WINE

Charlottesville Daily Progress
Published: September 6, 2007

For all his success in other areas, Thomas Jefferson never did get the hang of making a decent bottle of wine. A couple hundred years and countless technological advancements later, however, the wine community is thriving in Central Virginia.

The wine industry began to re-emerge in Virginia in the latter half of the 20th century. In 1979, there were just six wineries in the state, but today the number has grown to more than 130. Virginia ranks fifth in the country for the number of wine producers.

Many wineries are open for tours, tastings and special events throughout the year. Visitors can also expect festivals to offer tastings, music and performances, art shows, food and more. The Monticello Wine Trail Festival, held in the spring for the first time this year, is one of the more popular events.

Competitions, such as the prestigious Governor's Cup, also dot the calendar landscape, and many vineyards take advantage of their bucolic settings as wedding or reception sites.

A complete list of wineries and wine-related events throughout the state is available online from the Virginia Wine Marketing Office at www.virginiawines.org.