MONTICELLO WINE CO.
This company was chartered and organized in 1873 by pioneers in grape culture
in Albemarle county. Encountering the prejudices which prevailed against
native wines—a prejudice not then wholly unjust, for a uniform standard of character
and quality had not been fixed—it met with little encouragement. The
Company struggled on (with the advantages of proper cellar facilities and experienced
foreign manipulators) in an honest effort to make a full-blooded, honest
grape-juice wine, with no admixtures or deleterious compounds, and has gradually
worked its way up to a recognition of true merit.
In 1878, at the request of the U. S. Agricultural Department, this Company
sent, under the charge of that department, twelve bottles of their six kinds of
wine for the international exposition at Paris, France. Other sections of the
United States were represented there by pyramids of artistically exhibited wines,
yet the final result was that seven medals were awarded to the still wines of the
United States; of these the Monticello was the only one awarded a silver medal,
the others being bronze—not one of which was obtained by California. Not to
mention numerous awards by State and local fairs successively given this Company
in open competition, it was, 1884-'85, at the New Orleans international exhibit
with three cases sent at a venture, awarded two first-class medals.
The true character of its wines and pure grape brandy is, probably,
best illustrated by its public appreciation, by private consumers, who send their
orders direct for these recognized to be pure, full-blooded wines. This company
does not claim cheapness. It offers, at figures so reasonable as to be accessible
to all, well-matured, pure fermented grape wine. Imported wine, of similar
good quality, would cost double the price. It does not claim to produce the
equals of the Grand Vins of Europe. Taking price and character into consideration,
it does claim a quality at half the price of that imported, when of similar
character. The white wines are Delaware, Sautern Nature; Dry Catawba,
sui generis (see Longfellow's poem); while the red wines are Norton's Virginia,
Burgundy character; Cynthiana, first-class among the red wines at the
Vienna Exposition in 1876; Clinton, aged, a superior claret; Extra Claret, superior
character; Ives Seedling, ruby colored claret; Virginia Claret, sound, plain
table wine; pure grape brandy, three summers old.
For an extended notice of the character and quality of these wines see pages
51-62 of this Handbook. Send for analyses and price list, and all orders direct
to Company. Prompt attention and lowest figures according to quality. Address
MONTICELLO WINE CO.,
or, OSCAR REIERSON, Sec.,
Charlottesville, Virginia.
