Virginia’s Heritage

Commemorating 400 Years of Wine making in Virginia

In recognition of the 400th anniversary of wine growing in the Americas, Virginia’s finest producers were asked to each donate a barrel of their best red Bordeaux-style varietal wine. These were then blended together and bottled to create a limited-edition commemorative wine called Virginia’s Heritage.

A truly Virginia wine, Virginia’s Heritage represents Virginia’s burgeoning wine scene while at the same time paying homage to the quadricentennial establishing Virginia as the cradle of winemaking in the Americas.

Virginia: First in Wine

As the first settlers arrived in Jamestown Colony in the early 1600s, they were commanded by Acte 12, the 12th law created by the early House of Burgesses, to plant and tend grapevines sent over from France in 1619 and harvest grapes. After struggling to achieve a fruitful harvest, an additional 10,000 grapevines were sent in 1621. Trial and error continued until the late 1670s when the industry began to take root.

Now as we arrive at the 400th anniversary of those original plantings, we thought it only proper to commemorate the fine wines, winemakers and wineries that have elevated Virginia to one of the top 10 wine-producing states in the U.S.

Limited Edition, Limited Quantities

Only 10,000 bottles of Virginia’s Heritage wine will be bottled, each bottle representing one of the 10,000 grapevines brought to Virginia by the Virginia Company 400 years ago.

The Blend

Our vision for Virginia’s Heritage included the invitation to Virginia’s finest winemakers to contribute a barrel of their best red Bordeaux-style varietal wine, with the requirements that the grapes be 100% Virginia sourced and of the 2016 or 2017 vintage. Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon and Petit Verdot wines from 16 of our most celebrated wineries were blended together in 32 Virginia oak barrels stored at Effingham Manor and Winery in Nokesville, Virginia. View all participating VA wineries here.

Bottling

10,000 bottles of Virginia’s Heritage wine have been bottled, with each representing one of the 10,000 grapevines brought to Virginia by the Virginia Company 400 years ago.

Commemorative Packaging

Virginia’s Heritage wine’s unique packaging reflects its Colonial roots with labels printed on thin sheets of birch wood. The wine is packaged in a Virginia-made commemorative box surrounded by ribbon shavings of the same birch wood. The box cover label is a representation of the 1619 Virginia Company seal.

Availability for Purchase

The limited-edition Virginia’s Heritage wine is available for purchase in Potomac Point Winery’s Tasting Room for the price of $59.99.