Virginia's scenic Eastern Shore is an enchanting peninsula of family farms, small towns, waterside villages and hundreds of miles of pristine shoreline between the Atlantic Ocean and Chesapeake Bay. The area is famous for its Chincoteague ponies, which run wild by the sea on a barrier island except for one annual roundup. In 1608 voyage to explore the Eastern Shore, Captain John Smith said that “... Heaven and earth never agreed better to frame a place for man’s habitation.” Today, beach-lovers, eco-tourists, fishing enthusiasts, boaters and local residents still agree with that sentiment. So do wine lovers, who began visits in the early 1980s soon after the birth of the wine industry here, thanks to the moderate, maritime climate and long growing season.This area's three wineries produce a good selection of varietals, including Chardonnay, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Petit Verdot.