Gorgeous American winegrowing region tipped as new vineyard hotspot with reasonably-priced booze - and it isn't on the West Coast
Virginia has blossomed into America's next great wine country boasting scenic views across hundreds of vineyards.
The Old Dominion state has 300 wineries and 4,000 acres of grapes across 10 wine regions and 8 distinct American Viticultural Areas.
'Virginia is becoming a popular wine destination simply because we have so many different wine options,' Andrew Cothern, Director of Communication for Virginia Tourism Corporation, told Travel Noire.
'When people think of wine country, they always think of Napa Valley or somewhere else in California. When we tell people that Virginia has a lot of wine, they're always surprised and want to go out and try something different.'
The state has a rich history with wine including Thomas Jefferson's pursuit of turning grapes into a cash crop for Virginia, according to Virginia is For Lovers.
Virginia has 300 wineries and 4,000 acres of grapes across 10 wine regions and 8 distinct American Viticultural Areas
In Northern Virginia, small boutique winery Delaplane Cellars offers affordable varieties such as a 2023 Delaplane Cellars Sauvignon Blanc for $40 per bottle
Virginia is known for Chardonnays, Cabernet Franc, Merlot, Vidal Blanc, and Viognier. America’s oldest grape variety - Norton - is found in the Old Dominion and became available around 1830.
The ten wine regions include the Blue Ridge, Central Virginia, Chesapeake Bay, Eastern Shore, Hampton Roads, Heart of Appalachia, Northern Virginia, Shenandoah Valley, Southern Virginia and the Virginia Mountains.
In Northern Virginia, small boutique winery Delaplane Cellars offers affordable varieties such as a 2023 Delaplane Cellars Sauvignon Blanc for $40 per bottle and a 2021 Delaplane Cellars Cabernet Franc for $55
Delaplane Cellars longtime winemaker Rick Tagg told The Wall Street Journal there are challenges to growing grapes in Virginia.
Jim Law (pictured) of Linden Vineyards said the states growing conditions are more like those in France than in California
The Linden Village Chardonnay cost $32 a bottle and the Linden Hardscrabble Chardonnays cost $48
'We have a lot more humidity, a lot more rain, and insects that didn't use to be here,' he said. 'Realistically, the future of Virginia will be in hybrids.'
Jim Law of Linden Vineyards - where the Linden Village Chardonnay cost $32 a bottle and the Linden Hardscrabble Chardonnays cost $48 - said the states growing conditions are more like those in France than in California.
'I consume a lot of European wine and I know where we stand. I like to keep the wines in the global ballpark,' Law said.
'I fell in love with Virginia, it was just cool enough to do what I wanted to do.'
Slater Run Vineyards is an estate winery that features French-style wines like the 2023 Pétillant Naturel Sparkling Rosé for $38 a bottle
Slater Run Vineyards is an estate winery that features French-style wines like the 2023 Pétillant Naturel Sparkling Rosé for $38 a bottle.
The 2023 Slater Run Vineyards Pinot Gris is $28 and the 2021 Slater Run Cabernet Franc is $34.
Karl Selzer, Slater Run's associate winemaker, said he chose to work in the region because there is a lot of potential.
'It's a region and an industry in which I can make an impact,' he said.
