5 Unusual Virginia Wineries

Despite the number of Virginia wineries approximating 275, with the number growing each year, you can be sure of one thing when it comes to wineries in the Commonwealth: No two are alike. Some tasting rooms may be similar (we have friends who still get the tasting room at Pearmund Cellars confused with the one at King Family), but the wine lists will be different, the shape of the tasting building will vary from location to location, and of course the views will be unique to the winery.

We have visited over 210 Virginia wineries (slowly but surely, we are getting to all of them...), and looking through our logs and photo albums, we have pinpointed five that we feel are the most unusual. And we don't mean unusual in a negative context. Every Virginia winery brings a different adventure, whether you're a fan of mountain views, water views, bustling places, quieter places, dry wine, or off dry wine.

Our five most unusual (unique) wineries in Virginia:

5. Maggie Malick Wine Cave (northwest Loudoun County)
The closest in our list to Northern Virginia, Maggie Malick Wine Caves is located in a string of relatively new wineries on Harper's Ferry Road, off state route 9. The wine cave where the tastings are held is a man-made structure using the most economical, and eco-friendly, cooling technique available: Natural. A layer of grass covers the cave, ensuring cool temperatures that the barrel-aging wine needs, and also keeping the customers cool in the hot months (and warm in the colder months).

Maggie Malick Wine Caves entrance:

Guests may feel as if they are walking into the entrance of a place where trolls live. Actually, we'll save the Tolkien references to another winery on this list. Maggie offers an interesting selection, particularly for this section of Loudoun County. The Albariño is crisp and dry and a nice alternative for those who may be tired of Chardonnay or Pinot Grigio. Tannat is a bold red with raspberry notes and will age on your rack nicely.

Inside the cave:

Bring your dog! There is a large pond in the back and dogs are welcome (and highly encouraged) to take a dip. Maggie Malick Wine Cave makes for a very memorable experience in a county rapidly becoming rather choked with wineries (not that that's a bad thing...)

4. Cedar Creek Winery (south of Winchester)
If you're new to the Virginia wine scene, but have been to at least five wineries, you have probably noticed that most in the state offer two varietals: Chardonnay and Cabernet Franc. Cedar Creek Winery, on the edge of the Allegheny range south of Winchester, knows what grapes grow best in this climate and soil. So those are the only two varietals offered. Expect a vertical tasting of these two wines in an extremely relaxed, rec-room like environment (complete with intriguing pictures on the wall and antiques).

Tasting the line up at Cedar Creek:

Most likely, the owner and winemaker, Ron Schmidt, will guide you through an informative and entertaining tasting. What sets this winery apart, besides the "only two varietals" rule, is the lack of live music, weddings, dogs and kids, and general festivities. Not that there is anything wrong with those; Virginia wineries are thriving thanks to the live music and event venues many of them offer. But at Cedar Creek, it's all about the wine, and getting absorbed into the beautiful scenery. Seriously, this is one of the most beautiful locations in the state.

Don't expect food purchases here, aside from perhaps a small bag of Cheez-It crackers. But you are welcome and encouraged to bring your own picnic.

3. Burnley Vineyards (north of Charlottesville)
Burnley is one of the Commonwealth's original wineries; planting started in 1977, the first wines were offered in 1980, and the tasting room opened in 1984. This winery is not far from more famous (and decidedly slicker...again, not a bad thing) Barboursville Vineyards, about an 8 minute drive from Burnley. Visiting the two wineries on the same afternoon will give you two completely different Virginia winery experiences.

Entrance to Burnley:

The entrance to the winery has probably not changed much since 1984. We haven't visited the winery in a few years, so the basketball hoop may be gone, but for some reason, we doubt that. They focus on making wine here, not on window dressing at the winery. That would also explain the interior of the winery, where your group can "unwined":

The wines are all very well-priced. This is an excellent location for those who are just getting into wine, and still like their offerings on the sweeter side. Although dry fans will find a lot to like with their Cab Sauv and Norton.

Vineyards at Burnley:

2. Wisteria Farm Vineyard (Stanley, VA)
This is the only winery in Virginia that offers a red varietal called Carmine, which is a cross of Cabernet Sauvignon and lesser-known Carignan. Carmine is a totally American grape, not even grown in Europe. It fares best in northern California and Pennsylvania, but they grow it at Wisteria.

This is a working farm, so you will be sharing the grounds with animals (mainly roosters, rabbits, and sheep), some of which roam the property freely. Others are inside pens, making this a good choice for the kids.

Besides Carmine, their Seyval is a winner, and perfect for the hot summer days that are in our near future in the Commonwealth. And those views...another eye pleasing location in Shenandoah Valley.

1. Grayhaven Winery (between Richmond and Charlottesville)
Continuing with the farm vibe, Grayhaven winery in central Virginia gets our vote as the most unique winery in the state. What makes it unique to us is the vibe...this is by far the most relaxed winery we've been to. There is even a small playground on the premises. Horses roam freely on the grounds. And the tasting room is housed in a Hobbit-like structure, complete with a koi pond in front.

Like Wisteria, Grayhaven offers a wine that is not found elsewhere in the state: Touriga. This is a variety developed by the Portuguese and often used in the production of Port wines, and goes very well with red meats. Like Tannat, it will age well. Another favorite is Sojourn, a blend of Touriga and Cabernet Franc, with a balanced acidity, soft tannins and a plum notes; perfect for pasta dishes with tomato sauce. The selection of wines here is vast. The owners are originally from South Africa and know what they are doing (South Africa, like Australia, New Zealand, Chile, and Argentina, is a big player in the southern hemisphere wine universe).

This location is miles away from other wineries, so be prepared to stay awhile. You'll feel transported to another world.

What are the most unusual Virginia wineries you've visited?

Monticello AVA Quadrant Series: Northeast

The Monticello AVA is officially "Virginia's Napa." With over 30 wineries (and more to come) surrounding the Charlottesville area, the Monticello AVA contains more vineyards and wineries than most other states.

Those who plan to "hit C'Ville for some wine tasting" should plan their trip accordingly. It's very easy to get lost in the world of Jefferson country wineries. For that reason, we've split the AVA into four quadrants: Northwest, Southwest, Southeast and Northeast.

Each quadrant offers the full spectrum of winery experiences: From industrial, working vineyard vibe, to romantic and intimate, to big event focused spots. With so many wineries in the area, even breaking the AVA down into four sections isn't enough spotlight every location. We'll zoom in on our favorites and also suggest the best route.

We left off in the Southeast quadrant, south of Charlottesville on route 20. Continuing north on route 20, under I-64 and into the city, the highway continues north towards the Northeast Quadrant, the final spotlighted section of the Monticello AVA. This quadrant is the home of two of the most famous, and popular, wineries in the AVA (and the state), and two lower key locations. There are plenty of grape cluster signs in these parts, so focus on the roads and the scenery, vs. looking down at your GPS or Virginia Winery map.

Burnley Vineyards is your first stop. The winery actually looks more like a big country home, and the basketball hoop that adorns the building just adds to that home effect. Burnley, named after the nearby village, is one of the oldest wineries in the state. Walk into their warm tasting room and most likely a member of the Reeder family (and one of their dogs) will greet you. In the winter, the family offers a warm mulled wine and hot soup or chili days. The sitting room in the back of the tasting building contains ramshackle tables and rolling desk chairs that the family must have picked up at office sales. This adds to the quirky appeal to Burnley.

Don't let the quaintness and quirkiness of the location fool you--they make a lot of wine here. In fact many of their selections are offered at retailers like Total Wine. Many of their wines are on the sweeter side, making this an excellent option for those just getting into the Virginia wine scene (it was one of the first state locations one of the blogmasters visited way way back in 2001). Rivanna White (a table white from Vidal Blanc) and Rivanna Sunset (a blush made from Chambourcin) are perfect chili and pizza wines, respectively; the sweetness offsetting the spices of the chili and the pasta sauce of the pizza. On the dry side, they are one of the few Virginia locations that has perfected Cabernet Sauvignon; they offer an unfiltered Cab Sauv full of body and with heavy notes of plum. This is a bold red that will age beautifully, and the price for this sophisticated wine is one of the reasons we urge all Virginia fans to visit the Monticello AVA: $18 a bottle. That's about $10 or $15 less than you would pay for this kind of wine in northern Virginia.

The aforementioned mulled wine is made from their Spicy Rivanna wine. Cinnamon, clove, nutmeg, allspice, anise, orange peel, lemon peel and residual sugar added to their Rivanna Red table wine and can be chilled (for summer imbibing) or steaming hot like tea. We prefer the family-feel of Burnley compared to the next two locations in the Northeast quadrant.

However.....those next two locations, Barboursville Vineyards and Horton Vineyards, are two of the most well-known locations along the east coast. Both tasting rooms can be a bit overwhelming so a bit of warning is needed.

Barboursville Vineyards is what we call "the Smithsonian winery of Virginia." Visiting their tasting room is akin to visiting one of the more popular Smithsonian museums, complete with busy tours of their barrel room and the ruins that are featured on their labels. Tastings at the wine counters can be three people deep of visitors (for that reason we encourage visiting during the week). The famous winemaker here, Luca Paschina, can occasionally be found behind the counter, pouring wine. Totally unassuming and modest despite his reputation as a first class winemaker in the country, Paschina offers tastings of their most famous wine, Octagon, a Meritage blend that stands up against the world class wines of France and California. At $50 a bottle, a little on the pricey side, but well worth the investment for the serious collector. Their Pinot Grigio is our favorite here, and can be found at most retailers in Virginia. A superb dry Pinot, with notes of apple and pineapple. Another popular delicious, consistent winner here is their stainless steel Chardonnay, crisp and dry with touches of pear and lemon notes.

Horton Vineyards is a short eight minute drive from Barboursville, and like Barboursville Vineyards, is ever-present on shelves in Virginia (and surrounding states) retailers. There are so many wines offered at Horton that two tasting counters have been set up in the tasting room: White and red. The blogmasters were actually monitored at the white tasting station during one visit, which was a little off-putting at first, but given the number of wines here, the staff was simply looking out for us, otherwise we would have stumbled out of their tasting room. Viognier is one of the star varietals here; Dennis Horton was one of the first Virginia winemakers to experiment with the grape, paving the way for future Commonwealth varietal experts like Bernd Jung at Chester Gap Cellars and Mark and Vicki Fedor at North Gate Vineyard. Viognier is such a specialty at Horton that they offer a customized Viognier for Total Wine, part of Horton's "Tower series" of wines.

Perhaps Horton's most intriguing wine is Rkatsiteli, a slightly off-dry varietal from Georgia (Russia, not the U.S.) that is unique and offers notes of honeysuckle and tangerine. Only a few wineries in the U.S. offer "Rkats" (as they call it here); the famous Dr. Konstantin Frank Cellars in the Finger Lakes region of New York is another location, and Rebec Vineyards between Charlottesville and Lynchburg has also offered the wine in the past. Horton's Black Cat Chardonnay is another fixture at retailers, and is one of those rare Chardonnays that really opens up when chilled. On the red side of the spectrum, we're huge fans of Horton's $9 table wine, Route 33 Red. A blend of several red varietals, including Cabernet Franc, Malbec, Touriga, Syrah, and Grenache, you can buy a case of this stuff and not feel broke. It's a great party gift wine.

After enduring the crowds at Barboursville and Horton, if you're ready for a more relaxed and subdued experience, we can't say enough great things about the newest location in this quadrant: Reynard Florence Vineyard. Named after the French word for "fox" (thus yet another fox-themed winery in Virginia) and the owner/winemaker's wife, Reynard Florence boasts an intimate tasting room, a low key patio and views of the rolling foothills northeast of Charlottesville. It's an irresistible location that is hard to leave. Owner Roe Allison, a native to the Monticello area and former student at UVA, drew from his experience in the building business and skill as a carpenter in planning the vineyard’s design: A high cordon wire to minimize frost, proper spacing for optimal growth, and high, layered guide wires that maximize sunlight and canopy management are techniques that ensure fine vintages. And his wine is out of this world good, particularly his Cab Franc, with touches of cranberry and tobacco, and Merlot.

Reynard Florence is one of the few Virginia locations working with Grenache, which was one of the blending grapes found in Horton's Route 33 Red. Grenache is a bold, tangy red popular in Argentina as an alternative to Merlot. Roe's favorite wine growing section of the world, Côtes du Rhône, usually offers over 80% Grenache. It's one of the most grown varietals in the world, but its tight clusters make it particularly susceptible to powdery mildew and fungi in Virginia's humid growing season, making it as difficult to grow here as Pinot Noir. Roe devotes attention to his Grenache, and his passion for the varietal pays off, as this wine is usually sold out a month after it's released.

As for whites, Reynard Florence spotlights another Virginia up and comer, Petit Manseng, which is off-dry and not as "spit out" sweet as some other Mansengs found in the state. Reynard Blanc (translation: Fox White) is an off-sweet table wine that is sure to please new wine fans, particularly females, from UVA. Any conversation with Roe is sure to include the cute winery dog, a corgi. As evidenced from this write-up, Reynard Florence is one of our new favorites in the state.

Exploring the Monticello AVA quadrants makes for countless memorable vacations, or weekend getaways, from the high pressures of northern Virginia. Whichever quadrant you select, endless pleasures and delicious varietals await you.

Snapshots from the Northeast Quadrant:

Burnley Vineyards:

Barboursville Vineyards:

Reynard Florence Vineyards:

Monticello AVA Quadrant Series: Southeast

The Monticello AVA is officially "Virginia's Napa." With over 30 wineries (and more to come) surrounding the Charlottesville area, the Monticello AVA contains more vineyards and wineries than most other states.

Those who plan to "hit C'Ville for some wine tasting" should plan their trip accordingly. It's very easy to get lost in the world of Jefferson country wineries. For that reason, we've split the AVA into four quadrants: Northwest, Southwest, Southeast and Northeast.

Each quadrant offers the full spectrum of winery experiences: From industrial, working vineyard vibe, to romantic and intimate, to big event focused spots. With so many wineries in the area, even breaking the AVA down into four sections isn't enough spotlight every location. We'll zoom in on our favorites and also suggest the best route.

We left off in the Southwest quadrant, at Wintergreen Winery, to be precise. A 45 minute drive will take you over to the Southeast Quadrant (don't worry - the drive will go by quickly because of the scenery in these parts). Follow state highway 6 eastbound (which shares the highway with route 29 for about 2 miles), directly through Walton's Country. You may even decide to take a brief detour and check out the Walton Family museum. Those familiar with the classic show from the '70s will recognize the name Rockfish - which is the name of a river that meanders in this part of Virginia (one fork goes through Wintergreen Winery) and a small village that was occasionally described on the show as if it was some major metropolis.

Route 6 will take you away from the mountains a bit, closer to the foothills of the Blue Ridge and the bluffs alongside the James River. The town of Scottsville may be worth a stop for breakfast or lunch (depending on if you overnight near Wintergreen). In Scottsville, take route 20 northbound back towards Charlottesville. The wineries in this region are clustered close together - right next door, in the case of four wineries. Your first stop will be a winery whose namesake needs no introduction: Trump Winery. Being the left-leaning bloggers that we are, we were a bit hesitant to stop by one of The Donald's newest investments. But fair is fair - we are not biased when it comes to wine. And we were absolutely surprised by our experience here (we just ignored the Hummer with the "Don't Tread on Me" license plate in the parking lot).

Trump Winery is the new name for what was formerly called Kluge Estate. If you visited Kluge Estate before they closed in 2009, expect the same type of experience. The tasting room building is identical, although the interior has been upgraded. The winemaker is the same. The inviting tall grove of trees in the picnic area near the parking lot is the same. The views of course are the same. However the wine is better; Kluge specialized in sparkling wines and bold reds. That made for a challenging experience when we visited Kluge on one of the hottest days in 2004--we're not big fans of sparkling wine and bold red in 98 degree heat is not exactly a mouth-watering thought. Kluge was acquired by fellow GOPer Donald Trump in 2009 and Trump worked his magic to acquire highway signs for route 64 immediately. Before the winery was open, his signs were up. (The normal waiting period for these signs is one to two years - and can only be acquired after the winery is open). So obviously The Donald pulled some puppet strings there. Okay, we're off on a tangent - more wine talk, less politics......fine.

Managed by The Donald's son Eric, the folks working at Trump are incredibly hospitable and entertaining. Being an "all purpose" winery, you can spend all day here, as Trump also has a kitchen that serves light fare like flatbread and cheese and sausage plates. Tastings are $8 a pop (that's cheaper than many wineries in Northern Virginia), and the tasting process is slow and leisurely. Several sparkling wines are offered, all of them on the dry side. Of the several sparklings, our favorite was the Chardonnay/Pinot Noir blend (only 5% pinot but that 5% really makes a difference). Chardonnay was our favorite varietal here: Crisp, dry, with notes of pear and apple. In a close second was the Viognier, with its distinct notes of honeydew melon. As for the reds, those familiar with Kluge may remember their well-priced Bordeaux blend called Albemarle Simply Red. When Kluge closed its doors, they had several hundred cases of this stuff to unload, and did so at rock bottom prices. We found Albemarle Red at Safeways, other Virginia wineries (which offered the wine as a surrogate if they were low on a particular red varietal), and the occasional Sunoco station. And at $14 a bottle - to this day we groan about not grabbing more bottles for our collections. Trump replicated this wine, and it's as fantastic as ever, but at $28 a bottle, double the price. This wine is appropriately oaky with notes of black currant and smoke.

All in all we were happy we stopped by and can easily find ourselves back here.

Entrance to Trump Winery:

Located a stone's throw away from Trump Winery is Blenheim Vineyards, which is owned by Dave Matthews. Two celebrity wineries as neighbors, although the crowd you will see enjoying the sustainable tasting room at Blenheim is rather different from the crowd enjoying the elegant, decidedly not sustainable tasting room at Trump. Blenheim employs sustainable practices right down to the screwtops on several of their bottles. This winery packs them in particularly from nearby UVA so arrive early during the weekend for a more intimate experience.

The tasting building is an A-frame like structure that you walk down a hill (or concrete steps near the crush pad) to enter. Inside the building, sound-absorbing wood surrounds you and you're treated to an eastern view of the grounds from the bright tasting counter. The winemaker here is well known in the Commonwealth, Netherlands born and Charlottesville raised Kirsty Harmon, and her vintages are unique and delicious. The wines rotate here from year to year based on the growing season but during our last visit, we enjoyed a Viognier aged in oak that offered a hint of honeysuckle and banana, and on the red side of the scale, their affordable ($15 a bottle) red table wine, blended with Cab Franc, Cab Sauv and Merlot, was our favorite. Past vintages have included chardonnay and a pure cab franc; the winemakers here are perfectionists and prefer to use grapes grown on the property, which also explains the rotating styles.

Entrance to Blenheim Vineyards' tasting room:

Inside Blenheim:

A few miles up route 20 from Trump and Blenheim are two more side-by-side locations: First Colony Winery and Virginia Wineworks. Wineries like the Trump/Blenheim duo and First Colony/Virginia Wineworks are friendly competitors and surely most folks who visit one will most likely visit the other, so all locations win. Plus, the experiences at these side-by-side spots are usually different from one another. First Colony Winery is more of a traditional Virginia spot, with a bright tasting room and several spots inside and out to chill with a bottle of rosé, Meritage or Merlot (our favorite wines during a recent visit). Virginia Wineworks, where Virginia wine legend Michael Shaps perfects his wines, is the definitive industrial winery. The tasting room is in the same building where the wine is barreled and boxed. Shaps also makes wine for other relatively new state wineries like Attimo Winery, near Christiansburg, and Pippin Hill, also in the southeast Monticello AVA quadrant.

We've spotlighted both First Colony and Virginia Wineworks numerous times in past posts. The two wineries share signage off route 20 and gladly refer customers to each other. Virginia Wineworks, about a quarter mile through the trees down the gravel road from First Colony, offers their budget label ("Wineworks") and the slightly higher priced Michael Shaps label. Wineworks is home to the "wine in a box," a great economical concept for parties; just don't expect to age boxed wine for very long. Wineworks has a few picnic tables scattered around the property; not exactly a great cold weather location, but the tasting process is long and highly entertaining; you simply cannot NOT buy a bottle (or four) at Shaps' location. His wines border perfection - both the whites and reds.

First Colony's current mascot (and future winery owner, according to the staff), is Fritz, a friendly and vocal orange tabby who wandered onto the property about 8 years ago as a kitten with two broken legs. Having a resident cat automatically increases the favorable rating of a Virginia winery to the blogmasters, but First Colony is a terrific year around spot.

Fritz, the greeter of First Colony Winery:

If you still have the energy and time after partaking at these four spots, several other Southeast Quadrant locations await you:

Pippin Hill Winery

Wisdom Oak Winery (formerly Sugarleaf)

Jefferson Vineyards

Video Clips: Monticello AVA Southwest Quadrant

A few short video clips of the Notebook's adventures in Nelson County and the Southwest Monticello Quadrant:

Afton Mountain Vineyards (spring 2011):





Democracy Vineyards (spring 2013):




Wintergreen Winery (fall 2012):

Monticello AVA Quadrant Series: Southwest

The Monticello AVA is officially "Virginia's Napa." With over 30 wineries (and more to come) surrounding the Charlottesville area, the Monticello AVA contains more vineyards and wineries than most other states. Those who plan to "hit C'Ville for some wine tasting" should plan their trip accordingly. It's very easy to get lost in the world of Jefferson country wineries. For that reason, we've split the AVA into four quadrants. Each quadrant offers the full spectrum of winery experiences: From industrial, working vineyard vibe, to romantic and intimate, to big event focused spots. With so many wineries in the area, even breaking the AVA down into four sections isn't enough spotlight every location. We'll zoom in on our favorites and also suggest the best route.

The Southwest quadrant sits south of Interstate 64 and the village of Crozet. Most wineries are located in Nelson County, and the vineyards share the land with several microbreweries (Blue Mountain, Wild Wolf, Devil's Backbone). Every time we visit this section of the Monticello AVA, we're torn between Virginia beer and wine. Sometimes we go for both - the view at Blue Mountain Brewery in Afton is second to none, and nothing caps a perfect wine tasting day than a brat and icy cold Full Nelson while looking over the mountains. But back to the grapes....

The Southwest Quadrant houses several of the Notebook's very favorite wineries, so it will be difficult to pin down just four for this spotlight. Your main highways will be route 29 (follow signs for Lynchburg) and county routes 6 and 151. 6 and 151 share the road for several miles until they split near the village of Nellysford. There is adequate signage for the wineries and the routes in this region; Nelson County is proud of its wine trail and makes it easy for anyone, with or without map or GPS, to find their wineries.

At the northernmost trip of this quadrant lies Afton Mountain Vineyards, which changed hands about four years ago and upgraded its tasting room (which formerly was a tight cabin along the private drive leading to the vineyards). The updated tasting room offers one of the finest views in the area, of the mountaintops and a large pond. The Mediterranean-style tasting room is inviting in every season, and the owners are usually on hand to welcome guests. This location grows varietals that are unique (for Virginia), due to its elevation (1000 feet above sea level) and shielded from excessive rain by the Blue Ridge "rain shadow," and dried by the prevailing breezes flowing through the nearby Rockfish and Humpback gaps. Virginia is not particularly known for Pinot Noir, but Afton Mountain Vineyards offers one that is intriguing; the Pinot Noir vines were planted in 1978 and therefore can be labeled "old vines" (for Virginia). Don't expect Oregon or Russian River style here; this Pinot is more akin to traditional French Burgundy, relatively lower alcohol, with a kiss of sweetness, but not overly sweet. Another unusual (for the Commonwealth) wine here is Festa di Bacco, a Super Tuscan style blend of Sangiovese with Merlot, offering wonderful notes of coffee and prunes.
The reds are the star here (they also offer a few Virginia mainstays such as Petit Verdot and Cab Franc). However white lovers won't leave disappointed--they are one of the few state vineyards that has mastered Gewürtztraminer (again thanks to their elevation) and the up and comer alternative to Viognier, Albariño. And they begin their tastings with a sparkling blend of Pinot Noir and Chardonnay.

View from Afton Mountain Vineyards:

You will pass several other vineyards (and a brewery) on the way to the next three spotlighted locations, which are deeper in the southwest quadrant, but well worth the effort to find them. Stop #2 is Democracy Vineyards, which was a presence at state festivals for several years before opening its doors as a winery in 2012. Located on a long and winding road off route 29, Democracy Vineyards boasts one of the most unusual tasting room buildings we've experienced. Their wine is exceptional; having Monticello AVA maestro Michael Shaps as the winemaker isn't too shabby for a relatively new spot. The wine is well-priced too, meaning you can grab a case here and not feel broke. The theme here is recent U.S. history; the winery owners have deep political roots and regardless of your party affiliation, you will find some fascinating newspaper and magazine clippings and posters in the tasting room. The wines have names like Emancipation and Declaration, and the labels are adorned in red, white and blue and patriotic images. The view from the tasting room is more "looking up" compared to Afton Mountain, and because of its young age, you could very well have the place to yourself during your visit. Our favorite wines were the Suffrage, an extremely tasty Chambourcin with notes of strawberry and cinnamon, and the aforementioned Declaration, a wonderful white blend of Chardonnay, Viognier and Petit Manseng; a sweet beginning (courtesy of the Petit Manseng) and a satisfying bone dry ending, perfect for shellfish. The tasting room offers a highly unusual touch - garage doors. They open up during warm months and provide a spectacular view:

The unusual tasting building at Democracy:

Stop #3 is a ten minute drive down the gravel road from Democracy, and has the distinct reputation of being the oldest operating tasting room in the state: Mountain Cove Vineyards. Al Weed (who has dabbled in local politics as well as crafting wine) offers visitors a truly Virginia wine tasting experience. The tasting room is located inside a ramshackle cabin that hasn't been updated since the mid 70s (the tasting room opened in 1974). Al's wine selection has not changed for many years - a red blend called "Tinto," a delicious (and light) red blend of Cabernet Franc and Chambourcin, and Skyline White, their signature wine and the only winery in Virginia still producing this much wine from Villard Blanc variety, slightly sweet with a touch of effervescence. And then there are the fruit wines: Apple, peach and blackberry, which will please fans who may have been disappointed at the dry offerings at stop 2 (Democracy). The name Mountain Cove derives from the location; the vineyards and winery are surrounded by peaks of the Blue Ridge and one feels as if he or she has been temporarily beamed to southern Germany. Al doesn't plan on offering new varietals anytime soon; these are the wines he does best. And with no bottle over $15, you can load up.

The final stop must be in the top ten of Notebook favorites, based on the number of times we've spotlighted this location. Wintergreen Winery is located off county highway 151, near the entrance to Wintergreen Resort. Nestled along the babbling Rockfish River, Wintergreen offers the best of both worlds: A large events building and an intimate tasting room and gift shop perfect for finding holiday gifts for the wino in your family. The star varietal here is Chardonnay; Black Rock Chardonnay offers the perfect combination of crispness and mellow oak (and the bloggers are not fans of oaky whites). Blends rule supreme here and on the red side of the scale, Three Ridges Red gets two enthusiastic thumbs up; a blend of Chambourcin, Cabernet Franc and Merlot, with distinct notes of cigar and tart cherry. This red can be paired with pretty much anything, from shellfish to pasta, mainly due to its blending of lighter and more mineral reds (Chambourcin and Cab Franc, respectively). The picnic tables next to the Rockfish River are inviting every time of the year, including winter if you've brought your coat. Things don't get more relaxing than imbibing in Wintergreen's blends and listening to the babbling river.

There are many other stops in this quadrant of the Monticello AVA that we've spotlighted before. Really, you can't go wrong with this section of Virginia. Wine it, and/or beer it - enjoy the fruits of Jefferson's beloved Monticello AVA.

Featured winery links:

Afton Mountain Vineyards
Democracy Vineyards
Mountain Cove Vineyards
Wintergreen Winery

Other Southwest Monticello AVA wineries:
Veritas Vineyard
Cardinal Point Winery
DelFosse Vineyards
Flying Fox Vineyard
Lovingston Winery

Video Clips: Monticello AVA Northwest Quadrant

Short video clips from the Notebook's visit to the Northwest Quadrant of the Monticello AVA: Mountfair, White Hall, and Stinson Wineries:

Mountfair:



White Hall:

Video 1 (Intro):


Video 2 (enjoying wine):




Stinson:

Monticello AVA Quadrant Series: Northwest

The Monticello AVA is officially "Virginia's Napa." With over 30 wineries (and more to come) surrounding the Charlottesville area, the Monticello AVA contains more vineyards and wineries than most other states. Those who plan to "hit C'Ville for some wine tasting" should plan their trip accordingly. It's very easy to get lost in the world of Jefferson country wineries. For that reason, we've split the AVA into four quadrants. Each quadrant offers the full spectrum of winery experiences: From industrial, working vineyard vibe, to romantic and intimate, to big event focused spots. With so many wineries in the area, even breaking the AVA down into four sections isn't enough spotlight every location. We'll zoom in on our favorites and also suggest the best route.

Avoid route 29. We'll say it again in bold. Avoid route 29. Charlottesville has been experiencing incredible growth over the past fifteen years, and the area of route 29 north of C'Ville resembles Route 7 near Baileys Crossroads mixed with Route 50 through Fairfax on a Thursday afternoon. You get, we trust, the point. Avoid route 29. Coming from Northern Virginia, there are other options, regardless of which quadrant you're visiting. For the Northwest quadrant, we suggest taking route 29 to route 33 in Ruckersville, which is very close to the area where route 29 turns into a parking lot. Follow route 33 west (a right turn if you're coming from the DC area) and then follow country road 810. Your GPS or the most recent Virginia Wine Map will surely help you along.

These back roads run parallel with route 29 and are extremely scenic, in any season. Nearby wineries in the northern section of this quadrant include Stone Mountain Vineyards and Kilaurwen Winery, two locations your bloggers wrote about earlier this year. The roads are quite twisty here, so a designated driver is suggested if you stop by these two wineries (especially to tackle the road leading to and from Stone Mountain).

As you approach the area of the AVA where Skyline Drive and the Blue Ridge Mountains meet the Charlottesville area, you'll come across four locations that craft some of the great vinos in the state. Mountfair Vineyards, which sits at the base of the Blue Ridge foothills and is accessible by a gravel road, specializes in bold reds. This is an intimate location; they even have a policy regarding live music: Acoustic only. As the barrel room also serves as the guest room and entertainment room, this rule makes sense. The wines are complex and perfect for aging here. Meritage style blends are their specialty. We loved them all, but if we had to pick a favorite, it would be "Intertwined," 70% Cabernet Sauvignon, 20% Petit Verdot, 10% Cabernet Franc. And white fans, fear not. They occasionally offer a white from a nearby vineyard, and the owner/winemaker has promised to concentrate on white varietals now that he's perfected the reds.

Next stop, White Hall Vineyards. White Hall is a familiar presence in stores around the area, including Safeway. They are a mass producer. But mass production doesn't mean inferior. This is one of the best mass producers in the Commonwealth, and their wines shine in every vintage, particularly their Gewürztraminer, crisp and flowery with just a touch of sweetness. Their Pinot Gris is French style, with a hint of honeysuckle. Petit Manseng, rising in popularity in the state, is another winner, off dry and brimming with citrus fruit flavors and papaya. For those in your group who were overwhelmed by the hearty reds at Mountfair, White Hall will give them something to toast about. (Red fans don't despair: Their Cabernet Sauvignon is a tart yet silky smooth winner).

Stinson Vineyards, about a mile from White Hall, is an outstanding, relatively new location, with enthusiastic owners, a tasting room modeled after a general store, a unique wine aging concrete "egg" (ask your pourers to see it; it's right behind the tasting room), and tasty selections. There is a good variety of dry reds and slightly sweeter whites here. Their Tannat is nicely priced, compared to Northern Virginia locations; a characteristically deep red wine with elderberry notes and a peppery finish. On the other end of the spectrum, their rosé is light, nearly effervescent, with end notes of bacon. Like other wineries in this area of the Commonwealth, prices are right - prices alone justify a long weekend jaunt to the Monticello AVA.

Stinson Vineyards:

The wine "egg" at Stinson:

As you meander closer to the town of Crozet and U.S. highway 250, you may have the inclination to try other spots, and we highly encourage that. Grace Estate Winery was the subject of a recent blog entry, and King Family Vineyards is an all-time Virginia favorite.

Other locations in the Northwest Quadrant that deserve a shout-out:

Moss Vineyards
Glass House Winery
Pollak Vineyards

Winery URLs spotlighted in this post:

Mountfair Vineyards
White Hall Vineyards
Stinson Vineyards

NEW WINERY SPOTLIGHT 5: GRACE ESTATE WINERY

High atop a ridge in the "Northwest Quadrant" of the Monticello AVA (near Crozet and White Hall) lies Grace Estate Vineyard, which opened last year with great fanfare and support of its winemaker, well-known Virginia vineyard presence Jake Busching. Having perfected his winemaking craft at nearby Horton Vineyards, Keswick Vineyards, and most recently Pollak, Busching has been instrumental in advancing the Commonwealth's reputation for high quality red wines. Grace Estate proudly spotlights Busching on their website and at the winery, with the vow to allow the winemaker to experiment with unusual varietals.

A short drive from White Hall Vineyards, Stinson Vineyards, and King Family Vineyards, Grace Estate's long driveway transports you to a hilltop estate with a vast view of the valley and mountains. The tasting room is located on the lower level of the estate itself, in a wine cellar-like setting that's alternately formal and intimate. Like so many other wineries in the area, Grace Estate is a popular wedding destination, with ample land for tables and tents.

We were expecting great things with the wine, despite the young age of the winery. The vintages did not disappoint. The Chardonnay, albeit a bit on the oaky side, had just the right amount of buttery finish that meshed nicely with the crispness. The Vigonier is aged in steel and offer notes of fig. Le Gras Baril was our favorite, a red blend of Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Petit Verdot. And Jake has crafted a Tannat, a lot less pricey than other Tannats in the state, medium bodied and perfect for cold months.

Finally, a word about "33." Two years ago, before Grace Estate opened its doors to the public, a collaborative effort of winemakers from Veritas, King Family Vineyards and Busching led to "3," which originally was a blend of 33% each of Cab Franc, Merlot, and Petit Verdot. It was priced at $33.33. This time around, the "3" collaboration has led to a white blend of Viognier, Chardonnay, and Petit Manseng, also priced at $33.33, and absolutely delicious with notes of lemongrass and faint butterscotch. But hurry, as this vintage will not last long on their shelves.

The owners and the blogmasters invite you to spend a fall weekend visiting the Northwest Quadrant of the Monticello AVA, and be sure to visit Grace Estate, which appears on the winery map but doesn't currently have highway signs. Look out for it!

Winery URL:
Grace Estate Winery

Enjoy this short video clip:

Remembering original Virginia wineries

As we launch into winery season, a pause to remember Virginia wineries that have shut their doors (by choice or otherwise) is in order. When the blogmasters started their winery travels in the early '00s, these spots were among the few to choose from. It really is hard to believe that in the past eight years alone, nearly 120 new wineries have opened in the state.

Here is a map of the state's wineries taken from a 1987 article from the New York Times. Of the wineries on this map, only Piedmont, Naked Mountain, Prince Michel, Burnley and Barboursville remain open. Montdomaine continues to make wine but does not have a winery open to the public:


Most of these wineries closed simply because the owners/winemakers yearned to retire; they had been making wine since the 1970s in some cases and certainly paved the way for the current crop of wine growers and vineyard owners in the Commonwealth. Others were not so fortunate and closed due to bad business decisions or, in one case, a media fueled scandal.

One of the original Virginia wineries was located near the center of wine action (the Monticello AVA): Oakencroft Vineyard. Owner Felicia Rogan is famous throughout the state as being one of Virginia's original movers and shakers. The vineyard and winery was located slightly northwest of Charlottesville and was the typical picture-perfect rural setting, complete with a pond in front that housed resident swans as well as the usual pond suspects (ducks, geese, herons).

Further north, off route 29 in Madison County, Christiansen Ridge winery made two admirable efforts in the winemaking business - the first in the early '00s and then later in the mid '00s. Unfortunately both attempts failed (the bloggers never got the full story, but based on discussions with other nearby wineries, the mistakes were financial). This was a winery complete with two guest homes - one was a large house perfect for weekend reunions or wedding parties, and the other was a small log cabin, absolutely inviting. This is a photograph of the grounds at Christiansen Ridge:



Close to Winchester, Deer Meadow Vineyard specialized in chardonnay and had a tasting room located past a potpourri of old home furnishings (we didn't want to label them "junk...") and was about as remote and over the hills and far away you could get in northern Virginia. Apparently the owners simply lost interest and zeal in winemaking and found the venture to be too costly.

Near Old Rag Mountain, Smokehouse Winery wasn't really a winery but a meadery, and based on comments by other winery fans as well as nearby wineries, Smokehouse was a one of a kind place with a one of a kind owner. Why he decided to get out of the business depends on who you talk to, but he was the first location dedicated to mead (an elixir made with honey), so for this reason alone we must raise a glass.

Oasis Winery, near Front Royal, was the location owned by the nutso Salahi family. These are the infamous "White House crashers." Even in 2004, when we visited Oasis, we were turned off the place. Their emphasis wasn't wine, but entertaining celebrities (pictures of celebs in their winery adorned their tasting room walls), and their limo business. As of 2011, the vineyards near the former Oasis tasting room were overgrown and sad-looking. Luckily, a few new wineries in the area opened since they shut their doors to make up for the loss, and perhaps Tareq Salahi will think about selling his vineyard to nearby Rappahannock Cellars or Desert Rose Winery.

Finally we must mention Farfelu Vineyards. Located near the aforementioned Oasis, Rappahannock Cellars and Desert Rose Vineyard, Farfelu, unlike Oasis, was a winery we sorely miss. The wine was excellent, well priced, and the grounds (complete with a nature trail and a pond, and bordering a lush evergreen forest) were perfect for daycations. From what we heard, Farfelu closed because the owners retired and apparently no one in their family wanted to pick up the reigns and continue with the wine business. They are missed. These pictures sum up the Farfelu experience:

Vintage: The Winemaker's Year

Vintage: The Winemaker's Year is an educational and highly entertaining documentary about several Charlottesville-area wineries, which takes place over one year of winemaking - from bud break to bottling. The winery owners and winemakers share their thoughts about the rise in popularity of Virginia wine, and several are philosophical about what makes Virginia different from other wine growing regions, particularly California.

The Charlottesville region is spotlighted because that is the birthplace of "VA Vino." The documentary includes sweeping aerial shots of the vineyards usually reserved for Hollywood productions. After watching the 90 minute documentary and listening to the winemakers and vineyard owners analyze their chosen professions and the industry in the state, you feel as if you've spent a few hours at all the wineries featured.

Not every winery in the Monticello AVA is featured, but a good representation, including White Hall Vineyards, Pollak Vineyards, Veritas Vineyards, and Cardinal Point Winery. Featured prominently in the documentary is Gabriele Rausse, whose been involved in the Virginia wine scene since its infancy (1976), and whom many call the "Second Founding Father" of wine in the state (after Thomas Jefferson, of course). Gabriele Rausse does not have a winery open to the public, but you can find his wines in wine shops throughout the state, as well as wine festivals. His wine is definitely a must-try; Old World style and incredibly smooth and tasty.

Anyone with even a passing interest in the booming Virginia wine scene should check this documentary out - for the price of a bottle of Virginia wine, it can be yours. Click here for how to get it.

Slick Vs. Intimate: A Virginia Winery Study (Part 3)

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.

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.

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......

Slick Vs. Intimate: A Virginia Winery Study (Part 1)

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’ll start with the slick spots, move to the other side of the spectrum and review some intimate spots, and then offer a few suggestions that combine slickness with intimacy (which is harder than it sounds).

SLICK:

Barboursville Vineyards
We call it "the Smithsonian of Virginia wineries." Barboursville put this tiny village north of Charlottesville on the map, along with its famed ruins. They've been making wine since 1976 (third oldest winery in Virginia), and Luca Paschina is a VA Vino star - consistently voted one of the best winemakers in the state, and the East Coast. One sip of their famed Octagon red, and you'll be a fan. But the place is touristy - the crowds at the multiple tasting bars tend to be three rows deep on weekend days. And the restaurant on the premises, as good as it is, doesn't quell the slickness factor that much. Visit during the week, if you can. Or try their wines at numerous restaurants in the state (they also sell them at numerous supermarkets in the state, as well as the stray gas station).

Veritas Vineyards
A favorite in the Monticello AVA, Veritas adds a slightly rustic touch, but driving up the impressive driveway to this winery is proof positive that they move wine here. (Slick is not necessarily a five letter word to the blogmasters, despite the tone of this entry). The tasting room has a library quality to it, complete with books and sofas. The wines are rock solid, particularly their Viognier and Claret (red blend). Ample places to sit outside, and the tasting room is always buzzing.

King Family Vineyards
Most Virginia wineries don't boast about their polo field and helicopter used to keep bonfire heat circulating during early spring nights (to prevent freezing). King Family is an institution in the Monticello AVA, and they have the medals to show for it. Rosé may be an unusual choice but our favorite wine here is just that: Crosé (a combinations of the words 'rosé' and the nearby town of Crozet). This is a fantastic dry Merlot-based rosé that is probably the best of its kind in the state. Napa-esque wine in a Southern gentleman-like setting. Definitely worth a visit.

DelFosse Vineyards
A drive to this spot off U.S. highway 29 is deceiving: The gravel road is long, narrow and twisty. Skunks, chipmunks and box turtles will move out of your way. Expecting to see a small cabin amidst rolling meadows and foothills, you come across a scene that seems more fitting for southern France (it's no coincidence that the owner is French). Their vineyards are terraced, one of the few vineyards in the Commonwealth employing this technique. Mountain trails surround the property, and there's a 100 year old log cabin, fully furnished, that you can reserve for the night (or week). As for the wines, Chardonnay and "Cuvée Laurent," a blend of Cabernet Franc and Chambourcin, are the stand outs here.

You really can't go wrong with any winery in the Monticello AVA (Charlottesville/Waynesboro). If big and eye-catching is not your thing, Part 2 of this series will provide some quaint, rustic alternatives.

Virginia Wineworks: Another visit

The Notebook HAD to return to Wineworks (also known as Virginia Wineworks) for another visit, in the sticky July heat of Virginia! Short video:

Winery Spotlight: Sugarleaf Vineyards

Located off state route 20, south of Charlottesville on the way to Scottsville, Sugarleaf Vineyards is just one of many locations that makes the Monticello Wine Trail so special. An extremely narrow gravel road will take you to a grove situated between giant oak trees, mountains, and a large pond. (This narrow road will test your winery hopping mettle, so as the Boy Scouts once said, "Be Prepared.") Sugarleaf started about four years ago, and their wines at one time were above the norm in price. But now seasoned, the vineyard owners dropped their prices a bit to compete with other neighboring wineries, but their quality has not suffered. This is still the same incredible wine served several years ago in the Obama White House. The chardonnay is crisp with a hint of oak, but not overly oaked. Imagine a dry wine version of butter pecan ice cream, minus the sugar, and you wouldn't be too far off. Their vidal blanc, served extra cold, is full of citrus flavor and perfect for these hot July afternoons. As for the reds, not an under average one in the bunch. Our favorite was the pure petit verdot, with licorice and raisin notes. Don't overlook Sugarleaf on your next visit to the more well-known spots in this area of Charlottesville (First Colony, Cardinal Point, Jefferson). Buy a few bottles, admire the favorite tree of their parted former winemaker Dan Neumeister (who tragically died in a motorcycle crash a few years ago), and stay for the afternoon. Enjoy this video, with a cameo from the Sugarleaf resident dog:

Winery Spotlight: Virginia Wineworks

Virginia Wineworks, or "Wineworks" (their new official name), is unlike any other winery you'll visit in Virginia. No "Keg Buses" full of overgrown frat boys, bachelorette parties, or live bands to be found here. This is a Working Winery. And you're aware of it the minute you pull into their gravel driveway. To enter the tasting room (more like tasting basement) of Wineworks, you walk through the barrel storage and tank area. Wineworks makes wine for other Virginia locations, and some barrels have masking tape indicating the names of those other wineries. We were surprised at the geographical reach of some locations - Wineworks is located south of Charlottesville, yet they evidently make wine for some locations in the Northern Neck.

There are two labels here: Wineworks, and Michael Shaps. Michael Shaps is one of the founding fathers of the Virginia wine scene, and his winemaking skill is well-known by anyone with even a passing interest in Virginia wine. The wines on his own label are a little pricier, but we actually preferred some of the blends on the more economical Wineworks label (we had a similar reaction to Ingleside and their Chesapeake label). Wineworks features wine in a box - the first Virginia location to do this. The boxes hold up to three liters of wine. Currently viognier, chardonnay and cabernet franc are offered in boxes; a good start for the Virginia box market as these are three signature Virginia wines. Wine snobs may be put off by the box concept, but for entertaining at a party, or dragging to Wolf Trap, box wine does just fine. Just make sure it's chilled (even the cab franc). The wines are good to excellent here (the boxed wine being in the good category), and the price is right (all box wines are $30 each). As for the bottled wines, our favorite Wineworks offerings were the Merlot/Malbec blend, "half a Meritage" (it's missing two varietals to be considered a Meritage), at $16 a steal and perfect with red meat, whether it's a filet mignon or burgers on the grill. On the Michael Shaps label, the chardonnay was excellent with faint notes of almond and pear. Viognier is produced under both labels. If you go for the full tasting in the tasting "basement," you can try the Wineworks and Michael Shaps viogniers back to back. Both beautifully done, but we preferred the Michael Shaps viognier (not as acidic).

The location is about half a mile through the woods past First Colony Winery, south of Charlottesville. First Colony makes fine wine and their set up is more conducive to "hanging out" (First Colony has been a favorite of the blogmasters for years). Start with a visit to Wineworks, and buy several bottles to go, and then meander back to First Colony to wrap your afternoon up.

Watch our short video on Wineworks:

Virginia WineRoad Trip: Route 20 Trail

Virginia Route 20 is one of the alternative routes to Charlottesville - do yourself a big favor and bail off U.S. 29 in Ruckersville if you drive down to Charlottesville any time of the year (particularly the fall). The highway north of C'Ville resembles Route 7 in Tysons Corner on a bad day. You'll want to stop at 7-11 and grab a bottle of Glen Ellen to survive that highway, thus ruining a great Virginia wine experience that awaits you.

The Route 20 Wine Route starts in Barboursville and ends in Scottsville, which is about 20 miles south of Charlottesville. A few wine destinations (some famous; others not so famous) are must-stops--including Barboursville, of course. There is a small town (more of a crossroads) named Barboursville, but this name is famous for its vineyard and winery, one of Virginia's originals (planted in 1976). If the Smithsonian operated a winery, it would probably resemble Barboursville. There is a restaurant (Palladio) on the premises as well. Rows of visitors descend on the tasting bar every weekend, no matter what season. World renowned for its Octagon red blend, Barboursville wines can be found in supermarkets all of the state (as well as the occasional Sunoco station) - this is a mass producing winery. There is something for everyone here, and the prices are right. The drawback of a place this large is the lack of space for "unwineding." On warm days, you can bring your own picnic and enjoy a bottle or three near the fascinating Barboursville Ruins. Photo ops at nearly every turn.

Driving a few miles south on Route 20, make a right turn off and follow the signs to Burnley Vineyards. Not as well-known as Barboursville (or Horton, which lies east of route 20 on the road towards yet another "ville"-- Gordonsville), Burnley is one year younger than Barboursville; first vines planted in 1977. Most likely, you will be greeted by the owners with a glass of warm mulled wine in hand. The tasting room is the polar opposite of Barboursville's slickness and the room in the back, for unwineding, is a mishmash of tables with folding chairs and old rolling office chairs. Highly unusual, and that describes the wines too. They are probably the only Virginia winery that offers a Red Zinfandel (grapes trucked in from California). A guest house if offered for those who want to wrap up the first half of the Route 20 jaunt.

As route 20 approaches Charlottesville, you can see the quaint city tucked into the foothills to the west. Continue on route 20 south and follow the signs to Jefferson Vineyards, the closest winery to Monticello. Another pioneer of the Virginia wine scene, Jefferson Vineyards is perched up on a hillside and offers a terrific Riesling (semi dry).

After the detour to Jefferson Vineyards (and Monticello for a glimpse of Gabriele Rausse's vineyard on TJ's estate grounds), return to route 20 southbound, and follow the signs to Sugarleaf Vineyards. The Long and Winding Road - a song appropriate for the gravel road leading to Sugarleaf (second after the road leading to Stone Mountain for "winery offroading" in Virginia). Sadly the former winemaker at Sugarleaf, Dan Neumeister, passed away a few years ago in a fatal motorcycle accident. His favorite tree on the Sugarleaf property, which also adorns the labels of their wines, greets visitors to this unique boutique location.

Continue on 20 south, and take a left turn before crossing the bridge and visit the Commonwealth's "celebrity wineries" (which exist side by side): Trump Vineyard (which opened in late 2011, on the property that used to be Kluge Estate Vineyards) and Blenheim Vineyards (owned by Dave Matthews). The experiences at these wineries fit the personalities of their owners to a tee--overdone, expensive, and elite for Trump Vineyard; Earth-friendly, unpretentious and naturally beautiful for Blenheim.

The final two wineries on the Route 20 Trail are next to each other as well: First Colony Winery and Virginia Wineworks. First Colony is one of the blogmasters' favorites in the state - every wine's a winner. The tasting room is more traditional, versus the "working winery" atmosphere of Virginia Wineworks, which is over the hill and through the woods, about half a mile from First Colony. Michael Shaps, the winemaker at Virginia Wineworks, is one of the Godfathers of Virginia wine, and the wines under his name are among the best on the east coast. The more affordable label, Virginia Wineworks, contains incredibly priced outstanding wines (including wine a box....the first Virginia winery to offer this.) According to the tasting room hostess, a picnic area is coming for the warmer months.

One trail, nine wineries, which, typical for Virginia, are completely different from each other. After Virginia Wineworks, find a place for an overnight (a tent will do at this point) and prepare for the next jaunt - the Virginia Route 6 Wine Trail......

Barboursville Vineyard
Horton Vineyards
Burnley Vineyards
Jefferson Vineyards
Sugarleaf Vineyards
Trump Vineyard
Blenheim Vineyards
First Colony Winery
Virginia Wineworks