The New York Times ran a great article on Virginia wines in this weekend’s business section. Featured prominently in the piece is Barboursville Vineyards (just outside of Charlottesville) – which is a very special place for me. I poured wine in the vineyard’s tasting room as a part time job during my 2nd and 3rd years of law school..where I got to hone my lawyerly salesmanship skills. The vineyard makes some excellent wines that are on par with Napa and Sonoma, in my opinion. It’s also a magically beautiful place: like a small piece of Tuscany transplanted into the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains. For history aficionados (like myself) the vineyard is extra special because the property includes the historic ruins of the Jefferson designed Barbour mansion – which was destroyed by fire on Christmas Day, 1884. One of my favorite memories of law school is bringing my case books to the ruins on a weekend, opening a bottle of Barboursville wine and catching up on my reading for the week.
Here are some pics of the ruins, taken on my last trip there during my reunion last May. Andrea and I are heading back for a visit in August…just before harvest time!
I,too, remember my visit to the winery when Jim and I visited Charlottesville. I also remember that you were soooo embarrassed that I liked the Rose’ wine and actually bought some to bring home. As an aside..I still have it. Maybe it is vinegar by now!!!! Not your wine connoisseur as you know. Love, Mom
I remember connoisseur Paul chiding connoisseur’s Mother regarding her choice of take home vino!