Norton Grapes
Wine producers from around the state will be showcasing Virginia’s native grape — Norton — this fall during the Virginia Norton Wine Tour, with special events being held over four weekends from Oct. 18 – Nov. 10.
Norton grape growers, wine makers, and advocates have formed the Norton Network and plan to make the tour an annual event. The collaborative venture includes 22 wineries and vineyards that either grow Norton or feature it prominently in their wines.
The tour features two weekends dedicated to Northern Virginia wineries — October 18-20 and November 8-10 — including many within easy driving distance of Alexandria.
The Northern Virginia wine region ranges from Mount Vernon to Skyline Drive to Harper’s Ferry, and it’s home to roughly 100 wineries. It includes the Middleburg American Viticultural Area (AVA, with wineries in Fauquier and Loudoun counties. Other nearby wine regions include the Eastern Shore, Chesapeake Bay, and Shenandoah Valley.
Norton wine bottles
America’s Oldest Wine Grape
The Norton grape is not as well-known as the more familiar varieties grown throughout the Commonwealth such as Chardonnay, Merlot, or Cabernet Sauvignon — or even other lesser-known grapes that are often used in Virginia wines such as Cabernet Franc, Viognier, or Petite Verdot. But Norton advocates want to change that.
“For many years, Norton has been unfairly cast aside as a ‘lesser’ varietal, often polarizing both consumers and producers,” said Jill Smedley, marketing and public relations manager for Chrysalis Vineyards of Middleburg, who is helping organize the event. “We aim to demonstrate that with attentive winemaking and cultivation, Norton can produce wines that everyone can enjoy, showcasing its true potential across Virginia.”
America’s oldest wine grape, Norton was first cultivated in the 1820s by Dr. Daniel Norton, a Richmond physician, with vines native to the United States. Gaining great acclaim in Virginia before the Civil War, its popularity was cemented when it won the award for “best red wine of all nations” at the Vienna World’s Fair of 1873.
The Norton grape thrives in the vineyard, requiring less intervention to combat fungi and pests, thanks to its native resistance to environmental pressures that typically affect non-native varietals. This makes Norton more sustainable and showcases its unique advantages as a Virginia wine grape.
The resulting wines are deeply colored and age-worthy with rich, fruity aromas and flavors of plums and tart cherries. It can be enjoyed as a single varietal wine or combined with other varieties to boost richness in blends.
Norton Cup Challenge Set for November
The inaugural Norton Wine Tour coincides with Virginia Wine Month, held annually each October. That event commemorates the culture and history of grape growing and wine making in the Commonwealth as well as the industry’s $1.73 billion economic impact. To mark this year’s 36th commemoration, wineries in all regions will be celebrating the harvest with festivals, events, special dinners, and exclusive experiences throughout the month.
In addition, Norton will take center stage during the third anniversary celebration of the Virginia Wine Experience at the Omni Homestead Resort in Hot Springs, Virginia, November 8-9. Ten Virginia Norton wines will compete during the Homestead Norton Cup Challenge. The weekend of events also will include tastings, master classes, and a gala dinner curated to pair with Norton.
“When wine consumers are exposed to Norton, in the right setting and without preconceived notions, people love it,” said Fred Reno, founder of Thomas Jefferson Wine Company in Charlottesville. “That was an epiphany for me.” Reno, who hosts the Fine Wine Confidential podcast about Virginia wines, helps organize the Norton competition.
Additional support for the Norton wine tour comes from these partners: Aquino Barron Consulting, Poorhouse Vineyard, and Edible Blue Ridge.
For the latest information, check the Norton Wine Tour event listing on Facebook.
Norton Wine Tour Schedule
Northern Virginia: Oct. 18 – 20
Arterra Wines
Barrel Oak Winery and Brewery
Bluemont Vineyard
Cana Vineyards & Winery of Middleburg
Casanel Vineyards and Winery
Chrysalis Vineyards at The Ag District
Fleetwood Farm Winery
Philip Carter Winery
Rappahannock Cellars
Slater Run Vineyards
Central Virginia: Oct. 25 – 27
Chateau MerrillAnne
DuCard Vineyards
Fifty-Third Winery and Vineyard
Horton Vineyards
Greater Virginia: Nov. 1 – 3
Hampton Roads Winery
Spinning Jenny Vineyard
Northern Virginia: Nov. 8 – 10
Nokesville Winery
Paradise Springs Winery
Piedmont Meadows
Potomac Point Winery & Vineyard
The Winery at Bull Run
Twin Oaks Tavern Winery
