As many of you have known, the modern-day Virginia wine industry started in the late 1970s, with Gabriel Rausse as the modern-day Father of Virginia Wine. By the year 1980, Virginia had a rocking 10 wineries, which slowly grew to about 50 wineries by 1990. Under the Farm Winery Act of 1980, wineries were farms, so limited restrictions were needed, given normal agricultural activity. Wineries were free to have gatherings on their properties, and to construct or make additions to facilities in the use of wine production.

Mountain Run made the biggest splash in its short existence at the 2023 Virginia Governor’s Cup state-wide wine tasting competition, garnering three gold medals – one of very few wineries to pull off the feat. Gold medals were awarded to the Mountain Run 2021 vintage Petit Manseng, Petit Verdot, and Viognier. The Petit Verdot was named by the judging panel as part of the “Governor’s Case,” which includes the top 12 wines in the state for the year, making this winery one of the top wineries to go visit in Virginia.

Valentine’s Day is coming up, and most of us instantly think chocolate when we hear wine and truffles, right? Well, this could be the proverbial chocolate-and-wine-pairing blog, and don’t get me wrong, chocolate and wine is good, but let’s put a spin on it this year, and sip and savor.

This week, City Vino is indeed twice thankful. We are first thankful for our staff, our customers, and club members for your support again this past year. We love to be able to expand our customer’s wine experiences by sharing wines from small producers and small lots that you will not find in a supermarket or a big chain wine shop. Being able to assist you to pick a bottle or two or twelve for your everyday table, family or friend gathering, or that incredibly special occasion, means so very much to us.