10 Virginia Wineries in a Day

Winery hopping is a term usually reserved for a day event for winos (with a DD, or Uber, or Lyft, for the day) who visit many tasting rooms, buy a few bottles to go, and then move on. This is something that does not occur very often for the Notebook; typically, we visit 2 or 3 wineries, and then hang out for several hours at the first (or last) winery.

Winery hopping in the past has been best suited for areas where wineries are a stone's throw away from each other: the "banana belt" southeast corner of Seneca Lake in the Finger Lakes is a good example. About 25 wineries within 3 miles, due to the micro climate on this part of the lake that resembles Napa County for growing (the extremely deep section of this part of the lake controls freezing, and the soil is more fertile). And speaking of Napa, that is another wine region where visitors can hop around wineries in close proximity to each other; just select south Napa, central Napa, or north Napa, and do it.

Virginia has not really been conducive to this type of winery hopping. Even wineries in the Monticello AVA, although there are many, require at least 15 minutes of drive time per winery. For years, we've been pondering when Virginia will officially enter the realm of "day winery hopping." Thanks to Loudoun County, Virginia is now on that special map. In particular, the wineries along route 9 (Charles Town Pike), near the West Virginia border. This formerly remote highway now suffers from unfortunate "winery traffic jams" on Saturdays, and some Sundays...especially one frustrating intersection containing what must be the longest red traffic light in the county (those familiar with the Loudoun County scene will know which intersection we're talking about). Route 9 is now the Northern Virginia Wine Highway, and adding Harper's Ferry Road, a right turn off westbound route 9 that cuts a diagonal over to West Virginia, gives winos (driven by someone not partaking) even more to choose from.

We were up to the challenge. So here are 10 Wineries in one day, with winery links, for those who want to follow along. We'll start on the western side and work our way back to Route 7. (Important note: In order to preserve yourselves, we strongly urge doing tastings only; as inviting as the mood may be to "stick around," the nature of winery hopping is to hop).

1. Breaux Vineyards
There is no better way to start the hopping than at this Loudoun County (and Virginia) winery staple. The new tasting building is gorgeous and the views are some of the best in the state. Virginia wine with a Cajun atmosphere.

2. 868 Estate Vineyards
A whopping quarter mile from the Breaux turn-off, this is a newer winery with vineyards at an elevation that gave the winery its name. A bit too early for lunch, but the restaurant on the premises is award-winning.

3. Two Twisted Posts Winery
We suggest turning LEFT when you leave 868, in the direction of West Virginia, to check this even newer winery. Several years ago, they had to open to the public before their tasting room was finished, as they received the Governor's Cup straight out of the chute with their chardonnay. The owners set up a tent near the driveway and this soon-to-be-legendary-Virginia winery was born.

4. Hillsborough Vineyards
Another Loudoun staple, with consistently stellar wines and mountain views galore from their hilltop tasting room.

5. North Gate Vineyard
Take a right as you hit the village of Hillsboro, drive about 2 miles, and one of the Notebook's favorites in the entire state will appear on the right. Wonderful wine, nicely done LEED-certified tasting room, and calming pine forest views.

6. Doukenie Winery
Virginia wine with a soft Greek touch, another long time favorite that also updated its tasting room in the last few years. The painted turtle-filled pond with its "peninsula" jutting into the water makes you want to stay here for hours...but you have 4 more tasting rooms to hit!

The patio and pond at Doukenie:

7. The Wine Reserve at Waterford
The name is a mouthful but this newest location on our list, where Loudoun Valley Winery previously existed, is a winner, and offers a different kind of tasting experience. Whichever you select, "Virginia Tasting" or "Regions Beyond," you are in for a treat.

8. 8 Chains North Winery
Ben Renshaw is one of the top winemakers in Virginia. His wines, especially the reds, are shining examples of what the Commonwealth offers. Ths is the wine The Notebook shared with French wine snobs, who previously would not even think about trying a Virginia wine. They were totally won over.

9. Hunter's Run Wine Barn
A touch of the Emerald Isle in the middle of Loudoun County. Gerri and (occasionally) Annie welcome you and offer some charming wines, including very tasty port-style.

10. Casanel Vineyards or Dry Mill Vineyards (all depends which direction you land on business route 7...)
At this point in the day, your bellies are full of wine, and since you have a DD, or are using a Reston Limo or other service, direct the driver to either turn left or right at the T intersection of route 9 and business route 7 (the intersection past the new traffic circle over the route 7 bypass). Flip a coin if you have to. You cannot go wrong with either selection. Turning left towards Leesburg brings you to the cozy Dry Mill Vineyards, with its rustic tasting building built from an old horse stable. Turning right towards Hamilton leads you in the direction of Casanel, and if you're lucky Nelson himself will be on the premises, entertaining you with stories about his foray into the winery business. Grab a spot in the gazebo on the pond and kick back with a glass (perhaps of water or Gatorade...)

Cheers!

A Day in the Potomac Cluster

As much as we enjoy exploring all of the wineries in the Commonwealth, we seem to land in Loudoun County most often. With over 40 wineries (more wineries than most states), in such close proximity to Washington DC and Northern Virginia (and the western Maryland DC suburbs), these wineries are a natural fit. Not that we would love to check out the wineries in the far-off regions of Virginia the Notebook has not explored yet (for those familiar with the Virginia winery map, the "yellow region," in particular–the wineries in south central Virginia on the North Carolina border). Our day jobs don't allow for such long weekend journeys, and our vacations are usually occupied with family members not especially interested in the winery scene.

We have been to over 155 wineries in the state, with more to come (hopefully). Loudoun County draws us back for the aforementioned reasons, plus the wines are uniformly fantastic, and with such heavy competition from other wineries, the prices are not as high as you'd expect.

The county is divided into six clusters, making a day (or weekend) jaunt to wineries relatively close to each other more enjoyable (i.e., less time in the car driving). Choose a cluster and then select your wineries.

On a whim last weekend, the Notebook descended on the Potomac Cluster, appropriately named as most of these wineries are only a few miles from the river and the Maryland border. A right turn off northbound route 15, onto Limestone School Road, about 7 miles north of Leesburg, leads you to Fabbioli Cellars....a place the Notebook has been visiting since their opening. Anyone with even a passing interest in Virginia wine knows who Doug Fabbioli is, and he was taking care of his guests via tractor, offering to ignite fire pits on a sunny, almost-too-cold-to-be-outside, Sunday afternoon. We skipped the food and wine pairing here, as we know that every wine is a winner. The new round house-style tasting room was open (it had been open for 6 weeks), and bustling with people. Although the previous tasting room was memorable, the place could get packed on the weekends. The new tasting building is two stories, the second story over 21 only....and a ground-level deck is in the works.

Fabbioli Cellars' new tasting building:

The aforementioned food and wine pairings are set up in individual stations on the ground floor of the tasting building. Upstairs, the space is airy, with tables tastefully arranged, and has the potential of being a great wedding reception and parties room:

The Notebook wrote about new tasting rooms in "Washington DC's Wine Country" a few months ago, and Fabbioli's is a worthy addition to the article.

Down Fabbioli's driveway, making a left turn, we pass by Winery 32, about 2 miles up the road (which seems like 10 miles because of the quality of the gravel road). We spotlighted Winery 32 a few years ago, and with other destinations in mind, we decided to drive past their entrance (the 32 peach trees planted along their driveway seem to be doing well). The next stop was The Winery at Lost Creek (formerly known as simply Lost Creek Winery). We haven't visited this winery in over ten years, when it was owned by the Hauck family, one of the first wineries in the county. Back then, their wines tended to be on the sweeter side, although we always enjoyed their location and hospitality. New owners Todd and Aimee Henkle, and consulting winemaker Sebastien Marquet (from Doukenie Winery), have shifted gears and now concentrate on drier Burgundy and Bordeaux styles. Three Chardonnays (two oak barrel aged, and one steel barrel aged), Vidal Blanc, an off-dry (not too sweet) rosé, and three red gems: A 100% Cabernet Sauvignon and two Bordeaux blends. We got the feeling during our visit that Lost Creek, with Marquet's assistance, is striving for the notch above the typical winery offerings in the county.

The tasting room, with its gas fireplace, is just as we remembered. Outside, the location on the bluff invites you to stay a few hours, especially if you're a fire pit fan:

Enjoying a glass of the Lost Creek Provenance, 48% Cabernet Sauvignon, 32% Merlot, 16% Cabernet Franc and 4% Petit Verdot:

After visiting The Winery at Lost Creek, the next winery is literally a stone's throw away. Pushed back from the main road and surrounded by pine trees, the log cabin-set Hidden Brook Winery was the sister winery of Lost Creek Winery, run by the son of the previous Lost Creek owners and his wife. Eric and Deborah Hauck continue to run the winery, and the relationship with Lost Creek next door is no longer "in the family," although it is a friendly competition (there are signs on the driveway leaving Lost Creek leading visitors to Hidden Brook).

As is the case with Lost Creek, Hidden Brook matured from the previous line up of sweeter offerings. Most wine fanatics start with the sweet stuff, and then evolve into dry wine fans. That is certainly the case with Hidden Brook. The current (April 2016) line up of wines contains only one off-dry style, Vidal Blanc. Chambourcin and Merlot are the stand-outs here, both perfect for the unseasonably cold April day we visited. To the best of our knowledge, this is the only true log cabin tasting room in the state, although we have yet to discover the "yellow area" of the Virginia wine map. The surrounding pine trees make you feel as if you're in rural Maine, not suburban Virginia.

Inside the Hidden Brook tasting room:

Kicking back with Chambourcin, which despite its "American" label, is grown and made in Virginia:

The front porch at Hidden Brook:

No trip to the Potomac Cluster would be complete without a visit to Tarara, one of the original Virginia wineries. Stop in and try their latest Tranquility Red.

Cheers!

In Praise of Wine Clubs

As the Notebook "wines" down another year, we thought a shout-out to Virginia's wine clubs was in order. We're here to plug the three wine clubs we belong to (alas, our respective day job salaries do not allow for more than three). But we are very much interested in feedback from other VAVINO fans and their wine club experiences.

Frequent visitors to Virginia wineries should pick at least 1 or 2 winery clubs to join. Typically, one receives free tastings (for up to 2, 3, or even 4 people), "members only" bottle releases, invitations to members' only events, and many other perks. The price schedules of the wine clubs vary from winery to winery, but the "Joining Fee" that so many wineries in the state required once upon a time seems to be a thing of the past, as the number of wineries in Virginia grows.

Pick a winery(s) near your home, for obvious reasons. Although most wine clubs in the state will ship your order (presuming you're a Virginia resident), driving to the winery to pick up your orders is cheaper and gives you an excuse to visit, even during the off-months (January through March). Plus you get those free wine tastings and the VIP treatment.

Here are the three current wine clubs the Notebook are members of:

Fox Meadow Winery "The Friends of Foxes":
This was the first wine club we joined in the state, way back in 2007 (a long time ago, in Virginia winery terms). Back then, most Virginia wineries had a "Joining Fee," which required a payment up front to join the club. With the number of competitors in the Virginia wine industry now, these joining fees seem to be a thing of the past, although Fox Meadow still mentions their "Initiation Fee" on their website. Fox Meadow Winery is a perfect spot for a "daycation;" an easy drive from the DC area (just be sure to leave your home before 11 AM during the busy wine hopping months, April through November), but far enough away (and deep in the mountains) to feel like you're really getting away from it all.

What you get:
-Two bottles of hand-picked vintages (not a bum note in the winery) every two months.
-Free tastings for two people.
-Special "library tastings" for you and your guest (and sometimes all of the visitors who are tasting at the bar when you are tasting, making you a wine hero for the afternoon).
-Invitations to special members only events, such as the Summer Solstice party, where the winery is open for members only until 9:00 PM.
-15% discount on all bottles and 20% discount on cases.
-Use of the Members Only wood stove room, which adjoins the main tasting room.
-Members can bring their own food into the winery (although we usually end up getting their Amish-made cheeses sold in the tasting room).

Willowcroft Winery "Press-tige" Wine Club:
Willowcroft is closer to DC than Fox Meadow (about 10 minutes south of Leesburg), which makes Willowcroft an easy getaway for an impromptu winery visit. The winery is located on a peak of the Blue Ridge foothills, and affords a western view of the Loudoun Valley (on a clear day, you can see Bluemont Winery on the other side of the valley). The tasting room is the epitome of rustic, inside a historic barn. The loft on the second floor of the barn is a recent upgrade and allows Willowcroft to be enjoyed in all seasons, versus just the spring, summer and fall months.

What you get:
-Two bottles of hand-picked wine every two months, with the option to swap a selected bottle for another one (regardless of the price). This is a particularly nice feature as Willowcroft offers many different wine styles, including a few in the off-dry and off-sweet category (which is not the Notebook's favorite style of wine).
-Complimentary tastings for two people, or two free glasses of wine, per visit. The tastings are very generous and usually include more than the typical allotment of wines.
-Invitations to special members-only evening events held February through December.
-15% discount on all bottles and 20% discount on cases.
-Exclusive reserving rights for the barn loft, if you plan to bring a group of wine lovers to Willowcroft.

North Gate Vineyard Trellis Club:
North Gate Vineyard is the youngest of the three wineries discussed in this post. Located in western Loudoun County, between Purcellville and Hillsboro, the eco-friendly winery offers a relaxing patio facing a pine forest, a wood burning fireplace (which shares a chimney with the gas fireplace inside the tasting room), weekend entertainment, and unique wines. The tastings may be paired with hand-made chocolates for an additional fee. This wine club is ideal for those who can't make it out to the Virginia wineries as often as they'd like, due to their quarterly wine release schedule.

What you get:
-3 bottles of wine every 3 months, chosen by the winemakers (although, as the case with Willowcroft, members can swap out a bottle for a different varietal if they care to).
-Free tastings for two people per visit.
-Once per quarter, a complimentary group tasting for the member and up to three guests.
-15% discount on all bottles and 20% discount on cases.
-Invitations to members-only events, such as release parties held in the wine cellar.
-Advanced access to first release of certain wines, specialty club wines, unique reserve wines, and the ability to purchase limited quantity wines.

We would love to hear from other Virginia winery club members, although we could stretch our wallets even more if some of the other wine clubs sound just too good to pass up.

Cheers!

50 West Vineyards: The New Leaves of Grass

January 2015: The Notebook visits an unusual winery up a long gravel (and horrible pot hole-infested) driveway directly off route 50, about 3 miles east of Middleburg. Leaves of Grass Vineyards is the intriguing name, and their wines (grapes brought in from other vineyards around the Commonwealth) were good to excellent; the promise of another fine daycation spot in the stressful environment that is Northern Virginia. Their Cab Sauv, in particular, was delicious, bold and offering strong cedar and spearmint notes.

The tasting room was nestled inside a restored farm building, with inviting glass surrounding a third of the tasting room, which afforded views of the Piedmont foot hills. The owner/winemaker was initially not onsite the day we visited, so the gracious ladies behind the bar (neither of whom spoke English very well) took care of the tastings. We found out the family that opened the vineyard were from Russia, with the owner bringing over not only extended family members, but friends as well. The winery operation was going to be a life-changing affair.

Photos of Leaves of Grass Vineyards: Early 2015

The hosts were so eager to please, the tastings were larger than usual. When the owner finally arrived, he and his large (and friendly) German Shepard (appropriately named Hans) greeted us as well. The normally drab January afternoon turned into a wonderful occasion with fine wine; we both purchased several bottles.

Flash forward to November 2015: The Leaves of Grass sign off route 50 is replaced with a sign reading "50West Vineyards." We drive up the hill on the gravel road, pot holes now completely filled in. Mini Coopers adorn the parking lot (did we somehow beam ourselves to Cooper Vineyards near Mineral, known for great wine, a LEED-certified tasting room, and their annual Mini Cooper festival?) The Russian hosts are replaced with a friendly pourer wearing a Sunset Hills Vineyards shirt. Everything else about the location was as we remember it; the windows overlooking the hills, the outdoor patios, the abundance of sound-absorbing wood inside the tasting room, the absence of a live band (the latter being a major plus for us).

Although we didn't get the full story about what happened to Leaves of Grass and the previous owners, the data we did receive from both the pourer and Diane Canney (co-owner of Sunset Hills) was financial - a big issue for new Virginia winery owners. If adequate research is not done, several years in advance in many cases, the best intentions (bringing more fine wine to the state) could be met with at best disappointment and at worst, a total bankruptcy situation. We hope the latter did not fall upon the previous owners.

A nearby Mini Cooper dealership was having an event, which explained the numerous Mini Coopers in the parking lot. The tasting building at 50West is deceptive - it is much larger than its outdoor appearance would lead you to believe. The second floor was being occupied by the Mini Cooper folks, but the first floor and patios were open to others. The wines during our visit were all from Sunset Hills, which created no issues for us as their wine is fantastic. At some point during the day, blogger David reached into his jacket and pulled out two labels from Leaves of Grass, which were given to him during the January visit, since the friendly Russian hosts that day did not have a tasting sheet listing their wines. The labels were meant to remind the bloggers of their wine styles. If the state of Virginia ever opens a wine museum, these labels would make a nice contribution.

Sunset Hills plans to use 50West as a satellite tasting room and eventually, this location will have its own wine style and label. Sunset Hills has been a favorite of the Notebook since they opened in 2008. It will be nice to enjoy their wine in a less-crowded, less noisy atmosphere (as anyone who has visited Sunset Hills can agree about). A festive mood is great if you're entertaining friends, but sometimes you want a lower key afternoon.

If anyone has additional information on what happened to the owners of Leaves of Grass, please reply to let us know.

New Tasting Rooms Arrive in Loudoun

The Notebook was surprised and pleased to encounter not one, not two, not three, but four new tasting rooms in “DC’s Wine Country” (Loudoun County) over the past few months (and there is fifth new tasting room opening soon.) These elegant new spaces prove that the popularity of the Virginia wine scene is no passing fad.

Breaux Vineyards:
Breaux has been a mainstay on the VAVINO scene for years, and despite their popularity (consistently rated as one of the state’s best wineries offering the finest wines), their tasting room was almost always crammed, and the wait for a tasting could sometimes take 20 minutes (the exception, of course, was if you visited on a Wednesday afternoon around 2 PM.) The owners blueprinted the new tasting building (and adjacent events building) several years ago. They wanted to make them perfect. And did they ever.

The tasting building is bright and airy, offering plenty of room to spread out, regardless of how busy they are. This is the way a tasting building should be; wood dominates in the tasting room, for maximum sound absorption. A host in the tasting room sends guests to spots at the tasting bar that are available, or about to become available.

New tasting building at Breaux:

Under construction (July 2014):

August 2015:

Another major improvement is the patio in the back, affording visitors with breathtaking views of the Blue Ridge foothills. And this patio is “21 and over” and “no dogs!” We love kids, we love dogs…but sometimes you want to escape them. For families with kids (or dogs), there are plenty of other options for you.

The décor tastefully incorporates the owners’ Louisiana Cajun heritage. With so many new wineries popping up all over the county (including one which opened a mere quarter mile from Breaux several years ago), it is refreshing to see an established winery take such measures to improve the experience for their guests. The original tasting room is still used for spillover and smaller group events.

Breaux has always been a long-time friend, and with these improvements, they will reclaim their spot as our go-to winery in northern Loudoun County for out-of-state guests interested in the best of what Virginia wine and wineries have to offer.

Cardamon Family Vineyards and Two Twisted Posts Winery:
These wineries (a stone’s throw away from each other along Harper’s Ferry Road) have only been open for a little over a year, and previously tastings were conducted in tents near their gravel parking lots, quite close to the main highway. We visited their new tasting buildings recently, and they’re both special, and definitely different from one another.

Cardamon’s tasting bar hugs one side of an intimate, living room-style tasting room, and the view of the foothills so close to the house makes one believe he’s in Wise County, not Loudoun County. It seemed as if the entire family was behind the tasting bar the afternoon we visited, and the family made you feel like you were sipping great wine among long-time friends. And as usual, Chuck's salsa and wine pairings were a treat.

Two Twisted Posts’ tasting room is a bit more industrial in feel than Cardamon's; think Sonoma County instead of Wise County. Their story is interesting—they won a Governor’s Cup for their slightly oaked, extremely delicious Chardonnay two years ago. However, they had not finished their tasting building yet, and in order to accept the Governor’s Cup, a requirement of the winery is to offer tastings to the general public. They set up their tent and complied. We loved this location from the minute we set foot and were greeted by owner Theresa Robertson, a charming and witty host who entertained us with stories about her family history and their new adventure.

Zephaniah Farm Vineyard:
Further south in Loudoun County, in the “Harmony Cluster,” lays another perennial Notebook favorite. Zephaniah still conducts their tastings inside their 19th Century house, as the sit-down intimacy of this experience is adored by many. However, a chalet-like tasting building was erected up the hill, with a spectacular view of the surrounding woods and meadows. The owners invite all guests to visit the tasting room and relax, either inside the wood-dominated building (constructed primarily for special events and weddings), or on the porch (appointed with rocking chairs, to give it a truly Southern feel). And this could be the only winery in the state with a swimming pool near the tasting building. Where the owners take Nestea (or maybe chardonnay) plunges after hot days of working in the vineyards?

The new tasting "chalet" at Zephaniah Farm Vineyard:

Finally, we were intrigued by the new circular building on the grounds of Fabbioli Cellars….we understand that their new tasting building will be opening soon. So expect a “Part 2” to this Notebook entry in the next few months.

Cheers!

A 25th Birthday Celebration VAVINO Style in Loudoun County

We toast Tarara Winery and Vineyards this month in celebration of their 25th Anniversary. Wines have been made and served on their grounds since 1989, making them the second oldest winery in a county that now boasts more than 40 vineyards, wineries and tasting rooms (with more to come!) Only Willowcroft Farm Vineyards has been open to the public longer (Willowcroft opened their doors in 1987).

The Notebook was invited to join the festivities this weekend, participating in a 5 Flight tasting in the famous Tarara wine cave, and including wines brought up from their cellar from 1997 and 1992. Winemaker Jordan Harris, a Canadian with a terrific conversational style and dry wit, led us through the flights, which started with four popular whites (two blends, and two Chardonnays, one from 1997), continued with a Cabernet Franc vertical tasting (2012, 2010, 2007 and 1997), moved on to a heavier/bolder red series (Meritage and similar blends), and ended with a flight from their Boneyard series of wines, which Jordan spent several minutes talking passionately about, and a flight from a series similar to Boneyard, "Killer Cluster."

It was suggested we do the "spit out" thing since so many wines were being sampled, but we couldn't help ourselves and swallowed - it was a party, after all! The highlights were the 2008 chardonnay, definitely at its peak as a soft buttery wine with notes of caramel apples and pumpkin, making it a perfect fall choice; the 2010 Cab Franc, bordering port at 15.5% alcohol and rich with espresso and cranberry notes (2010 was a great growing year in Virginia); the 2010 Tranquility Red, a Cab Sauv/Tannat blend named after their vineyard in the Middleburg AVA near Purcellville; the 2010 Commonwealth CasaNoVA (100% Merlot), with notes of licorice and cherry; and "Unrefined White," a 2013 blend of Chardonnay, Rkatsiteli, Sauvignon Blanc, and Petit Manseng, on the Boneyard label, with tropical fruit notes and a hint of sour apple.

About the Boneyard Label:

Jordan shared some personal history; when he took over as head winemaker at Tarara in 2008, he actually discontinued the production of several well known and big selling wines, which he compared to "the Barefoots and Sutter Homes." Those wines, he felt, were fine for the non-discriminating wine fan, but he wanted to set the bar higher for Tarara (he also confessed a resistance to Cab Franc and Viognier, although he understands the wine appeals to Virginians and will continue to work with them). The Boneyard label (featuring amusing images of backhoes and other farm equipment merged with dinosaur bones) is meant to appeal to those who preferred Tarara's old line of "fun, easy to drink" wines. Several of wines on the Boneyard line are also less pricey, so comparisons to Michael Shaps' Wineworks label and Prince Michel's Rapidan River label are fitting. Jordan spoke with much enthusiasm about the Boneyard wines. The relatively low cost of production and price allows him to experiment with newer (to Virginia) varietals such as Rkatsiteli and blending. However, on the other end of the Boneyard scale, lies their 2010 Syrah/Viognier blend (96% Syrah), $100 a bottle and intriguing all the way, with notes of blackberry and beef jerky. This wine will lay down for up to 12 years and would make a great holiday gift to the wine lover in your family.

The Killer Cluster label is another experiment for Harris and Tarara; the grapes come from the Columbia Valley AVA in Washington state, and include Riesling, Marsanne, a new varietal for us, dry and boasting notes of honey and macadamia nuts, and Rousanne, another dry similar to Viognier that we've had at North Gate Vineyards in the past.

Jordan Harris and Tarara's event planners Shawn and Elizabeth lead us through the 5 Flights:

Tarara's location directly on the Potomac river resides above lime deposits not found in other sections of the county, and Harris explained that a micro-climate exists here in the "Potomac Valley." Severe storms that hit other areas of Loudoun county skip over Tarara. As a result, fruit can hang on the vines longer compared to other vineyards. Tarara is not located in an AVA, however one of their vineyards (Tranquility) resides in the Middleburg AVA.

The 5 Flights in the Wine Cave was an engaging cross between a tasting, a tour, and a wine class. We thank Jordan, Shawn, Elizabeth and the rest of the friendly staff, and owner Margaret Hubert, whose home actually connects to the Tarara tasting building, for the invitation and hospitality.

The celebration on Saturday night, September 20, was capped with a performance by "Think Pink," a Pink Floyd tribute band that sounded amazingly like the real thing. The laser show hitting the majestic trees surrounding the stage was a perfect psychedelic touch. Tarara hosts concerts on Saturday nights during the summer and early fall. These are not the typical cover bands you see in tasting rooms all over the state. These are professional world touring acts.

Think Pink:

There is just about something for everyone at Tarara; both on the wine side and setting side. You want to be in the center of action in a large tasting room, or in a quiet spot by the large pond? Both are possible here.

Happy 25th Tarara and look forward to 25+ more years of great wine, music, and fun!

Winery URL:
http://www.tarara.com/

NEW WINERY SPOTLIGHT 8: WINERY 32

Yet another newbie in Loudoun County (they keep coming and coming and coming....see our previous post on the subject), Winery 32 opened a few weeks ago in the Potomac winery of the cluster. This cluster is also home to Fabbioli Cellars, The Winery at Lost Creek, and its neighbor Hidden Brook Winery, as well as one of the grand daddys of the Virginia wine scene, Tarara.

A leisurely 20 minute (due to the gravel) drive down Limestone School Road, directly off route 15, will lead you right to Winery 32's gates (look for the windmill). After entering, you'll immediately notice peach trees that hug the driveway to the tasting room. 32 peach trees, to be exact. The number has several meanings at this location that we won't spoil for you (the tasting room pourers love to tell the story - hint: it's a love story).

A large pond (large enough it could be dubbed a lake) appears in the distance as you make your way up the long driveway. Winery 32's beautiful new tasting building is wood-focused, bright, and airy. There is a loft upstairs open to all visitors, and a separate room behind the tasting room that can be reserved for large parties.

Views of the tasting room from the loft:

The winery's bar is normally staffed by very enthusiastic pourers who run through a relaxed tasting. As the winery is new, it's not as congested as others in the area; however as the case with every other new winery, word will get out and you can expect crowds in the future.

Each bottle of wine has labels that were designed by the daughter of the owners, and reflect the environment in and around the winery. Koi fish (who live in the large pond), herons (who amazingly do not attempt to eat the koi), alpacas (they raise alpacas, small llamas, on this farm), the windmill and the power plant (across the Potomac in Maryland). Admittedly the image of the ugly power plant did not mesh with the natural beauty of the other pictures, but fair is fair. And having two symbols of power (farm windmill and power plant) is appropriate for the wine inside the bottle: A powerful and peppery Cabernet Franc.

The Koi fish bottle houses a table white, off dry but not too sweet (a blend of Vidal Blanc and Traminette). Chardonnay, slightly oaked but not overly buttery, fills the alpaca bottle. A heron graces their Merlot, velvety smooth with notes of elderberry. A complex Chambourcin has a downtown Leesburg image on its bottle. Finally, there are the peach wines, one blended with Vidal blanc and the other a pure peach dessert wine. The former would work wonders with hot Thai or Chinese food and the latter could be poured over pound cake or cheesecake. The peach wines are named after Gloria, the variety of peach tree growing on their property.

Enjoying a bottle of the chardonnay:

Plenty of tables with umbrellas are set up on the deck; alas it was misty and rainy when we visited, but that created a different type of mood:

The Moosher family and the Notebook invite you to visit this beautiful new spot this weekend!

Winery URL:
http://www.winery32.com/

A Few More Newbies in NOVA

Keeping up with the winery openings in Virginia, especially Loudoun and Fauquier Counties, is like keeping up with Beatles singles in 1964. Just when you think you've seen the last one for awhile, six more pop up.

In Loudoun County alone, there are eight wineries appearing on the Virginia wine map this year which did not appear last year. One particular stretch of road in Loudoun now has such a concentration of wineries, a new county wine cluster could be created.

On route 9 (the second exit outside downtown Leesburg traveling west on the route 7 bypass), heading towards Charles Town and Harper's Ferry, WV, so many wineries dot the highway (taking advantage of the easy access and visitors from the entire DC area) that gridlock during the weekends at some of the intersections is becoming commonplace.

Get an early start, head out to route 9, and follow the signs for Harper's Ferry. Along county highway 671 (Harpers Ferry Road), near the popular winery Breaux, a string of wineries have emerged, all creating unique senses of place and some very good wines. One location was not even slated to open its tasting room this year, however their 2012 Chardonnay was a Gold Cup medal recipient, and one requirement of receiving the medal is to have a tasting room open to the public. Two Twisted Posts Winery was up to the challenge, and set up an outdoor wine tasting tent, and is open every other week to the Virginia wine loving public.

"The winery that accountants built" was the impromptu slogan we heard during our visit to Two Twisted Posts. Accounting is the profession of choice for several family members, and their stories are similar to others we've heard from Loudoun County winemakers, who are growing (or grew) tired of the white collar desk jockey existence, and wanted to bond with the outdoors and become a part of a booming agricultural industry. We were served by the owner and winemaker, who originally hails from England with accent fully intact. Their debut wines are two Chardonnays (including that award winner), a Vidal Blanc, an off dry blend of Chardonnay and Seyval Blanc, a Cab Franc, and a Cab Sauv they call "Don't Call Me a Cab," due to its lighter, somewhat sweeter style (the rainy Virginia weather during the last several harvests had much to do with this). All offerings were good to outstanding, and we left with a few bottles of the 2012 Chardonnay. We now prefer a touch of oak versus 100% stainless steel aging for our Chards (a change from several years ago, when we praised stainless steel relentlessly; palates do change and mature over time). The oak in this 2012 Chardonnay was pitch perfect, and the glass had notes of pineapple and mango, with a soft finish (not overpowering like some California Chardonnays).

The wine tent at Two Twisted Posts:

As for the reds, both the Cab Franc and the Pinot Noir-esque Cab Sauv were winners. The Cab Franc is fairly typical of other Virginia Cab Francs, with notes of black pepper and that mineraly finish. The Cab Sauv may come as a bit of a surprise to those accustomed to California or Washington state varietals, but there is a reason Virginia is still viewed as "finding its way" with the reds. The climate in Virginia is just too unpredictable for reds; to quote the PBS documentary Vintage: The Winemaker's Year, anyone with even an minor background in viticulture can grow grapes in the west coast states.

The next newbie along route 671 is a stone's throw away from Two Twisted Posts: Cardamon Family Vineyards. This is another incredible little spot that is still building its tasting room. Tastings are currently offered in a tent up a small incline from Harper's Ferry Road:

The twist at Cardamon (named after the family who runs the location) is "wine and salsa pairings." Chuck Cardamon, owner and winemaker, was stationed in Napa during his career in the Navy. So of course, he had to delve into the winemaking industry, and now crafts some wines that are reminiscent of California New World, but with enough Virginia character to make them appealing to our Old World style tastes.

The wine tent at Cardamon Family Vineyards:

Cardamon's current offerings include Rkatsiteli, a crisp white varietal hailing from eastern Europe that several Virginia locations are now working with (this was our favorite wine here; a nice alternative to the better known Viognier), a new rosé (blended with Seyval Blanc, Cabernet Sauvignon and Petit Verdot), and Batoria (a blend of Cab Franc, Syrah and Petit Verdot - all grapes grown right on their property). He also makes an apple wine that's the driest style apple wine we've had; great for hot summer afternoons.

There are picnic tables scattered throughout the property, including between the vineyard rows, to make you forget you're only a few feet away from a busy road.

Now about those salsas.....several Virginia wineries offer food pairings with their tastings (most notable are Fox Meadow Winery near Front Royal and Fabbioli Cellars off route 15 in northern Loudoun County). Chuck makes several different styles of salsas that blend perfectly with his wines. These salasas (some sweet, some sour, some spicy, some with a touch of salt) change the character of the wine, so if you've wondered how food can alter a tasting experience, this is a place to visit. He sells his salsas, and if you care to check out his recipes, pick up a copy of his book.

The third newbie on this stretch of Harper's Ferry Road is Maggie Malick Wine Caves, by far one of the most unusual spots we've visited in the state. A man made cave built into the hillside of a Blue Ridge foothill is visible as you park your car. The owners excavated the hillside and built the cave made up of concrete, rebar and I-beams. After waterproofing, they covered the cave with four feet of earth. The cave maintains a more consistent atmosphere in all seasons, and this allows the owners to reduce energy costs. And the owners are delighted to be the only winery in Virginia with grass growing on their tasting room's roof.

Because of the elements-proof set up of the tasting room, it doubles as the barrel room. The cave opens up on the other side to a patio with tables, where the entertainment usually resides during the weekend.

Maggie Malick Wine Caves (entrance and inside):

As for the wines, quite a few offerings, which is particularly impressive given this winery's young age. On the white end of the scale, Melange Blanc (a crisp, slightly sweet white blend), Viognier, Chardonnay, Albariño, and Petit Manseng; on the red side, Melange Rouge (a light red blend, for chilling), Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Petit Verdot, and Tannat. A few selections, like the Petit Verdot and Tannat, could benefit from some aging, but not one bum note in the selections. We were impressed that Maggie Malick's offered both a Viognier and an Albariño, as that allowed us to taste these similar varietals side by side. We look forward to visiting again in the winter to see how the climate control aspect is working out.

The Notebook couldn't resist stopping by Breaux, to find out the latest on their new tasting building (a long time coming, seeing how Breaux has one of the tightest - considering their popularity - tasting rooms in the Commonwealth). Almost there!

Visit the Route 671 newbies on your next winery jaunt, and tell them The Notebook sent ya.

Winery URL links (click on winery name):
Two Twisted Posts
Cardamon Family Vineyards
Maggie Malick Wine Caves

A Creek Runs Through It (Part II)

Continuing with our creek/stream/river running through it theme, we visit another creekside location, this one a little closer to home base (Washington DC suburbs...): Creek's Edge Winery, in north Loudoun County near the town of Lovettsville.

We have been waiting for Creek's Edge to open its doors for nearly a year. They were listed prematurely in last year's Virginia Winery Map, and a visit to the winery last fall was met with a disappointing chain across their driveway and an "opening soon" sign.

The creek in the winery's namesake is Catoctin Creek, which flows through the county before emptying out into the nearby Potomac. The creek goes through a tiny historic village adjacent to the winery property: Taylorstown. Currently Taylorstown is made up of narrow, hilly roads (adored by cyclists), and an old general store. Creek's Edge's owners Tedd and Dana Durden, two more examples of former DC-area "office jockeys" who craved an outdoor-based business in Loudoun County's booming agricultural industry, have plans to acquire, renovate, and re-open this general store, making Taylorstown a go-to spot for curio shopping and wine imbibing, similar to the now hip (and larger) village of Hillsboro in the western part of the county.

The driveway, "opening soon" chain now removed, meanders to the winery grounds and once you arrive, you instantly forget you're in highly populated Loudoun County. One complaint we have about some wineries in the county (even the best wineries in the county) is the presence of multi million dollar mansions (don't call them, ahem, "McMansions"). You see these grand estates while enjoying a glass or bottle of wine. Because of this, the fact that you're in densely populated Northern Virginia is ever-present. This is not the case at Creek's Edge. The tasting building (built by Tedd, whose background is in the construction business) resembles a lodge with an adjoining silo. This building sits on an incline between the parking lot and the sloping vineyards. And surrounding the property: Nothing but trees. Granted, we visited in the summer, in full foliage; a trip in the winter may reveal some huge houses behind the trees.

Due to the sloping vineyards, gravity flow is the name of the game here. Their varietals include Chambourcin, Pinot Gris, Merlot, and Cabernet Sauvignon. Ben Renshaw, one of the Loudoun County wine pioneers (along with Doug Fabbioli, Mark and Vicki Fedor, Stephen Mackey, and Clyde Housel), is assisting Creek's Edge with perfecting their craft. Because of Renshaw's expertise, the wines here are mature and complex, despite the newness of the winery.

Probably due to Renshaw's influence, we view Creek's Edge as more of a red wine destination. The Merlot, particularly their 2009, was our all-around favorite; medium bodied yet intense, and not somewhat watery due to the rainy harvest seasons that have plagued Virginia over the last few years. We also enjoyed their Cab Sauv, slightly lighter style with notes of plum and licorice.

As for the whites, the crisp Vidal Blanc (touch of sweetness) and Pinot Gris (touch of dandelion) should satisfy the white fans in your group.

Every time we visit a new winery, we are astounded how unique the tasting building is. Creek's Edge boasts one of the most innovative tasting rooms we've seen; that must be due to Tedd's background. The Amish-built building is appointed with wood - wood, wood, everywhere. The best noise-absorbing material is wood. There is a fireplace for colder days, and the entire room resembles a wine chalet you'd find in the Rocky Mountains. The highlight of the tasting room, something that has already provided hundreds of photo ops (the Notebook included), is the silo. A spiral staircase leads from the tasting room both up and down the silo. Go up, to a loft space that could be a future wine club member area. Go down, to enjoy a bottle at the table under the silo, or visit the barrel room. Plenty of tasting rooms are housed in barns (actual restored barns, or mock barns) - this is especially true in Loudoun County. But we have never enjoyed great wine while looking up at the inside of a farm silo before until we visited Creek's Edge.

The silo from outside:

The silo from inside (looking down):

From the loft:

The winery also offers a nicely appointed deck overlooking the property and the woods. The Notebook pretty much had the place to ourselves when we visited, but word has gotten out. Enjoy Creek's Edge this weekend!

Winery URL: http://www.creeksedgewinery.com/home.html

CHAM-BOUR-CIN Good Times Come On!

Chambourcin is a red hybrid that is becoming extremely popular in the Commonwealth - particularly in the northern part of the state, the region close to Washington DC. This is due to a variety of factors: The soil in northern Virginia (as well as Maryland, and especially Pennsylvania, where Chambourcin has pretty much become the state red) is perfectly suited for it, more so than the southern and central parts of Virginia, and as a Chianti-like lighter (but complex) red wine, it's been called "the red wine for white wine drinkers." For new wine fans just discovering Virginia vino, but still accustomed to bottles of wine with flip flops and cupcakes on the labels, Chambourcin is a great crossover wine to introduce them to drier style reds.

The history of Chambourcin is a bit of a mystery. If you visit a winery that produces the hybrid, you will get a different story about the grape. One winery advised the blogmasters that Chambourcin originated in the Finger Lakes region of New York, in a laboratory at Cornell University to be exact. We have visited the Finger Lakes area numerous times and have found the red varietal in only a few tasting rooms there, so we wonder about that theory.

Another theory provided by Virginia's Claude DelFosse (who we recently discovered passed away last year after a short bout with cancer) has the hybrid's origins in his native France. Being French and possessing that notorious strong opinion, he was quite adamant about this theory.

Based on our research, we found that DelFosse did in fact speak the truth. Chambourcin was developed by Joannes Seibel in the Loire Valley of France, based on a number of undetermined Native American species and Seibel hybrids. Released in the early 1960s, plantings increased steadily in the cool coastal Nantes region of the western Loire Valley in France. It is very possible then that Finger Lakes wine pioneers such as Dr. Konstantin Frank worked with the hybrid, as many Finger Lakes region wineries had their first plantings in the '60s (although as of this writing, Dr. Frank does not offer a Chambourcin).

Pennsylvania realized its soil and climate are quite perfect for the grape, and most wineries in the Keystone state offer it in their tasting rooms. In Virginia, the wine can be found in many Northern Virginia spots as well as higher elevation locations in the Blue Ridge and Allegheny mountains.

Our Top Five Virginia Chambourcins:

It's always a challenge to select five wines in Virginia that stand out as Best of the Best. We have yet to come across a Chambourcin that is not dangerously drinkable in the Commonwealth. This said, five are a little more interesting (complex) than others, and more likely to win over a serious California bold red wine fanatic.

5. Willowcroft Farm Winery (south of Leesburg)

4. Hiddencroft Vineyards (northern Loudoun County near Lovettsville)

3. Fabbioli Cellars (northern Loudoun County near Lucketts)

2. Old House Vineyards (near Culpeper)
"Wicked Bottom" is the name of their Chambourcin and it's the best wine Old House offers (although all of their wines are good to excellent). Complex but approachable enough for those new to (or comfortable with) red wine. Notes of black currant, plum and smoke.

1. Zephaniah Farm Vineyard (south of Leesburg near Willowcroft)
This is one of our favorite wineries in Northern Virginia; in all of Virginia, as a matter of fact. Once you turn on to their gravel driveway, you are transported to a scene that is European in atmosphere, but laid back California or Oregon in vibes. Their chambourcin has won over diehard red varietal (Red Zin, Pinot Noir and Cab Sauv) fans in the blogmasters' families. Bold yet smooth, with notes of black cherry, pepper and leather.

Get out this weekend and open your taste buds up to this intriguing red wine!

NEW WINERY SPOTLIGHT 7: STONE TOWER WINERY

If you've picked up a 2014 Virginia Winery map yet, you will probably be blown away (as we were) at the number of new wineries in northern Virginia alone - particularly the winery and farm friendly Loudoun County (not to be confused with the "old money" grumpy county to the south - Fauquier to you and me). There are so many wineries in Loudoun County (now officially known as "DC's Wine Country") that the county is divided into six winery-heavy clusters: Harmony, Loudoun Heights, Potomac, Mosby, Waterford and Snickers Gap (the latter being the newest cluster in the county). It's easy to understand why so many wineries exist here: Close proximity to the Nation's Capital, tourism, and money. Big money. Many of the wineries in Loudoun county are pet projects of millionaires in the law, real estate, nuclear science, and media fields, to name just a few.

Stone Tower Winery, in the Harmony cluster (that heavily forested area south of Leesburg, straddling route 15, with several criss-crossing dirt roads winding up and down the hills), is the wine project of the Belfort Furniture family. Any resident of northern Virginia will be familiar with this furniture giant. We expected an impressive space when we visited Stone Tower, and we were not disappointed.

The tasting room is currently housed in a very large barn, not unlike others in the county, but with a more industrial, curious garage feel. This barn serves as the temporary tasting room as a new structure is built in the fields:

The current tasting room/barn will be used for events. This will be a major player in the wedding and events scene in the state. And with more quaint and intimate Willowcroft Farm and Zephaniah Farm Vineyards also located in the Harmony cluster (just down the dirt roads as a matter of fact), wine fans can experience rustic and slick in one afternoon.

But slickness does not mean inferior. There are ample places to stretch out at Stone Tower, all the more impressive since they're still in the infancy stage (they were installing indoor plumbing on the day we visited). There is a winery pond, of course, situated below the sloping hills. There are also curious entrances to what appears to be a wine cellar near the pond. With the bulldozers and backhoes making their presence known during the construction phase, we didn't venture too close to the pond to investigate. There is also an odd looking dome-tent like structure near the entrance to the property. Our pourer told us the owners are fans of Tolkien, so who knows what surprises they have in store for visitors in the future.

The wine is very good, taking into consideration the newness of the establishment. The tasting begins with a sparkling wine they dub "Wild Boar," off-dry and palate energizing, we suspect this wine will be popular with both Easter ham and/or Easter omelets. Next up are two chardonnays, one crisp and less oaky, the other with a touch of oak and butterscotch (but luckily not too oaky).
Viognier rounded out the whites, aged in both French oak and a concrete egg (popularized by another Virginia winery, Stinson Vineyards.) This viognier is wonderful, crisp and slightly zesty, with notes of honeydew melon and a nose of tulips (continuing on the spring/Easter theme...)

Having nearly perfected two popular Virginia white varietals, Stone Tower also offers a fine red blend called Wild Boar Sanglier Noble, 51% Cabernet Sauvignon, 47% Merlot, and 2% Petit Verdot. Black cherries, fig and cinnamon notes abound this deep red, which will age beautifully.

The variety of what can be found in a microcosm of VAVINO as a whole is ready to be discovered in Loudoun County, and the Harmony Cluster. We are encouraged by the wines and location at Stone Tower and will be ready to visit again soon, and get the skinny on those mysterious structures and doorways.....

Stone Tower website URL: http://stonetowerwinery.com/index.html

NEW WINERY SPOTLIGHT 6: THE BARNS AT HAMILTON STATION

The Notebook confesses that The Barns at Hamilton Station Vineyards is not exactly new, especially since wineries in Loudoun County are opening faster than we can keep track of. However we thought for the past two years that The Barns (as they like to be called) was an offshoot of nearby Hunters Run Wine Barn, partially due to its name. We also knew that Hunters Run's owners, Geri and Greg Nolan, were planning to expand their location, so color us confused.

The Barns, like Hunters Run, is technically located in the small town of Hamilton, which has a distinctive yet small "downtown" that straddles business route 7 between Leesburg and Purcellville. Most folks skip the business route in favor of the more familiar bypass, but there are some charming old homes in Hamilton. Postal codes are wacky in Loudoun County. Notaviva Vineyards, a mere 2 miles from the West Virginia border, is located in Purcellville, according to the post office. However the downtown of Purcellville is about 15 miles away from Notaviva. Sunset Hills Vineyards, which is very close to the Hamilton-listed Barns at Hamilton Station, also has a Purcellville address. One day we'd like to see a historic map of the county to see how these town limits appeared; probably similar to the large "townships" found in other states like Pennsylvania (townships are more like mini counties than traditional towns).

Enough geography....on to the location, and the wine. The Barns at Hamilton Station is, big surprise, located inside a barn, like so many wineries in the county. As the case with nearby Sunset Hills Vineyards and Willowcroft, the barn has been lovingly restored, and the builders incorporated artifacts found scattered around the pre-restoration barn (such as old license plates and rusty tools) into the tasting room décor. While the barn at Sunset Hills received a rather slick upgrade courtesy of crafty Amish carpenters, the barn at Barns at Hamilton Station retains more ruggedness. Plus, a gas fireplace (real wood fire being understandably too hazardous). Wood naturally absorbs sound, so even when the location gets crowded (and the inevitable live band is playing), you can still hear your table's conversation. Needless to say, the interior of The Barns works wonders during the cold months:

The Barn has a lower level that is rented for events (there was a wedding supply "Expo Hall" type exhibit going on the day we visited). Wedding supplies and winery....sounds like a match made in heaven. If there is an event in this space, the parking lot of the Barns at Hamilton Station may look busier than the tasting room itself is, so don't let that discourage you from visiting the winery.

The wine offerings are fairly typical of what you would find in Virginia: Viognier, with notes of apricot and fig; Chardonnay, slightly oaked and a bit more complex than other Chardonnays found in the area; Cab Franc, a bit lighter than other Francs offering notes of cherry; Merlot, a bit light and with a nice hint of oak. Nothing truly remarkable (yet...) about these wines but all good and satisfying. This is a new location and their prices are more competitive than other new wineries, which frequently price their wines on the high side ($25 and up) to make up for initial expenses. You can get away with that pricing in "recession proof" Northern Virginia, so we were pleased with The Barns' decision to keep prices a little lower (however no bottle is less than $20).

Since this winery is in Northern Virginia, expect to wait for a tasting. This is becoming the norm in the area, unless you get out to winery country early (arrive by opening time, 11 AM for most locations). Despite the number of new wineries in Loudoun County, the tasting rooms are always hopping. And Loudoun County now unfortunately suffers from "winery gridlock" on the roads, particularly route 9 (Charles Town Pike) heading from route 7 towards Harpers Ferry and Charles Town, where many wineries dot the highway. The Barns compensates for their busy factor by offering an ancillary tasting table, created with flat piece of wood and two barrels, as well as their regular tasting bar on busy days.

Outside, a deck, with a view of an unusual shaped pond, lets you forget you're only 8 minutes from downtown Leesburg. We were happy to see no McMansions in sight, which is becoming rare for wineries in the county. With such close proximity to the DC area, The Barns make a terrific all-day getaway, and if you crave other wineries, the aforementioned Hunters Run Wine Barn and Sunset Hills Winery are only a few minutes away (relatively speaking, depending on the traffic on route 9....).

The tasting barn at The Barns. Firepits await you outside, but arrive early to grab one:

The deck at The Barns:

Link for winery:
Barns at Hamilton Station