Neck wineries to get state signs

Northern Neck wineries are about to get a boost in their efforts to attract visitors.

Todd Haymore, Virginia’s Secretary of Agriculture and Forestry, will unveil the first of three new Northern Neck–George Washington Birthplace American Viticultural Area signs during a ceremony hosted by Ingleside Vineyards at 10:30 a.m. Monday.

The signs are part of a new Virginia wine region program aimed at steering more visitors to the state’s wine regions and vineyards. They’ll tell travelers on selected primary and secondary roads that they’ve entered a particular Virginia American Viticultural Area (AVA) or wine region.

The Northern Neck–George Washington Birthplace AVA includes Westmoreland, King George, Northumberland, Lancaster and Richmond counties. The area is known for wines made from Cabernet Franc, Chardonnay, Vidal Blanc and Chambourçin grapes.

The new wine region program kicked off on April 19 with the unveiling of the first sign for the Monticello AVA at King Family Vineyards in Crozet. Additional signs are being placed at key points of entry in the Eastern Shore AVA, Northern Neck—George Washington Birthplace AVA, Shenandoah AVA and the Northern Virginia Wine Region.

—Cathy Jett

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