Blue Ridge County - March/April 2014 - 20

ns, the most

ive growth

en seen in

ille,

pro-

d Beer City

010.

Blue Ridge

ns, the most

ive growth

en seen in
lle,

pro-

d Beer City

010.

lue Ridge

ns, the most

ve growth

en seen in

lle,

pro-

Beer City

010.

lue Ridge

ns, the most

ve growth

en seen in

lle,

pro-

Beer City

HISTORY BLENDS EASILY with the present throughout

the Blue Ridge Mountains. Renovated buildings
stand proudly beside the new. Musicians pick banjos
with shades of jazz improv and indie rock. A contemporary home perches on a hillside of ancient boulders
and stately trees. Throughout the Appalachians, visitors to wineries, breweries, cideries and distilleries
can enjoy traditional drinks, surrounded by the history of place.
In the early years of our nation, spirits thrived:
local taverns brewed their own ales; hard ciders were
a common table drink; vineyards and wineries grew
as they experimented with the best New World
grapes; early distilleries prospered; and home production was standard. Four Virginia businesses
honor the people and the beverages that mark those
early days.
Known in Virginia for his support of Colonial
wine and beer as well as for drafting the Declaration
of Independence, Thomas Jefferson is considered the
original Father of Virginia Wine. At Jefferson
Vineyards, visitors can see grapes thriving on sites
selected by Jefferson in 1774, land that the politician
and gentleman farmer sold to a Florentine
viticulturalist.
Although the European vinifera grape varieties
that were planted in Jefferson's time did not survive,
the wines made at Jefferson Vineyards use only grapes
from Virginia, reflecting the terroir of the Old
Dominion.
Visitors can tour the 30-year-old winery and
sample wines made true to Jefferson's vision.
Nearby, Starr Hill Brewery pays tribute to beers
brewed at Jefferson's plantation, Monticello. Records
from 1772 show that his wife, Martha, oversaw the
brewing of a low-alcohol beer suitable to serve with
meals.
Later, the intellectually curious Jefferson became
intrigued by the scientific aspects of brewing and
determined to conquer the process himself. An
English expatriate and master brewer, Joseph Miller,
instructed him and one of his slaves, Peter Hemings,
in the arts of malting and brewing. By 1814,
Monticello had a brew house, malted their own
grain, and brewed large quantities of ale each spring
and fall.
Instead of a recipe, Monticello ales used available
grains. Today, the Starr Hill Monticello Reserve Ale
uses wheat, corn, and a small amount of hops to recreate the president's beer. The tribute brew is available year-round and is the official beer of Monticello.
Just down the road, Albemarle CiderWorks honors heritage fruits as well as the Colonial libation. In
the early 1990s, inspired by a tasting at Monticello,
the Shelton family became intrigued by heirloom
apples. They began planting trees to bear the antique
fruits, supplementing the crop with modern apple

20 | BlueRidgeCountry.com

cultivars. Their stock eventually grew to 250 varieties and they began propagating trees for sale and
conducting classes and workshops.
In 2009, they opened Albemarle CiderWorks. In
sipping their ciders, you can relish the individual
flavors of heirloom apples in their single varietals
(Royal Pippin, Old Virginia Winesap, and Virginia
Hewes Crab Reserve) or enjoy new cultivars and
blends.
Though just a short drive from these other historic spirits, Hill Top Berry Farm and Winery creates meads that reach far back in history, possibly
some 9,000 years.

http://www.BlueRidgeCountry.com

Blue Ridge County - March/April 2014

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Blue Ridge County - March/April 2014