As noted in The Papers of Thomas Jefferson, Volume 27, Thomas Jefferson writes, after touring through the vineyards of France:
There are four crops of them more famous than all the rest. These are Chateau-Margau, Tour de Segur, Haut-brion, and de la Fite. They cost 3 livres bottle, old: But are so engaged before hand that it is impossible to get them.
Jefferson brought back his knowledge and love of wine to America to try to “elevate the tastes” of America by instilling in them a love of fine wine.
Some of these efforts can be seen by visiting Jefferson’s main estate, Monticello, near Charlottesville, Virginia:
Larger but very similar to his summer retreat, Poplar Forest, Monticello is where, among other pursuits, Jefferson cultivated and promoted his love of wine—trying to establish the Virginia region as a center of wine-making in the Americas.
Here is a portion of the vineyard at Monticello:
Though the Europeans have had many hundreds if not thousands of years to develop hardy and tasty grape varieties suitable for wine-making, Jefferson had to start mostly from scratch in Virginia. But while initial efforts were frustrated by a harsh climate and ruthless insects, today Virginia boasts some 108 wineries, producing great wines.
If you are in the Virginia area, you may be interested in taking a wine tour through Monticello. The “Jefferson and Wine Tour” gives information on Jefferson and his wine-making efforts, even allowing for some unique access to Monticello not available on the standard Monticello tour package. The tour ends with a wine-tasting, hosted by Barboursville Vineyards—an award-winning Virginia winery located on the grounds of the former estate house designed by Jefferson for Governor James Barbour.
Cheers.