The Post-Prohibition Rebirth of American Wine
The story of American wine is one of resilience and revival. When Prohibition wiped out the nation’s wineries, a handful of home winemakers and bootleggers kept the craft alive. Decades later, that quiet perseverance set the stage for a renaissance—from California’s world-stage debut to Virginia’s own wine revival. Founded in 1981 atop Catoctin Ridge, Willowcroft Farm Vineyards emerged as Loudoun County’s first modern winery and remains its oldest continuing operation—a pioneer born from America’s post-Prohibition rebirth.