Thomas Jefferson's Wine Legacy

Thomas Jefferson was not only a founding father of the country, he was a founding father of the country's wine industry. He did not have much success as a winemaker himself, but he did develop varieties that were all American and because of his position, he was able to influence other wine makers.

Jefferson's problem, and the problem of other wine makers of the time was the fact that they tried to grow vines imported from Europe. The vines were not able to adjust to the climate and they were susceptible to diseases and insects of the New World. There were native varieties, but they produced an inferior wine.

Today, wine is being produced at Monticello using Jefferson's methods and vines related to the ones he imported from Europe, but grafted onto roots of native vines, giving them the endurance of the native verities and the quality of the imported. Thomas Jefferson Vineyards grows grapes on Monticello land, about a mile from the main house.

Jefferson Vineyards grows a large variety of wines including Pinot Gris that goes well with light seafood dishes, Chardonnay with the aroma and taste of apples and pears, Viognier, with the taste and aroma of honeysuckle and candied apple that goes well with light dishes, Jefferson's Own Vin Blanc which is a blend of Chardonnay, Viognier and Vidal which goes well with poultry, cheese, seafood, pasta and fruit, Vin de Trois, a blend of Viognier, Traminette and Petit Manseng that goes well with aged cheese, fruit and any dessert that does not contain chocolate, Jefferson's Own Terre Rouge is a light red everyday wine that goes well with light dishes, Cabernet Franc with the flavors of red raspberry and cherry, Merlot with the flavors of red berry, toast and vanilla that goes well with steaks, Petit Verdot that goes well with game meats and dishes with heavy sauces, Meritage which is a blend of Cabernet Franc, Merlot, Petit Verdot and Cabernet Sauvignon and Estate Reserve a blend of Cabernet Franc, Petite Verdot, Cabernet Sauvignon and Malbec that has been named one of the ten best wines on the East Coast.

Today, Jefferson's influence on the wine world is felt way beyond Monticello. The counties in the surrounding area are officially designated as the Monticello Viticultural Area which has about 20 wineries and 2,000 acres of grapes. The Commonwealth of Virginia is the 5th largest producer of wine in the United States and the leading wine trail is the Monticello Wine Trail. Thomas would be pleased.

Sources:

Monticello

Jefferson Wineries

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