It may be easy to fall into only enjoying wines from the typical states we may think of for producing quality wine in America, like California, Oregon, or Washington. However, every state in the country is crafting wine of some sort today, either from fruit grown in that state or imported, of which much is of high quality, like many options from states like Texas, Colorado, New Mexico, and Virginia. Our Pilgrim Fathers made berry wine shortly after arriving on the Mayflower. The wines of Virginia have become a burgeoning business, rising in popularity as their reputation for delivering quality wines grows, producing selections from both international varieties and those a little more uncommon.

In Leesburg, Virginia, October One Winery crafts single-varietal wines from grapes grown within a single vineyard in Loudoun County. Its October One Albarino has a fresh zestiness that is highly appealing for lovers of the grape variety. The palate is bright and light and shows lively acidity, with crunchy citrus, white flowers, and golden orchard fruit, perfect for summer sipping. Every bottle of October One includes a paint stripe of a different color, the same color that marks each variety’s block of grapes in the vineyard, tying the presentation directly back to the vineyard, highlighting the importance of the land.

With locations on either side of the country, one in Santa Barbara, CA, and the other in Clifton, VA, Paradise Springs Winery has a long history of wine production. Fairfax County, VA, the property was originally part of a land grant from Lord Fairfax in 1716 to the Kincheloe family and has been passed down through the years, with the property today producing 12,000 bottles of Virginia wine.  Paradise Springs Winery Petit Manseng is a fruit-forward white wine that grows well in the region due to its thin skin and loose grape bunches. The wine opens with tropical mango and pineapple aromas, leading to layers of ripe pineapple, lemon zest, and kiwi, with a lovely texture, completely dry palate, and well-rounded body.

Also located in Loudon County, Breaux Vineyards began in the early 1990s; however, its earliest grapes on the 404-acre estate were planted in 1985. Three acres of Cabernet Sauvignon were planted initially, which intrigued President and CEO Paul Breaux to try his hand in the wine business, opening Breaux Vineyards in 1997. Breaux Vineyard’s “The Fog” Nebbiolo takes its name from the Italian word nebbia, which means fog, and showcases a classic version of the Piedmontese variety. The wine shows hallmark characteristics, including leather, earth, and tar notes that meld with fragrant floral aromas, leading to a palate that balances ripe blue and black fruit notes with dried fruit elements. The tannins are typical of Nebbiolo but not overly intense or astringent. You can easily cellar this bottle or give it time to breathe before enjoying it with a grilled ribeye or braised short ribs.

Early Mountain Winery sits on 350 acres of mid and high-elevation land in the Blue Ridge Mountains’s foothills. It began crafting all-American wines while enjoying the influences of the great wines of France in 2012. The Winery’s Eluvium wine blends predominantly Merlot (75%) with Petit Verdot (25%) grown in rocky, sloping, high-elevation mountainside soils with varying sun exposures, creating a wine that is both bold and complex while providing balance and elegance. The wine shows notes of black plums, blackberries, dusty leather, and purple flowers, with hints of toasted spice and balsamic, ensuring the palate is fruity and savory.