London Gets a Taste of Loudoun Wines

More than 10,000 U.K. wine trade professionals had the opportunity to sample Loudoun County vintages at the 34th London International Wine Fair. Joining top-rated wineries at the event, Loudoun County, Va., proved its emerging presence as a distinguished wine-making region in the U.S. and the world.

Representatives from Boxwood Winery, North Gate Vineyard and Breaux Vineyards personally poured their wines at the event. Loudoun wines that were winners in this year’s Governor’s Case – from Loudoun’s Sunset Hills Vineyards, Fabbioli Cellars and Two Twisted Posts Winery – were also featured, poured by representatives of the Virginia Wine Board.

“Loudoun County farm wineries are an important business sector, bringing in more than $5 million in revenue to the county each year,” said Buddy Rizer, director of Loudoun Economic Development.

Loudoun has the largest number of farm wineries of any county in Virginia – 42 and growing. The wine industry contributes more than $747 million to the state economy each year, and agriculture, the largest industry in the state, had more than $2.8 billion in exports last year.

The state partnered with wine exporter New Horizon Wines, LLC to plan its participation in the London International Wine Fair. New Horizon Wines is the primary exporter of Virginia wines to the U.K., and they work with the seven wineries going to the fair.

“This trip has been all about taking our winery to the next level and taking the Loudoun County wine region to the next level,” said Mark Fedor, winemaker and co-owner Northgate Vineyard. “We’ve had a great response to the quality and uniqueness of our varietal wines. We are proud to be part of this effort to promote Virginia wines on the world stage.”

Known as “D.C.’s Wine Country,” Loudoun is 25 miles from the nation’s capital. Loudoun’s tasting rooms are found across historic landscapes, battle sites and former presidential plantations with views of the Blue Ridge mountains. ABC News recently featured a Loudoun winery in their report about how U.S. wine consumption has outpaced that of France for the first time in history.

“The Loudoun wine business is skyrocketing,” added Chairman of the Loudoun Board of Supervisors Scott York. “With our wineries attracting more and more visitors to the county, it’s a great opportunity to showcase our community.”

Virginia Governor Terry McAuliffe was in Loudoun recently praising its wine industry. Wines from Breaux Vineyards, North Gate Vineyard and Boxwood Winery will be featured on his trade mission trip to the U.K. this July.

For information on Loudoun’s wine industry, or details on starting a farm business in Loudoun County, please call 1-800-LOUDOUN.