In tandem with its recent renovations, the Omni Homestead Resort recently launched its Virginia Wine Experience that provides a taste of the state’s viticultural history as well as a look at the future of the burgeoning industry.
Photo by Jane Fullerton Lemons
Winemaker Matthieu Finot of King Family Vineyards
The Homestead’s wine experiences, which encompass several regularly occurring events, aims to showcase the history of growing grapes and making wine in Virginia – a history that dates to Jamestown, was championed by Thomas Jefferson and finally became a reality in the 1970s.
The best part is that participants can taste some of the top wines being produced in the Commonwealth and talk with the winemakers behind those vintages.
While the Homestead’s $150 million renovation project, completed in October 2023, honors the history of America’s oldest resort, Managing Director Mark Spadoni also wants to look ahead to Virginia’s future. It didn’t take long to recognize the state’s budding wine industry offered the perfect pairing.
“If we can go out and educate people on Virginia wines and where they’re going, that would be future looking,” he explained.
Annual Wine and Cuisine Event
Spadoni’s comments came in a fitting setting at the kick-off for the Homestead’s Epicurean Classic, the second edition of the annual wine event that was held May 3-4. Several dozen wine lovers gathered in the bright new Old Course Pavilion on the resort’s iconic golf course to taste this year’s crop of award-winning wines.
The exclusive tasting was a unique opportunity to sip all 12 wines in the 2024 Virginia Governor’s Cup Case. It was guided by Frank Morgan, who serves as director of judging for one of the most stringent wine competitions in the country.
The Epicurean Classic also included a four-course dinner featuring top wineries. Winemakers poured and discussed their own wines during the meal, including Barboursville Vineyards, Bluestone Vineyard, CANA Vineyards & Winery, DuCard Vineyards, 53rd Vineyard & Winery, King Family Vineyards, Paradise Springs Winery, Rosemont of Virginia, Michael Shaps Wineworks, 7 Lady Vineyards and Veritas.
The following morning began with a yoga and wine-pairing class, led by Quynh Cohen, the Homestead’s sommelier. That was followed by a series of master classes that focused on the history of Virginia winemaking, the cabernet franc varietal that’s popular throughout the state and chef-led instructions on pairing wine with food.
The Epicurean Classic wrapped up with a Taste of Virginia food and wine event that featured tapas-style cuisine to accompany Virginia wine and cider tastings.
Virginia Wine Experience at the Homestead
While the Epicurean Classic is an annual event, the Homestead features Virginia wines regularly with its on-site tasting room and monthly winemaker dinner series.
Guests can sample a wide variety of Virginia wines in a sunny location near the resort’s American Audubon Dining Room that’s a comfortable mix of wine shop and tasting room.
In addition, each month a different Virginia winery is showcased at the resort in events coordinated by Fred Reno, president and CEO of the Thomas Jefferson Wine Company in Charlottesville. Guests can meet the winemakers, whose wines are then featured in a reception and dinner.
“Virginia is a truly remarkable wine destination,” Spadoni said, “and we are proud to have been an advocate for the industry.”
Virginia Wine on the Rise
The Homestead’s focus on Virginia wine comes as the industry continues to thrive.
“Virginia’s wine industry is vitally important to the state’s economic success as it has created more than 10,000 jobs and contributes $1.73 billion annually to the Commonwealth’s economy,” said Matthew Lohr, secretary of Agriculture and Forestry.
That growth was underscored by the increasing number of entries for the Virginia Governor’s Cup, now in its 42nd year.
In the competition for the 2024 Virginia Governor’s Cup, judges sampled more than 750 wines from across the state. That resulted in 79 wineries receiving 137 gold medals. The 12 highest ranking red and white wines comprise the Governor’s Cup Case. (See complete list of top 12 winners.)
These award-winning wines represent three leading wine regions across the Commonwealth — Central Virginia, Northern Virginia, and Shenandoah Valley — and underscore the diversity of wine being produced. Of the top 12 winners, seven were red wines, five were white wines and one was a sparkling wine.
Charlottesville Named Wine Region of the Year
It’s no coincidence that several of those award-winning wines — including the Governor’s Cup winner — are located in the Charlottesville area, which was named “Wine Region of the Year” at the 2023 Wine Enthusiast 24th Annual Wine Star Awards. The Charlottesville area is home to more than 20 percent of Virginia’s vineyard plantings and more than 40 wineries.
The Charlottesville region competed for the award alongside notable wine-producing regions in Italy, France, South Africa and Australia. The recognition underscores Virginia’s rising stature in global winemaking.
Virginia Wine Featured in Paris Expo
Following on the heels of that recognition, six Virginia wineries exhibited in February at Wine Paris & Vinexpo Paris in the Expo Porte de Versailles in France, a leading European wine and spirits trade show. The exhibiting wineries were:
- Early Mountain Vineyards of Madiso
- King Family Vineyards of Crozet
- Michael Shaps Wineworks of Charlottesville
- Paradise Springs Winery of Clifton
- Rosemont Vineyards of LaCrosse
- Williamsburg Winery of Williamsburg
Aubrey Rose serves as treasurer of the Virginia Wine Board and is co-owner of Rosemont Vineyards, one of the wineries that exhibited in Paris. She recognizes that Virginia’s wine industry has come full circle to bring its historic efforts to current fruition.
“While Virginia has a long history of wine dating back to Thomas Jefferson,” she said, “it’s the modern wine industry that is gaining a reputation for quality and innovation.”
For more information, visit www.virginiawine.org.
