Collaborative Effort to Promote Virginia’s Native Wine Grape Gains Statewide Support

NORTON, VA — In an effort to showcase the exceptional quality of wines produced from Norton, the native grape of Virginia, a collection of Virginia Norton growers, wine producers, and advocates have come together to form the Norton Network. This group will collectively promote Norton, the only wine grape native to Virginia, and support one another by collaborating and sharing best practices in grape cultivation and wine preparation.

For many years, Norton has been unfairly cast aside as a “lesser” varietal, often polarizing both consumers and producers. This network aims to demonstrate that with attentive winemaking and cultivation, Norton can produce wines that everyone can enjoy, showcasing its true potential across Virginia. The Norton grape thrives in the vineyard, requiring less intervention to combat fungi and pests thanks to its native resistance to environmental pressures that typically affect other, non-native varietals. This resilience makes Norton far more sustainable and illustrates its unique advantages as a Virginia wine grape.

At present, the Norton Network consists of the following advocates, wineries, and vineyards:

Arterra Wines, Barrel Oak Winery and Brewery, Casanel Vineyards and Winery, Chateau Merrillanne, Chrysalis Vineyards, Fifty-Third Winery and Vineyard, Fleetwood Farm Winery, Hampton Roads Winery, Horton Vineyards, Nokesville Winery, Paradise Springs Winery, Piedmont Meadows, Poorhouse Vineyard, Rappahannock Cellars, The Winery at Bull Run, Thomas Jefferson Wine Co., and Twin Oaks Tavern Winery.

For those interested in championing Norton or becoming a participating winery or vineyard, please reach out to Jill Smedley at jill.smedley@theagdistrict.com.

Posted on: July 11, 2024