The Rich History Behind Virginia's Prominent Norton Wines Explained It must be known to most people that it was Thomas Jefferson who made the valiant attempt to plant vineyard at Monticello but unfortunately failed to do so. However, it was not just Jefferson who failed trying to establish vineyards in that new world, as others also had made attempts to do so earlier. Virginia emerged as a great wine producer in 1969 after the Virginia House of Burgesses passed Act 12 that required each household to get ten vines planted. One question that came up in this regard was that what was the need for passing a law. Most likely, it was because the English wanted their French rivals to be left far behind. The one way they thought was right to do that was by making all of their Colony's wine here. However, the idea was not a success. Thomas Jefferson kept experimenting and unfortunately failing at Monticello. It was finally in 1820 that there was some success. Losing his lovely wife and baby, Dr. Richard Norton was under huge stress and facing a heart-breaking period. There was a garden behind his house in Richmond where Norton managed to crossbreed a European grape vine with wild American vine. With this new break-through, he created something that was almost beyond his wildest of dreams. In the process, Norton had given life to the first grape that could successfully grow to enable production of a drinkable wine.
It was after a cooperative farm seed catalog published the details of Norton's experiment and findings that people started planting this grape variety everywhere. Some German immigrants even planted it in Missouri. However, later on, prohibition occurred and Norton grape wines got destroyed. Later in the 1990s, Dennis Horton went to Missouri and Norton came back to Virginia. At the time of opening our winery, we brought few original plantings that were sent to Missouri back to our property. The people working in Monticello consumed the entire grapes that were grown there. Jefferson was told that the wines had failed; however, nothing is known about whether they said anything about feeling bad for eating all grapes. Jefferson served his country for long periods of time while being away from Monticello. In this approach, he was a lot like George Washington. That was the story behind Norton grapes. If you wish to enjoy Norton wines in a totally relaxing atmosphere, do visit our winery. We also arrange wine festivals in Virginia at regular intervals that you can attend in true high spirits. So, come and join us at the winery.