The Norton Grape, the oldest cultivated grape in the United States, was introduced by Dr. Daniel Norborne Norton of Richmond, Virginia in 1820. He selected it from among what he believed were seedlings of a long forgotten grape variety called Bland. Norton is a hardy, disease resistant grape, recognized among North American varieties for its unique ability to produce premium quality red wines. The
grape was internationally recognized in the 1800's as the source of distinctively robust reds with overtones of berry and pitted fruits and as a potent health tonic. The bunches are large, compact; berries, small, black, round; good as a table grape, and excellent for wine which is of a dark violet color, or of the color of port wine, with a just proportion of astringency, and excellent flavor. Chrysalis Vineyard award-winning Norton wines are well crafted with ripe fruit aromas, firm structure, and true varietal expression.
