Living Legends of Virginia Wine: Dinner with Lucie Morton

Living Legends of Virginia Wine: Lucie Morton, the Grape Sleuth

Lucie Morton is one of the world’s foremost ampelographers, which is the science of identifying grapes by examining their leaf structures. Lucie’s awards and recognition for her work are many including the American Wine Society National Award of Merit (1994), Virginia Wineries Association Lifetime Achievement Award (2018), and Wine Industry Network’s most inspiring people recognition (2021). In her latest adventure, she will be playing herself as “the Grape Sleuth” in the film “Odyssey of Forbidden Wines – exile and return of American grapes.”

October 11th from 4 PM - 5:30 PM: Bottle Signing and Meet & Greet

October 12th at 6 PM: Auction,* Chef-Driven Wine Dinner with Lucie Morton

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Win Big at the Lucie Morton Wine Auction!

Be a part of wine history! Proceeds from the silent auction are to support production of “Odyssey of Forbidden Wines.” Viewers will follow viticulturist and ampelographer Lucie Morton aka “the grape sleuth” on her journey to repatriate the Cunningham grape back to its birthplace in Tidewater Virginia. Her initial curiosity about the only other native-to-Virginia grape, besides Norton, to survive into the 21st century got personal when she discovered that her history and theirs were intertwined. The winning bidder of each lot will receive a line credit with their name at the end of the film.

AUCTION ITEMS:

Auction Lot # 1

A one-of-a-kind baker's dozen of individually autographed bottles from each of the featured 13 Virginia vintners during the first year of the Virginia Wine Experience. It also includes signed menus from each of the 12 dinners by the guests and vintners at the dinner. This is an opportunity to own a wine collection that represents a moment in time for some of the finest Virginia wines.

• 2017 Gabriele Rausse Winery Nebbiolo…November ‘21
• 2016 Michael Shaps Wild Meadow Chardonnay…December ‘21
• 2017 Barboursville Octagon…January ‘22
• 2017 Veritas Petit Verdot…February ‘22
• 2020 Early Mountain Vineyards Petit Manseng… March ‘22
• 2019 Blenheim Vineyards Petit Verdot…April ‘22
• 2019 Rosemont of Virginia Syrah…May ‘22
• 2019 DuCard Vineyards Norton…June ‘22
• 2020 Stinson Vineyards Cabernet Franc…July ‘22
• 2018 Ankida Ridge Chardonnay…July ‘22
• 2017 Williamsburg Winery Gabriel Archer Reserve…August ‘22
• 2017 Paradise Springs PVT…September ‘22
• 2019 Fifty-Third Winery & Vineyards Arrowhead…October ‘22

Donated by Fred & Debra Reno - Minimum Bid: $500

Auction Lot # 2

A Baker's Dozen Books: 12 Crosby Wine Country mysteries and 1 Morton tome.

• The Merlot Murders (2006)
• The Chardonnay Charade (2007)
• The Bordeaux Betrayal (2008)
• The Riesling Retribution (2009)
• The Vintage Vendetta (2010)
• The Sauvignon Secret (2011)
• The Champagne Conspiracy (2017)
• The Vineyard Victims (2017)
• Harvest of Secrets (2018)
• The Angels’ Share (2019)
• The French Paradox (2021)
• Bitter Roots (2022)
• +Winegrowing in Eastern America (Lucie Morton, Cornell Press 1985)

Donated by Ellen Crosby - Minimum Bid: $650

Auction Lot # 3

This one-of-a-kind case of 12 individual wines represents some of Lucie’s top clients, spanning the spectrum from California, Virginia and even Bordeaux. She has advised them since the beginning of their vineyard and helped with vine problems and with the many viruses that can strike a vineyard. The case of wine has a brief description from Lucie about each vintner, their relationship and what she did for them. 

• 2017 Ankida Ridge Reserve Pinot Noir
• 2021 Boxwood Estate
• 2021 Casanel N2 Norton
• 2019 Chatham Vintner’s Reserve
• 2022 Early Mountain Petit Manseng
• 2015 Pollack Cabernet Sauvignon
• 2015 Rosemont Kilravock
• 2015 Slater Run Roots
• 2021 Caldwell Vineyard Carménère
• 2012 Cain Five Napa Valley
• 2021 Hirsch Vineyards West Ridge Estate Pinot Noir
• 2011 Château Boyd-Cantenac Margaux

Donated by Lucie Morton and the vintners listed - Minimum Bid: $750

Auction Lot # 4

Two rooms and dinner for four for a one night stay on an upcoming Virginia Wine Experience weekend including breakfast at The Omni Homestead. 

Donated by The Omni Homestead Resort - Minimum Bid: $750

Auction Lot # 5

A complete library case of Homestead select wines, featuring each of the Homestead label wines only available here at The Omni Homestead. Two bottles each of these unique vintages are included.

• Viognier
• Petit Manseng
• Cuvee 1766
• Norton
• Meritage
• Chardonnay

Minimum Bid: $350