Wine: Drink Locally

BY JODY RATHGEB - Special Correspondent
Published: July 30, 2008

The move toward eating local foods has received much attention as people try to increase their environmental awareness and decrease reliance on costly fuels.

But in addition to eating locally, what about drinking locally? Enjoying a good wine with your meal doesn’t have to mean shipping bottles across the globe or the country; there are plenty of choices in Virginia, and even within the localities that make up the greater Richmond area.

Virginia winemaking has roots as far back as the commonwealth itself, but it was in the 1970s that the industry really took off. Today there are more than 135 wineries and 260 grape growers, producing a full range of wine varieties. Many have garnered awards; Virginia now ranks sixth nationally and is the second-largest state in the east for fine wine production.

Local wineries and vineyards are fun to visit. In addition to tours and tastings, they often offer special events and festivals and allow picnics and/or provide light foods.

Those looking for local sips will find them here. All offer tastings and special events; visit Web sites for hours and details.

CHESTERFIELD COUNTY – Woodland Vineyard, 15501 Genito Road, Midlothian. Small, family-owned vineyard and winery specializing in traditional wines, including Chardonnay, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon and the winery’s Woodsong, a Vidal Blanc. (804) 739-2774 woodlandvineyard.com

GOOCHLAND COUNTY – Grayhaven Winery, 4675 E. Gray Fox Circle, Gum Spring. Produces Pinotage, Touriga, Seyval Blanc, Sauvignon Blanc, Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, blends and more. (804) 556-3917 or grayhavenwinery.com

HANOVER COUNTY – James River Cellars, 11008 Washington Highway, Glen Allen. Produces Merlot, Chardonnay, Gewerztraminer, Vidal Blanc, Cabernet Franc and more. (804) 550-7516; jamesrivercellars.com

LOUISA COUNTY – Cooper Vineyards, 13372 Shannon Hill Road, Louisa. Boutique winery producing Norton, Merlot, Syrah, Cabernet Franc, Chardonnay, Viognier, blends and sweets. (540) 894-5253; coopervineyards.com

NEW KENT COUNTY – New Kent Winery, 8400 Old Church Road, New Kent. Recently opened, the 12,000-square-foot “green” winery is constructed from recycled building materials and is part of a planned development. Produces Chardonnay, Norton, Vidal Blanc, Cabernet Franc, Merlot and blends. Café opening 2009. (804) 932-8240 newkentwinery.com

• Free brochures, “Virginia Winery Guide 2008,” are available from the Virginia Wine Marketing Office, Old City Hall Building, 1001 E. Broad St., Suite 140, Richmond. Call the office at (800) 828-4637 or e-mail to receive the guide.
• The marketing office’s Web site, www.virginiawine.org, offers information on wineries, events and Virginia wine trails and offers links to other sites of interest.
• Wine columnist Jack Berninger writes “Vines & Wines,” which appears alternate Wednesdays in the Richmond Times-Dispatch food section.
• Some of Berninger’s past columns and other wine information can be found at http://www.inRich.com by searching for the keyword “wine.” The site also offers wine courses by Bill Curtis, slide shows and more.
• A new quarterly magazine, Virginia Wine Lover, is available at various retail outlets. For subscriptions, call (434) 385-0600 or visit http://www.vawinelover.com
• The Virginia Wize Gazette, a quarterly magazine now in its 11th year, is available at area wine shops and at http://www.special-sections.com/winecountrygazettes. Mail-in subscription forms are in the magazine and online.