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. 52 Barboursville Vineyards HANNAH ARMSTRONG
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