A cursory glance at the Yelp reviews of several Virginia wineries is revealing. You can discover so much about not only the wineries, but about the people who write the reviews.
Four star points to one reviewer, such as the lack of a live band or the rustic interior of a tasting room, may be one star points to another. Some people are totally turned off by corporate slickness, while others embrace it.
The blogmasters like to compare the winery experience to the personalities of a dog and a cat: Sometimes we want to be noticed in the middle of a big party (dog), and other times we want a quieter, more intimate experience (cat). Most humans have both dog and cat traits to their personalities (although devout cat haters will deny this), and there are plenty of Virginia wineries that satisfy both personality traits.
We will focus on the wineries in the Charlottesville (aka Virginia’s Napa) area for this study. Read the descriptions, visit the wineries, and tell us if you agree with the analysis. Parts 1 and 2 reviewed “Slick” and “Intimate,” respectively. Now we will offer a few suggestions that combine slickness with intimacy:
White Hall Vineyards
White Hall is one of the oldest vineyards in the region, and the state (open to the public since 1990). Their wines are sold in several stores in the state, but what is surprising is how low-key the winery is. Don't come to White Hall expecting a Barboursville or Prince Michel experience. Tall oak trees surround the impressive Sonoma-style tasting and events building. The tastings are intimate and generous - they have a lot of very good to excellent choices here. Two stand out: Their Gewürztraminer, dry and the best in the state; and their Cab Sauv, bold and jammy, and a steal at $12 a bottle. They move a lot of wine here (and sell online as well), but you'd never know it after enjoying such a relaxed tasting.
Stinson Vineyards
About five minutes down the road from White Hall lies Stinson, which opened in 2011 and has already become a Monticello AVA favorite (based on the line of cars parking along its driveway on December 15, word has definitely gotten out!) Another winery in the state practicing sustainable methods, Stinson set up their tasting room to resemble a general store (think Ike Godsey; we're in Virginia, after all!) Being a newer winery compared to White Hall, most likely with start up costs to recover, the prices here are a little more, but the wines are well worth them (the prices are still lower on the average than locations in Northern Virginia). Not being a huge fan of sweeter wines, we were truly knocked out by their Sauvignon Blanc, with notes of melon and grapefruit. On the red side, try the red blend (Sugar Hollow Red), a terrific, dry pasta wine.
Barren Ridge Vineyards
On the road leading towards Staunton, a short drive from Waynesboro, Barren Ridge is another perfect merging of the formal and the intimate. The tasting room resembles a ski chalet, and the fire is always aglow during the winter months. Their signature wine must be their Touriga, which is the national grape of Portugal. Low in tannins and high in fruit forward character, the wine is a perfect compliment to holiday turkeys. Another red favorite is the "Red Barren," an off dry blend of Chambourcin, Petit Verdot, Touriga, Cabernet Franc, Merlot, Malbec, and Cabernet Sauvignon. Try it chilled. As for the whites, we always go for their Viognier, a fine representative of the state white, with notes of pineapple.
Keswick Vineyards
On the other side of the Monticello AVA lies Keswick, between the Charlottesville area and the charming town of Gordonsville. Keswick has already made a name for itself in the state (and country) with its numerous awards. Their 2009 Viognier was bar none the best Viognier we've ever experienced; later vintages are fine too, but that 2009 vintage was one for the record books, proof that the right combination of soil, weather, blending and old fashioned attention to detail can result in something magnificent. The courtyard outside the tasting room, overlooking the hills and 100 year old trees, is perfect for warmer months, but the tasting room promises a warm experience, as one of the members of the Schornberg family most likely will be pouring. Besides the Viognier, their Cab Sauv simply tagged "Pleasure" is the best red on the list, with medium bodied balance and notes of cherry and plum.
Slick, rustic, and everything in between - like its sisters in California and New York, the wineries in Virginia offer something for every taste, in all senses of the word.
Thursday, December 20, 2012
Thursday, December 13, 2012
Slick Vs. Intimate: A Virginia Winery Study (Part 2)
A cursory glance at the Yelp reviews of several Virginia wineries is revealing. You can discover so much about not only the wineries, but about the people who write the reviews.
Four star points to one reviewer, such as the lack of a live band or the rustic interior of a tasting room, may be one star points to another. Some people are totally turned off by corporate slickness, while others embrace it.
The blogmasters like to compare the winery experience to the personalities of a dog and a cat: Sometimes we want to be noticed in the middle of a big party (dog), and other times we want a quieter, more intimate experience (cat). Most humans have both dog and cat traits to their personalities (although devout cat haters will deny this), and there are plenty of Virginia wineries that satisfy both personality traits.
We will focus on the wineries in the Charlottesville (aka Virginia’s Napa) area for this study. Read the descriptions, visit the wineries, and tell us if you agree with the analysis. We will now review some intimate spots. Part 3 will offer a few suggestions that combine slickness with intimacy (which is actually harder than it sounds).
INTIMATE:
Mountain Cove Vineyards
When the blogmasters pulled up to Mountain Cove Vineyards, between Charlottesville and Lynchburg off route 29 and not far from DelFosse Vineyards, the sign said OPEN, however the tasting room was locked and no one was in sight. We actually called their phone number and the owner Al Weed greeted us and treated us to the most casual wine tasting we ever experienced (he apologized that he was out in the vineyards checking the buds). We had the place to ourselves the entire time. Mountain Cove is literally in a “cove” nestled in the Blue Ridge, a vast property with acres to roam and free your mind. No live bands (unless you visit on a festival or wedding day), no limos, and just the sounds of the occasional hawks flying above. This is the oldest operating vineyards in Virginia; growing grapes since 1974, and they continue to make fine, affordably priced table wines and fruit wines with pride. Fans of off-dry wines will love the Skyline White and dry red folks will savor the Tinto, a blend of Cabernet Franc and Chambourcin.
Lovingston Winery
Further down route 29, about 20 minutes from Mountain Cove Vineyards, lies a location that makes some of the greatest wine in the Commonwealth. Lovingston Vineyards started as a hobby by Ed Puckett, who runs a business in Texas full time and left much of the marketing aspects of his winery to his daughter. Employing “gravity flow” techniques, which reduces some of the mechanical aspects of winemaking, Lovingston doesn’t have much of a tasting room or picnic area, but if you bring your own chairs, you’re welcome to stay as long as you want. And with their incredible prices, it will be hard not to leave their tasting room without a case. Merlot is the red star here, smooth and toasty with notes of plum, but you really can’t go wrong with any of their product.
Rebec Vineyards
Continuing down route 29, towards Lynchburg, Rebec Vineyards is known throughout the state for their yearly garlic festivals. Interested in trying garlic cookies? This is the place to do it. The owner hails from Bulgaria, so most of the wines have an Eastern European angle to them. Rebec is one of the few wineries in the country that works with Rkatsiteli, an intriguing white varietal that fares will in Russia, and has notes of apricot mixed with spice (and goes extremely well with a garlic dish). Other wines that make outstanding complements to garlic foods include their Gewürztraminer and Riesling. The location is very remote and there is not an ounce of slickness to be seen here; in fact the farm equipment used in the vineyards is exposed for all to see who linger around the small patio facing the rolling hills after enjoying a tasting.
Flying Fox Vineyard
Driving back north towards the Waynesboro/Charlottesville area, Flying Fox appears on the left side of highway 151; a small cottage with the familiar "flying" fox weather vane. The tasting building may look small outside but the tasting room is surprisingly roomy, complete with a fireplace. All wines here are excellent and well-priced, our favorites being the Viognier, Rosé, and Trio, a blend of Merlot, Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot. They also offer a pure Petit Verdot, with that distinct leathery feel you can only get from a pure Petit Verdot. Visit Flying Fox and discover why it's one of the blogmaster's favorites in the entire state.
Next up: "Hybrids," which combine the best elements from slick and intimate.
Four star points to one reviewer, such as the lack of a live band or the rustic interior of a tasting room, may be one star points to another. Some people are totally turned off by corporate slickness, while others embrace it.
The blogmasters like to compare the winery experience to the personalities of a dog and a cat: Sometimes we want to be noticed in the middle of a big party (dog), and other times we want a quieter, more intimate experience (cat). Most humans have both dog and cat traits to their personalities (although devout cat haters will deny this), and there are plenty of Virginia wineries that satisfy both personality traits.
We will focus on the wineries in the Charlottesville (aka Virginia’s Napa) area for this study. Read the descriptions, visit the wineries, and tell us if you agree with the analysis. We will now review some intimate spots. Part 3 will offer a few suggestions that combine slickness with intimacy (which is actually harder than it sounds).
INTIMATE:
Mountain Cove Vineyards
When the blogmasters pulled up to Mountain Cove Vineyards, between Charlottesville and Lynchburg off route 29 and not far from DelFosse Vineyards, the sign said OPEN, however the tasting room was locked and no one was in sight. We actually called their phone number and the owner Al Weed greeted us and treated us to the most casual wine tasting we ever experienced (he apologized that he was out in the vineyards checking the buds). We had the place to ourselves the entire time. Mountain Cove is literally in a “cove” nestled in the Blue Ridge, a vast property with acres to roam and free your mind. No live bands (unless you visit on a festival or wedding day), no limos, and just the sounds of the occasional hawks flying above. This is the oldest operating vineyards in Virginia; growing grapes since 1974, and they continue to make fine, affordably priced table wines and fruit wines with pride. Fans of off-dry wines will love the Skyline White and dry red folks will savor the Tinto, a blend of Cabernet Franc and Chambourcin.
Lovingston Winery
Further down route 29, about 20 minutes from Mountain Cove Vineyards, lies a location that makes some of the greatest wine in the Commonwealth. Lovingston Vineyards started as a hobby by Ed Puckett, who runs a business in Texas full time and left much of the marketing aspects of his winery to his daughter. Employing “gravity flow” techniques, which reduces some of the mechanical aspects of winemaking, Lovingston doesn’t have much of a tasting room or picnic area, but if you bring your own chairs, you’re welcome to stay as long as you want. And with their incredible prices, it will be hard not to leave their tasting room without a case. Merlot is the red star here, smooth and toasty with notes of plum, but you really can’t go wrong with any of their product.
Rebec Vineyards
Continuing down route 29, towards Lynchburg, Rebec Vineyards is known throughout the state for their yearly garlic festivals. Interested in trying garlic cookies? This is the place to do it. The owner hails from Bulgaria, so most of the wines have an Eastern European angle to them. Rebec is one of the few wineries in the country that works with Rkatsiteli, an intriguing white varietal that fares will in Russia, and has notes of apricot mixed with spice (and goes extremely well with a garlic dish). Other wines that make outstanding complements to garlic foods include their Gewürztraminer and Riesling. The location is very remote and there is not an ounce of slickness to be seen here; in fact the farm equipment used in the vineyards is exposed for all to see who linger around the small patio facing the rolling hills after enjoying a tasting.
Flying Fox Vineyard
Driving back north towards the Waynesboro/Charlottesville area, Flying Fox appears on the left side of highway 151; a small cottage with the familiar "flying" fox weather vane. The tasting building may look small outside but the tasting room is surprisingly roomy, complete with a fireplace. All wines here are excellent and well-priced, our favorites being the Viognier, Rosé, and Trio, a blend of Merlot, Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot. They also offer a pure Petit Verdot, with that distinct leathery feel you can only get from a pure Petit Verdot. Visit Flying Fox and discover why it's one of the blogmaster's favorites in the entire state.
Next up: "Hybrids," which combine the best elements from slick and intimate.
Friday, December 7, 2012
Video Clip: Wintergreen Winery
Located about 30 miles south of Waynesboro, near the entrance to Wintergreen Resort, lies Wintergreen Winery, one of the many gold nuggets of the Nelson County wine trail.
It seems like every entry written by the VAVINO blogmasters talks about the views at the wineries in the Commonwealth. The views along are worth seeking these locations out, even if you drink water instead of their product. That said, the views at Wintergreen are some of the more spectacular in the state, and the tasting room, situated on the banks of the babbling Rockfish River, is irresistible (if not a bit confined).
The wine selections lean a little more towards the sweet side, versus other spots in Nelson Country. Probably their most popular wine is the Thomas Nelson white, 70% Vidal Blanc and 30% Petit Manseng (the fact that this is the closest winery to Wintergreen Resort may have something to do with their number of semi-sweet wines here). Our favorites were their Viognier and their Three Ridges Red (46% Chambourcin, 40% Cabernet Franc and 14% Merlot). Further proof that the styles of wine in Virginia change radically with each growing season, the Black Rock Chardonnay Reserve was one of our favorite chards in the state about three years ago (dry, light acidity and not too oaky). The Reserve currently offered seemed more buttery and less dry than we remembered, but still quite good.
Wintergreen has a new events pavilion that can be rented for events, making the winery a perfect year-around spot for weddings. Several picnic tables dot the the edge of the river.
A quick video taken from Wintergreen in fall 2012. Please keep in mind that this was our third stop that afternoon......
It seems like every entry written by the VAVINO blogmasters talks about the views at the wineries in the Commonwealth. The views along are worth seeking these locations out, even if you drink water instead of their product. That said, the views at Wintergreen are some of the more spectacular in the state, and the tasting room, situated on the banks of the babbling Rockfish River, is irresistible (if not a bit confined).
The wine selections lean a little more towards the sweet side, versus other spots in Nelson Country. Probably their most popular wine is the Thomas Nelson white, 70% Vidal Blanc and 30% Petit Manseng (the fact that this is the closest winery to Wintergreen Resort may have something to do with their number of semi-sweet wines here). Our favorites were their Viognier and their Three Ridges Red (46% Chambourcin, 40% Cabernet Franc and 14% Merlot). Further proof that the styles of wine in Virginia change radically with each growing season, the Black Rock Chardonnay Reserve was one of our favorite chards in the state about three years ago (dry, light acidity and not too oaky). The Reserve currently offered seemed more buttery and less dry than we remembered, but still quite good.
Wintergreen has a new events pavilion that can be rented for events, making the winery a perfect year-around spot for weddings. Several picnic tables dot the the edge of the river.
A quick video taken from Wintergreen in fall 2012. Please keep in mind that this was our third stop that afternoon......
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