EPISODE # 30 JON WEHNER/CHATHAM VINEYARDS AT CHURCH CREEK

Fine Wine Confidential Podcast

In 1999 Jon Wehner and his family established Chatham Vineyards at Church Creek located on the Eastern Shore of Virginia. Jon is a second-generation winegrower following in the footsteps of his mother and father who had a small home vineyard for over 30 years in Great Falls, Virginia. The quality of the grapes from that vineyard produced a Vidal Blanc that was the house wine at one of Washinton, C. D. areas finest restaurants for many years, L'Auberge Chez Francois in Great Falls, VA. He grew up learning the art of winegrowing from none other than world renown Ampelographer, Lucie Morton who was the consultant for both of the vineyards--past and present.
Chatham Vineyards is the only winery today in the Eastern Shore AVA of Virginia and was one of the first vineyards planted to close spacing of the vines at the instance of Lucie Morton. From her experience from other parts of the world she understood the value of it and what it would mean to quality winegrowing for this new project.
Chatham Vineyards current farms 20 acres of varietals and their Steel Chardonnay is recognized as one of the Old Dominions most unique expressions of that grape.
HIGHLIGHTS OF THE INTERVIEW:
a). Jon describes his early years working in his families Great Falls vineyard and why he eventually wanted to settle into that style of living later in his life.
b). Jon speaks about the life he and his family enjoy on the Eastern Shore of Virginia and the beauty of his surroundings and the remote nature of the location.
c). We learn why he believes they are currently the only winery today located in the Eastern Shore AVA in VA.
d). He explains how Lucie Morton was adamant about using close spacing when they planted the vineyard.
e). Juanita Swedenborg was a topic of discussion as she was the vintner that made the wine from his family's vineyard in Falls Church and here role in breaking the issues around the ban on direct shipping of wine to the consumer.
f). Jon explains what he has seen from Climate Change since he started in the late 1990's
Much, much more. It is a great look at a terrific producer of wine that is under the radar screen outside of the Virginia area. listen to the Episode below or read the attached transcript
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