Atlantic Seaboard Wine Association Honors Virginia Wine Pioneer
For nearly a half century, Gabriele Rausse has dedicated himself to improving American wine. “The best advice I can give…” he states, “is that you have to produce perfect grapes. Any compromise is not going to give you good results.” Rausse’s belief that vinifera grapes could thrive in Virginia kicked off the modern Virginia wine trade.
With that simple statement serving as guidance, Rausse’s influence and expertise has touched over one hundred Virginia vineyards and wineries throughout the Commonwealth. His passionate commitment has been felt by wineries ranging from Barboursville Vineyards, to Jefferson Vineyards, to Monticello itself over the years.
With his American winemaking venture starting off at Barboursville Vineyards’ inception in 1976, Rausse learned through experimentation how to pair Virginia’s temperature swings and notorious humidity with myriad varieties of vinifera grapes, most unknown to the Commonwealth at that time. In 1997 he opened his own winery on the Monticello Wine Trail in Charlottesville, VA, growing Nebbiolo, Grüner Veltliner, Roussanne and Merlot as well as processing grapes for other small vineyard operations in the region.
Praised for his spirit of generosity and knowledge of the land and climate, Rausse has taught enology and viticulture classes at Piedmont Virginia Community College as well as at Thomas Jefferson’s Monticello, where he served as Director of Gardens and Ground giving regular garden talks and workshops on viticulture.
ASWA President Grant Crandall says, “Gabriele Rausse has been a true pioneer in developing the modern wine industry in Virginia with his direct influence on the state’s winemakers and our viticulture.”
Since 1984, ASWA’s Wine Grape Productivity Tray has been presented to an individual or organization that has made major contributions to the sustainable growth and economic viability of the American wine industry, including professional consulting, innovation, technical research and knowledge, as well as leadership and active support. Past recipients include Jim Law, Lucie Morton, Dr. Tony Wolf, Kevin Atticks and Joy Ting among many others.
About The Atlantic Seaboard Wine Association
The Atlantic Seaboard Wine Association promotes American wine produced in the seventeen eastern states: all those that touch the Atlantic Ocean plus West Virginia, Pennsylvania and Vermont. This trade organization was founded in 1973 as the Vinifera Wine Growers Association, and renamed in 2008 to reflect an expanded regional focus. ASWA’s mission is to increase awareness of the fine wines of the Atlantic seaboard through trade and consumer education. Members liaise with national, state, and regional wine organizations to identify opportunities to highlight the wines and winemakers working here.
