EPISODE # 29 Sharon Horton & Shannon Horton/Horton Vineyards

Fine Wine Confidential Podcast

Dennis and Sharon Horton planted a small hobby vineyard at their home in Orange, Virginia in 1983. That hobby turned into the full-time pursuit in winegrowing and in 1989 they planted their first commercial vineyard. In 1993 their Viognier stunned the experts and was proclaimed the best Viognier in the country. That quick fame and Dennis ambition to pioneer the growing of many different varietals made an indelible mark on Virginia winegrowing for years to come. Dennis was once quoted as saying he had probably ripped out more vines and varietals that most vintners had even planted. There is no question that the Horton's have been the greatest experimenters of grape varietals in Virginia.
His work with reviving the grape varietal Norton, the original Virginia grape breed and cultivated in the early 1880's by Dr. Norton from Richmond inspired many others to plant and produce wine from Norton. The Horton's also were the first to bottle and label a wine Cabernet Franc to complement their work with Norton and Viognier.
HIGHLIGHTS OF THE EPISODE.
a). Sharon details Dennis and her move to Central Virginia to start winegrowing and getting their initial vine cuttings for Norton from Stone Hill in Missouri, their home state.
b). I find out that Dennis was a self-taught winemaker and the background on it.
c). Sharon had an interesting response to my question on how a nurse, (what she did prior to winegrowing) becomes a vineyard manager. A position she still handles today at Horton.
d). I was surprised to learn that Dennis visited Ch. Grillet and took his inspiration from there to grow Viognier in his vineyard.
e). 1993 Horton Viognier, their first vintage, propels Horton to fame in the country as the wine gets acclaimed as the best in the country.
f). Sharon describes how Dennis continued to grow many different varietals that in the end totaled over 40 in his quest to experiment and find those grape varietals that were best for Virginia.
g). Sharon shares the difference in growing Norton vs vinifera in vineyard practices and management.
h). Shannon, her daughter, talks about growing up with winegrowing as your environment both as a young kid and now with her own daughter taking over the winemaking at Horton today.
A fascinating interview with one of the early pioneers in the modern-day winegrowing here in Virginia. Much, much more in the Episode. Listen to it below and the text transcript is also available. Enjoy
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