October is Virginia Wine Month
For more than three decades, Virginia Wine Month has been celebrated each October, honoring the farmers, growers and winemakers who contribute to a blossoming industry that generates millions in revenue and thousands of jobs — well worth a toast of Petit Manseng or Cabernet Franc.
The annual tradition dates to 1988, when there were only 40 wineries representing Virginia’s burgeoning viticulture industry. Since then, the numbers have grown as fast as the vines. There are more than 350 wineries across the Commonwealth, growing grapes on more than 5,000 acres in 10 geographic wine regions that include eight designated American Viticultural Areas (AVA).
Many of those wineries are easily accessible from the Alexandria area. The Northern Virginia wine region ranges from Mount Vernon to Skyline Drive to Harper’s Ferry, and it is home to roughly 100 wineries. It includes the Middleburg AVA, with wineries in Fauquier and Loudoun counties. Other nearby wine regions include the Eastern Shore, Chesapeake Bay and Shenandoah Valley.
As the wine industry has grown, so has the annual celebration of it, which includes events at wineries, restaurants and shops throughout the state, said Annette Boyd, director of the Virginia Wine Board Marketing Office.
“It’s such a magical time in Virginia,” she said. “There’s no better time to get out and visit the wineries. There’s a little chill in the air, and the leaves are turning. By the end of October, most grapes are in and there’s a lot of activity at the wineries.”
Commemorating the history of Virginia’s newest old industry
Virginia’s long and fraught history with wine dates back more than 400 years to its earliest days as a colony. Its prospects received notable boosts along the way from Thomas Jefferson, an ardent wine advocate although unsuccessful grape grower, and Daniel Norton, a Richmond physician who first cultivated Norton, America’s oldest native wine grape which bears his name, beginning in the 1820s.
But it wasn’t until the 1970s that modern winemaking truly bore fruit in the Commonwealth. As the industry grew, its proponents realized the need to move what had been known as Virginia Farm Winery Month from the sweltering heat of August to the more hospitable autumnal weather of October.
“October in Virginia is cooler, the leaves are turning and people are thinking about going out and visiting a winery,” said Boyd, who was instrumental in establishing Virginia Wine Month. “Fall is such a gorgeous time in Virginia.”
In 1988, Governor Gerald Baliles kicked off the inaugural Virginia Wine Month with a
Virginia Gov. Gerald Baliles
reception at the Executive Mansion in Richmond, where he spoke about the importance of building local industries and pledged to assist the nascent wine region.
A year later, at the 1989 Governor’s Cup wine competition, he reflected on his earlier remarks: “I saw that an old industry was in the process of being revived by Virginia’s wine-growing pioneers, and I felt that the state government could draw them together. Wine growing in America was born in Virginia, and when it comes to selling it, the state and the winegrowers can work together . . . to increase the visibility of Virginia’s newest old industry.”
Each of the nine subsequent governors has followed Baliles’ lead and declared October to be Virginia Wine Month — now the longest continuous running wine month in the nation. And most followed another tradition he established by serving only Virginia wines at the Executive Mansion while entertaining.
“Virginia Wine Month rightfully spurs a celebration of our Commonwealth’s rich and diverse winemaking heritage,” Governor Glenn Youngkin said in proclaiming October 2023 as Virginia Wine Month.
Reaping the economic benefits
While Virginia Wine Month strikes a celebratory tone, it also takes note of the business aspects of one of the state’s key agriculture sectors, which has grown significantly in recent years.
Virginia’s wine industry generates an estimated $1.73 billion in economic impact for the Commonwealth, including such factors as jobs created, wine-related tourism and tax revenue. The 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 — all indicators of a thriving industry that benefits the state’s economy.
“Virginia’s wine industry is not only a source of excellent wines, but also a key contributor to Virginia’s economy and agriculture,” said Matthew Lohr, Virginia secretary of Agriculture and Forestry.
“It is evident that our wineries are flourishing, contributing significantly to job creation, tourism, and the overall prosperity of the Commonwealth,” he said.
Celebrating Virginia agriculture and harvest season
At its core, Virginia Wine Month is an opportunity to enjoy the fruits of the season, support local producers and explore the state’s agriculture sector. To mark the 36th commemoration, wineries in each region will celebrate the harvest with festivals, special dinners and exclusive experiences throughout October.
The Harvest Party is a tribute to Virginia wine.
The third weekend of October features the annual Harvest Party, with a farm-to-table focus that celebrates all facets of Virginia agriculture. There are opportunities to meet with winemakers, spend an evening in a vineyard or gather for a feast of Virginia-grown food and wine.
“The Harvest Party has taken on a life of its own,” said Boyd. “We see a lot of events around the grape harvest, but also the bounty of other things that are being harvested. Agriculture is Virginia’s largest industry, so we like to celebrate not only the grape harvest but other products, too.”
For more information, visit www.virginiawine.org and check under “events” for a complete listing of Wine Month and Harvest Party activities statewide. Many Virginia wineries are within easy driving distance from the Alexandria area.
Cornus Virginicus: A special Virginia wine blend
For the third year, a limited-release wine that celebrates Virginia agriculture will be announced in October. Cornus Virginicus is a collaboration between First Lady Suzanne S. Youngkin and a rotating Virginia winemaker. This year’s producer will be Mountain & Vine Vineyards & Winery of Faber.
Each edition of the project celebrates Virginia's flourishing agriculture, especially its farmers, growers and winemakers. Each year, a donation is made to support an agriculture charitable organization chosen by the first lady. Limited quantities are available for sale through the producing winery and 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. In 2023, the second edition — a blend of Petit Verdot and Merlot — was made by Cana Vineyards & Winery of Middleburg, and it benefited Virginia Agriculture in the Classroom.
Cornus Virginicus is Latin for “flowering tree of Virginia.” The name pays tribute to the Commonwealth’s official state flower and tree, the dogwood, which is depicted on the wine’s label as well as the first lady’s seal.
Each blend is selected by a tasting panel that includes the first lady. “Collaborating with Virginia’s leading wine makers is a true highlight and allows us to give back to the next generation of farmers,” she said.
For more information about Virginia Wine Month, visit www.virginiawine.org.
