We love relaxing at wineries in the Commonwealth, without one thought to our day jobs....however, sometimes work (or school) beckons. What better way to make your weekend (or weekday after 5 PM) work more pleasurable, than partaking in VAVINO while plugged in to the Matrix?
A few wineries in the state which offer free public WiFi (ask the tasting room staff for details on how to access the WiFi; you may have to "Like" the winery on Facebook to receive access to WiFi):
Barrel Oak Winery: Dogs, wine, music, firepits, nonstop fun. But if work calls, they've got you covered.
Early Mountain Vineyard: The "AOL Winery" offers WiFi. Of course it does.
The Winery at Bull Run: The closest winery to Washington, DC, must have WiFi. Work is a Battlefield.
The Winery at La Grange: Not far from The Winery at Bull Run, the winery in the historic estate is a calming location, and their cab franc plus WiFi makes any online job more manageable.
If we missed any Virginia wineries which offer WiFi, please let us know in the comments section.
Cheers!
-The Notebook
Showing posts with label Barrel Oak. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Barrel Oak. Show all posts
Sunday, March 6, 2016
Thursday, March 13, 2014
Virginia Wineries Proudly Going to the Dogs
Dogs and vineyards are made for each other. Just look at the number of coffee table photograph books devoted to winery dogs - especially Virginia wine dogs. Dogs serve a function both inside the tasting room, and in the vineyards. In the tasting room, they greet guests with tails wagging and affection, and then of course show up when any guest takes a seat and pops open a bottle, and brings out the baguette and cheese or meat, or crackers, or cupcakes (we suspect the resident canines are not very interested in the vino....)
Most breeds of dogs are people pleasers, and love to be in the center of the action, which makes a busy tasting room a happy home. In the vineyards, they keep deer, foxes, crows and even bears away from the grapes. You would be hard pressed to find a winery in the Commonwealth that isn't ruled by a dog or two (or three, or four). And many locations also welcome guests to bring their dogs along - leashed, or even unleashed.
The Notebook has many favorite dog day wineries. Because dogs are such a mainstay at so many wineries, we'll narrow our favorites to five. These locations not only have memorable dogs, they actively encourage folks to bring their favorite pets along. And some have built the dog theme into the promotion of their wines.
5. Reynard Florence Vineyard (north of Charlottesville)
One of the newer wineries in the Monticello AVA, Reynard Florence is home to several surprising twists on the usually too sweet (for our palates) Petit Manseng. Another unusual (for Virginia) red found here is Grenache, a hearty bold varietal popular in Argentina and Chile. Most likely visitors will be welcomed by Ray, the corgi. Ray will hang around your feet during the entire tasting process, hoping for a taste of the wine, or better yet, a palate cleansing biscuit you may drop (by accident, or on purpose).
We were completely knocked out by our tasting experience here late last year; the wines are beautiful and the views of the foothills are what you come to expect in this area of the state. We can't wait to return in warmer weather and hang out with the owners, and Ray of course, again.
4. Unicorn Winery (west of Warrenton)
The resident dog at Unicorn is Franc, named after one of Virginia's most popular varietals. A standard schnauzer, Franc is mellow and quiet; unusual for one of the blogmasters used to the more hyperactive behavior of the terriers. Franc has been won best in breed in local dog shows and it's easy to see why. He exudes class, like the wines at Unicorn.
If you bring your own dog to Unicorn, there is ample room to let him run free. Walk down the hill and experience the narrowest sections of the Rappahannock River. Your dog will love jumping around in the river while you toast the day with a bottle of Unicorn Meritage, our favorite wine here.
3. Sharp Rock Vineyards (near Sperryville)
Another winery with lots of open space, perfect for dogs (leashed or unleashed), is another one of our favorites in the state: Sharp Rock, on the edge of Skyline Drive (you can see Old Rag Mountain from the property). Like Unicorn, the winery borders a river (the Hughes River in this case, which flows into the Shenandoah), and some visitors have taken to fly fishing while imbibing in Jimm and Kathy's wonderful creations (our current favorite is their Rosé Noir).
An entire page of their website is dedicated to their dogs, some sadly having passed. But there are always four legged friends to be found romping around the fields here.
http://www.sharprockvineyards.com/dogs.html
2. Chateau Morrisette Winery (off Blue Ridge Parkway near Floyd)
If you've picked up a bottle of Chateau Morrisette wine at Whole Foods or Harris Teeter (they are mass producer; one of the biggest wineries in the state), you will be familiar with the dog motif on the bottle. This is the original dog winery in Virginia; they have been crafting their canine-themed wines since 1982. Being situated a few steps away from the Blue Ridge Parkway guarantees a great view. And despite the vastness of the property and tasting room, every guest is treated like a member of the family here.
The owners call the location "The Winery that Dogs Built." Proceeds from the sales of certain bottles of their mass produced wine goes to animal rescue foundations. So you're imbibing in a good cause here. Their dog history is outlined on a dedicated page of their website:
http://www.thedogs.com/visit/the-winery-than-dogs-built.html
1. Barrel Oak Winery (Delaplane)
Those who've been to Barrel Oak Winery (or as they like to be called, BOW) will agree: There is no bigger dog fanatical winery in the state. Chateau Morrisette paved the way for the dog theme and BOW takes it to the hilt. Three of their resident dogs (Birch, Justice, and Peanut) actually serve as "avatar tourguides" of their website. And since our last visit, two new four legged buddies have entered the scene: Shell and Simba. Apparently none of the resident pups have issues with sharing their lair with the hundreds of dogs that visit BOW every week (sometimes all during the weekend).
Peanut:
Regardless of season, every weekend is a party here, and owner Brian Roeder is usually in the tasting room, making a point to say hi to every visitor, regardless of how busy they are. Our favorite season has to be summer - they are one of the few wineries open until 9 PM on Friday and Saturday night during the summer. Imagine being at a mini Wolf Trap, with emphasis on wine over music (although music is always in the air, audibly and visually confined to the property, whether an excellent local band or an iPod with a great mix of classic), and you have the general idea. And dogs, dogs, dogs.....everywhere.
Birch:
A responsible dog owner will know whether her dog is fit for a social environment at BOW, or any of the canine-friendly wineries in Virginia. So most likely, the dogs (whether heeling or running free) at a winery will be friendly. It's damn near impossible to leave BOW without a big smile on your face. And the wine isn't too shabby either, our favorites being their Norton and the table Bowhaus Red.
We hope you take a cue from these animal loving locations and visit Reynard Florence, Unicorn, Sharp Rock, Chateau Morrisette or Barrel Oak this weekend.
And be sure to check out the top Virginia winery cats! Click here for the cats.
What's your favorite dog day winery?
Most breeds of dogs are people pleasers, and love to be in the center of the action, which makes a busy tasting room a happy home. In the vineyards, they keep deer, foxes, crows and even bears away from the grapes. You would be hard pressed to find a winery in the Commonwealth that isn't ruled by a dog or two (or three, or four). And many locations also welcome guests to bring their dogs along - leashed, or even unleashed.
The Notebook has many favorite dog day wineries. Because dogs are such a mainstay at so many wineries, we'll narrow our favorites to five. These locations not only have memorable dogs, they actively encourage folks to bring their favorite pets along. And some have built the dog theme into the promotion of their wines.
5. Reynard Florence Vineyard (north of Charlottesville)
One of the newer wineries in the Monticello AVA, Reynard Florence is home to several surprising twists on the usually too sweet (for our palates) Petit Manseng. Another unusual (for Virginia) red found here is Grenache, a hearty bold varietal popular in Argentina and Chile. Most likely visitors will be welcomed by Ray, the corgi. Ray will hang around your feet during the entire tasting process, hoping for a taste of the wine, or better yet, a palate cleansing biscuit you may drop (by accident, or on purpose).
We were completely knocked out by our tasting experience here late last year; the wines are beautiful and the views of the foothills are what you come to expect in this area of the state. We can't wait to return in warmer weather and hang out with the owners, and Ray of course, again.
4. Unicorn Winery (west of Warrenton)
The resident dog at Unicorn is Franc, named after one of Virginia's most popular varietals. A standard schnauzer, Franc is mellow and quiet; unusual for one of the blogmasters used to the more hyperactive behavior of the terriers. Franc has been won best in breed in local dog shows and it's easy to see why. He exudes class, like the wines at Unicorn.
If you bring your own dog to Unicorn, there is ample room to let him run free. Walk down the hill and experience the narrowest sections of the Rappahannock River. Your dog will love jumping around in the river while you toast the day with a bottle of Unicorn Meritage, our favorite wine here.
3. Sharp Rock Vineyards (near Sperryville)
Another winery with lots of open space, perfect for dogs (leashed or unleashed), is another one of our favorites in the state: Sharp Rock, on the edge of Skyline Drive (you can see Old Rag Mountain from the property). Like Unicorn, the winery borders a river (the Hughes River in this case, which flows into the Shenandoah), and some visitors have taken to fly fishing while imbibing in Jimm and Kathy's wonderful creations (our current favorite is their Rosé Noir).
An entire page of their website is dedicated to their dogs, some sadly having passed. But there are always four legged friends to be found romping around the fields here.
http://www.sharprockvineyards.com/dogs.html
2. Chateau Morrisette Winery (off Blue Ridge Parkway near Floyd)
If you've picked up a bottle of Chateau Morrisette wine at Whole Foods or Harris Teeter (they are mass producer; one of the biggest wineries in the state), you will be familiar with the dog motif on the bottle. This is the original dog winery in Virginia; they have been crafting their canine-themed wines since 1982. Being situated a few steps away from the Blue Ridge Parkway guarantees a great view. And despite the vastness of the property and tasting room, every guest is treated like a member of the family here.
The owners call the location "The Winery that Dogs Built." Proceeds from the sales of certain bottles of their mass produced wine goes to animal rescue foundations. So you're imbibing in a good cause here. Their dog history is outlined on a dedicated page of their website:
http://www.thedogs.com/visit/the-winery-than-dogs-built.html
1. Barrel Oak Winery (Delaplane)
Those who've been to Barrel Oak Winery (or as they like to be called, BOW) will agree: There is no bigger dog fanatical winery in the state. Chateau Morrisette paved the way for the dog theme and BOW takes it to the hilt. Three of their resident dogs (Birch, Justice, and Peanut) actually serve as "avatar tourguides" of their website. And since our last visit, two new four legged buddies have entered the scene: Shell and Simba. Apparently none of the resident pups have issues with sharing their lair with the hundreds of dogs that visit BOW every week (sometimes all during the weekend).
Peanut:
Regardless of season, every weekend is a party here, and owner Brian Roeder is usually in the tasting room, making a point to say hi to every visitor, regardless of how busy they are. Our favorite season has to be summer - they are one of the few wineries open until 9 PM on Friday and Saturday night during the summer. Imagine being at a mini Wolf Trap, with emphasis on wine over music (although music is always in the air, audibly and visually confined to the property, whether an excellent local band or an iPod with a great mix of classic), and you have the general idea. And dogs, dogs, dogs.....everywhere.
Birch:
A responsible dog owner will know whether her dog is fit for a social environment at BOW, or any of the canine-friendly wineries in Virginia. So most likely, the dogs (whether heeling or running free) at a winery will be friendly. It's damn near impossible to leave BOW without a big smile on your face. And the wine isn't too shabby either, our favorites being their Norton and the table Bowhaus Red.
We hope you take a cue from these animal loving locations and visit Reynard Florence, Unicorn, Sharp Rock, Chateau Morrisette or Barrel Oak this weekend.
And be sure to check out the top Virginia winery cats! Click here for the cats.
What's your favorite dog day winery?
Sunday, March 25, 2012
Village Wine Stop #2: Delaplane
"Where, exactly, IS Delaplane?" Long-time northern Virginia residents will recognize the name Delaplane - one time home of Willard Scott and Robert Duvall; some "place" near Marshall and The Plains on the way to Skyline Drive; the name that appears on GPS systems along route 66. But where is the place? It's a crossroads, near the railroad tracks, right off Exit 23, and offers a general store, a post office, and an antiques shop. But Delaplane also offers a bonafide wine loop - some call this area the "mini Napa" of Northern Virginia. TEN wineries, all unique in their own ways, within seven miles of each other.
A list of these ten wineries can be found under this blog entry, but we will spotlight four of them, for a nice cross-section of this mini Napa.
Barrel Oak Winery, affectionately called "BOW," is a northern Virginia favorite, and despite only being open for about five years, is already an institution in the world of Virginia wine. Owner Brian Roeder is the always upbeat host, his wife Sharon is the head winemaker, and the place is always buzzing on the weekends (visit during the week for a more intimate experience). This winery has gone to the dogs. In a good way. A visit to this vineyard is like a Best in Show dog contest: You'll see dogs of every shape and size. The wines aren't too shabby: Our favorites remain their "pizza wines" (table white and table red--named Bowhaus White and Red). Their petit verdot is a bold award winner (for the other side of the wine spectrum). Their wines are a bit pricey compared to other wineries in the area, probably due to the constant improvements Brian makes to his property. And despite how busy the location is during the weekend, you can always be guaranteed a picnic table on the sloping hill.
A few minutes away from BOW is Three Fox Vineyards, up a steep grade near the railroad tracks and Goose Creek. Three Fox is home to some wonderfully dry white wines, as well as a smooth merlot (silver medal winner in the 2012 Governor's Cup). Three Fox has a great property for spreading out--name your pleasure. Relaxing on a hammock? Check. Picnic by the babbling creek? Check. "Unwined" near the tasting room on the patio? Check. Grab their famous "table in the sky" (a picnic table perched on a hilltop)? Check. Become their Facebook friend for special deals.
Further down the road, past the village of Delaplane, lies Vintage Ridge Vineyards. This location is unique in that they specialize in sit-down tastings where light food is paired with their vino offerings. On a warm day, take your seat on their patio overlooking the Blue Ridge foothills, and mellow out with a glass or bottle of the blogmasters favorites: "Summer Night" (vidal blanc) or delicious syrah.
Delaplane Cellars is the final spotlighted location in this "winery congested" section of Fauquier County. The tasting room is on a slope overlooking the mountains, and the whole location is environmentally friendly and airy. The stars here are the viogniers: A light one (LoCo Viognier) and a bolder one (Maggie's Vineyard Viognier). The Williams Gap red is a true meat lovers red, a blend of Cab Franc, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Petit Verdot.
No longer just a crossroads, Delaplane is the heart of the Fauquier County wine trail and rumor has it a white oval bumper sticker is on the way: DELA.
Barrel Oak Winery
Three Fox Vineyards
Vintage Ridge Vineyards
Delaplane Vineyards
Additional Delaplane-area wineries:
Miracle Valley Vineyard
Cobbler Mountain Cellars
Aspen Dale Winery
Naked Mountain Winery
Capitol Vineyards
Linden Vineyards
A list of these ten wineries can be found under this blog entry, but we will spotlight four of them, for a nice cross-section of this mini Napa.
Barrel Oak Winery, affectionately called "BOW," is a northern Virginia favorite, and despite only being open for about five years, is already an institution in the world of Virginia wine. Owner Brian Roeder is the always upbeat host, his wife Sharon is the head winemaker, and the place is always buzzing on the weekends (visit during the week for a more intimate experience). This winery has gone to the dogs. In a good way. A visit to this vineyard is like a Best in Show dog contest: You'll see dogs of every shape and size. The wines aren't too shabby: Our favorites remain their "pizza wines" (table white and table red--named Bowhaus White and Red). Their petit verdot is a bold award winner (for the other side of the wine spectrum). Their wines are a bit pricey compared to other wineries in the area, probably due to the constant improvements Brian makes to his property. And despite how busy the location is during the weekend, you can always be guaranteed a picnic table on the sloping hill.
A few minutes away from BOW is Three Fox Vineyards, up a steep grade near the railroad tracks and Goose Creek. Three Fox is home to some wonderfully dry white wines, as well as a smooth merlot (silver medal winner in the 2012 Governor's Cup). Three Fox has a great property for spreading out--name your pleasure. Relaxing on a hammock? Check. Picnic by the babbling creek? Check. "Unwined" near the tasting room on the patio? Check. Grab their famous "table in the sky" (a picnic table perched on a hilltop)? Check. Become their Facebook friend for special deals.
Further down the road, past the village of Delaplane, lies Vintage Ridge Vineyards. This location is unique in that they specialize in sit-down tastings where light food is paired with their vino offerings. On a warm day, take your seat on their patio overlooking the Blue Ridge foothills, and mellow out with a glass or bottle of the blogmasters favorites: "Summer Night" (vidal blanc) or delicious syrah.
Delaplane Cellars is the final spotlighted location in this "winery congested" section of Fauquier County. The tasting room is on a slope overlooking the mountains, and the whole location is environmentally friendly and airy. The stars here are the viogniers: A light one (LoCo Viognier) and a bolder one (Maggie's Vineyard Viognier). The Williams Gap red is a true meat lovers red, a blend of Cab Franc, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Petit Verdot.
No longer just a crossroads, Delaplane is the heart of the Fauquier County wine trail and rumor has it a white oval bumper sticker is on the way: DELA.
Barrel Oak Winery
Three Fox Vineyards
Vintage Ridge Vineyards
Delaplane Vineyards
Additional Delaplane-area wineries:
Miracle Valley Vineyard
Cobbler Mountain Cellars
Aspen Dale Winery
Naked Mountain Winery
Capitol Vineyards
Linden Vineyards
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