Virginia Travel Guide - Virginia Travel Guide 2026
What’s New in Virginia Wine Country
2025-11-22 12:31:44
Rewriting the Playbook Virginia Wineries Turn Grapes into Gold
Grapes like Viognier and Cabernet Franc — relative obscurities or bit players in Old World wine traditions — are taking center stage in Virginia. Like the story of Virginia itself, these varietals tell a tale of characters from the Old World who learned to thrive in a new environment. Together with the Virginia native Norton grape, Viognier and Cabernet Franc have taken root in the soil, formed their own expressions of the terroir, and contributed to the growth of the Virginia wine industry.
These three grapes have played a significant role in Virginia’s emergence as a notable player in the world of fine wine. Analogous to the Virginians who built our nation, such as George Washington and Thomas Jefferson, Viognier, Cabernet Franc, and Norton vines laid the groundwork for varieties that would follow, thriving in Virginia’s distinct soils and producing wines that are earning critical acclaim throughout the world.
Cabernet Franc: An Elegant Leading Lady
Once considered a blending grape rather than a standalone varietal — “...the bridesmaid, rarely the bride,” as Wine Enthusiast once quipped — Cabernet Franc has cemented itself as an A-lister in Virginia. It is the most widely planted grape in the Commonwealth, with more than 700 acres spread across Virginia’s 300-plus vineyards.
Known for its balanced structure, spicy notes, and medium body, Cabernet Franc exudes aromas of violet, plum, and tobacco. Unlike its offspring, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc performs well in Virginia’s clay soils and humid conditions.
2025 Virginia Governor’s Cup winner Luca Paschina, the winemaker at Barboursville Vineyards in Barboursville, recognized the grape’s potential early on. While he famously utilized the grape in The Octagon, a Bordeaux-style blend created at the vineyard in the early 1990s, Luca also realized that Cab Franc grown in Virginia soil could result in spectacular standalone vintages. His commitment to sourcing top Bordeaux vine cuttings and adapting them to Virginia terroir paid off. Today, Virginia’s Cabernet Francs are considered among the best in the United States, showcasing the terroir-driven differences of the grape.
Where to try: King Family Vineyards in Crozet, Michael Shaps Winery in Charlottesville, and Pollak Vineyards in Greenwood all produce Cabernet Francs that are consistent in quality from year to year. For an excellent Bordeaux-style wine that exemplifies how Cabernet Franc can shine in a blend, head to Barboursville Vineyards and sample the current Octagon vintages.
Viognier: The Comeback Queen of Virginia Whites
Viognier’s story in Virginia is one of vision and persistence. When Dennis and Sharon Horton of Horton Vineyards planted 10 acres of the grape in 1989, it was nearly extinct — only 100 acres existed worldwide. Their gamble paid off. By 1993, Horton’s Viognier was winning national awards, and in 2011, Viognier was declared Virginia’s signature white grape.
When it comes to Viognier, Virginia’s climate produces a dry, aromatic white wine bursting with notes of peach, orange blossom, and tropical fruit. While its popularity has waned slightly in recent years, winemakers like Chris Ritzcovan of Jefferson Vineyards and Paschina at Barboursville continue to innovate. Blended with Vermentino, Barboursville’s Viognier eschews the use of oak aging and instead opts to ferment in stainless steel, a style now widely adopted in the region.
Where to try: Jefferson Vineyards in Charlottesville, Horton Vineyards in Gordonsville, and Rappahannock Cellars in Huntly are three wineries currently producing Viognier that exemplify the tropical yet dry notes typical of Virginia-grown Viognier.
Norton: The Wild, Untamed Local Beauty
Long before Cabernet Franc or Viognier arrived, Virginia had Norton. Born and bred in the state around 1817 by Dr. Daniel Norton, the grape was once celebrated internationally (a Norton wine won gold at the 1873 Vienna World’s Fair) but fell out of fashion. However, thanks to pioneers like Horton Vineyards and Chrysalis Vineyards in Middleburg — home to the world’s largest planting of Norton — it has enjoyed a renaissance.
Norton is not for everyone. Its acidity is high, its flavor profile intense, and its aging potential unmatched. As owner of Horton Vineyards Shannon Horton puts it, “You may not like Norton now, but you may like it in 10 years.” That longevity is what makes Norton special. A well-made Norton, aged properly, can rival even the most structured Old World reds.
Where to try: Don’t miss sampling aged Nortons from Horton Vineyards. Chrysalis Vineyards owner Jenni McCloud is known as the “Queen of Norton,” producing some of the best vintages in the world.
LOOKING TO THE FUTURE: NEW GRAPES, SAME GRIT
Virginia’s spirit of experimentation is far from over. Petit Manseng and Petit Verdot are rising stars, praised by winemakers for their resilience and richness. Wine expert Frank Morgan thinks Vermentino could be the next big thing for white wines, saying, “If it were a stock, I would recommend buying that stock.”
If Horton has her way, Tannat or the Portuguese red Touriga Nacional — aromatic, robust, and hurricane-resistant — could be among Virginia’s next headline acts. And while only time will tell which varietal next takes center stage, Virginia’s rapidly rising acclaim hints at a spectacularly bright future.
Ultimately, what makes the Virginia wine industry special isn’t just its grapes, but its willingness to take risks on long shots. Like the people who grow them, these underdog varietals are rewriting the rules — and redefining what American wine can be.
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