The Charlottesville area and the Monticello American Viticultural Area have won Wine Region of the Year in Wine Enthusiasts 2023 Wine Star Awards.
The Charlottesville area was just one of five wine regions nominated around the world for this prestigious award and was the only nominee located in North America. Wine Enthusiast’sexecutive media team made its winning selections based on many factors, including impact on consumers and trade in the wine space, company or brand vision, and trendsetting. The Wine Star Awards celebrate the innovation of individuals and entities that have significantly contributed to the success of the wine and alcoholic beverage world.
The region’s history with wine dates to the days of Thomas Jefferson, who believed Charlottesville and Albemarle County’s terroir to be ideal for growing grapevines. While Jefferson’s intuition about the land was correct, the varieties of grapes he chose were not. After several failed grape-growing experiments at Jefferson’s mountaintop home of Monticello, the region did not see successful vineyard ventures until the mid-1970s, when winemakers began experimenting with grapes better suited for the land. Since that time, the Montecello Wine Trail was created and has flourished, currently boasting more than 40 vineyards within a 25-mile radius of Charlottesville.
“Words cannot express my excitement on behalf of our community, our wineries and the CACVB,” said Courtney Cacatian, Executive Director. “I am beyond thrilled that our high-quality wines and our approach of collaboration, inclusivity and welcoming has won us this recognition on a global stage. We look forward to welcoming visitors from all over the world to taste our wine.”
LUXURY VIRGINIA EXPERIENCE – 8 night fly drive
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