The Monticello AVA was named after
Thomas Jefferson's plantation and mansion
of the same name. Jefferson was America's forefather of viticulture.
Monticello (AVA)
Realizing Jefferson’s Dream:
Oakencroft Pioneers Great Wine in Virginia
An in-depth interview with Virginia vineyard pioneer Phillip Ponton reveals the history and future of wine from this most historic of American winegrowing regions.
by
Barbara Ensrud
April 30, 2007
Phillip Ponton has been Vineyard Manager at
Oakencroft Vineyard and Winery Oakencroft for 25 years, so he has been intimately involved in the evolution of the Monticello appellation from its beginnings. Oakencroft was one of the pioneer wineries in the region, founded in 1983 by Felicia Warburg Rogan and the late John Rogan of Charlottesville.
Nestled against a hillside vineyard across a pond that native waterfowl call home, with Black Angus cattle grazing in adjacent meadows, Oakencroft welcomes a steady stream of visitors to Charlottesville and Jefferson’s Monticello. The winery is best known for Merlot, Chardonnay, Petit Verdot, Chambourcin, Jefferson Claret (a red blend) and the dessert wine, Sweet Virginia.
Ponton oversees the 14-acre vineyard at Oakencroft, as well as the purchase of grapes from growers within the Monticello appellation. This month, Ponton will retire from his position at Oakencroft but continue viticultural consulting for local vineyards and start-up ventures.
Barbara Ensrud (BE): How did you come to Oakencroft, and what was it like in the early years?
