Some grapes are famous. Lenoir is not. And that’s exactly what makes it worth knowing.
Also called Black Spanish or Jacquez, Lenoir is one of the oldest American grape varieties still in production, grown across Texas and the South since the 1800s. It’s a wine with real history and real character, offering a rustic, “wild” profile that European reds rarely match. Almost no one writes about it. Even fewer wineries grow it. We do.
What is Lenoir wine?
Lenoir is a red wine made from the Lenoir grape, an old American variety also known as Black Spanish or Jacquez. It produces a bold, earthy, deeply colored red with a distinctly rustic profile, the kind of wine that tastes like it comes from somewhere, rather than from a formula. At Doghobble it’s one of the standout reds in a lineup built entirely around grapes suited to the Dahlonega Plateau.
Why is Lenoir called Black Spanish or Jacquez?
The grape has collected several names over its long history in American winemaking. “Lenoir,” “Black Spanish,” and “Jacquez” all refer to the same variety. The multiple names are a clue to how long it’s been around and how widely it traveled through the South and Texas before most modern drinkers ever heard of it.
What does Lenoir taste like?
Lenoir leans bold and earthy, with a rustic edge that sets it apart from smoother, more polished European reds:
– Profile: dark, earthy, and intense
– Character: rustic and “wild,” in the best sense
– Body: full and structured
– Best for: drinkers who like their reds with grip and personality
If you enjoy bold, earthy reds like Zinfandel or Syrah, Lenoir delivers similar intensity with a distinctive American character you won’t find in a bottle from California.
How old is the Lenoir grape?
Lenoir has been cultivated in the United States since the 1800s, making it one of the oldest American wine grapes still in commercial production. When you drink it, you’re tasting a piece of American winemaking history, a variety that was in Southern vineyards long before the modern wine industry took shape.
Is Lenoir a native American grape?
Lenoir is part of the family of American grape varieties that thrive in the Southeast’s hot, humid climate, where European vines Vitis vinifera struggle with disease pressure. That natural hardiness is why grapes like Lenoir, Norton, and Carlos muscadine make sense on the Dahlonega Plateau, and why Doghobble builds its lineup around them rather than fighting the climate. More on why we grow native and heritage grapes»
What food pairs with Lenoir?
Lenoir is a red built for serious, smoky, savory food:
– Smoked brisket
– Grilled ribeye
– Meat-lovers pizza from the Embers truck
– Barbecue of all kinds
– Aged cheddar
If there’s char and fat on the plate, Lenoir is the pour.
How does Lenoir compare to Norton?
Both are historic American reds grown at Doghobble, but they drink differently. Norton, our signature “queen vine”, is full-bodied with deep plum fruit and age-worthy structure, our most refined red. Lenoir is the rustic counterpart: earthier, wilder, more rugged. Tasting them side by side is one of the best ways to understand the range of American red wine. Ask about a red flight comparing Norton, Chambourcin, and Lenoir on your next visit.
Where can I try Lenoir wine?
Doghobble Wine Farm grows and makes Lenoir on-site and pours it at the Trellis tasting room in Dahlonega, GA. Come in for a tasting, order a meat-lovers pizza from the Embers truck to pair with it, and see the property where the grapes grow.
Lenoir is one of several rare varietals in our lineup. See where it fits in the complete guide to Doghobble’swines», or browse our full wine list »
Doghobble Wine Farm
10 Roy Grindle Road, Dahlonega, GA 30533
(470) 310-0491 · hello@doghobblevineyard.com
Sunday–Thursday 12–6pm · Friday–Saturday 12–7pm · Walk-ins welcome
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