{"id":16038,"date":"2018-10-15T08:17:34","date_gmt":"2018-10-15T13:17:34","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/winetrailtraveler.com\/blog\/?p=16038"},"modified":"2018-10-15T11:54:22","modified_gmt":"2018-10-15T16:54:22","slug":"october-is-virginia-wine-month-2","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/winetrailtraveler.com\/blog\/2018\/10\/15\/october-is-virginia-wine-month-2\/","title":{"rendered":"October is Virginia Wine Month"},"content":{"rendered":"
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October is Virginia Wine Month!<\/p><\/div>\n

During October 2018, Virginia is celebrating its 30th year Virginia Wine Month. Virginia lays claim to being the oldest state with a Wine Month.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

History buffs and wine lovers will want to know that the first Virginia Wine Month was established in 1988 by former Governor Gerald L. Baliles. Governor Bailles signed a CERTIFICATE of RECOGNITION\u00a0 <\/span>which stated, \u201cBy virtue of the authority vested by the Constitution in the Governor of the Commonwealth of Virginia, there is hereby officially recognized: VIRGINIA WINE MONTH.”\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The document made note that Jamestown\u00a0<\/span>settlers had been using native American grapes for fermentation and that Jefferson experimented with growing vinifera<\/em> wine grapes in Virginia soil.<\/p>\n

To see what difference in the Virginia wine industry has taken place over the years, the document noted that at that time,\u00a0<\/span>in 1988, Virginia had more than 40 wineries and more than 110 vineyards. Try comparing those stats with Virginia\u2019s wine industry today. In 2018, Virginia has more than 300 wineries and most of these are open to the public.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

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Prolific vineyards of Virginia<\/p><\/div>\n

Grape Varieties in Virginia<\/i><\/b><\/p>\n

Vineyards in Virginia are growing numerous types of grapes for producing wines. Look for wines produced with:<\/p>\n

Cabernet Franc
\nPetit Manseng
\nViognier
\nPetit Verdot
\nChardonnay
\nCabernet Sauvignon
\nMerlot
\nNebbiolo
\nTannat<\/p>\n

In addition is the Norton grape, a native to Virginia.<\/p>\n

When planning your trip to Virginia wineries, consider traveling one of the many wine trails which include:<\/p>\n

211 Scenic Vino Wine Trail
\nArtisanal Wineries of Rappahannock
\nBedford Wine Trail
\nBlue Ridge Whiskey Wine Loop
\nChesapeake Bay Wine Trail
\nEastern Shore Wine Trail
\nFauquier County Wine Trail
\nFoothills Scenic Wine Trail
\nHeart of Virginia Wine Trail
\nLoudoun\u2019s DC Wine Country
\nMonticello Wine Trail
\nMountain Road Wine Trail
\nNelson 151 Trail
\nShenandoah County Wine Trail
\nShenandoah Valley Valley Trail
\nSoVA Wine Trail
\nWine Trail of Botetourt County<\/p>\n

Wine Trail Traveler has visited many of Virginia\u2019s fun and delightful wineries. The Wine Trail Traveler articles<\/a> are online for your convenience.<\/p>\n

Enjoy a visit to Virginia\u2019s wine country during Virginia Wine Month.<\/p>\n

Cheers,
\nKathy<\/p>\n