VIRGINIA wine? See the birthplace of U.S. wine that's FULL OF CHARM!

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Virginia is the birthplace of wine in America! We talk with the innovators and pioneers who have helped establish this wine region as one of the most exciting in the county. We also visit a goat cheese farm, one of JFKs favorite hangout towns, Middleburg, and discuss Thomas Jefferson's effect on the region. From juicy Cabernet Franc to floral Viognier, funky Petit Manseng, and powerful Petit Verdot, Virginia has a wine for everyone. Learn America's wine history on this episode of V is for Vino!
All locations and wineries are listed at: visforvino.com/virginia
00:00 Introduction
00:50 Virginia Wine History
05:26 Gabriele Rausse
10:46 Goats at Carmont Farms
16:47 Grapes of Virginia
20:14 Barboursville Vineyards
26:49 Vino VIP
28:15 Middleburg
31:53 Patowmack Farm (restaurant)
37:12 Stone Tower Winery
43:11 New Show Promo
44:06 Field and Main (restaurant)
52:09 Outro (King Family Vineyards/Polo)
54:04 Credits
Virginia wine has a history that goes all the way back to the early 1600s, when the first colonists began trying to plant vines to send back to the British empire. However, harsh, challenging conditions such as rain, fog, and humidity made it hard to grow wine grapes. Thomas Jefferson also spent much of his life trying to make Virginia a hub for fine wine, but he failed. Finally, in the 1970s, a group of winemakers led by Gianni Zonin cracked the code. Today, there are over 300 wineries in the state of Virginia, from the hills of Monticello and Piedmont region to the Middleburg area and the Blue Ridge Mountains. In this episode, we start by learning the history of Virginia wine with Gabriele Rausse. Next, we visit Barboursville Vineyards and Stone Tower Winery. Plus, we spend time at Caramont Farms making goat cheese, exploring downtown Middleburg, and eating at Patowmack Farm and Field and Main (with winemakers from Veritas winery and Walsh Family Wines). We end at a polo match at King Family Vineyards, watching the horses and drinking rosé.
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ABOUT V IS FOR VINO:
Wish learning about wine was easier? It's fun AND easy with your personal sommelier, travel guide, and host, Vince! Join him as he travels the world of wine - eating, drinking, and breaking down wine topics for you up close and personal! Want to know more? On each episode of V is for Vino, you'll:
- Meet a winemaker and learn their story. One of the best parts of drinking wine is getting to know the place where it came from and the people who made it!
- Learn about the grapes. Vince breaks down wine topics easily, making them fun and easy to understand!
- Visit the region. Not everyone gets to travel to wine country as much as they'd like, so experience the beauty and culture firsthand with Vince. Travel the world and sip along from the comfort of your couch!
- Cook dishes that pair at a local restaurant because what's good wine without good food? Luckily, the world of wine is full of amazing chefs and restaurants ready to serve up something delicious to pair with the wine you just learned about.
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[@colinwhudson]

Cannot recommend a long weekend trip to Charlottesville enough. Between the vineyards, the food scene, the history, the Blue Ridge mountains and the grounds of the University, it truly is a magical place.

[@visforvino]

Agreed!!

[@ink_form]

Another wonderful episode. Hard to articulate how good these make me feel, and how inspired I am after each one. Vince and the team are doing something unique in wine, and we are all better for watching it.

[@visforvino]

Wow, thank you so much, that's the goal!!

[@reneedonventrice7751]

what a privilege to be part of this episode, I enjoyed every bite (obviously, lol!) and sip! Cheers to a second round, there is SOOO much more VA to explore with you Vince!! Excited to delight viewers with a tour when they🍷Visit Loudoun County!

[@visforvino]

Honored to meet you, thanks for all the support Renee! Hope people come take some tours with you ASAP, they'll have a blast!

[@reneedonventrice7751]

@@visforvino we've already had some interest- running low on dates!

[@jamesbgolden2213]

I recommend checking out Muse Vineyards and Linden Vineyards. The former is def an underrated gem in the Shenandoah Valley AVA.

[@visforvino]

Had the Linden in that lunch it Middleburg, so good!

[@robinbarnes4179]

Glad you made it to Virginia. Great episode.

[@visforvino]

Thanks!

[@dhruvghanekar6121]

Welcome back . We missed you !

[@visforvino]

Happy to be back!

[@EIonMusk1]

will watch when wife gets home 🙂

[@jessaceleste707]

Very interesting episode about Virginia. I just started working in the wine industry as a grocery store wine bar clerk in east Tennessee. Wow!, There's a lot to know about wine. This channel makes it interesting.

[@visforvino]

Thank you! I learned a lot too!

[@bradIeyyy]

best wine channel out! looking forward to this season

[@visforvino]

Lots of fun stuff coming this year!

[@KOLN555]

Yes! I'm a transplant to Virginia, but one of the things I quickly fell in love with was the wine scene and tradition here. There's... well there is a lot of meh wine, but even when the product isn't the best you can't beat a beautiful day hanging out in the vineyards, rubbing elbows with the vintners and locals. But there's also so much really great wine all over. Always keep a few bottles from Barboursville Brut and Octagon on the shelf, but actually being there is an incomparable experience.

[@visforvino]

For sure! And I think as more people visit, the region will continue to grow and the wine quality will increase!

[@DB-nj9rg]

Love your channel Vince! Thank you so much.

[@fbauzo024fb]

Love the videos and glad to see Virginia covered.

[@visforvino]

Thank you!

[@suzyquilter]

One of the very best episodes.. Buddy’s son lives in Va… but never gone to any wineries.. this was awesome.. now I want to go got some of them. Thank you and your crew for doing this.. you made my evening a joy.. love to all

[@visforvino]

So glad you enjoyed, hope you get to visit!

[@diegogodinhorocha9448]

I've never thought of the USA as this kind of destination until watching the Washington show and now this one. This is a great way of putting the spotlight on a place.

[@visforvino]

Thanks! There's some amazing places here to visit, so glad we are able to show them.

[@katycrawford8101]

ugh i need to go! i'm from pennsylvania and knowing there's more wine regions near me other than the finger lakes is super exciting.

[@visforvino]

Yes, worth a trip for SURE!

[@reneedonventrice7751]

come our way- we get plenty of guests from Pennsylvania!

[@dasarkas]

Having recently moved from California to Pennsylvania, I am thrilled to learn about the Virginia wine industry and its unique wine expressions. A wine destination that I will be exploring! 🙏🏼

[@lcoyle4]

You're also close to the Finger Lakes

[@visforvino]

For sure worth the trip!

[@doublewides]

I can’t tell you how much I enjoyed this episode. I fell in love with Virginia wines about eight to ten years ago when I visited Monticello and bought a bottle of Gabriele Rausse in the gift shop. I’ve been back a few times to the region and have visited Veritas, King Family, Rausse and several others. It was great to see these highlighted in your show but even better was getting to hear from the winemakers and other artisans from the area.

[@visforvino]

Nice, so you knew a fair amount of the places we stopped! And yes, always glad when we can showcase local businesses!

[@mickeylee2624]

Terrific video! Y'all got me excited to explore VA! Around 5.5 years ago, one of our most favorite restaurants of all time hosted a handful of local Virginia wineries, and one of them, RdV, completely blew us away! Can't wait to drive over as well as try this innovative and historical region!!

[@jamesbgolden2213]

RdV is outstanding. Hard to find a better producer in VA.

[@visforvino]

Thanks Mickey! Yes, they are one of the best in the state for sure!!

[@ShandoOrlando]

So Glad you covered Virginia. I love your show, and as a future Virginia wine maker and vineyard owner, I am pleased that people are awakening to the authenticity and uniqueness of Virginia wine. Its a frontier where, the possibilities are endless,and a each year brings more exploration in new varietals, and new expressions of the "underdog" varietals in the most well known wines in the world.

[@visforvino]

Wow, I wish you luck as you get started! Agreed, you can have a lot of fun in a region that doesn't have pre-made expectations!

[@mark7035]

We live just outside the Virginia wine region. We actually have a great local winery 15 minutes from home. Enjoyed this but you just scratched the surface! Petite Verdot is amazing in the region. Petite Manseng and traminette are incredible, and Chardonnay (burgundy style) can also blow you away. And you didn’t get to Hillsboro or the Blue Ridge. Or the parallel world of rye whiskey at Catoctin Creek. You need a longer trip!

[@visforvino]

Thanks for the tips Mark! Gives us an excuse to come back one day!

[@edstravel]

Keep up the great content definitely amazing place to see 👀

[@visforvino]

Thank you!

[@lenniemejia7745]

We moved to Virginia in 1992 and Virginia wine has come a long way. I love love to go to wineries with family and friends. And Virginia wineries are scenic. Thank you for this incredible video. I have now a deeper appreciation of Virginia wine and history that I can share with other folks. Thanks again for an outstanding video. You are very knowledgeable when it comes to wine. Cheers 🍷🍷

[@visforvino]

I'm sure you've seen a ton of changes in the last 30 years! Thanks for watching, and glad we did the region justice!

[@monsalvarga6482]

Great that you guys are back! Best wine channel there is. Made me want to cross the Atlantic and visit all those places and try not only the wines but the food also. This feels authentic, real people with real wine production, very interesting what they are doing with lesser-known (maybe better say lesser used?) grapes. A great start for a new season!

[@visforvino]

Thanks Monsal, always good to hear from you!

[@vrudy6]

What an amazing experience to meet some of the Virginia wine trailblazers. Another great episode. I would love to see episodes of Chile, Argentina, and Uruguay.

[@visforvino]

Thanks! And filming Chile next month!

[@jpdonovan3753]

I've been waiting excitedly for this episode for a couple of reasons. One, for the stellar content you always deliver. And two, so I could leave a comment on a current video saying: in anticipation of the new season, I went back and watched all the older ones. And it never fails to strike me what a great wine educator you are and, most importantly, how open and appreciative and kind and genuine you are with all the folks you meet and highlight in your series. Brother, as long as you and the crew keep producing shows, I'll be right there to enjoy them. Thank you for what you do and for being you.

[@visforvino]

Wow, thank you so much JP! Such kind words. I'm so happy the show is resonating. We've come a long way and it's been fun to see the evolution. Happy to have you on board, and can't wait for you to see the next episodes!

[@stereodreamer23]

I'm surprised you didn't feature Villa Appalachia in Floyd VA. They are one of the leaders in Italian varietals in the Blue Ridge region, which has a nearly identical terrior to Tuscany. They produce a great selections of Italian varietals, including an astoundingly good Primitivo...

[@visforvino]

Thanks for the tip! It's tough to hit everything in one trip, but gives us a reason to go back!

[@stevecarrizzo9245]

Great show and an eye opener. Been in the wine business for many years mostly dealing with French and Italian wines so Virginia presents A Whole New World to explore... thanks

[@rileyknapp6082]

This is one of the most valuable channels (for this niche) on KZbin. Thanks for the effort, consistency & enthusiasm. Really love your love for wine & all that goes with it.

[@visforvino]

Thank you!!!

[@geoffpm]

Perhaps, the best episode you have produced. Informative, emotional, and well edited !

[@visforvino]

Wow, thank you!!!

[@tomdigangi2722]

Another outstanding video Vince. Thank you. I was in Georgia in November 2021 and was shocked to try some surprisingly good reds and an amazing chardonnay within 45 minutes drive of Atlanta (they've got lots of red clay soils there), so I shouldn't be surprised to see great wines being made further up the East Coast. You've got me searching the internet to see if these vineyards will ship directly to Boston. And, can't wait for the Vino First episodes. Keep up the great work.

[@visforvino]

Thanks so much! Yes, I was surprised too, but happy I can let others know about this great region. Cheers, Vino first coming next month!

[@katiefleck1857]

What an awesome episode! I had no idea this existed, thank you so much for this great information and I look forward to trying VA wines

[@visforvino]

Thanks Katie!!

[@mcwine18]

Another awesome episode! Thanks for everything you do, Vince!

[@visforvino]

Thanks Marvin!

[@vopvoopone]

This is just ridiculously high quality content... you've inspired me to take a trip from Ohio down to Virginia for wine tasting!

[@visforvino]

Make the treck, it's worth it!

[@lenniemejia7745]

You will not regret visiting Virginia and the outstanding wineries we have down here. Plus, the Virginians are super nice and friendly!

[@nirvenes]

I’m loving the new season already but I wish there’d be more love for Vitis Labrusca on this show. A lot of American wine regions are doing all sorts of fascinating stuff with incredibly old native plantings and I think they deserve a closer look.

[@visforvino]

Appreciate the tip, definitely something we have yet to explore!

[@AngryNegativeHistoryProject]

I just did a video on early America and I didn't mention wine! I called it the 1607 project. Talking about norms and laws and stuff, but I didn't mention wine. I will soon. Anyways, you have a great video. Thanks for sharing

[@alejandroahuatzi691]

Woow. You guys keep making me more and more passionate about wine. This show is my favorite study method. Great production, great photography, great script and great host. Greetings from México

[@visforvino]

Wow, thank you! More episodes to come!!

[@FishareFriendsNotFood972]

I really want to visit the goats at Carmont Farms and try the goat cheese. Thanks for highlighting them!

[@thomasbean7704]

Living in Southern Maryland and being so close to these wineries, I absolutely loved this episode. Fingers crossed that at some point you will be doing an episode on Maryland wines! Looking forward to watching Vino First.

[@visforvino]

You're not the first to mention that, hoping for one day soon!

[@LorwaiTan]

Your episode on Portugal has inspired us to head over to try out their wines 🍷

[@carriedahlquist596]

So glad you made the trip to Virginia! You've visited some of my favorite vineyards.

[@visforvino]

Thanks, it’s always tough to pick out spots, but these were all good picks I think!

[@juliefanning9944]

One of the many reasons I love living in Virginia: the wine. I've been to most of the wineries mentioned in your show and they are all spectacular. One thing I was disappointed in, however: Chris Pearmund wasn't mentioned. Currently owning three wineries in the Commonwealth (producing consistent, award-winning wines and having the oldest Chardonnay vines in Virginia) he has helped to launch at least 16 wineries and done so much for the industry-serving on many boards representing the Virginia Vineyards and Wineries Associations. Good to see our wines are getting the attention they deserve; it only took us 400 years. :-)

[@visforvino]

Thanks for the love! And I'll have to look more into Chris, and hopefully get down to Virignia again to explore more!

[@ananddeo7804]

Amazing coverage as always...kudos

[@DaaasBooot]

1000! 🙋🏽‍♂️🤣 These episodes go so fast, great job once again!!

[@GlassOfBubbly]

Cheers to a new video from you and your team!

[@michellecharles7257]

Outstanding travel episode - thank you!

[@visforvino]

Thank you!

[@tonypark9105]

What a great episode Vince...kudos to you and the team. Will certainly be taking Virginia wines more seriously and plan a visit next time I'm on the east coast! Bravo!

[@visforvino]

Hope you get to visit!

[@frossato]

Great work, mate. Good job!

[@margaritabastos4386]

Great show! From Brasil, we love you so much… keep going

[@visforvino]

Lots of people have told me Brazil in a great wine hub!

[@margaritabastos4386]

@@visforvino they say we have good sparkling wines !!! Hahaha

[@abrahamawuah8500]

Another great video

[@gmedina5678]

Another great video V! Man...now I'm interested in petite manseng. Great interviews and man the food looked awesome! Love your vids and keep up the great work. Can't wait for the next one. Salud!!

[@visforvino]

Thanks G! More to come!

[@porkchopsammies79]

great video!!! i live in loudoun and was extremely upset i couldn't make the viewing party in ashburn :/ keep up the good work!

[@porkchopsammies79]

just to reiterate, well done video. i had goosebumps by the end and an uncharacteristic sense of...pride? feels weird. but good!

[@visforvino]

Wow, thanks Matthew! I'm so happy we did the region justice, means a lot coming from a local!

[@mannymoseley4005]

Thank you for posting this lovely video, I appreciate your effort to produce informative and entertaining wine videos, I love your videos your so nice to view, thank you very much. Be safe, healthy and happy, safe travels and God bless you. Peace to you.

[@visforvino]

Thanks so much!

[@23Serkan]

Great episode!

[@visforvino]

Thank you!

[@afinecupofcoffee8476]

Just discovered your channel doing wine research for a Europe trip. But, we're in North Carolina. We're now doing my birthday or my wifes based on THIS video. So hyped.

[@visforvino]

Yes! That's so awesome, you're right up the road from VA. You'll have a blast!

[@afinecupofcoffee8476]

@@visforvino Do you recall the name of the cider? I had a spontaneously fermented cider over the weekend and it blew my mind. Super funky. Honestly could have passed for a lambic. If the bottle in this video is local I'd love to try it.

[@Nemosan01]

Don’t forget the Mazzei Family helped Jefferson , bringing plants and knowledge as well as friendships. Mazzei’s advanced thinking can directly be seen in the deceleration of independence….. quite a fair few important inputs…..

[@visforvino]

Appreciate this insight!!

[@chastidymann4370]

Wine 🍷🍺

[@numanuma20]

I didn’t know Virginia has AVAs. This is a great episode!

[@visforvino]

Everything was great! Worth the visit.

[@ismailaygun308]

new season is heree❤

[@visforvino]

Oh yeahhh!!

[@roscow8569]

Vincent really good episode. It is nice to have you tube because from France I can enjoy your very good channel. I did not know Virginia part for the wine. I have learned something. Oh because you like Chenin Blanc big kiss from Angers France not far Savennières. Well done to your team😉

[@visforvino]

Thank you! My favorite white of all time was a Joly Savienneres; I can’t wait to come visit Loire for an episode!

[@roscow8569]

@@visforvino I do the harvest for Eric Morgat in Savennières since 3 years during my holiday in september. You should read on him, he is a really good person and his wine is plebiscite. You have as well in Epiré Damien Laureau who is as well a great person and a talent guy. And to finish Tessa Laroche Domaines aux Moines. The domaine is their own. In France on the tv before there were a program with the name Les Escapades de Petit Renaud. Your program looks like it with a more connection on wines. It is good because we in France can see Us for example on this video differently than we see usually. Us is not only New-York and Los Angeles !! Carry on the videos you do with your team, it is really really good !

[@c.e.harvey1006]

Visited Charlottesville many times but looking forward to visiting Loudoun Co.

[@visforvino]

Yes, it's fun up there for sure!

[@mandykrivohlavy6075]

This episode inspired me to plan a full girls trip to Virginia wine country. We live in the Texas hill country (also great wine here) and are excited to check out what looks like another amazing US wine region! ❤🍷

[@visforvino]

Hope to get to TX soon!

[@tonyfabrizi2403]

Thanks!

[@visforvino]

Wow, thank you Tony!!!

[@saveamerica5707]

Wow what a great video and I am very impressed with your knowledge of wines and most of all pairing. We usually are stuck on Valpolicella region in Italy but I am excited to visit Va and try their wines. Can you recommend a winery in Va that has big and bold wines like Amarone and Ripasso or even a Chianti ?

[@visforvino]

You won’t find much like Amarone, as it’s such a uniquely produced wine. VA doesn’t do really rich styles as much, it’s just not hot enough. That being said almost every which does Merlot, which is a richer, softer wine: Walsh Family and and Veritas had great ones! Same thing with the Petit Verdot’s! 🙌

[@saveamerica5707]

@@visforvino Thanks I was also told Veritas and Walsh were good wines.

[@kalieclarkxx]

i live near the roanoke area and always enjoy going to chateau morrisette in floyd! there are several wineries in that area and a couple just in floyd. if you ever come back to southern va, you definitely need to check those out!

[@visforvino]

Appreciate the tips!

[@bigal7373]

Love your show. When will you ge doing a segment on the Canadian Niagara region? And I don't mean just ice wine.

[@visforvino]

I hope soon! I've been pitching Canada to no avail, but perhaps 2024!

[@BNengminza-hx2mg]

Nice

[@danguid2753]

Thomas Jefferson said, every man has two countries first his homeland then France

[@whisk-e-y_problems9075]

Hey Vince! Thanks for releasing this; I am excited for the new season. As a TN native and current resident of PA, I am also happy to see another East Cost wine region highlighted. Are you willing to give any suggestions on wines you thought offered a lot of quality for the price? Quality vs. price seems to be an area I always struggle with when it comes to American wines in general (with the possible exception of Washington wines). As an example, 7-8 years ago I used to live 1.5 hours away from Seneca lake in the Finger Lakes area, and would visit the wineries there about once a month. Back then, I could find affordable, easy-drinking wines (both red and white) in the $12-20 range. Now it is more difficult to find a good Finger Lakes white wine for under $20 or a red for under $30. This brings them into really tough competition with wines from less famous regions of France or Italy, as well as top value regions like Spain, Portugal, Argentina, and Chile. Are there any wines from Virginia you assess as having a particularly high Price/Quality?

[@visforvino]

Unfortunately in general, you’re almost never going to find values that compare to Europe in the US or South America. The US takes a completely different approach to wine; Europe sees wine as a food, subsidizes their wine industry, and makes life easier for the farmers. We do the exact opposite. We treat it as a luxury product, regulate and tax it to death, and force it to go through the “three tier system” which means lots of middlemen. (This is upheld by millions of dollars of lobbying money). The cheaper wines you WILL find in the US are produced by conglomerates in bulk with lots of additives. So the best approach in the US is to know that by spending a bit more compared to Europe you’re supporting local businesses and farmers!

[@whisk-e-y_problems9075]

@@visforvino Thanks for the response, Vince. It's unfortunate that everything is as you said. And IMO, this is just another example of how the "three tier system" really doesn't benefit US consumers (or the producers of alcoholic beverages who are forced to give the middle men a cut). But it does allow for the same product to be taxed three separate times, so the odds are slim it will go away any time soon. Good advice, though, on viewing the higher price as a way to support local farmers and businesses! I appreciate that in your episodes you try to highlight the people making the wines and show their passion for their work. I think all your viewers would much rather support them than the faceless corporations churning out millions of gallons of cheap, artificially colored & flavored wines!

[@JohnDoe-sp5np]

Great channel! Such a quality production! Like and comment to promote the channel!!!

[@visforvino]

Thanks John!

[@S_Edward_Burns_ArtsEditor]

Wine bottles are properly opened below the first ridge; remove the seal with the cork opener's knife there.

[@TheAlduver]

What was the cider that you tried around the 14:30 mark?

[@visforvino]

It's from Patois! www.patoiscider.com/

[@georgedoolittle7574]

Grow stuff absolutely... *BUT NOT TOO MUCH GROWY STUFF OR EVERYONE GOES WRONG BAD😮😮😮😮😮*

[@MKUltraGoldenBanks]

Virginia is DRY. I prefer French Bordeaux graded wines. 🥂

[@JoeHasGotToGo]

You didn't visit TRUMP WINERY in Charlottesville? ? Come on!!!

[@junon]

Hold up...Trump has a winery?

[@Daveparadise]

By far the best thing ive found in youtube! This episode and chile omg I love Thomas Jefferson he was so wise and strong Wow man just wow I use to hate wine Youre live time giving me hope i can be educated about vino😅 😬👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏😢thank you!

[@visforvino]

Thanks so much for watching, I'm so glad we can inspire!

[@DB-nj9rg]

Thanks!

[@visforvino]

Thanks DB!!!