The wine producing estate was founded in 1976 by Gianni Zonin, an Italian winemaker from the Veneto. Part of an affiliated group of wineries owned by Zonin based in Vicenza, Barboursville Vineyards is its only American venture. The winery is built on the grounds of Barboursville, the home of the 19thGovernor of the Commonwealth of Virginia, James Barbour, on an estate of which is divided between Albemarle County and Orange County. The home was built from 1814 through 1822 and is based on an architectural design provided by Barbour's political ally and friend, Thomas Jefferson, since 1969 listed on the National Register of Historic Places. It draws approximately 80,000 visitors a year. The estate is the first producer in the new era of Virginian wine history to plant Vitis vinifera since the failed attempts of Jefferson, initially through former vineyard manager Gabriele Rausse. Winery manager Luca Paschina first arrived as a consultant in 1990, now estimated among Virginia's leading winemakers, has a stated goal to work to achieve quality consistently over several vintages. Considered one of the leading wineries in Virginia, Barboursville Vineyards wine was selected to be served to the Queen Elizabeth II on her 2007 visit to Virginia.
Production
The viticultural area extends. The vines are predominantly Bordeauxgrape varieties for the red wines, and also including Nebbiolo, Sangiovese and Barbera, and among white varieties are Viognier, Chardonnay, Pinot grigio and Sauvignon blanc. The Barboursville Vineyards flagship wine, Octagon, is a Bordeaux-style blend, mainly based on Merlot, with parts Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot. Octagon was first produced in 1991, then again in 1995, but 1998 marks the vintage that began the run of consistency, with the exception of the 2003 vintage when no Octagon was produced. Among a host of other wines produced, there is a Barbera Reserve, a Cabernet Franc Reserve, a Cabernet Sauvignon, a Merlot, a Nebbiolo Reserve, a Sangiovese Reserve and a Vintage Rosé. Among white wines there is a sparkling Barboursville Brut NV, a Chardonnay, Pinot grigio, Sauvignon blanc and a Viognier Reserve, and a late harvestdessert wine produced from Moscato Ottonel and Vidal grapes, the Malvaxia Passito whose character has been commended by British wine writerHugh Johnson. Barboursville Vineyards has a total production of of wine a year.
