Summer on The Lawn:
The 1st Wine Seminar
Virginia'S Wine Legacy: From Jefferson to the Present
Charlottesville, Virginia
June 13-17, 2007
Program Completed.
Click here to view pictures from the program.
You can read a review of our program at: www.fiery-foods.com/dave2/virginia_wine.asp
Program Information | Faculty | Registration
PROGRAM INFORMATION
The Virginia wine industry is coming into its own. There are over 100 wineries in the state and Virginia wines have won both national and international awards. Virginians have traversed four centuries to reach this point, overcoming everything from disappointing vintages in 1608, the death of the European vines during Thomas Jefferson’s valiant efforts to support this “healthier” spirit, and even prohibition.
Join us in the foothills of the beautiful Blue Ridge Mountains to explore the 400-year old Virginia wine experience, from its start as an alternative to unsafe drinking water to its position today as a highly rated American wine. Learn about Thomas Jefferson’s efforts to foster the European grape. Meet and hear from the leaders of today’s wine industry. And, of course, visit some of the region’s finest wineries and taste the products of the long legacy of Virginia wine.
"Jefferson's Virginia: America's hottest new wine country" Read Article
PROGRAM HIGHLIGHTS
- Led by Gabriele Rausse, who has been called the father of viticulture in Virginia. Gabriele revolutionized the Virginia wine industry, having revived Thomas Jefferson’s Monticello grapes and helped to start over forty vineyards and ten Virginia wineries.
- Discover the history of wine in Virginia. Learn about Thomas Jefferson's vision for wine in America and its legacy today.
- Four gourmet wine dinners.
- Hear expert lectures on such topics as wine making, wine marketing, and legislation by program faculty and local vintners.
- View the award winning PBS documentary "The Cultivated Life: Thomas Jefferson and Wine" and participate in a panel discussion with its producers.
- Visit regional award-winning wineries including Barboursville, Kluge, King Family, and Stone Mountain. See where the local wines are produced and the techniques used to grow quality grapes in this region.
- Taste wines, challenge, and educate your palate. For the connoisseur, explore the refined palate and Virginia wines to please it. For the newcomer, learn the basics that will help you to enjoy wine and make it easier to learn even more.
- Take a special after-hours tour of Monticello, Thomas Jefferson’s home.
- Have the opportunity to live on and tour the Academical Village, the heart of the Jefferson-designed University of Virginia.
- And more....
WHO SHOULD ATTEND
This seminar will give you an insider’s view of the Virginia wine industry. It is designed for both the wine connoisseur and those who have the passion to become one. It is perfect for anyone who enjoys travel and learning opportunities that provide intellectual stimulation in a welcoming and congenial environment.
This seminar offers unsurpassed value, rich content, and is part of an educational travel tradition with a long history of exceptional participant satisfaction.
PROGRAM LOCATION
The home for the program is the historic Grounds of the University of Virginia in Charlottesville, Virginia. Founded in 1819, the University of Virginia is the product of the vision and determination of Thomas Jefferson. The core of the University is the Jefferson-designed Academical Village, which reflects three of Jefferson’s strongest interests--education, architecture, and gardening. The Academical Village, with its ranges, terraced lawn, student rooms, faculty pavilions, colonnade walkways and the famed Rotunda, has been proclaimed the most significant architectural achievement of the nation’s first 200 years.
Also rich in history, architectural treasures, and natural beauty, Charlottesville is nestled in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains, 120 miles southwest of Washington, DC, and 70 miles west of Richmond. Charlottesville (airport code CHO) has extensive air service provided by US Airways, United Air Lines, Delta Air Lines, and Northwest Airlines. The Charlottesville/Albemarle Airport website offers schedules and booking for flights, hotels, and rental cars. Ground transportation is provided by Amtrak and Greyhound.
Before you arrive, you will be sent useful program materials and information about the University of Virginia and Charlottesville to help guide you here and prepare you for the seminar.
For more information on Charlottesville and Albemarle County, visit the Charlottesville and Albemarle Convention & Visitors Bureau’s website.
PROGRAM LODGING
During the program you will have the option of staying in the University of Virginia's original Jefferson-designed student rooms on the Lawn or Range. During the academic year, living on the Lawn/Range is a great privilege. Selection is through a scrupulously democratic process that considers the full range of contributions each candidate has made to the University, whether in academics, the arts, athletics, community service, or through positions of leadership. These single occupancy rooms have telephones and are served by centrally located restroom and bath facilities. The rooms are not air-conditioned, but there is a fan in each room.
A limited number of air-conditioned dormitory rooms are available in U.Va.'s Brown College at Monroe Hill, which is located very near the center of the University, just a short walk from the Lawn and Rotunda and the program classroom.
A block of rooms have also been reserved at a local hotel. Please contact us for more information.
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Program Information | Faculty | Registration
Program Faculty
Gabriele Rausse
A native of Vicenza, Italy, Gabriele graduated from Milan University with a degree in Agricultural Science. He immediately began combining learning with experience, first working for the Tenuta Santa Margherita winery outside Venice. After completing national service in the Italian Army, Gabriele next gained experience on cattle and sheep ranches in Australia, before returning to Europe to work in horticulture. It was at this time that he was invited by Italian vintner Gianni Zonin to begin what is now Barboursville Vineyards north of Charlottesville. Gabriele began this first commercial vineyard in Virginia with a planting of European grapes in 1976. After his success at Barboursville, Gabriele stayed in the area to help other vintners establish their grapes, a task he is today pursuing at Jefferson’s home, Monticello.
In total, Gabriele has helped to start over forty vineyards and ten Virginia wineries. He also began the first nursery in the state to grow European vines, propagating over one million plants. In 1996, Gabriele was nominated by the Virginia wine industry as Man of the Year. At a recent talk by noted wine critic and author, John Hailman, Gabriele was called “the nicest guy in the Virginia wine industry.” Add to that “the most knowledgeable…”
Mary Hughes, FASLA, has been the University Landscape Architect for The University of Virginia since 1996. She also serves as a Lecturer in the Department of Landscape Architecture and the co-director of the Historic Landscape Institute.
Alessandro "Sam" Santarelli, a U.Va. alum, is the producer and writer of the award winning PBS documentary "The Cultivated Life: Thomas Jefferson and Wine."
John Harrington is the Executive Producer, Director, and Writer of the award winning PBS documentary "The Cultivated Life: Thomas Jefferson and Wine."
Neil Williamson serves as president of a marketing agency that specializes on wineries and projects such as the Monticello Wine Trail. He completed the Wine Executive Course at University of California at Davis.
Christopher O. Hill is a vineyard consultant and former viticulturalist. He served two terms as president of the Virginia Vineyards Association and two terms on the Virginia Winegrowers advisory board. He holds an M.S. in horticulture from Virginia Tech.
Program Staff
Joan Elias Gore, PhD., is the Director of Travel Programs at the University of Virginia School of Continuing and Professional Studies.
Ashleigh Edwards is the Program Administrator.
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Program Information | Faculty | Registration
Registration
Registration deadline May 13
Per person program fee (Reserve your spot with a $350 deposit):
$1,840 in a single Lawn or Range room
$1,895 in a single, air-conditioned, Brown College room
$1,725 with no lodging provided.
REGISTRATION FEE INCLUDES:
• Four nights lodging of your choice.
• All meals, including four gourmet wine dinners
• Visits to local, award winning wineries and vineyards.
• All internal transportation.
• Program sessions led by wine experts.
• Special after hours tour of Monticello.
Printable Registration Form
• If you register prior to April 16, 2007, please return the registration form with a $350 per person deposit (or the full fee if you choose). The balance of your program fee is due by April 16, 2007.
• If you register after April 16, 2007, please return the registration form with full program fee.
Register by fax, 434-982-5297, or by telephone, 800-346-3882 or 434-982-5252, using VISA or MasterCard; or by sending us your downloadable form by mail with a check (made payable to U.Va.) or credit card information to:
Wine Seminar
University of Virginia
P.O. Box 400764
Charlottesville, VA 22904-4764
Withdrawal
If you withdraw in writing within 14 days of registration you will receive a full refund (if not within final payment date). If you withdraw in writing before April 16, 2007, you will receive a full refund, minus the $350 deposit. In the event withdrawal is necessary after April 16, 2007, there will be no refund but you may substitute another person to attend the program in your place.
We highly recommend you purchase travel cancellation insurance (and confirm what it may cover). Useful travel insurance information can be found at www.TripInsuranceStore.com or 888-407-3854. You may also wish to check with your local travel agency for recommended sources.
There will be no refund for unused portions of the program, including but not limited to, missed meals, lodging nights, and sightseeing.
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