In 1809, Thomas Jefferson made his first stay at his Poplar Forest retreat in Bedford County, Virginia. Inherited through his father-in-law, John Wayles, in 1773, the 4,819 acres was not only a source of income as a tobacco plantation for the by-then-former president but a retreat from the fast-paced life in Monticello.
“He visited anywhere from a couple of weeks to a couple of months at a time,” said Alyson Ramsey, President and CEO of Thomas Jefferson’s Poplar Forest in a phone interview with the Virginia Free Press. “Mainly during planting seasons.”
A Renaissance man, Jefferson not only enjoyed politics, reading and writing, and law, but he also had a taste for wine. Some even refer to him as the Father of Wine.
“He was a wine connoisseur and spent a lot of time studying wine,” Ramsey said. Jefferson even tried planting grapes at Monticello, but the venture proved unsuccessful.
His passion for the beverage lives on, however, through the Thomas Jefferson Wine Festival at Poplar Forest.
Started in 2009, this festival includes vendors, house tours, music, an artisan market, and, of course, wine tasting. This year’s festival is being held on Saturday, November 7, from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. according to Ramsey.
“So far we have 15 wineries committed, 20 craft vendors, and 5 food vendors.” The festival will take place on the South Lawn behind the Historic House. Weather can be unpredictable in early November, but the festival takes place rain or shine in tents, with heaters as needed.
A lot has changed at Poplar Forest since Jefferson frequented it. His grandson, Francis Eppes, sold the land to a neighbor following Jefferson’s death and it remained in private hands for some 157 years.
In 1983, Poplar Forest was rescued from the threat of commercial development by the newly formed nonprofit, the Corporation for Jefferson’s Poplar Forest.
These days, restoration and keeping alive the stories of everyone who lived and labored at Poplar Forest are top priority. “We have restored parts of the landscape, and we’re now focused on bringing back spaces inhabited by the enslaved community,” Ramsey said.
A total of 317 enslaved individuals lived and worked on the property during Jefferson’s ownership. “Their stories are very important, and we are committed to telling the full story of everyone who lived and worked there,” Ramsey told VFP.
Attend the Festival with Mr. Jefferson
Tickets for this year’s festival are currently on sale. General admission at $35 when purchased in advance and are available online until the day of the event. Same-day admission is available for $40.
For those who wish a fuller experience, VIP tickets are available. Purchasers gain access to special wine tastings, gourmet foods, and time with Thomas Jefferson as portrayed by Bill Baker, an interpreter at Monticello.
Discounted house tours are available during the festival. Inside, people will find an 1818 engraving of the Declaration of Independence that is currently on loan to Poplar Forest.
“It’s a very powerful experience to see the Declaration up close in Jefferson’s house,” said Ramsey. “We encourage people to come and take advantage of that opportunity.”
Reading history is important, but experiencing it in the places where it occurred can’t be replaced. “It’s important for people to be able to experience the places where history happened,” Ramsey said. “I think it makes a larger impact for people to participate in history first hand.”
For a day jam-packed with vendors, good food, delectable wines, and a walk through history, the Thomas Jefferson Wine Festival at Poplar Forest makes for a perfect weekend activity.
To learn more about the Thomas Jefferson Wine Festival or the history of Poplar Forest, visit the official Poplar Forest website for more information.
