7 Best Wine-Country Towns In Virginia

► Source: WorldAtlas – see original article here.

When we think of American wine, our minds usually conjure up images of those classic Napa Valley wineries that have dominated the country’s viticulture scene for decades. Which is why you’ll probably be surprised to learn that the wine industry didn’t get started in California, nor even in the state of Washington, the nation’s second biggest producer of wines. It really started in Virginia.

The Monticello Wine Trail is named after the third President’s famous estate in a nod to the efforts of Thomas Jefferson and the early Virginian wine-growers. It’s also one of the best ways to get to know Charlottesville’s wine heritage. A fun-to-drive circuit that includes over 40 wineries producing some of Virginia’s best vintages, you’ll get to visit such iconic properties as Barboursville Vineyards. Established in 1976 on the grounds of the former estate of Jefferson’s friend and neighbor, Governor James Barbour, you can still see the ruins of the 1822 Jefferson-designed mansion. Several tour options are available, including some combined with picnics, food pairings at the Palladio Restaurant, and even overnight stays in the property’s 1804 Inn and Cottages.

Charlottesville’s deep connection to Thomas Jefferson and his love for wine has also rubbed off on local eateries like Michie Tavern. Just a stone’s throw from Monticello, the tavern was built in 1784 and moved piece by piece to its current location in 1927. Re-opened as a restaurant serving traditional 18th-century dishes popular in Jefferson’s time, they often serve their own locally produced wines, created in the French-style favored by Jefferson. Named the Michie Tavern Finest Red, you can even buy some to take home with you from the adjacent Meadow Run Mill & General Store.

Other wine-related experiences in and around Charlottesville include King Family Vineyards, popular not just for weddings but also for polo matches at its Roseland Polo Club. It also hosts a popular summer concert series in its Roseland Pavilion. Monticello Wine Week also offers up the chance to partake in special event-related tours and tastings along the wine trail.