| Although California is most popularly known for its | | | | However, there are actually six different |
| good wine, Virginia also has a fantastic wine country. | | | | grape-growing regions: Monticello (Central Virginia), |
| Virginia is filled with vineyards populating the scenic | | | | Northern Neck - George Washington's Birth Place |
| countryside. A state of mountains and valleys, Virginia | | | | (Eastern Virginia), Rocky Knob (Southwest Virginia), |
| has the perfect climate for grape and wine production. | | | | Eastern Shore (Northern Virginia), North Fork of |
| Virginian vineyards have won numerous awards | | | | Roanoke (Western Virginia) ), and Shenandoah Valley |
| worldwide for their delicious wines, including a "Best of | | | | (Western Virginia). |
| Show" award in one California competition. | | | | Many wineries are actually small family-run vineyards |
| Wine production in Virginia began in 1609 when the | | | | that cater to the public. Often vineyards have an |
| Jamestown settlers produced their first vat of wine | | | | on-site bed and breakfast as well as tours and |
| from native grapes. Two years later, wine specialists | | | | tastings. Virginia is a beautiful state to visit for a |
| arrived from Britain to help the new colonists establish | | | | leisurely wine-tasting tour. |
| thriving wineries. | | | | Most of the major wine varieties are produced |
| With them, the specialists brought years of frustration. | | | | somewhere in Virginia, including Chardonnay, Pinot |
| Because they brought vines from Europe, they met | | | | Griggio, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Merlot. The diversity |
| with successive failures. However, around 1769, a | | | | of the wines and the wineries adds to an already |
| French winemaker, Estave, came to a revolutionary | | | | interesting and exciting tour. |
| conclusion: the problem with the vineyards wasn't the | | | | The beautiful countryside that accompanies the |
| country, but the grapes. | | | | vineyards is worth a visit during any trip, whether you |
| European grapes could not survive in the Virginian | | | | are visiting Virginia specifically for wine tasting or for |
| climate. Thus, a few years later, he began producing | | | | another holiday. |
| native grapes, forming the basis for the wineries that | | | | Despite the general assumption that the best wine |
| exist today. | | | | produced in North America is from California, do not be |
| Since Estave's time, the number of wineries in Virginia | | | | fooled. Virginia has its own vibrant culture, beautiful |
| has increased greatly. There are now over 60 | | | | colors, and fabulous wine in abundance. So, when |
| wineries throughout Virginia, the most famous area | | | | you're planning your next vacation or weekend |
| being the Shenandoah Valley. | | | | getaway consider visiting Virginia and its wineries! |