Virginia

About Virginia

While Virginia may not be the center of US wine production, the state is certainly no stranger to the vine. In fact, it was been documented that wine has been produced in Virginia since as early as the 17th century. Currently, Virginia is home to eight American Viticultural Areas: Middleburg, Shenandoah Valley, Monticello North Fork of Roanoke, Rocky Knob, Northern Neck, George Washington Birthplace, Virginia’s Eastern Shore, and Virginia Peninsula. In 2023, Charlottesville was recognized with a Wine Star Award for Wine Region of the Year. Chardonnay is the state’s most planted grape variety, creating rich and full-bodied wines, a testament of the state’s hot climate. However, with Virginia’s high humidity during the growing season, mold and mildew can be problematic, thus thicker-skinned varietals like Cabernet Sauvignon and Petit Verdot are often more dependable. To learn more about Virginia’s wine culture and history, be sure and check out our Virginia Wine Guide.