Donald Trump isn’t the latest celebrity to jump into the Virginia wine scene.
Gov. Bob McDonnell said Wednesday night at a wine reception at Lincoln Restaurant in downtown D.C. that he recently planted 10 vines of the Chambourcin grape in his yard to comply with some “400-year-old law” that requires Virginia male landowners to plant grapes.
But the governor takes his state’s nearly $350 million-per-year wine industry quite seriously. Only California, New York, Oregon and Washington have more than Virginia’s 220 wineries. And The Donald’s recent $6 million purchase of the former Kluge wine operation in Charlottesville will bring more attention to the neighborhood.
“With new players in the market like Donald Trump, I think we have bright days ahead,” McDonnell said.
And how high is the Commonwealth aiming? McDonnell took a shot at the top dog: California.
“Napa is for auto parts,” the governor cracked. “Virginia is for wine.”
