Party Like the Founding Fathers Did

The northwest vineyard was replanted according to Jefferson's 1807 plan, and consists of terraced rows, each one devoted to a specific varietal, as in his time. His ''Black Cluster,'' as Jefferson called it, is believed to be Cabernet Sauvignon. The southwest vineyard was replanted entirely with Sangiovese, the main grape used in Chianti, in 1993.

Just over a thousand numbered bottles of 1999 Monticello Sangiovese were put on sale for $34 each and quickly sold out. But bad weather and small harvests at times doom production - including 2007, when no wine was made. In years when Monticello Wine is made, it goes on sale in the first week of January in the Monticello shop run by the Thomas Jefferson Foundation.

Monticello is proud of its vintage heritage. On Aug. 9, Gabriele Rausse will lead a two-hour wine-making workshop, held in Jefferson's revived vineyards.

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