Charlottesville Words

New Dominion Bookshop will host a wine and cheese tasting
in conjunction with the sale of
Chiles Larson’s history of Barboursville Vineyards on
Saturday, December 13 from 11 AM to 3 PM.

Wines from Barboursville Vineyards and cheeses from Caromont Farm
will be available for sample tasting and purchase.

Chiles T.A. Larson’s history, Barboursville Vineyards —
Crafting Great Wines Inspired by Spirits of the Past
is available for sale during the event.

(Note: The author will not be present at this event.)

The book: Barboursville Vineyards — Crafting Great Wines Inspired by Spirits of the Past

Chiles T.A. Larson, historian and wine-buff, has written a history that encompasses a full discussion of the exciting founding years of this plantation, which lies between Madison’s Montpelier and Jefferson’s Monticello on the same thoroughfare, Route 20, “the Constitution highway.” The book furnishes an intimate portrait of Gianni Zonin’s pioneering decision to extend his family’s seventh generation winegrowing enterprise to Virginia (his sole venture outside of Italy) and lays out the history of founding, where none had existed, an internationally esteemed wine region, of which the capital is certainly Charlottesville — in concentration of award-winning wineries, nationally recognized dining establishments and travel destinations, and in viticultural literacy per capita. This book is a valuable incremental contribution to that literacy, and it is a great pictorial keepsake of the Vineyard’s terroir. Larson has captured, in more than 40 brilliantly printed photographs, the 18th Century beauty of this remarkably preserved plantation in every season, as it awakens in earliest dawn, blooms with breathtaking opulence by day, bustles with viticultural invention and relaxes in gastronomic elegance, only to settle into the pricelessly silent solace of its heritage by night. Virginians, even those who may never visit Barboursville, will recognize “this place” instantly.

The wines: Barboursville Vineyards

Winemakers to the Thomas Jefferson Foundation as well as producers of the House white, the House red, and the House sparkling wines at The Inn at Little Washington, Barboursville Vineyards was founded in 1976 at the Orange County estate of Jefferson’s great friend and political ally, Governor James Barbour, whose mansion he designed and which remains, as historic landmark Ruins, at the center of the estate. It is fitting that Barboursville Vineyards, the creation of Italy’s largest family-owned viticultural enterprise, is credited as having vindicated the viticultural experiments of Jefferson and his Italian viticulturist, Filippo Mazzei at Monticello.

Among the wines to be available for sample tasting and purchase at the event at New Dominion Bookshop, will be the most honored red wine in Virginia, Barboursville Vineyards Octagon, the San Francisco Gold Medal-winning Philéo, the winery’s famous Cabernet Franc and Viognier Reserves, and the most honored white wine in Virginia, the Pinot Grigio. This range of wines has been selected to appeal to a broad spectrum of personal tastes and to thrive in pairings with the distinguished artisanal cheeses being presented by Caromont Farm. Wines for purchase will be available in limited supply, at special savings to purchasers of the Larson’s history of the Vineyards.

The cheeses: Caromont Farm

Situated in southern Albermarle County, Virginia, Caromont Farm exemplifies what farming is all about — sustainability, commitment, and connection to the land. On this rolling twenty three acres in the Rockfish River Valley, Gail Hobbs-Page draws on the strength of her beloved North Carolina roots and the natural beauty of Esmont, Virginia to create something unique.

Three of Caromont Farm’s aged cheeses will be available at the event at New Dominion Bookshop. Gail Hobbs Page will be on hand to present “The Esmontonian,” a five month old tomme de chevre that is currently featured at the Palladio Restaurant; an aged “Caromont Crottin,” a small 4 oz. coin of cheese that has been maturing in olive oil infused with Mediterranean Herbs from Harvest Thyme Herbs in Staunton; and a holiday spread (also featured at the Palladio), Caromont’s Farmstead Chevre infused with local honey.