SJ280: Celebrating the life of Dennis Dunne Horton.


SENATE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 280
Celebrating the life of Dennis Dunne Horton.

 

Agreed to by the Senate, January 17, 2019
Agreed to by the House of Delegates, February 21, 2019

 

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

Offered January 9, 2019
Prefiled January 7, 2019
Celebrating the life of Dennis Dunne Horton.
Patron-- Hanger

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.