You make our work possible. Please help us continue.

Donate Now

Vineyards and wineries now dot the Virginia countryside, but this was not always the case—be it in Jefferson's lifetime, or even most of the twentieth century. Watch this Q&A with Monticello's Director of Gardens & Grounds, Gabriele Rausse, known as the "Father of Virginia Wine." Rausse is a legendary viticulturist who played a pivotal role in the successful commercial cultivation of wine in Virginia in the late-twentieth century, and the realization of Thomas Jefferson's dream to create fine wine from Monticello-grown grapes. He’ll discuss Jefferson’s vineyards, his preferred wines, and our current vineyard cultivation at Monticello.