Shortly after our forefathers founded this country, there was a desire for wine. At that time, they were still getting shipments from the motherland but either it wasn’t enough or they just wanted to start growing grapes of their own. One of the first people to plant grapes intended to make wine was Thomas Jefferson. He planted several different varietals on his grounds at Monticello. You can actually tour the restored vineyards and cellar at his Monticello estate. Jefferson was a major advocate of wine and was responsible for opening channels for the importation of wine in the US from France, Italy, Portugal and Spain. He also served as personal wine consultant to Presidents Washington, Madison, and Monroe. I guess he was the First Sommelier to the president? He was also the first lobbyist and he spent a lot of time lobbying for a tax reduction for wine imports when he served as the Secretary of State and as President. It was Jefferson who, perhaps envisioning the advent of the American Wine industry, stated, “We could in United States make as great a variety of wines as are made in Europe, not exactly the same kinds, but doubtless as good.” I would say he was right!Cheers!
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