Guide to Central Virginia Wine Country
Wineries, Wines, and Things to Do
Backgroumd
Central Virginia is the central Piedmont area of the state. It is home to the Monticello AVA where Thomas Jefferson attempted to make wine at his home Monticello in the 1770s. Jefferson spent years trying to grown European varietals. The Monticello AVA is the oldest in Virginia, formed in 1984 and encompassing the area around Charlottesville.
The Terrior
The eastern slopes of the Blue Ridge and the rolling countryside to the east offer excellent topography, fertile granite-based clay soil and a growing season of over 200 days. This combination yields grapes with a rich and multilayered old world flavor.
Where to Start
Begin your exploration in Charlottesville and the area to its north where you will find dozens of wineries. The area south of Lynchburg also is home to several wineries. More recently east closer to Richmond and the coastal region has seen growth with more wineries opening.
Typical Wines
Central Virginia wineries produce Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Chambourcin, Chardonnay, Gewurztraminer, Malbec, Merlot, Muscat Canelli, Muscat of Alexandria, Norton, Orange Muscat, Petit Manseng, Petit Verdot, Pinot Gris, Pinot Noir, Riesling, Rkatsiteli, Sauvignon Blanc, Seyval Blanc, Syrah, Tannat, Touriga Nacional, Traminette, Vidal Blanc, Viognier and Zinfandel.
Explore These Wine Trails
Find a winery along one of these Central Virginia Wine Trails