bottom. While these dead yeast cells (known as lees) add a degree of flavor, there’s little interaction between lees and wine. The resulting bubbles are bigger and frothier, and the flavors are far less complex. After a few months on lees, the wine is filtered and bottled under pressure.

This method is easier, cheaper and faster than the traditional method. The base wine’s primary varietal flavors remain and are accentuated by the lively, frothy foam. This is how most Prosecco is made, where the floral, fruity notes of the Glera grape take center stage. Stefano Ferrante, chief winemaker at Prosecco Zonin1821 says, “This way, we can obtain freshness and aroma without the excessive structure and secondary aromas given by yeast contact.”

Business People Party Celebration Success Concept

Food and Wine – Moscato 101: Everything You Need to Know about Moscato Wine

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By Food and Wine

Our guide to Moscato covers how to identify, taste, and savor this delicate, sweet wine.

Moscato wine evokes strong opinions among oenophiles—they adore its sweet fruit aroma or can’t stand it one bit. Whether sipped as an aperitif or dessert wine, mixed into cocktails for fizz, poached with fruit, or paired with fiery cuisine, Moscato is much more versatile and complex than most would realize. Moscato grapes, or muscat, are grown up and down Italy, making for a wide diversity of flavors and styles. From bubbly to still to fortified, Moscato makes a provocative addition to any wine lover’s repertoire. Our guide dishes out everything you need to know about this delicately fruity and floral wine.

Best Moscato Wines

Put your Moscato know-how to the test with our top picks. You won’t have to hop across the Atlantic for these wines—we’ve chosen a variety from sparkling to fortified that you should be able to find online or at your local wine store. Many vineyards will ship directly to your home if your state allows it.

2015 Castello del Poggio Moscato d’Asti
Producer: Castello del Poggio
Where: Piedmont, Italy
Tasting notes: Lightly-sparkling with a balance of sweet honey, peach and candied orange. Best enjoyed as an aperitif or dessert wine.
ABV: 5.5%
Average price: $10-$12

What are the different types of Moscato wine?

With a huge variety of Muscat grapes comes a diverse offering of Moscato wines. Many of these Moscato varieties are more difficult to find in the United States, but they’re reason enough to plan your next trip to Italy.

Moscato d’Asti: A lightly-sparkling, golden-colored wine produced in the northwestern Piedmont region, Moscato d’Asti comes from Muscat à Petits Grains and is the most recognizable variety. A low alcohol content (5.5% ABV), lightly-sweet flavor, and soft, gentle bubbles (frizzante in Italian) make Moscato d’Asti a popular aperitif or dessert wine pairing.

What are the best foods to pair with Moscato?

The secret to pairing any wine with food is balance. Moscato is sweet, so ideally you should pair it with foods possessing opposite flavor profiles—spicy, sour, salty, bitter. While its sweet fruity essence can make it difficult to pair with a main course, Moscato is perfect with appetizers, sweet brunch dishes, dessert, and alone as an aperitif.
 

Wine and books on the Table

Drink Me Mag – No Matter What His Personality; We Have a Wine for Your Dad This Father’s Day

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By Drink Me Mag

Drinking wine with dad is easy. Finding the right kind of wine to buy him? Now that’s a challenge. This Father’s day give the gift of grape to your dad. Here are 5 wine selections to make your father’s day present a favorite- each fixed to a personality type.

Personality Type: The Cool Trendsetter
Suggestion: Leviathan (SRP: $48)

Capturing the spirit of California, this California red blend from renowned winemaker Andy Erickson will excite your taste buds. This rich, full wine is filled with flavors of dense berry fruits and licorice, brimming with aromatics of cigars, brambly fruit, and cacao.

Fun Fact to Share with Dad: Although this uniquely blended wine is worthy of cellaring, it is intended to be consumed in its youth, showcasing its vivid, fruit-driven character.

 Personality Type: The Compassionate Caregiver
Suggestion: Cultivate Pinot Noir (SRP: $28)

The Compassionate Caregiver

A wine that’s sourced from three of California’s coolest coastal growing regions: Santa Barbara County, Monterey County, and Sonoma County. You can smell the ripe raspberries, strawberries, touch of pomegranate, and whiffs of candied orange peel the second you uncork the bottle!

Fun Fact to Share with Dad: 10% of all wine profits are invested in Cultivate’s Founders’ adopted school, Harvest Middle School, Napa Valley, to support the Franklin Covey The Leader In Me Program.

Personality Type: The Explorer and Jetsetter
Suggestion: Trinity Hill Sauvignon Blanc (SRP: $17)

The Explorer and Jetsetter

A wine filled with gentle aromas of lime, citrus, and lemongrass complement the distinct aroma of stone-fruit. Matched best with fresh shellfish or Asian inspired dishes.

Fun Fact to Share with Dad: The majority of the juice in this wine was fermented at cool temperatures in stainless steel tanks to retain fresh fruit characters. Most components received a minimum of 8 months lees contact in tank.

Personality Type: The Geeky Dad-ipedia
Suggestion: Cru Bourgeois Chateau Haut Logat (SRP: $25)

The Geeky Dad-ipedia

A wine that is both rich in tannins and ripe fruit. Filled with spice and berry fruits that are given an extra richness by the taste of intense dark plums.

Fun Fact to Share with Dad: Haut-Medoc accounts for two-thirds of the Medoc peninsula and produces more fine wine per year acre than almost anywhere else in the world.

 Personality Type: The Outdoorsy Adventurist 
Suggestion: Rocca Di Montemassi Calasole Vermentino (SRP: $15)

Rocca Di Montemassi Calasole Vermentino

A crisp and fruity wine that is acid, dry, fruity, and filled with herbal notes. Enjoyed best with fish, salads, and savory snacks.

Fun Fact to Share with Dad: The name Calasole means “sundown” or “sunset”. It is also the name of a mild breeze that sweeps through the Maremma hills in the late afternoon.

PHILEO ROSE

Vine Pair – The Best Thing we Drank This Week, May 8

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By Vine Pair

COURTNEY, TASTING EDITOR — TENUTE IL BOSCO ‘OLTRENERO CRUASÉ,’ OLTREPO PAVESE, LOMBARDY

I spent a whirlwind three days in Tuscany with the Zonin family this week, and if that wasn’t enough to put me in a state of bliss, this glass of sparkling rosé handed to me upon arriving in the hilltop village of Radda in Chianti certainly was. A traditional-method bubbly from the northern Italian region of Oltrepo Pavese, it was clean and citrus-driven, with highlights of fresh strawberry – a perfect pairing with cobblestone-lined streets and Tuscan sunsets.

 

 

Fathers Day Wine

Crave Online – Wine to Pour This Father’s Day

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By Crave Online

Impress your dad with a fine bottle of wine this Father's Day.

calasole vermentino rocca di montemassiFor The Outdoorsman

Rocca De Montemassi Calasole Vermentino ($15) reveals a silky texture with tart green apple, bright citrus, and stone minerals that lead to a long and refreshing finish. "Calasole" means "sundown" or "sunset" and is also the name of a mild breeze that sweeps through the Maremma hills in the late afternoon.

Zonin Prosecco

Wine Business – Zonin USA, Inc. Announces Expanded Portfolio Launch for its Castello del Poggio in the U.S. Market

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By Wine Business

Castello del Poggio, five year consecutive Hot Brand Award Winner, is proud to announce the launch of its expanded product portfolio of sweet wines. The winery’s flagship wine, Moscato IGT has enjoyed great success on the U.S. market, as the #1 selling Italian Moscato in national retail chains. The wine’s success inspired the winery to introduce a broader range of wines, complete with a fresh look and taste.

In addition to the Moscato IGT, Castello del Poggio will now offer a Sweet Red, Sweet Rosé, Prosecco DOC and Sparkling Moscato. The expanded portfolio will be introduced to the market through the series of launch events to be held in 20+ cities across the U.S., with the largest experiential event in New York City on June 7th at Manhattan Penthouse on 5th and a special event at the Aspen Classic on June 16th. The launch is supported by an experiential, nationwide marketing campaign in print, digital and broadcast, the largest marketing initiative Zonin USA, Inc. has undertaken for a single brand in its portfolio.

“We are excited to continue and expand upon the success of Castello del Poggio. Our Moscato IGT has hit a sweet spot with U.S. consumers and paved the way for the introduction of new line extensions of the Hello Sweet Life brand,” says Zonin USA, Inc. Executive Vice President – General Manager, Tim Matz. “There is a definite surge of consumer interest in sweeter wines, and our new portfolio provides consumers with more options to suit their palates.”

Castello del Poggio was recently ranked in Shanken’s Impact Newsletter as one of its “Hot Brands’ for the fifth year in a row. Impact’s “Hot Brands’ recognizes the most dynamic brands from the wine, spirits and beer industries, selected on the basis of strict growth and volume criteria.

The new Castello del Poggio Hello Sweet Life range is now available nationwide and is on track to become a million case brand, supported by expansions into growing categories like sweet red and rosé.

About Castello del Poggio:

Castello del Poggio bottles the Sweet Life in Italy amid a lush landscape that blooms within its own microclimate. This is where the world’s most sought after wines are produced, including its latest Sweet Collection: Moscato, Rosé, Sweet Red, Sparkling Moscato, and Prosecco. Each of the wines is the product of centuries of spensieratezza – the Italian lighthearted way of life. Because life is simple. You don’t need anything more than the sun’s warm rays, good company, and an open mind for a beautiful day to unfold. Since 1706, Castello del Poggio has been finding ways to capture and share that spirit.

Wine

Vine Pair – Most Popular Moscato Wine Brands in the World

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By Vine Pair

What’s fizzy, frothy, and provides the perfect amount of sweetness when the craving strikes? That’s right, we’re talking about Moscato. Made from the Muscat family of grapes, Moscato (known as Moscatel in Spain) has a flavor profile that ranges all over the spectrum, from bone dry to syrupy sweet.

However, the Moscatos that we Americans are most accustomed to are those light, effervescent bottles brimming with sweet sparkles. Despite the negative hype, the wine is actually more loved than you might think. According to Wine Searcher, the year-to-date figure for Moscato searches stands at 273,261, while Prosecco stands at a significantly lower 128,615. That’s a ton of demand!

ZONIN PRIMO AMORE MOSCATO

Zonin Primo Amore Moscato

Unlike most Italian Moscatos, Zonin’s bottling comes from the warmer southern region of Puglia. While most Moscatos sit at about 5% ABV, Zonin’s sits at a slightly higher 7% ABV. Hey, that 2% makes a difference on those occasional rough days at work!

CASTELLO DEL POGGIO MOSCATO

Castello Del Poggio Moscato

This Zonin-owned brand’s grapes come from Lombardy, east of Piedmont. Serve chilled with Italian cookies for ultimate enjoyment!

Hello Sweet Life Launch Party

South Florida Nights – “Hello Sweet Life” Launch Party

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By South Florida Nights

Monday, June 5, 6pm-9pm – Phillip and Patricia Frost Museum of Science, 1101 Biscayne Blvd, Miami

As the warm weather draws upon us, you will be looking for reasons to stay cool, bubbly and refreshed! Zonin 1812 officially launched Castello del Poggio “Hello Sweet Life” Collection, a range of sweet summer approved Italian wines that will kick-start the season. The collection includes: Prosecco demi-sec sparkling wine, Moscato sweet sparkling wine, Moscato IGT sweet white wine, Sweet Rose wine, and Rosso Dolce sweet red wine. Castello del Poggio is located in Piedmont, Northern Italy and is one of the most prestigious wine growing regions in the world. Castello del Poggio wines are product of centuries of “spensieratezza” – the Italian lighthearted way of life. Castello del Poggio Moscato wine has been popularized at Olive Garden restaurants, and is now available via different distributors.

Pippin Hill Farm & Vineyards

Huffpost – What Winemakers Want You To Know About Virginia’s Wine Renaissance

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By Huffpost

I arrive in Charlottesville before noon on a pristine spring day, the rolling green hills a far cry from where I started my morning, before sunrise in an Uber to JFK. I’m here to learn about Virginia’s unique wine culture. My first guide is Gabriele Rausse, an old school Italian winemaker known as the father of Virginia’s modern wine renaissance.

My image of an intimidating wine expert evaporates upon meeting Rausse. With a laidback demeanor that is standard fare around here, Rausse offers to take me on a tour of the surrounding vineyards, and soon we are cruising along winding country roads in his 1979 Mercedes. Rausse begins to unfurl Virginia’s wine history. From the canopy of sun-dappled maples to the rolling hills dotted with vineyards, I am struck by the lushness of Virginia’s countryside.

Vintage Roots

Like most American success stories, Virginia has had to crush a variety of obstacles on its 400 year path to becoming a respected winemaking region. In the early 1600s, the first colonists tried to cultivate the area’s native vines to produce a cash crop, but ongoing attempts were thwarted by the region’s diverse climate.

By the 1770s, European winemakers were commissioned to try their luck with planting the European Vitis vinifera outside of Williamsburg, but even the experts couldn’t achieve a successful harvest. Construction began at Monticello, and along with Jefferson’s grand vision for a mountaintop estate, the founding father ensured that wine would always have a legacy in Virginia.

Rausse and I head back to Monticello to walk around the grounds where Jefferson planted 330 varieties of fruits and vegetables, along with two vineyards in which he planted 24 varieties of grapes sloping down the mountainside. Jefferson’s original crops didn’t survive, but he continued to establish wine as an important part of Virginia’s culture by importing more than 400 bottles from Europe a year to serve at Monticello’s famous dinner parties. He even installed dumbwaiters from the wine cellar to the dining room to keep the vino flowing without interruption.

Modern Revival

Modern Revival

Rausse and I stop to admire the tight green clusters of grapes now flourishing in Jefferson’s original vineyard. Overseeing Monticello’s grounds and gardens for the past 22 years, Rausse has brought Jefferson’s dream to fruition by restoring the vineyards with several of the original vine varieties that Jefferson planted back in 1807. Several vintages produced from these grapes are now sold in Monticello’s Museum Shop, including a crisp Chardonnay and Bordeaux-style blends.

We pause to take in the spectacular panoramic view of the Piedmont and Blue Ridge Mountains that unfurl beyond Jefferson’s vineyards, where 30 wineries welcome guests along the Monticello Wine Trail.  All these wineries are located within 25 miles of Charlottesville, making this a great destination for wine lovers to enjoy tastings, wine festivals, live music, or just soak in the beauty of the Virginia’s countryside.

Jefferson laid roots for winemaking in Virginia, but it wasn’t until the 1970s that Virginia’s winemaking really took off. Looking to expand internationally, Italian winemaker Gianni Zonin bought a parcel of land outside of Charlottesville, taking a risk on a region where many had failed. He sent his vineyard manager, Gabriele Rausse, to find a fresh solution to get the wine flowing in Virginia.

Upon arriving in Virginia in 1976, Rausse was up against a healthy dose of skepticism from locals, who assured him that pinot noir could not be grown in Charlottesville. But these challenges invigorated him: “Before I came, I checked the climate of Charlottesville, and it was exactly the same climate of my town in Italy. So I said, why shouldn’t it grow here?”

Over the next six years, Rausse cultivated the fields of what is now Barboursville Vineyards, becoming the first vintner to successfully plant Vitis vinifera in the region. And in the spirit of generosity that Virginia seems to cultivate, Rausse shared his trade secrets with other local vintners. The number of wineries in Virginia steadily grew from a handful in 1980 to more than 300 today.

The Vineyards at Monticello

Like all great winemakers, Rausse let the land guide him. He realized that the grafting process had to be perfect to survive the region’s drastic seasonal changes. And when it comes to climate, Rausse tells me that “Virginia does whatever she wants.” While growers in California can rely on a mostly stable climate with temperate growing conditions, in Virginia, “there’s no year that the climate is the same.”

This is how underdog stories go. Every time the climate or seasonal variation throws a new challenge at Virginia’s winemakers, they adapt, and it’s this spirit of innovation that has allowed Virginian viticulture to thrive. With a harvest season that runs according to Mother Nature’s whims, the result is constant experimentation. For wine lovers, that means discovering a new and unique flavor profile with every visit to Virginia’s wineries.

History Preserved and Perfected

I climb into Paschina’s SUV and we make our way along sloping hillsides covered in neat rows of vines. Paschina tells me about the 18 varieties of grapes they have planted, and how even small changes in the slope can lead to hugely different yields. In his 27 years at the helm of Barboursville, he has grown the vineyard from 45 acres to almost 200, and launched a tasting room and restaurant that welcomes 80,000 visitors per year. Paschina is particularly excited about the burgeoning interest in aged red wines in Virginia, and the tasting room features a large collection of older vintages, offering yet another draw for wine connoisseurs.

The vineyard’s bestselling wine is called Octagon, a harmonious blend of Bordeaux, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon and Petit Verdot with a smooth-bodied finish. The wine is enhanced by its historical connections, with the name Octagon chosen in honor of the octagonal shaped dining room of James Barbour’s mansion, whose ruins flank the inn on the Barboursville property. Designed by Jefferson, the mansion burned to the ground in 1884.

Winemakers are preservationists, and Zonin has instituted an ongoing restoration process to shore up the crumbling ruins from further disrepair. With their stately brick remains coexisting peacefully with the bucolic countryside, the ruins are a sight to behold, and yet another reason to add Barboursville to your next wine tour itinerary.

I am staying the night at the 1804 Inn, adjacent to the ruins and built a century before. I’ve got the Vineyard Cottage all to myself, and the quaint 18th century dwelling is perfect for travelers seeking tranquility and privacy. I take a stroll to the ruins before turning in for the night, thinking that Jefferson would be pleased at how things turned out around here.

The 1804 Inn & Cottages

Laidback Luxury

The next morning I drive back toward Monticello, where I am meeting Kirsty Harmon, winemaker and manager at Blenheim Vineyards. Whereas Barboursville is steeped in history, Blenheim takes a more casual and contemporary approach to wines. “The nice thing about Virginia wineries is that every single place you go is going to be radically different than the next,” said Harmon. Visitors to Blenheim are encouraged to bring the whole family to enjoy music festivals, food trucks, and tastings at the 30-acre vineyard.

Blenheim is owned by musician Dave Matthews, who designs new bottle labels every year. Harmon says that some visitors come because of Dave Matthews, and learn a bit about wine in the process, and some come for the wine and learn about the Dave Matthews connection.

The vibe at Blenheim may be laid back, but its wines are rooted in Harmon’s deep scientific knowledge of winemaking. As one of only 20 or so female winemakers in Virginia, Harmon got her footing in the industry when she met Gabriele Rausse, who became her mentor. She’s been running Blenheim since 2008, and in that time has seen a huge increase in wine tourism. Blenheim welcomes 45,000 visitors a year for tastings.

True to her vineyard’s laid back vibe, Harmon creates wines that are fruit forward and approachable, meant for everyday drinking: “We try to present wine in an approachable but laid back way. Wine can get very intimidating and stuffy, but it doesn’t have to be that.”

My wine journey is nearing its end. I’ve learned firsthand that a spirit of generosity is as much a part of the winemaker’s job as a deeply ingrained knowledge of the land, from its history to its soil composition. Jefferson runs deep around here.

But the wineries of Virginia aren’t just bringing Jefferson’s dreams full circle; they’re also taking Virginia’s wine culture into bold new territory, where laid back and luxurious can coexist, making Charlottesville the perfect weekend destination for both newcomers and wine aficionados alike.

Experience the rich flavors of Virginia’s wines for yourself. Check out Virginia Tourism for a guide to the best wineries around the state and plan your next trip to relax in the laid back luxury of Virginia’s beautiful vineyards. Because Virginia is for wine lovers!