A panel of six distinguished judges has selected the “Best Norton of 2007” from 113 wines and 52 wineries from across the country. The widely acclaimed Norton grape was first cultivated by its namesake Dr. Daniel Norborne Norton between 1823 and 1828, and is the state grape of Missouri.

The mysterious origins of the Norton grape, America’s oldest and arguably finest contribution to wine production, have led many wine historians in circles; chasing ghosts of its cultivation as far as the vineyards at Monticello. Through recent discoveries, this much is true: The Norton grape was indeed cultivated first by its namesake Dr. Daniel Norborne Norton between 1823 and 1828 in what is now Richmond, VA.