Blenheim Vineyards facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Blenheim Vineyards |
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|---|---|
| Location | Charlottesville, Virginia, USA |
| Appellation | Monticello AVA |
| Founded | 2000 |
| Key people | Dave Matthews, owner Kirsty Harmon, winemaker |
| Cases/yr | 5,500 |
| Known for | Petit Verdot |
| Varietals | Chardonnay, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Viognier, Petit Verdot |
| Tasting | Open to the Public, small fee required |
| Website | www.blenheimvineyards.com |
Blenheim Vineyards is a place in Albemarle County, Virginia where they make wine. It's in the beautiful Piedmont area of Virginia. This vineyard is part of the "Monticello Wine Trail," which has many wineries. It is also located in special wine-growing areas called viticultural areas, including the Monticello region.
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History of Blenheim Vineyards
Blenheim Vineyards is on a very old farm in Virginia. In 1730, a person named John Carter received a large piece of land here. He had a mill on the property. Later, his son, Edward Carter, built the first house at Blenheim.
Blenheim During the American Revolution
During the American Revolutionary War, a British commander named Major General William Phillips stayed at Blenheim. He was a prisoner at the time. Famous people like Thomas Jefferson and his wife, Martha Jefferson, often visited Blenheim while Phillips was there. The original Blenheim house was sold in 1840 and later burned down.
Dave Matthews Buys Blenheim Farm
In 1999, the musician Dave Matthews bought the Blenheim farm. He is known for being in the Dave Matthews Band. His family bought the land to help protect its history. They also wanted to use the land for farming. They decided to plant new grapevines where an old vineyard used to be.
Winemakers at Blenheim
Brad McCarthy and Peter Matthews were some of the first winemakers at Blenheim Vineyards. In 2008, Kirsty Harmon became the main winemaker. She is one of several women winemakers in Virginia. Kirsty studied at the University of Virginia. She also learned from another Virginia winemaker, Gabriele Rausse.
Wine Production at Blenheim
Blenheim Vineyards has about 30 acres (12 hectares) where grapes are grown. The first grapes were planted in 2000, and more were planted in 2007.
Grapes Grown at Blenheim
The vineyard grows several types of grapes. These include Viognier, Chardonnay, Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Petit Verdot. Sometimes, Blenheim also gets grapes from other growers in Virginia. The winery currently produces about 5,500 cases of wine each year.
How Blenheim Makes Wine
Blenheim uses a mix of methods to make their Viognier wines. Some wine is made in barrels, and some in large tanks. They also use special types of yeast that help the wine taste clean and clear. All of their wines use screw-cap tops instead of corks.
