Photo courtesy of Virginia Wine Board
The latest edition of a limited-release wine collaboration between First Lady Suzanne S. Youngkin and an award-winning Virginia winemaker is now available — just in time for holiday celebrations.
The latest edition of a limited-release wine collaboration between First Lady Suzanne S. Youngkin and an award-winning Virginia winemaker is now available — just in time for holiday celebrations.
The wine, known as Cornus Virginicus, honors agriculture in Virginia and its flourishing wine industry in particular. For this year’s third edition of the wine, the producer is Mountain & Vine Vineyards and Winery of Faber, which created a red blend from its 2023 vintage.
The name of the wine — Cornus Virginicus — is Latin for “flowering tree of Virginia.” It pays tribute to the Commonwealth’s official state flower and tree, the dogwood, which is depicted on the wine’s front label as well as the first lady’s seal.
“Participating in this most festive wine project has been such a privilege — one that highlights Virginia’s thriving wine industry while supporting young talent in agriculture, trades and the arts,” said First Lady Suzanne S. Youngkin. “Working with the creative and talented Mountain & Vine team has been a true pleasure, and each Cornus Virginicus bottle serves as a reminder of Virginia’s growing and grand wine industry.”
Award-Winning Wines from Mountain-Grown Grapes
For this year’s edition, winemaker Stephen Barnard created blends of different varietals that were reviewed by a tasting panel that included the first lady. The resulting wine is 60% Cabernet Sauvignon, 20% Petit Verdot, and 20% Merlot. The wine is made from grapes that were grown exclusively on the 17-acre Mountain & Vine vineyard site at elevations ranging from 950 to 1,100 feet.
A total of 125 cases were produced by Mountain & Vine, which is located in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains in the Monticello American Viticultural Area (AVA). In 2023, the winery took home the prestigious Governor’s Cup for its 2021 Screaming Hawk Meritage, another red blend.
“It’s been an honor for Mountain & Vine Vineyards and Winery to be a part of this special project. This is a blend from the 2023 vintage and highlights the extraordinary quality of wine being produced in the Monticello AVA,” said Mike Albers, the winery’s owner.
Virginia’s wine industry generates an estimated $1.73 billion in economic impact for the Commonwealth. The growing industry provides more than 10,400 full-time jobs, and it has seen increases in economic categories ranging from wages to tourism revenue to the retail value of the wine being sold.
Supporting the Next Generation of Farmers
While each edition of Cornus Virginicus showcases the state’s agriculture industry, it also invests in its future. Each year a donation is made to support an agriculture charitable organization chosen by the first lady.
This year’s donation will go to the State Fair of Virginia Applied Youth Scholarship Program, a non-profit organization dedicated to promoting positive youth development by recognizing and rewarding leadership through meaningful competition. Held annually during the Virginia State Fair, these competitions underscore the connections between agriculture, trade skills, and the arts in everyday life.
The goal is to inspire the next generation of agricultural leaders, said Secretary of Agriculture Matthew Lohr, who praised the first lady’s support for the scholarship program: “Her dedication is helping to secure the continued growth of Virginia’s wine industry, as well as the broader agricultural sector across the state.”
Take Home a Special Bottle
Cornus Virginicus III is now available for purchase online through Virginia ABC and Mountain & Vine Vineyards and Winery. Purchasers have the option to pick up their wine at a selected Virginia ABC location or directly from the winery. Additionally, bottles can be shipped from the winery.
Tasting Notes: Aged for 10 months in mostly seasoned barrels, the wine is dark ruby. It has a fairly robust nose, with both red and black berried fruit, complemented by spicy notes of white pepper, sage and some savory tones. The oak is beautifully integrated with hints of vanilla, clove and mocha undertones.
On the palate, it’s a dry, full-bodied wine that balances drippy fruit flavors with elegant and soft tannins, all framed with a lively acidity that underlines the importance of Merlot in the blend. It’s a wine that opens up to reveal additional complexities of spices and herbs, while retaining the elegance and freshness of mountainside grown fruit. The wine can be cellared for five-10 years, but is immediately drinkable with decanting.
In 2023, the second edition of Cornus Virginicus — a blend of Petit Verdot and Merlot — was made by Cana Vineyards & Winery of Middleburg, and it benefitted Virginia Agriculture in the Classroom. It also can be purchased from Virginia ABC.
In 2022, the first edition of the wine — a blend of Merlot, Cabernet Franc, and Petit Verdot — was produced by Barboursville Vineyards of Barboursville, and it supported the Future Farmers of America and Virginia 4-H.
