Issue link: http://read.dmtmag.com/i/89494
MANAGEMENT EAST COAST WATCH "The second question visitors ask is about the name of our win- ery," Al Kellert said. "This comes right after the predictable ques- tions about winemaking." No mat- ter how many times he's spun this tale, Kellert never hesitates to describe the exploits of John S. Mosby, the commander of a small cavalry unit operating behind Union lines in Northern Virginia. Mosby was so successful in providing information to Gen. Robert E. Lee about the Union Army's positions and strength that by the end of the war he commanded some 400 troops and had risen to the rank of colonel. Thanks to his raids and to his general troublemaking, Mosby has been credited (or blamed, depend- ing on your point of view) with prolonging the life of the Confed- eracy. Because of the Mosby Rang- ers' ability to infiltrate enemy lines undetected, and to capture sup- plies and prisoners without suffer- ing losses of their own, the Union soldiers began referring to Mosby as the "Gray Ghost" (the same sobriquet was used to describe other Confederate Rangers operat- ing in other regions, although none were as notorious as Mosby). To further highlight the momen- tous events that transformed this region, the Kellerts took the historic theme they'd embraced another step by depicting the shadowy fig- ure of a Confederate officer on their label. On their website, the own- ers explain the strategy behind the motif: "It helps to project the image and history of the vineyards and reflect our determination to make an outstanding product which will also live in history." The countryside up and down the eastern United States is unique- ly rich in historic lore that can initi- ate a back story for savvy producers such as Gray Ghost. Barboursville Vineyards, another Virginia winery, looked for its historic inspiration all the way back to 1814, when an estate house designed by Thomas Jefferson was commissioned by, and built on the property of, Vir- ginia's governor (and Jefferson's friend), James Barbour. While only the ruins of the structure remained at the time Barboursville Vineyards' owners acquired the property in 1976, they knew they had a poten- tial treasure in this monument, which they put to good use at once by adopting the venerable name for their own venture. Design references to the ancient edifice embellish their label, and the proprietary names of some of their wines (Monticello Brut, for example) also echo a connection to the bygone era. The name of the estate's elegant 1804 Inn is yet another tie-in to the Barboursville historic legacy. Barboursville and Gray Ghost were quick to appreci- U N I F I E D W I N E & G R A P E S Y M P O S I U M 3 information you need to succeed days of program sessions with valuable information direct from experts in their fields. Sacramento Convention Center Sacramento, CA January 29–31, 2013 exhibits: January 30 & 31 Check www.unifiedsymposium.org for details on Registration, Housing, Program and Exhibitors. Register early and SAVE up to $200 by the indus t ry—for the indus t ry 34 VINEYARD & WINERY MANAGEMENT NOV - DEC 2012 WWW.VWM-ONLINE.COM 2 0 1 3