MY FIRST 30 YEARS IN THE U.S.... AFTER TWO CENTURIES, GIANNI ZONIN REALIZES THE DREAM OF THOMAS JEFFERSON: AN EXCELLENT WINE CELLAR IN VIRGINIA. AND NEBBIOLO CONQUERS AMERICA

The neoclassical villa dominated by the grand octagonal hall, Thomas Jefferson’s signature, is a symbolic spot for Americans. And it was here that the first president of the United States imagined creating, two centuries ago, a huge winemaking vineyard, a model of the modern concept of agriculture. Barboursville is one of the myths of the American dream, a site of continuous pilgrimage for those in search of their roots, as well as an oasis of absolute rural elegance in the heart of Virginia, dominated by the grand trees on the surrounding hillsides.
Barboursville has been the property of the Zonin family (one of the most important wine entrepreneurs in Italy) for thirty years now, and who are now currently celebrating this thirtieth anniversary of their arrival in America. The celebrations have begun with success: the wines of Barboursville recently conquered two gold medals in the Critics Challenge International Wine Competition, one of the most prestigious enological competitions in the world. Judging the wines are fifteen of the most important American journalists. And this super-jury decreed that Octagon (the top wine of Barboursville, whose label depicts precisely the grand room of Jefferson’s villa), with it’s refined blend of international varietals and Nebbiolo Riserva, the ultimate Piedmontese grape (that, thanks to Virginia’s microclimate, has had surprisingly well results), is a superb wine. So much so that Nebbiolo has now become a “must” for American consumers. To give an idea of the quality of the other wines that were presented at the competition, it should be noted that the absolute winner was, for the second consecutive year, the Champagne Brut “Blancs des Millenairese” by Heidsieck.
”A recognition” – explained Gianni Zonin – “that has really pleased us and that confirms our choice of making Barboursville a point of absolute excellence, as well as allowing us to say, after thirty years of positive commitment, that the choice of Virginia was a winning bet”. And, Luca Paschina, the director of Barboursville was even more satisfied with recent events, noting that it has also had positive results for Nebbiolo as well as Italian style in general: “I believe that this is an important success for us. We have demonstrated that Italian style is a winning one. We have demonstrated this with the restaurant in Barboursville, Il Palladio, which has been recognized – thanks to the work of Melissa Close in the kitchen and Alessandro Medici in the front – as one of the best tables in America. We have demonstrated this by creating the highest level relais in the villa. And, above all, we have demonstrated this with our wines: Octagon, which is one of the most representative reds in Virginia and made with my beloved Nebbiolo, we have managed to make the American public appreciate. And it is obvious that this success which arrives on the thirty year anniversary of Barboursville has become a double prize for us”.
Just as the Octagon magnum will be doubled, with its gold label, celebrating the thirty years of Barboursville: a collector’s item that will be produced in a very limited amount. The dream of Thomas Jefferson has now become a reality thanks to the Zonin Family