Bill Text: VA HJR124 | 2024 | Regular Session | Enrolled
Bill Title: Commending the Monticello American Viticultural Area.
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 1-0)
Status: (Passed) 2024-02-08 - Bill text as passed House and Senate (HJ124ER) [HJR124 Detail]
Download: Virginia-2024-HJR124-Enrolled.html
WHEREAS, the Monticello American Viticultural Area, a designated wine grape growing region in the central Piedmont, was named Wine Region of the Year during Wine Enthusiast magazine's Wine Star Awards in 2023; and
WHEREAS, the Commonwealth, rich with history, is the birthplace of American wine with the practice of winemaking credited to centuries of Virginians cultivating grape vines and producing unrivaled wines; and
WHEREAS, in 1818, Thomas Jefferson, founding father and third president of the United States, stated, "in nothing have the habits of the palate more decisive influence than in our relish of wines"; and
WHEREAS, upon Thomas Jefferson's vision and inspiration for grape growing and winemaking, a superior American Viticultural Area (AVA) known as Monticello was built some 200 years later on the eastern slopes and rolling countryside of the Blue Ridge Mountains in Central Virginia, which has since produced outstanding and award-winning varietals; and
WHEREAS, in 1984, upon the proposal of the Jeffersonian Wine Grape Growers Society (JWGGS), the Monticello AVA was established to honor the area's name recognition, the historical significance of its boundaries, and most importantly, its fertile geographical features; and
WHEREAS, surrounding the City of Charlottesville in Albemarle County, the Monticello AVA is the Commonwealth's oldest AVA, with its viticulturists harvesting approximately 30 varieties of grapes, most notably Cabernet Franc, Chardonnay, and Viognier; and
WHEREAS, today, the Monticello Wine Trail, a subset of the JWGGS located within the Monticello AVA, is an active association of wineries within 25 miles of Charlottesville, each of which is honored to play a part in fulfilling Thomas Jefferson's dream of producing wines of state, national, and international acclaim; and
WHEREAS, the more than 40 wineries on the Monticello Wine Trail are characterized by the deep historic significance and winemaking heritage of the Monticello AVA, the lush vineyard views of the Blue Ridge Mountains, and the grace and spirit of the myriad winemakers who embody Virginia's traditions of wine excellence; and
WHEREAS, more than two million people from around the world visit Virginia wineries each year to toast the local bounty of our region and enjoy the Commonwealth's winemaking heritage; and
WHEREAS, Wine Enthusiast magazine, an esteemed, internationally recognized wine publication, recognized the Monticello AVA over four other distinguished international nominees for its place in American wine history, its ability to move toward a future of wine style diversity and consumer inclusivity, and its achievement of the highest level of quality in winemaking; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED by the House of Delegates, the Senate concurring, That the General Assembly hereby commend the Monticello American Viticultural Area for being named the 2023 Wine Region of the Year by Wine Enthusiast magazine; and, be it
RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the House of Delegates prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to representatives of the Monticello American Viticultural Area as an expression of the General Assembly's admiration for the region's contributions to the Commonwealth.
