In 1774, Thomas Jefferson and Philip Mazzei planted Virginia's first commercial vineyard here, intending to export their wine to Europe. The vineyard was abandoned in 1776 with the advent of the Revolutionary War. Jefferson continued efforts to grow grapes on a smaller scale at Monticello one mile north. These original vineyard sites and others were replanted in 1981 by Stanley Woodward, and the winery opened shortly thereafter under the original name Simeon Vineyards.