What to do around Charlottesville: Monticello & Trump Winery

Although Darden takes up 99.99% of your time in the FY, occasionally there are moments when you can explore what Charlottesville and its surrounding area can offer. So this past weekend, using the excuse of a visit from my parents, I was able to check out Monticello and Trump Winery. 

Thomas Jefferson is a big deal around UVA so it was interesting to go visit his country pad.  



I've visited a lot of English manor houses and it was fascinating to see the difference. TJ's home was smaller than expected and had a layout that was a little odd. However, there were so many interesting inventions from a wine dumbwaiter to a polygraph that the stuffy tapestry filled English manor homes seem mundane in comparison!



He definitely picked a house with a view

I also learnt why there a lot of these weird shaped cups all over the place. It's because they're Jefferson Cups! 

After this we headed to Trump Winery for a hard earned glass of wine...or three. 

 The wintery vineyard 

I'm not going to lie, it was hard to except Trump vineyard as a legitimate and cultured place to visit so I was a little reluctant. But besides the gold tops and the overly flourished font, the wine was excellent! 

Coincidently or not, Dave Matthews' vineyard is just up the road. Charlottesville is full of celebrities. 






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About

I was originally born outside London but spent much of my childhood in Seattle. Most recently I was working for News UK (News International) in London in strategy and insight. I now find myself at Darden pursuing my MBA and hope to use the knowledge gained to start my own consumer goods business. In the mean time, you'll find me trying all the restaurants in Charlottesville, running the streets around town or convincing friends to have an early afternoon drink.