The Norton Network Launches the Virginia Norton Wine Tour

October is Virginia Wine Month and that coincides with the first-ever Virginia Norton Wine Tour that commences the weekend of October 18 and continues through November 10.  The Norton Network, a collective of Virginia Norton growers, wine producers, and advocates, formulated the tour in order to to highlight the "exceptional qualities of this historically significant native grape across 22 Virginia wineries and vineyards that either grow Norton or feature it prominently in their wines.  Each weekend, participating wineries within a select radius will host events and offer promotions to showcase the diverse expressions of Norton wine — from fruity rosés to bold reds". 

At the BevFluence Baltimore Speakeasy we had a glimpse of the Norton Wine Tour by sampling an array of Norton wines from Horton Vineyards, Chateau MerrillAnne, and Fifty-Third Winery and Vineyard.  This started as a general presentation and tasting to media participants and carried over to a dinner featuring a library tasting showing the age-ability of the Norton grape.  At this dinner of industry professionals we opened the Horton Vineyards 1995, 1999, 2001, and 2010 Norton wines and interestingly all were agreeable with the 1995 and 2010 showing the best integration of acids and velvety chocolate and black fruit. 

Besides its age worthiness, the Speakeasy participants also learned about the grape's history and versatility (see below for short history).  Chateau MerrillAnne believes there is great potential in Norton/Vinifera blends as evident through their 2021 Marquis Rouge. There's great texture, a full mouthfeel, and length to this 50% Norton, 25% Petite Verdot and 25% Tannat blend. We also received a mini-vertical from Fifty-Third Winery and Vineyard of their 2020 Extended Barrel Aged Norton and 2021 Norton (not exactly a vertical - but close).  Not unexpected, the 2020 is tamer (although still acidic) with more rounded fruit and tannins whereas the acidity in the 2021 is more prevalent. Horton Vineyards provided more versatility in the Courage Port (Multiple vintages of Norton Port blended together with a dash of Tannat.).  And being a novice cocktail operative at the Bartender Lab, I took the Courage and added a dash of Bourbon with a pinch of Caramel flavoring. It worked nicely.  Hope to see you on the Norton Wine Tour.

Norton or Vitis Aestivalis is a native North American grape officially discovered in 1823 (or between 1818 and 1828) by Dr. Daniel Norborne Norton (1794-1842), a physician from Richmond. Dr. Norton cultivated and nurtured this new species in a small plot of land known as Magnolia Farm, just northwest of the city of Richmond. The grape, now named after the Dr., was not created intentionally, but resulted as a chance pollination, possibly between Pinot Meunier and a now extinct hybrid known as Bland.

German immigrants bring cuttings of Norton from Virginia to the Midwest - particular Missouri where Norton wines win international acclaim. After prohibition it is thought that Norton vines were lost completely, until 1965, when Jim Held, having newly re-opened Stone Hill Winery, discovers pre-Prohibition Norton vines (dating back to the Civil War) on a nearby property and brings the variety back to commercial use. In 1988, Dennis Horton, originally from Hermann and founder of Horton Vineyards, requests a shipment of Norton vines from Stone Hill Winery, bringing the grape variety back to its birthplace.

 The Virginia Norton Wine Tour schedule:

October 18 – 20
Arterra Wines, Barrel Oak Winery and Brewery, Bluemont Vineyard, Cana Vineyards & Winery, Casanel Vineyards and Winery, Chrysalis Vineyards at The Ag District, Fleetwood Farm Winery, Philip Carter Winery, Rappahannock Cellars, and Slater Run Vineyards.

October 25 – 27
Chateau MerrillAnne, DuCard Vineyards, Fifty-Third Winery and Vineyard, and Horton Vineyards.

November 1 – 3
Hampton Roads Winery and Spinning Jenny Vineyard.

November 8 – 10
Nokesville Winery, Paradise Springs Winery, Piedmont Meadows, Potomac Point Winery & Vineyard, The Winery at Bull Run, and Twin Oaks Tavern Winery.