Charlottesville is best known for Thomas Jefferson’s Monticello, the glorious estate outside the city.
This area of Virginia is also known for its wineries.
Close to Monticello is Jefferson Vineyards, which has a fascinating history and is the legacy of the nation’s third president.
In 1773, an Italian viticulturist from Tuscany named Philip Mazzei set off to Virginia with European vines. Mazzei, who wanted to go to Augusta County, where the Virginia Legislature had promised him land, stopped at Monticello. Thomas Jefferson convinced Mazzei to become his neighbor and gave him 193 acres south of Monticello—part of the winery’s present-day land.
Mazzei purchased an additional 281-acre tract of land from Edward Carter. He built a house, which he called Colle, and put his men to work clearing the land and planting vines.
Then the Revolutionary War arrived.
In 1778, Thomas Jefferson, Patrick Henry, George Mason, and other Colonists sent Philip Mazzei to Italy to borrow money for the American Revolution from Mazzei’s friend, the Grand Duke of Tuscany. While abroad, Mazzei rented his home to Hessian General and P.O.W. Baron von Riedesel. Within one week, the General’s horses trampled the vines and “destroyed the whole labour of three or four years, and thus ended an experiment, which, from every appearance, would in a year or two more have established the practicability of that branch of culture in America.”
Fast forward 200 years.
According to the website, Shirley and Stanley Woodward Sr. established a vineyard in the mid-1970s. Chardonnay, Cabernet Sauvignon, and other grape varietals are planted on the property. Wine was made as early as 1984.
Marie Jose and Stanley Woodward became the second generation of Woodwards to manage the land and winemaking business. Honoring Thomas Jefferson’s dream of establishing a commercial vineyard on this land, the business name was changed from Simeon Vineyards to Jefferson Vineyards. Wine quality improved, and new grape varieties were introduced into the vineyards, including one of the state’s first Petit Verdot plantings.
Today, a third generation cares for the winery. Alexa and Attila Woodward continue to support the creation of exceptional wines.
The winery continues to win prestigious national and international wine awards, including a double gold medal for its 2013 Viognier (Virginia’s state grape) at the 2014 San Francisco International Wine Competition, the country’s largest and most prestigious wine competition.
“It’s nice that after all these years, we’re growing award-winning wine, which was Jefferson’s intention in the first place,” says Luke Blevins, tasting room supervisor.
Blevins’ words ring true, judging from the tasting room business.
If you enjoy fine wine, Jefferson Vineyards is a great place to begin your Virginia wine journey.
Click here for more information about the winery. For information about all Charlottesville attractions, restaurants, and accommodations, click here.
