March 19, 2009

Blog Header - March 18, 2009

Today's blog header is from the gorgeous Barboursville Vineyards. This vineyard was once the home of Governor Barbour, a personal friend of Thomas Jefferson. Jefferson built a house modeled after his famous Monticello for Governor Barbour. The house is like a small Monticello, complete with octagonal central area of the house with a wing on either side.

Governor Barbour's house was likely very similar to Thomas Jefferson's Poplar Forest home, which Jefferson lived in after leaving political life.

One of Jefferson's dreams was to launch the wine industry in the newly formed United States. He regularly gave grape vines and shoots to friends in the hopes that they would be able to grow grapes that could yield good wine. But the unique vegetation diseases here in the New World would not allow the cultivation of European grapes, so Jefferson's dream was not realized during his lifetime. The native grapes of North America yield what many in Jefferson's day described as a "putrid beverage."

It wasn't until years later that a grape grower thought of grafting the European grapes onto the North American grapevine roots. This enabled the European grapes to resist the disease that had frustrated Jefferson's attempts at grape growing and allowed the wine industry in the United States to begin.

The home that Jefferson built for Governor Barbour has long since burned to the ground, leaving only the basic shell of a foundation and most of the brick walls. The property fell into disuse and grew brambles and weeds until the 1980s when an Italian viticulturist purchased the property and began Barboursville Vineyards and Winery. The Barboursville wines are now considered some of the best wines produced in the United States. And Barboursville Octagon has been described by many wine experts as the best wine available today.

I think it's fitting that Thomas Jefferson's dream has finally been fulfilled on the property of his dear friend, Governor Barbour.

3 comments:

  1. Dear sir,

    I saw a couple of your insightful posts on Beck's 912 Project. I believe that since you can successfully seperate philosophy from argument that your input would be of some value to me.

    If you have time, please read the article that is linked to my name. I am trying to get a group of people that can discuss capitalism, its failings, its faults, what can be done better, etc.

    I've a strong belief that if we are to ride out any disasters coming around the corner, we may need to look at the use of currency, community, and stock trading.

    Thank you for your time.

    P.S. I loved the picture of Govenor Barbour's house, and I think its wonderful you're helping people reconnect with our history.

    ReplyDelete
  2. xxybermancer - Thanks for visiting my blog. I'll have opened and bookmarked your page and will try to check it out tomorrow. I have a bit too much work to do tonight, but should be able to carve some time out during the day tomorrow.

    ReplyDelete
  3. No problem, I appreciate your quick response!

    I hope work doesn't drain you too much.

    ReplyDelete

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