Wine on the Radio - July 3, 2003

Founding Fathers

Did you know that some of the Nation's Founding Fathers were really into wine?   When you get to thinking about Independence Day, it seems like a little history is in order.

Thomas Jefferson was America 's first true wine enthusiast.  He acquired the passion from his years in France and was determined to begin a wine industry in the young United States .  

Try as he might Jefferson didn't get his winemaking dreams realized although he did start and stock the first wine cellar in the White House.

He'd love to visit his native Virginia today.  He'd find a thriving wine business with over 75 wineries, some very near his beloved Monticello, and others near friend George Washington's backyard at Mount Vernon .

And now, vineyards stretch from Maine to Missouri to California and Hawaii.

So while you're enjoying the parades, the picnics and the fireworks and you get the chance to pop the cork, raise that wine glass and give a toast to old Tom and George.

Pop the cork™.

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