Our History is Wine®. Virginia’s wine industry dates to the early seventeenth century when the first English settlers planted vines and made wine at the Jamestown Colony around 1608. The first settlers made wine with grapes from England, but the colonists soon became determined to grow their own grapes on Virginia soil. In 1623, the Virginia House of Burgesses enacted a law that required every householder to set aside a quarter-acre of land yearly for the purpose of growing grapes and making wine. In 1762, the Carter family of Virginia produced wine at their plantation Cleve®. These wines received international acclaim and the Carter family was recognized by the Royal Society of the Arts, UK, for the “first spirited attempt at making fine wine in America.” These were the first internationally recognized wines of America. In 1763, Royal Governor Francis Fauquier certified that the Carter family was successfully growing European vines at Cleve®. This is the first recorded history of successful grape production in Virginia with European vines. In 1769, the General Assembly passed legislation called “An Act for the Encouragement of the Making of Wine.” Our country’s Founding Fathers and Sons of Virginia, Charles Carter, George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, and James Madison, all contributed to the development of a wine industry in Virginia through their interest in viticulture and enology. In 1773, Jefferson allowed Italian winemaker Filippo Mazzei to plant vinifera grape …

Blue Ridge Wine Excursions takes Travis Wilburn, from C-Ville Weekly, and some friends to Pollak Vineyards. They receive a private tasting and cellar tour. www.albemarlevintagelimousine.com

Noted bloggers Steve Heimoff, Tom Wark, Paul Gregutt and Reno Walsh turn expression cards from the 2010 Wine Bloggers Conference. Attendees were asked to describe their blog in one word. See the passion of this web community and highlights from the conference. Join the conference next year in Charlottesville, Virginia: winebloggersconference.org

Fun and exciting footage of our vineyards and winery!

The Corkscrew Diary is a veritable cornucopia of exquisite offerings from around the globe. A bottle purchased from a purveyor of fine wine will tell its own story. The Corkscrew Diary reveals a virtual personal tour of the processes and passions that bring the life to that bottle. The Corkscrew Diary runs fingers through soil, raises stems to the storied and salutes everyday life in the finest vineyards of the world. Distributed by Tubemogul.

Wine is so big in Virginia that we’re dedicating the entire month of October to viniferous passions! Discover your local Crush

October is Virginia Wine Month. Find your favorite vintage.

Napa makes auto parts…….

The seasons of Monticello Vineyards located in Southern Napa Valley. Excellence in wines by the Corley Family of Napa Valley

Visit Chrysalis Vineyards in the midst of harvest and experience the hottest festival of the year. Enjoy the bluegrass pickings of many top-named bands throughout the weekend, craft and food vendors, hayrides, vineyard tours, a special tasting of nine wines with commemorative take-home glasses, and much more! Sample all of their Norton wines, purchase vintage Nortons, and refresh from the sun with a glass of Sarah’s Patio Red.