Viognier is presumed to be an ancient grape. By 1965, the grape was almost extinct when there were only eight remaining acres in the Northern Rhone region of France. It is the only permitted grape for the French wine Condrieu in the Rhône Valley. Outside of the Rhône, Viognier can be found in regions of North and South America as well as Australia, New Zealand, the Cape Winelands of South Africa as well as in Israel and the Bekaa Valley of Lebanon. Over the years, the popularity and price of the wine have steadily risen. The most common comments we hear from our guests are "floral, peach, melon, tropical fruits.” Viognier is frequently referred to as the state wine of Virginia. It ages well but is best enjoyed now.
