(Updated March 16, 2025)
In the picturesque Blue Ridge Mountains near Charlottesville, Virginia, Trump Winery stands as a notable establishment with a fascinating history. While often entangled with political discourse, its origins and current ownership deserve a closer look.
The winery's story begins with Patricia Kluge. While often labeled a "socialite" across the internet, a characterization that emphasizes her past connections to wealth and celebrity, she is, in reality, a dedicated winemaker. My personal conversations with her have underscored this fact, ever since she called on me one day looking to acquire a bottle of Chianti. Despite her past life as the wife of a billionaire who indulged in rare and valuable bottles of 19th-century Madeira, she prefers to be referred to as simply "Patricia." This mischaracterization about her across the internet likely arises from her late husband's former status as America's richest man for a time, a fact undeniably linked to the winery's initial development.
Patricia Kluge embarked on her winemaking venture in the early 2000s, and her wines swiftly earned acclaim. Notably, America's leading vintner, Robert Mondavi, recognized their quality, particularly during a dinner she hosted for 50 people at her palatial residence on the winery known as Albermarle. Beyond producing exceptional wines, Patricia distinguished herself as a pioneer in emphasizing the art of pairing wine with food. To ensure the highest standards, she exclusively engaged top Bordeaux specialists as consultants, paying up to $100,000.00 annually for their expertise.
Enter Donald Trump: Fast forward to 2008, The Great Recession took its toll on Kluge's wine venture, leading to financial difficulties. In 2011, Donald Trump, a familiar acquaintance of Kluge, seized the opportunity and purchased the winery at a foreclosure auction. It's important to not that prior to the auction Patricia phoned the former President because she was aware how much he admired the winery and asked if he wished to purchase the property. Her price was $20 million dollars. Trump responded that he was very interested in the winery but that paying $20 million was out of the question. After snapping up the property at auction for less than half of Patricia's asking price, Trump appointed his son, Eric Trump, as the president of the business. As part of the deal, Trump also acquired Patricia's adjacent mansion, which has since been transformed into a luxury bed and breakfast. We are really glossing over the transaction. The way in which Trump took control of this property warrants a Harvard Business Case Study. To sum it up, Trump acquired all the land right up to the door step of the mansion forcing Patricia to sell.
The Property: The winery is located in a region of Virginia dotted with numerous vineyards and boasts a sprawling 217-acre estate. It's worth noting that Trump has occasionally overstated the winery's significance, claiming it was the largest on the East Coast, but in reality, it's Virginia's largest winery by acreage.
Current Ownership: Ownership details of the Trump Winery have undergone some changes over the years. According to legal notices on the winery's website, it suggests that the business is now Eric Trump's personal project, operating under the name "Eric Trump Wine Manufacturing LLC." These notices emphasize that it is not owned, managed, or affiliated with Donald J. Trump or any of his affiliates. Despite this assertion, Trump's presidential financial disclosures indicate that he continues to receive income from vineyard rent and hotel revenue linked to the operation.
Here's a refined version, focusing on grammar and clarity:
Final Note: While Trump Winery has become a political focal point due to its association with the former president, its history and ownership are inherently intriguing. Patricia Kluge's vision and contributions were indispensable to its inception and initial success. Regardless of its political connections, Trump Winery is a part of Virginia's rich winemaking landscape. Notably, the Trump Meritage has been a consistent bestseller in our wine shop. This medium-bodied, Bordeaux-style (thanks to Patricia) red blend is crafted from five estate-grown varietals: 75% Merlot, 15% Cabernet Franc, 6% Petit Verdot, and 4% Malbec.
For further information about Trump winery, be sure to read my blog "Behind the Vines: A Deeper Look on Trump Winery's Controversial Journey."
Comments (3)
Tom is in a cult. Donald is a criminal and always has been.
Enjoyed Diane’s rant. Swindle is a strong word; shrewd or smart are better choices which are more reflective of the business acumen of most industry leaders who permit employment of millions of people, many providing services and products who make Diane’s life pleasurable. I’ll bet she’s almost apoplectic now that Don has been given the opportunity to bring back prosperity and respect for America again.
I was so glad to see this record in print. My sister lives in Charlottesville and I was aware of the process from the the time he started licking his chops until he swindled the wife whose husband had died. What I heard was a little harder on Trump than your post but understand that one must be careful with what they say. I’m very glad to see it in print and I hope that many see it.
Diane Kimsey-Minor