Virginia Wine: The Regions

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Eastern Shore
This AVA is lightly planted with less than 100 acres of vines split primarily between Riesling, Chardonnay, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, and Merlot. The region is located on the Delmarva Peninsula that is shared by neighboring Maryland and Delaware. The peninsula separates Virginia’s mainland from the Atlantic with the Chesapeake Bay lying between. Maritime influences abound keeping winters relatively mild and providing cool evening breezes in the growing season.

Monticello
Monticello is the home of the third US President, Thomas Jefferson. Jefferson was one of the greatest wine enthusiasts of his day. He was also an avid farmer and worked tirelessly to grow Vinifera grapes at his estate. These attempts were a bust, which is both frustrating and distressing, as grafting the European vines onto the native rootstock would likely have resulted in some success. Today the Monticello AVA includes Jefferson’s home and extends across four counties covering some 1250 acres along the eastern flank of the Blue Ridge Mountains. The better vineyards tend to be in the foothills at elevations nearing 1,000 feet and higher. Vinifera, hybrid, and native vines thrive here under east to southeast sun exposures, and warm days.

Northern Neck (George Washington Birthplace)
This is a rather small AVA exhibiting unique and favorable characteristics due largely to its proximity to water. The Chesapeake Bay lies to the east, the Potomac River to the North and the Rappahannock River to the south. These waters keep the temperature at a near constant and minimize the bite of winter. At present three wineries call this AVA home.

North Fork of Roanoke
A thin 22-mile zone located just outside the town of Roanoke, running along the Allegheny Mountains. The AVA is known for its high elevations (typically over 1,000 feet), cool morning fogs and winds that keep the grapes dry in a state known for its summertime humidity. Only one winery calls this AVA home.

Orange County
This AVA is located within the Monticello AVA but has exhibited unique characteristics that have warranted it’s own appellation status. While few wineries exist here, it is home to some of the state’s most successful producers in the rolling hills in and near the towns of Barboursville and Gordonsville. Much of the AVA is located at heights of 500 feet and greater.

Shenandoah Valley
For those who have never been to Virginia or enjoyed a glass of Virginia wine, you may be familiar with this AVA as it made news when challenged by the California appellation of the same name. The challenge was ill fated and ill advised as Virginia’s Shenandoah Valley has a history that extends well past California’s statehood let alone the state’s Shenandoah Valley. This zone lies greatly within Virginia extending to North Carolina and is flanked by the Blue Ridge Mountains to the East and the Allegheny Mountains to the west. The summers are warm here and drier than Virginia appellations lying east of the Blue Ridge.

Rocky Knob
This is an infrequently used AVA while certainly deserving recognition. The zone lies in the Blue Ridge range east of the famous Blue Ridge Parkway. Spring comes late in Rocky Knob with bloom occurring a good week beyond neighboring zones. High winds provide cool nights and reduce frost development while the gravel and loam solids provide excellent drainage. The future of this AVA is unknown as very few vineyards exist in this zone.