Virginia Wine Country – Barboursville Vineyard - Virginian History Meets Italian Tradition

In August of last year we toured the Virginia wine country surrounding Charlottesville. It was a beautiful introduction to many of the fine vineyards there.  I just realized a couple of days ago that I never wrote about one of our favorites Barboursville Vineyard.

It is a perfect time to share our experience as October is a great time to visit Virginia. On the weekend of October 27th and 28th Barboursville is hosting their annual Autumn Barrel Tasting, an event not to be missed.

Barboursville is rich in heritage, not only by its Virginia roots, no pun intended, but also the decades of Italian tradition brought by this vineyard's founder Gianni Zonin a 6th generation heir to an Italian family making wine since 1821. He and his wife Silvana were at the vineyard during our visit.    

I found that the rolling hills and classic structures of this vineyard reminded me a lot of Italy. The vineyard produces a wide range of white and red wines under the watchful direction of wine maker Luca Paschina.

After an interesting tour of the facilities, we had the opportunity to taste verticals of their finest wines. Without question I was quite impressed. After years of work they have perfected many varietals including Italian and French vines.

We also enjoyed a spectacular lunch at their restaurant Palladio named after the Italian architect Andrea Palladio who influenced the Jeffersonian mansion that sits on the property. Executive Chef Melissa Close Hart is passionately engaged in bringing fine Italian cuisine to Central Virginia. Her work has earned international acclaim for Palladio.

I have grown particularly fond of Luca Paschina’s Viognier reserve. Which we happen to be drinking tonight. Viognier is one of Virginia's most prominent grapes. It is produced without oak aging allowing the vivid aromatics and luscious flavors of the wine to stand forward.

The current release is the 2010 vintage. Tonight we are drinking the 2009 which has become richer with cellaring. It has rich pear and passion fruit flavors with a touch of grapefruit over nice minerality and herbal undertones. Complex and interesting as the wine fills the mouth.

 A perfect pairing for this dinner. Arrivederci Estate, Goodbye Summer, with a Toast and a Perfect Dinner

Barboursville Vineyard

17655 Winery Road
Barboursville, VA 22923

(540) 832-3824