Virginia celebrates Wine Week

Virginia's got it. Now Virginia's flaunting it.

For several years, wine experts and publications have been heralding wine produced in the Commonwealth. Now, the Virginia Tourism Corp. and the Virginia Wine Board want you to support the local wineries that put the state on the map.

"With the whole emphasis on eating local, I think you should drink local, too," said Annette Boyd of the wine board.

The Virginia Tourism Corp. declared March 22-28 the first Virginia Wine Week — nicknamed "Love by the Glass" — during which 230 wine shops and restaurants that sell Virginia-made are adding more in-state varieties to their wine lists.

Thomas Jefferson tried making wine at Monticello without much success, and until recently, it was thought that California was the only viable wine region in America. Boyd said this is a common excuse some businesses owners give for not carrying more wine from the Commonwealth.

"It's like they're playing a old tape that's not really relevant today," said Boyd, adding that Virginia offers high-quality wines at competitive prices.

There are 155 wineries across Virginia's nine wine producing regions, gaining popularity for varietals including Viognier, Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot, according to a release by the Virginia Tourism Corp.

In 2007, Travel and Leisure Magazine placed the Commonwealth — especially the Charlottesville area — in the top five up-and-coming wine destinations worldwide.

Boyd said the Virginia Wine Week initiative is meant to recognize businesses that already promote Virginia wines and drive customers to businesses that signed up to participate.

Shae Armstrong of Barren Ridge Vineyards, a two-year-old operation in Fishersville, said business has been doing well lately, and many visitors to the vineyard have mentioned Wine Week.

Armstrong said the Virginia is a great place to make wine because of the climate — some grapes thrive here, leading to the creation of new wines — and the friendliness of the local industry.

"I've discovered this great camaraderie between the vineyards and wineries," said Armstrong, explaining that they often recommend visitors stop at others in the area. "We're not really in competition with each other."