There’s no more controversial figure in politics these days than Donald Trump. And that controversy apparently extends to wine.
Even though he famously doesn’t drink, Trump does in fact own one of the largest wineries on the East Coast, called not at all surprisingly, Trump Winery. It’s part of a 2,000-acre estate that includes a hotel and some 200 acres of vineyard in the hills of Virginia not far from Thomas Jefferson’s Monticello in the town of Charlottesville.
Producing sparkling wine, Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Viognier, Rosé of Merlot, and a pair of red blends, the winery draws on Virginia’s extensive history of winemaking that dates back to 1607. Reviews of the wines are mixed, though generally better than one might expect. But some local restaurants are keeping Trump wines off their wine lists, afraid of bringing the controversy of the presidential race into the dining room.
As Charlottesville sommelier Erin Scala was quoted as saying, “a welcome table is not one that pours liquid politics down your throat.”
On the other hand, Virginia Secretary of Agriculture and Forestry Todd Haymore praises the winery for “attracting visitors from across the country” and “helping the cause” of making Virginia the East Coast’s prime destination for wine and wine tourism.
“Liquid politics” or “tourist attraction?”
Perhaps it will take an election to decide if Trump wines will make America grape again.