It's fitting that Democracy Vineyards' grapes flourish within the Monticello viticultural area—centuries ago, Founding Father Thomas Jefferson was tending his own vines just miles away. That historical resonance is echoed throughout the winery. Its tasting room, for example, is decorated with political memorabilia dating back to the 1840s, which was collected by founders Susan Prokop and Jim Turpin, both former public-policy professionals.

But they also picked the spot for its wide-open spaces, perfect for growing acres of merlot, pinotage, and chambourcin grapes. Their team oversees these grapes from bud to bottle, fermenting them into vintages with names befitting a vineyard named Democracy. Think Parliament 2011, a red dessert wine; Velvet Revolution 2013, a dry red blend; and Declaration 2014, a white blend with hints of apples (perhaps a reference to the property's orchard).