Virginia Wine Industry Poised for Substantial Growth and Recognition

October, 2002
Contact: Pamela Jewell
Virginia Wine Marketing Office
Phone: 804-786-0481
pjewell@vdacs.state.va.us

Denise Bird
CommuniQué Marketing
(804) 225-1800, ext. 16

RICHMOND, VA – For a Virginia wine industry on the verge of physical growth and worldwide acclaim, Robert Mondavi recently provided perhaps the greatest possible validation. Mondavi, one of the world’s foremost authorities on wine and the “godfather” of California’s wine movement, recently predicted that Virginia’s flourishing wine industry would become a player in the world market. “Everyone is going to hear about Virginia [wines] in the next several years . . . Virginia is going to do a lot to popularize wine in the United States and to prove what Thomas Jefferson knew about this area.” 1

Virginia wines consistently winning national and international awards
Today, Virginia wines are winning not only national but international acclaim. To appreciate this accomplishment, it is important to remember that Virginia, in effect, had no wine industry until the mid-70s. It faces world-class competition from California and Europe, yet has managed not only to survive, but also to become one of the nation’s prominent vinifera grape producing states.

Increasingly, Virginia wines are arriving back in the Commonwealth from competitions around the country draped with prestigious awards. Wineries and vineyards of all sizes are producing wines that are more than pleasing to the palate. Some of the awards presented to Virginia wines in 2002 have included:

Stone Mountain Vineyards (Blue Ridge Mountains) was presented with both a silver medal for its 2000 Cabernet Franc Reserve and a bronze medal for its 2000 Chardonnay Reserve at the Indy International Wine Competition.

Whitehall Vineyards received a Best Wine in the Southeast award at the Atlanta International Wine Competition, as well as a gold medal at the San Francisco International Wine Competition, for its 2001 Soliterre.

Chrysalis Vineyards in the Northern Virginia area has seen its wines receive over 28 medals in 2002. The awards have included a Best of Show – White Wine award at the San Diego Wine Competition, as well as other awards at events like the Tasters Guild International Awards and Dallas Morning News International Wine Awards.

Growth in number of state wineries
The number of Virginia wineries increased by 1,250 percent in just over the past 20 years. Virginia is home to 12 times as many wineries now as it was in 1979, up from a total of 6 that year to over 75 today. Twelve wineries were scheduled to open for tours and tastings in 2002 alone. Virginia ranks fifth among vinifera wine growing states, and produced 4,120 tons of grapes for nearly 700,000 gallons of wine in 2001.

Factors combine to generate growth
Industry analysts credit a number of factors for the growth in the Virginia wine industry:

The state possesses a favorable climate for growing grapes.

Winery owners have become more experienced and are experimenting more successfully with new or reintroduced grape varieties.

Successful programs have been implemented through Virginia Tech for improving the growing of wine grapes and the palatability of Virginia wines.

The 2001 growing season was one of Virginia’s best. A long, dry fall allowed grapes to stay on the vine until optimally ripe.

Virginia wines have something for everyone
Today, there’s a Virginia wine guaranteed to appeal to every Virginian, whether novice or connoisseur. The state’s wineries produce more than eight varieties of white wines, including Chardonnay, Pinot Grigio and Sauvignon Blanc; more than five varieties of red wines, including Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc and Merlot; as well as rosé and dessert wines. The abundance of Virginia wines means that consumers have a choice of prices as well as varieties.

October is Virginia Wine Month, during which Virginians celebrate the quality, abundance and variety of Virginia wines. For a complete listing of special events in celebration of Virginia Wine Month, log onto www.virginiawines.org, or call the Virginia Wine Marketing Office at 1.800.828.4637 to receive a free copy of the Virginia Wineries Festival and Tour Guide.

1 Virginia Business Magazine – June 2002

Virginia Wine Facts:

Virginia is the 5th largest wine producer in the U.S. among vinifera wine growing states.

Virginia is the 10th largest wine producer in the U.S. among farm wine and commercial grape growing states.

2001 Production: 4,120 tons of grapes produced over 679,800 gallons of wine.

In 1979, Virginia had only 6 wineries. Today, the state boasts 75 wineries.

Recent Awards for Virginia Wines

March 2002
Virginia wines won 15 medals during the prestigious Dallas Morning News
Wine Competition. More than 2,610 national and international wines were entered in the competition, coming from as far away as Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, Chili, France and Italy. The panel of 44 judges included such notables as Paul Lukacs, wine columnist for The Washington Times; Michael Apstein, The Boston Globe; and Dan Berger, The Dallas Morning News.

April 2002
Virginia wines crushed the competition at the prestigious San Diego National Wine Competition held April 28-29, 2001. Thirteen Virginia wines garnered awards including the coveted Best of Show and two Best of Class (see news release).

Chrysalis Vineyards in Leesburg won Best in Show for white wines and a Best of Class for its 2001 Viognier. Only five wines – Red, White, Rosé, Sparkling and Dessert – may be awarded Best in Show. Adieu, a late harvest Vidal Blanc from Gray Ghost Vineyards near Warrenton, also won a Best in Class for dessert wines. A total of 2,050 wines from around the U.S. were entered in the competition (see news release).

July 2002
The Indy International Wine Competition has become one of the largest wine competitions in the country, with approximately 3,000 wine entries and Virginia wines made a great showing. Stone Mountain Vineyards received a silver medal for its 2000 Cabernet Franc Reserve and a bronze medal for its 2000 Chardonnay Reserve (see news release).