SJ280: Celebrating the life of Dennis Dunne Horton.
WHEREAS, Dennis Dunne Horton, an acclaimed vintner who helped lay the foundation for Virginia’s thriving wine industry, died on June 19, 2018; and
WHEREAS, Dennis Horton served his country as a member of the United States Air Force during the Vietnam War, then earned a bachelor’s degree from the University of Maryland and pursued a career in sales, specializing in federal government contracts for office supplies; and
WHEREAS, a passionate wine enthusiast, Dennis Horton planted a small vineyard at his home in 1983 and enjoyed making his own wines as a hobby for several years; and
WHEREAS, in 1988, using his experience as an amateur winemaker, Dennis Horton founded Horton Vineyards in Gordonsville and sought out new varieties of grapes that would flourish in the Commonwealth’s climate; and
WHEREAS, a visionary leader in the industry, Dennis Horton introduced or reintroduced Cabernet Franc, Norton, Viognier, and several other grape varieties that are now common throughout Virginia; Horton Vineyards’ 1993 Viognier earned acclaim from top California winemakers, and the variety is now considered one of the Commonwealth’s signature grapes; and
WHEREAS, Dennis Horton offered his expertise to the Virginia Wineries Association, the Virginia Vineyards Association, the Monticello Wine Trail, and the Rhone Rangers; he was highly admired nationwide, inspiring other vintners as far away as Oregon; and
WHEREAS, Dennis Horton was an exceptional ambassador for the Commonwealth, and his wines have been served to numerous visiting dignitaries, including President Bill Clinton and Elizabeth II of England; his legacy lives on in the continued success of both Horton Vineyards and the more than 280 vineyards in Virginia; and
WHEREAS, Dennis Horton will be fondly remembered and greatly missed by his wife, Sharon; his daughter, Shannon, and her family; and numerous other family members, friends, and colleagues; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED by the Senate, the House of Delegates concurring, That the General Assembly hereby note with great sadness the loss of Dennis Dunne Horton, a prominent vintner whose insights helped the Commonwealth gain global prestige in the wine industry; and, be it
RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the Senate prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to the family of Dennis Dunne Horton as an expression of the General Assembly’s respect for his memory.
SENATE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 280
WHEREAS, Dennis Dunne Horton, an acclaimed vintner who helped lay the foundation for Virginia’s thriving wine industry, died on June 19, 2018; and
WHEREAS, Dennis Horton served his country as a member of the United States Air Force during the Vietnam War, then earned a bachelor’s degree from the University of Maryland and pursued a career in sales, specializing in federal government contracts for office supplies; and
WHEREAS, a passionate wine enthusiast, Dennis Horton planted a small vineyard at his home in 1983 and enjoyed making his own wines as a hobby for several years; and
WHEREAS, in 1988, using his experience as an amateur winemaker, Dennis Horton founded Horton Vineyards in Gordonsville and sought out new varieties of grapes that would flourish in the Commonwealth’s climate; and
WHEREAS, a visionary leader in the industry, Dennis Horton introduced or reintroduced Cabernet Franc, Norton, Viognier, and several other grape varieties that are now common throughout Virginia; Horton Vineyards’ 1993 Viognier earned acclaim from top California winemakers, and the variety is now considered one of the Commonwealth’s signature grapes; and
WHEREAS, Dennis Horton offered his expertise to the Virginia Wineries Association, the Virginia Vineyards Association, the Monticello Wine Trail, and the Rhone Rangers; he was highly admired nationwide, inspiring other vintners as far away as Oregon; and
WHEREAS, Dennis Horton was an exceptional ambassador for the Commonwealth, and his wines have been served to numerous visiting dignitaries, including President Bill Clinton and Elizabeth II of England; his legacy lives on in the continued success of both Horton Vineyards and the more than 280 vineyards in Virginia; and
WHEREAS, Dennis Horton will be fondly remembered and greatly missed by his wife, Sharon; his daughter, Shannon, and her family; and numerous other family members, friends, and colleagues; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED by the Senate, the House of Delegates concurring, That the General Assembly hereby note with great sadness the loss of Dennis Dunne Horton, a prominent vintner whose insights helped the Commonwealth gain global prestige in the wine industry; and, be it
RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the Senate prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to the family of Dennis Dunne Horton as an expression of the General Assembly’s respect for his memory.