WINE AND GARDEN
At a nearby award-winning vineyard and a center dedicated to preserving and distributing historic plants, two of Thomas Jefferson’s great passions are on full display: wine and horticulture. Claiming in 1815 that “wine from long habit has become an indispensable for my health,” Jefferson was renowned as one of the country’s most knowledgeable wine experts and he kept his cellar well stocked with wines from France, Portugal, Spain, Hungary, Germany and Italy. He was endlessly fascinated with the natural world, his garden featured more than 330 varieties of fruits, vegetables and herbs — many were new to America and most were painstakingly documented in his famous Garden Book.
Thomas Jefferson Center for Historic Plants Distance from Monticello: 2 miles Established at Monticello’s Tufton Farm in 1986, the Center collects, preserves and distributes historic and native plant varieties and promotes a greater appreciation for the origins and evolution of garden plants. Guests can explore the Center’s preservation display gardens and shop hundreds of varieties of rare, historic and Virginia native perennials, trees and shrubs during several open houses in 2023. These open houses include guided garden tours and talks from garden experts, with knowledgeable nursery staff on hand to answer plant and garden questions. Upcoming Open House Dates April 22: Celebrate Historic Garden Week and Earth Day with a visit to Monticello’s nursery to see historic plants in their full spring glory. Join ecological restoration expert Devin Floyd to learn about grasslands of the Virginia Piedmont. May 27: Visit with vegetable gardening expert Ashlie Thomas @the.mocha.gardener as she shares her passion for gardening, health and wellness. September 16: Explore exciting plant facts with Ph.D. botanists Ben Goulet-Scott and Jacob Suissa from @letsbotanize, an educational series on Instagram and TikTok.
Jefferson Vineyards Distance from Monticello: 1.5 miles After developing a love for the fine wines of Europe, Jefferson made several attempts to establish vineyards of European grapes at Monticello. However, his attempts at winemaking were ultimately unsuccessful. His extensive efforts to establish a productive vineyard included giving Italian viticulturist Philip Mazzei 193 acres of land contiguous to Monticello and investing in Mazzei’s wine company. Today, on the same land where Jefferson and Mazzei grew grapes 250 years ago, Jefferson Vineyards is thriving. Using modern viticulture and winemaking techniques, the vineyard is realizing Jefferson’s dream of making fine wines from grapes grown near Monticello. The Thomas Jefferson Foundation acquired Jefferson Vineyards in January of this year. The winery grows grapes on 22 of its 400 acres and recently won four gold and five silver medals in the 2023 Virginia Governor’s Cup competition. Along with scenic outdoor seating, Jefferson Vineyards has two tasting rooms that offer seasonal flight options and a diverse assortment of wines by the glass and bottle.
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