State Profile: West Virginia Wine Country

West Virginia is one of the smallest wine states but has three AVA’s: Kanawha River Valley, Ohio River Valley, and Shenandoah Valley, with the latter two shared with neighboring states. The climate can be challenging, but French-America varieties generally do well.

Great Grapes: Baco Noir

Created in France in response to the phylloxera epidemic, Baco Noir is suited for heavy soils and cold climates (down to -20F) and makes a high acid, deeply pigmented wine that warrants oak to mellow the flavors, which can resemble Cabernet Sauvignon.