27-05-2025
My Visit to the Trump Winery, Where Patriotism Is Sold by the Bottle
The pastoral countryside south of Charlottesville, Va., is quietly presidential.
Visitors from around the world travel through the green rolling hills to Monticello, the home of Thomas Jefferson. Though it's been named as a UNESCO world heritage site, its presence is indicated only by a decorous sign.
From there, the Thomas Jefferson Parkway leads to the James Monroe Parkway, where a more discreet sign points toward Highland, Monroe's home.
The restraint ends a few miles down the road, where the American flags begin. Hundreds of them line the top rungs of split-rail fences facing Route 627, snapping in the wind and stretching for a mile or more. Like a big brass band, they shout out your arrival at Trump Winery.
I visited the winery in mid-April while exploring Virginia wine country. I was curious about the wine, given its association with President Trump, who has said he has never consumed alcoholic beverages.
Mr. Trump doesn't exactly own this winery. Its proprietor is Eric Trump Wine Manufacturing, a limited liability company. Eric Trump, the president's middle son, is its president. A disclaimer on the winery's website states that the company 'is not owned, managed, or affiliated with Donald J. Trump or any of his affiliates.'
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