THOMAS JEFFERSON

AMERICAN 1743-1826

Before he was the president of the United States, Thomas Jefferson was America’s minister to France. He travelled to France in 1785, where he explored the vineyards at Burgundy and Bordeaux, igniting his love for wine. Even after his return, Jefferson continued to order large quantities of wine from Bordeaux and even established two vineyards at his home in Monticello, Virginia. Although these were unsuccessful, they were re-established in the 1980s and today produce many award-winning wines.

The most expensive bottle of wine ever sold at auction, believed to have belonged to Thomas Jefferson, was uncovered as a fake in 2005.