CORNUS VIRGINICUS
A VIRGINIA WINE PROJECT
Cornus Virginicus is a limited-release wine that celebrates Virginia agriculture. The project is a collaboration between the First Lady of Virginia, Suzanne S. Youngkin, and a rotating Virginia winemaker. Each edition of the project celebrates Virginia’s flourishing agriculture – especially its farmers, growers and winemakers. The blends are chosen by a tasting panel that includes the First Lady, the Secretary of Agriculture and Forestry, Matthew Lohr, and the producing winemaker. Each year, a donation is made to support an agricultural organization chosen by the First Lady.
Cornus Virginicus is Latin for “Flowering tree of Virginia” and pays tribute to the Commonwealth’s official state flower and tree – the Dogwood – and the First Lady of Virginia’s seal. Depicted on the front label, the Dogwood tree is symbolic of tradition, strength and beauty found throughout Virginia.
FOURTH EDITION
Cornus Virginicus IV was crafted in partnership with the First Lady of Virginia, Suzanne S. Youngkin, and our head winemaker, Matthieu Finot. As part of this limited-release wine project, a donation will be made to Wheatland Farm’s Faith and Family Foundation, supporting their therapeutic equestrian programs.
Previous editions have been made by Barboursville Vineyards, Cana Vineyards and Winery of Middleburg, and Mountain and Vine Vineyards and Winery. To date, over $25,000 has been donated to charitable organizations in the agricultural industry that make a meaningful impact across the Commonwealth of Virginia.
TASTING NOTES
A blend of 53% Petit Verdot, 30% Merlot, 16% Cabernet Franc, and 1% Malbec, the wine was aged for 20 months, with 40% of that time in new French oak barrels. This wine was aged for 20 months, with 40% of that time in new French oak barrels. The 2023 vintage in the Monticello AVA was superb, with perfectly dry, sunny, but not overly hot conditions, resulting in robust and concentrated fruit.