The Story
Above average rains induced the plants to vegetate abundantly and forming above average size clusters. noticing such behavior we diligently reduced the crop load to ensure adequate ripening. The summer was warm, with some intermittent storms, no irrigation was necessary. The wines are characterized with intense fresh aromas and vivid refreshing acidity. natural fermentation took place in older, very neutral barriques of French oak with native yeasts over several months. The wine was aged for 24 months minimum in older barriques of French oak, very neutral.
Wine Information
Barboursville Vineyards is Virginia’s first wine estate to be dedicated to growing European, vitis vinifera wine varietals in Virginia. Planted in 1976, the vineyard was founded and continues to be owned by Gianni Zonin from Gambellara, Italy, who is a 7th-generation winegrower whose family’s enterprise, Casa Vinicola Zonin, has been in viticulture since 1821. Barboursville is Zonin’s sole winemaking endeavor outside of Italy. The property is the core of an extensive 18th Century Virginia plantation, now consisting of some 900 acres, of which 162 are in vine. Winemaker-General Manager Luca Paschina, holder of a degree in oenology from Instituto Umberto in Alba and now in his 21st year at Barboursville, oversees day-to-day vineyard operations with viticulturist Fernando Franco, who has been at Barboursville for 13 years.