Nearly two dozen vineyards and wineries are embracing the only grape native to Virginia, sharing best practices about growing Norton and turning it into wine — and getting wine enthusiasts to try it.
Because Norton is native to the commonwealth, it has a natural resistance to fungi and pests in the vineyard, making it more sustainable. That ease means it often gets the “worst spot” in the vineyard because it holds up to the elements and grows just fine, says Jake Blodinger, winemaker at Chrysalis Vineyards in Middleburg, where Norton has long been a focus and 40 acres are dedicated to the grape. “Now the scene is changing — people are questioning, like, ‘I should put Norton in a really great spot and see what happens,’” he says. Knowing how much growers can learn from each other, Blodinger and Jill Smedley, who handles marketing at Chrysalis, started the network to bring them together and promote Norton wines to consumers.
What does Norton taste like? That’s a difficult question to answer, Blodinger says. “The only way to describe Norton right now is to hand a customer … a glass of Norton,” he says.
That’s what led the Norton Network to create a wine tour, where vineyards making Norton wines in different regions will host their own events this fall. Some are creating wine dinners featuring Norton while others are focusing on library or vertical tastings where consumers can experience the varietal’s diversity for themselves.
“Northern Virginia Norton tastes significantly different than Central or Eastern,” and it can vary widely from one winery to the next, Blodinger says. Some bottles are rich, jammy reds while other wineries are making fruity, light rosé. “It gets complicated to start defining Norton because it’s something that’s actually showing off the terroir of Virginia itself through producers scattered throughout the state.”
Norton Wine Tour
From October 18 to November 10, participating wineries within a select radius will host events and offer promotions showcasing Norton.
October 18–20
Arterra Wines, Delaplane; Barrel Oak Winery & Brewery, Delaplane; Bluemont Vineyard, Bluemont; Cana Vineyards & Winery of Middleburg; Casanel Vineyards & Winery, Leesburg; Chrysalis Vineyards at The Ag District, Middleburg; Fleetwood Farm Winery, Leesburg; Philip Carter Winery, Hume; Rappahannock Cellars, Huntly; and Slater Run Vineyards, Upperville
October 25–27
Chateau MerrillAnne, Orange; DuCard Vineyards, Etlan; Fifty-Third Winery & Vineyard, Louisa; and Horton Vineyards, Gordonsville
November 1–3
Hampton Roads Winery, Elberon; and Spinning Jenny Vineyard, Draper
November 8–10
Nokesville Winery, Nokesville; Paradise Springs Winery, Clifton; Piedmont Meadows, Triangle; Potomac Point Vineyard & Winery, Stafford; The Winery at Bull Run, Centreville; and Twin Oaks Tavern Winery, Bluemont
Feature image of Norton grapes courtesy Chrysalis Vineyards
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