This Is the Oldest Wine Region in the U.S.—and No, It’s Not in California

Long before California’s Napa Valley and Sonoma Valley became household names, Virginia quietly planted the roots of American viticulture.

As the oldest wine region in the U.S., the state’s wine legacy dates back to 1619, when the Jamestown Assembly passed “Acte Twelve,” requiring colonists to plant imported European grapevines. In the late 18th century, Thomas Jefferson, inspired by his time in France, also sought to produce wines from European grapes at his Monticello estate. While Jefferson’s efforts were hindered by Virginia’s challenging climate, pests, and unsuitable vines, his vision laid the foundation for future winemakers.

Virginia is now home to more than 300 wineries, many just a short drive from Jefferson’s estate. A cornerstone of Virginia’s wine renaissance is Early Mountain Vineyards, established in 2012 by AOL co-founder Steve Case and his wife, Jean.

At the 55-acre estate, head winemaker Maya Hood White marries scientific precision with an intuitive feel for the land, using cover crops and careful canopy management to foster biodiversity and balance. In the cellar, she prefers minimal intervention to allow the vineyards to express themselves. The results are an impressive lineup of signature wines, like the Bordeaux-style Eluvium and RISE blends, as well as aromatic petit manseng wines.

Whether you’re stopping by the vineyard for the day or staying the weekend, there are a variety of wine experiences to enjoy. Guests can participate in the Elevation Tasting, rare pours in the library, and rotating self-guided flights, complemented by a culinary program that reflects the depth and character of the wines. Drawing on his experience at Virginia’s only three-Michelin-starred restaurant, The Inn at Little Washington, chef Tim Moore creates seasonal dishes like ramp tartine on grilled sourdough with a sunny-side-up egg, ember-roasted carrots with poblano purée and feta, and sweet crab salad with spring pea panna cotta.

In the tasting room, named the nation’s best in USA Today’s 2016 10Best Readers’ Choice Awards, guests can choose an a la carte menu, a hyper-seasonal wine-paired prix-fixe, and the Chef’s Table, a seven-course journey featuring Early Mountain’s most celebrated wines. In 2024, Wine Spectator awarded the winery the “Award of Excellence” for its outstanding wine and culinary experience, while Hood White received “Winemaker of the Year” nominations for Wine Enthusiast’s Wine Star Awards and VinePair’s Next Wave Awards. This year, the vineyard earned Virginia’s second-ever gold medal at the Decanter World Wine Awards for its 2022 Petit Manseng, placing it firmly among the top wineries in Virginia and beyond.

Those looking to explore the region further can visit more than 40 wineries in the Monticello American Viticulture Area, named Wine Enthusiast’s “Wine Region of the Year” in 2023. Beyond the wineries, visitors can go horseback riding, visit several craft breweries, or hike scenic trails like Old Rag Mountain in Shenandoah National Park (a 40-minute drive). For a luxurious stay, The Inn at Willow Grove features a world-class spa and 25 stately rooms, housed in a 40-acre Classical Revival manor originally built in 1778.