October 2020 is Virginia Wine Month

This gives us a great opportunity
to highlight some of the many
incredible wineries we’ve visited
over the years.

We look forward to visiting these
wineries again very soon.

We are featuring Barboursville Vineyards, an 18th Century estate.

The estate of wine which Thomas Jefferson foresaw taking root in his own ground at Monticello would far from disappoint him to discover here at his friend’s plantation, for whom he designed the historic landmark mansion. That construction commenced in 1814, while James Barbour held office as Virginia’s Governor, and was completed in 1821, as Casa Vinicola Zonin was being founded in Palladio’s home province, the Veneto. The assimilation of this plantation within the viticultural traditions of the Zonin family has conferred upon our work a heritage of agricultural passion and purpose through 8 generations.

What drew Gianni Zonin to Virginia for his sole estate outside of Italy? What sustained his determination? Through many start-up years of trial and error, against  headwinds of national surprise and skepticism toward the non-existent wine region, and even cultural resistances in local traditions, he persevered. He created an estate in Barboursville that has been drawn totally into the wine world’s embrace, and inspired hundreds to follow his example in high confidence. In 25 years of working with him, I think I can say I have seen how this was done. Great debacles in family fortunes are notorious in viticulture, where vanity is as hazardous as other forms of ignorance. Gianni Zonin has more in common with Magellan than with titans of commerce. Tradition educates his daring, science overcomes its obstacles, humility enables his discoveries. The estate of wine enlarges in his care.

Learn more about Barboursville here.