Grapevine

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All bottle art is designed to grab your attention, but the best ones convey a message. Some highlight a good cause. Others explain the winery’s heritage. A few just want to make you laugh. Regardless, if the art causes you to say “I MUST have that bottle,” then it did its job.

As Virginia has nearly 300 wineries - each offering up to a dozen bottles each – there’s a lot of bottle art to choose from. But here are some of the best.

Blenheim Vineyard’s “On The Line”

This limited release white blend of Viognier, Chasseas Doré, and Rkatsiteli has perhaps the most timely bottle art you can ask for. The Dave Matthews designed label features a medical professional in full mask, in honor of those who are on the proverbial front lines fighting against COVID-19. By itself, this is a great tribute. But what makes it extra special is part of the proceeds are donated to Frontline Foods and the World Central Kitchen, known around the globe as “Food First Responders”.

The Cameo Collection

(Effingham Manor, Pearmund Cellars, Philip Carter Winery, and Vint Hill Winery)

The Cameo Collection was released in February, 2020 as part of the centennial celebration of the passage of the 19th Amendment. The art includes portraits of luminaries from Virginia’s history such as Ella Fitzgerald and Martha Washington, plus a description of their contributions in areas ranging from the arts, business, medicine, or historical significance.

Forever Farm’s Boykin Blend

The story of the Boykin Blend is both sad and uplifting. George was a Boykin Spaniel who accompanied his human parents Bob and Teri Riggs when they moved to Virginia in 2016. Unfortunately, George crossed over the rainbow bridge the following year.

Yet George’s memory lives on. Bob named his first wine in honor of George, even picturing him on the label. Not only that, $1 of every bottle is donated to the Boykin Spaniel Rescue foundation.

Iron Heart Winery

Iron Heart’s name is double-edged; it’s in honor of the location’s history as a steel mill, and the strength of character of the women who once owned the farm. But their wine labels are some of the most unique in the state – Iron Heart uses friends, employees & family members as models.

To date around 30 labels have been made, but one recent favorite is their Jackpot. $20 of every $30 bottle will go to the New River Community College Access to Community College Education (ACCE) program. It’s a great label for a great cause, but the artwork on every bottle is a home run.

Jefferson Vineyards

Wine geeks are familiar with the story of a ‘secret stash’ of French wines that were (allegedly) owned by President and wine aficionado Thomas Jefferson, based on the initials “Th. J.” ascribed on the bottles. Unfortunately (for the buyer), these bottles were later judged to be fakes. Even worse (for the seller), billionaire William Koch had purchased one of them…and Koch was not forgiving for having been

duped.

Koch would have been better off buying a bottle from Jefferson Vineyards, located adjacent to Jefferson’s home of Monticello. Unlike the infamous bottle of 1787 Lafite, Jefferson Vineyard’s bottles can boast they actually utilize a copy of Thomas Jefferson’s signature.