As 2025 comes to a close, a new opportunity emerges to celebrate the vitality and craftsmanship of the Virginia wine industry, one that extends beyond the bottle to honor the people and agricultural traditions that make it possible.Cornus Virginicus, a limited-release wine series launched in collaboration with First Lady of Virginia Suzanne S. Youngkin, and a rotating Virginia winemaker, was created to spotlight the commonwealth’s flourishing agricultural landscape, with special emphasis on its farmers, growers, and winemakers.
Named for the Latin phrase meaning “flowering tree of Virginia,”Cornus Virginicuspays homage to the Dogwood, Virginia’s official state flower and tree and a symbol of strength, beauty, and continuity. Depicted on the front label, the Dogwood serves as a visual and philosophical anchor for the project — rooted in tradition while continuing to grow and evolve.
Each of the four editions is crafted in a Meritage style and selected through a thoughtful tasting process led by a distinguished panel that includes the first lady, Virginia Secretary of Agriculture and Forestry Matthew Lohr, and the producing winemaker. While unified by purpose, each bottling offers a distinct expression of Virginia wine, shaped by differences in grape selection, vineyard sourcing, and blending philosophy. Every release also gives back, with an annual donation supporting an agricultural organization chosen by the first lady, ensuring the series invests in the future of Virginia agriculture as much as it celebrates its present.
