We're joined this week by one of our favorite local winemakers Ben Jordan for a look at our favorite local white grape Petit Manseng. Viognier may be the State Grape of Virginia, but Manseng holds more promise for characterful, ageworthy wines in the Old Dominion. Ben talks over his roots in retail, working under local legend Michael Shaps, taking the reins at Early Mountain, and opening his own custom crush facility in the Shenandoah Valley. We discuss the merits of Petit Manseng in a hot, humid growing zone, the challenges of working with a fast-ripening, acid driven varietal, and the creative possibilities it opens up for local winemakers. We close out with a beautiful bit of verse from former Virginia Poet Laureate Rita Dove, and Ben considers how he would like to see the state's wine industry grow going forward.