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!
Showing posts with label Virginia. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Virginia. Show all posts
Friday, June 6, 2014
Saturday, May 17, 2014
Vino Movies: Take III
Continuing in our series of the Top Five flicks to watch while imbibing VAVINO's finest, we move on to pick #3, a movie that was released in 2004, the year Virginia winery openings skyrocketed (about 30 new wineries opened between 2003 and 2006), and the year the Notebook blogmasters ramped up our winery hopping in a very big way:
Sideways
This movie came out ten years ago, but you still hear the movie and its characters mentioned in tasting rooms all over the country (especially if Merlot is brought out during the tasting process). The movie was a sleeper box office hit and Award winner (nominated for multiple Oscars including Best Picture), and its impact on the general wine buying public was so widespread that Merlot sales nationwide actually declined by about 25% between 2004 and 2006! And, on the flip side, American interest in Pinot Noir increased by about the same percentage.
The movie is actually more of a deep character study than a film about wine and vineyards, but the cinematography during Miles' and Jack's escapade into central California coast wine country is beautiful and the idea of "bringing your buddy out for partying before tieing the knot" is not too far removed from other male bonding comedies, particularly Swingers.
Most wine fans have seen this film so there's no need to delve too much into the plot. Director Alexander Payne knows how to hook an audience with real characters and believable situations (his other films include About Schmidt with Jack Nicholson, The Descendants with George Clooney and most recently, Nebraska, with Bruce Dern). For Sideways, realism is not as high when Miles and Jack enter the tasting rooms (the blogmasters, two straight guys into wine and tasting rooms, have never hooked up with women at restaurants near wineries, or women working in tasting rooms, who are 100% unattached). But the friendship between Miles and Jack, on opposite ends of the spectrum regarding their respective outlooks on life, is undoubtedly one of the best Hollywood friendships in '00s cinema.
The movie is filled with colorful vulgarity and some intense sex scenes (not to mention some hilarious full frontal male nudity), so you'll never see this movie showing during business hours in a tasting room (compared to our soon-to-be-revealed second and first choices as quintessential winery movies).
So, if you haven't seen this wonderful film, you may be asking "why did Merlot sales drop by 25% after this movie came out?" Miles, wonderfully played by Paul Giamatti (who brought some of Miles into every character he's played since, including John Adams), makes his disdain for the red wine (which was booming in popularity with yuppies in the 1990s) well-known (complete with the F word), when his traveling, soon-to-be-hitched, womanizing buddy Jack insists he keeps his mouth shut if their dates want to order Merlot at a restaurant. Jack is played by Thomas Hayden Church, then only known to most viewers from TV's "Wings," and embodied Jack to the point where you simply cannot imagine any other actor (including superstars like George Clooney or Brad Pitt) in the role.
The film also introduced Pinot Noir to many Americans, who actively sought out the temperamental grape and wine after hearing Miles obsess over it. Miles also mentions Riesling (in a positive context) and Virginia's red Cabernet Franc (in a negative context) in the film, but luckily the comment about Cab Franc didn't deter wine newbies from trying that varietal in Virginia tasting rooms.
There are millions of people who adore this movie, and almost as many who detest it. The bloggers have encountered many people (mostly women, for some strange reason) who hate the movie. While Jack's (and to a lesser degree, Miles') actions are not always sympathetic, this is a character study, not a silly slapstick yuckfest where males do stereotypical "dumb guy" (and pathetic) things (aka The Hangover and the sequels).
To fully enjoy (or enjoy for the fourth or fifth time) Sideways, bottles of Pinot Noir (and Riesling) are highly encouraged. Virginia is not as well-suited to Pinot Noir growing compared to central and northern coast California, Oregon and New York's Finger Lakes (the film explains why Pinot Noir is so finicky to grow). But a few wineries in the Commonwealth, which boast vineyards at higher elevations compared to most other wineries in the state, offer Pinot Noir. Of course, don't expect a Pinot Noir with the complexity (and high ABV) of an Oregon and Sonoma Pinot, but these winery's Pinots are unique in their own way:
Rockbridge Vineyard (north of Lexington)
Afton Mountain Vineyards (south of Waynesboro)
Ox Eye Vineyards (Staunton)
As for Riesling, another difficult-to-grow grape in Virginia, visit these tasting rooms:
Shenandoah Vineyards (near Woodstock, VA)
Prince Michel Vineyards (south of Culpeper)
Doukenie Winery (Loudoun County)
To whet (or re-whet) your palate for Sideways, check out this clip, one of the quietest and most emotional scenes in the film, where Miles' love interest Maya (played by Oscar nominated Virginia Madsen) explains what wine means to her:
And click here if you missed the Notebook's last two top Vino Movie entries (#4 and 5).
Sideways
This movie came out ten years ago, but you still hear the movie and its characters mentioned in tasting rooms all over the country (especially if Merlot is brought out during the tasting process). The movie was a sleeper box office hit and Award winner (nominated for multiple Oscars including Best Picture), and its impact on the general wine buying public was so widespread that Merlot sales nationwide actually declined by about 25% between 2004 and 2006! And, on the flip side, American interest in Pinot Noir increased by about the same percentage.
The movie is actually more of a deep character study than a film about wine and vineyards, but the cinematography during Miles' and Jack's escapade into central California coast wine country is beautiful and the idea of "bringing your buddy out for partying before tieing the knot" is not too far removed from other male bonding comedies, particularly Swingers.
Most wine fans have seen this film so there's no need to delve too much into the plot. Director Alexander Payne knows how to hook an audience with real characters and believable situations (his other films include About Schmidt with Jack Nicholson, The Descendants with George Clooney and most recently, Nebraska, with Bruce Dern). For Sideways, realism is not as high when Miles and Jack enter the tasting rooms (the blogmasters, two straight guys into wine and tasting rooms, have never hooked up with women at restaurants near wineries, or women working in tasting rooms, who are 100% unattached). But the friendship between Miles and Jack, on opposite ends of the spectrum regarding their respective outlooks on life, is undoubtedly one of the best Hollywood friendships in '00s cinema.
The movie is filled with colorful vulgarity and some intense sex scenes (not to mention some hilarious full frontal male nudity), so you'll never see this movie showing during business hours in a tasting room (compared to our soon-to-be-revealed second and first choices as quintessential winery movies).
So, if you haven't seen this wonderful film, you may be asking "why did Merlot sales drop by 25% after this movie came out?" Miles, wonderfully played by Paul Giamatti (who brought some of Miles into every character he's played since, including John Adams), makes his disdain for the red wine (which was booming in popularity with yuppies in the 1990s) well-known (complete with the F word), when his traveling, soon-to-be-hitched, womanizing buddy Jack insists he keeps his mouth shut if their dates want to order Merlot at a restaurant. Jack is played by Thomas Hayden Church, then only known to most viewers from TV's "Wings," and embodied Jack to the point where you simply cannot imagine any other actor (including superstars like George Clooney or Brad Pitt) in the role.
The film also introduced Pinot Noir to many Americans, who actively sought out the temperamental grape and wine after hearing Miles obsess over it. Miles also mentions Riesling (in a positive context) and Virginia's red Cabernet Franc (in a negative context) in the film, but luckily the comment about Cab Franc didn't deter wine newbies from trying that varietal in Virginia tasting rooms.
There are millions of people who adore this movie, and almost as many who detest it. The bloggers have encountered many people (mostly women, for some strange reason) who hate the movie. While Jack's (and to a lesser degree, Miles') actions are not always sympathetic, this is a character study, not a silly slapstick yuckfest where males do stereotypical "dumb guy" (and pathetic) things (aka The Hangover and the sequels).
To fully enjoy (or enjoy for the fourth or fifth time) Sideways, bottles of Pinot Noir (and Riesling) are highly encouraged. Virginia is not as well-suited to Pinot Noir growing compared to central and northern coast California, Oregon and New York's Finger Lakes (the film explains why Pinot Noir is so finicky to grow). But a few wineries in the Commonwealth, which boast vineyards at higher elevations compared to most other wineries in the state, offer Pinot Noir. Of course, don't expect a Pinot Noir with the complexity (and high ABV) of an Oregon and Sonoma Pinot, but these winery's Pinots are unique in their own way:
Rockbridge Vineyard (north of Lexington)
Afton Mountain Vineyards (south of Waynesboro)
Ox Eye Vineyards (Staunton)
As for Riesling, another difficult-to-grow grape in Virginia, visit these tasting rooms:
Shenandoah Vineyards (near Woodstock, VA)
Prince Michel Vineyards (south of Culpeper)
Doukenie Winery (Loudoun County)
To whet (or re-whet) your palate for Sideways, check out this clip, one of the quietest and most emotional scenes in the film, where Miles' love interest Maya (played by Oscar nominated Virginia Madsen) explains what wine means to her:
And click here if you missed the Notebook's last two top Vino Movie entries (#4 and 5).
Saturday, May 3, 2014
Virginia Varietal Spotlight: Petit Verdot
To fans of Virginia wine, Cab Franc may be the be-all, end-all of red varietals common to the Commonwealth. As the earthy, smooth red grows so well in the state, it's easy to understand why (you'd be hard presssed to visit a Virginia winery that does not offer a Cab Franc). But other reds are snapping at Cab Franc's heels, with promises to stand beside Franc as the signature red representing the state.
Petit Verdot belongs on that list of reds, along with Norton, Chambourcin, and up and comers like Lemberger. Petit Verdot is known throughout the world as a Bordeaux blend, commonly used along with Merlot, Malbec, Cab Franc and/or Cab Sauv, to create popular wines such as Meritage. When used for blending, Petit Verdot is usually on the lower end of the scale (below 10% in some cases), mainly to add tanins and complexity to the wine. However stand-alone Petit Verdot is gaining acclaim and popularity, especially in Virginia (as well as California, Texas and Washington state), due to its ability to age gracefully and accompany hearty meat dishes. But, like many other unique New World reds, stand-alone Petit Verdot may get some getting used to.
We discovered stand-alone Petit Verdot about seven years ago at Glen Manor Vineyards. Their 2005 Petit Verdot is the most prized bottle on David's wine rack, at the time pretty expensive ($28), but getting better by the year. Given its complex character, the notes that surround Petit Verdot range from vanilla and nutmeg to blackberry and plum to licorace and molasses. Petit Verdot tends to have a high alcohol content, only adding to its ability to age gracefully. Most Petit Verdots from a recent year that we've tried had a bit too much bite to them. In the "open and enjoy now" mindset of many new Virginia wine fans, these notes don't lend well to picking up bottles to go. As a result, most Virginia wineries grow Petit Verdot mainly to blend with other reds.
Glen Manor Vineyards does not offer a stand-alone Petit Verdot at this time. Following in the lead set by winemaker Jeff White's mentor Jim Law of Linden Vineyards, Glen Manor only develops the grape into a stand-alone wine if the growing season and harvest is perfectly suited to the varietal. And given the unpredictable nature of Virginia's weather, this is fairly rare. Besides 2005, Glen Manor offered 2007 and 2009 vintages of Petit Verdot (there is something about those odd numbered years).
Where to try stand-alone Petit Verdot now:
If you don't feel like waiting for the next International Award winning Petit Verdot produced by Glen Manor, there are other wineries in the state that offer it; their Petit Verdots may not be the perfectionist quality of Glen Manor, but some drinkers may actually prefer the wines offered by other locations. With wine, it's all about the taste buds of the participant. Below are wineries (hyperlinked to website) that offer distinctive Petit Verdots. Give it a try. And imagine this wine with a juicy steak or warm bowl of stew.
Ingleside Vineyards (Northern Neck)
General's Ridge Vineyards (Northern Neck)
Potomac Point Winery (Stafford)
James River Cellars (north of Richmond)
Willowcroft (Loudoun County)
Roger's Ford Winery (near Culpeper)
Petit Verdot belongs on that list of reds, along with Norton, Chambourcin, and up and comers like Lemberger. Petit Verdot is known throughout the world as a Bordeaux blend, commonly used along with Merlot, Malbec, Cab Franc and/or Cab Sauv, to create popular wines such as Meritage. When used for blending, Petit Verdot is usually on the lower end of the scale (below 10% in some cases), mainly to add tanins and complexity to the wine. However stand-alone Petit Verdot is gaining acclaim and popularity, especially in Virginia (as well as California, Texas and Washington state), due to its ability to age gracefully and accompany hearty meat dishes. But, like many other unique New World reds, stand-alone Petit Verdot may get some getting used to.
We discovered stand-alone Petit Verdot about seven years ago at Glen Manor Vineyards. Their 2005 Petit Verdot is the most prized bottle on David's wine rack, at the time pretty expensive ($28), but getting better by the year. Given its complex character, the notes that surround Petit Verdot range from vanilla and nutmeg to blackberry and plum to licorace and molasses. Petit Verdot tends to have a high alcohol content, only adding to its ability to age gracefully. Most Petit Verdots from a recent year that we've tried had a bit too much bite to them. In the "open and enjoy now" mindset of many new Virginia wine fans, these notes don't lend well to picking up bottles to go. As a result, most Virginia wineries grow Petit Verdot mainly to blend with other reds.
Glen Manor Vineyards does not offer a stand-alone Petit Verdot at this time. Following in the lead set by winemaker Jeff White's mentor Jim Law of Linden Vineyards, Glen Manor only develops the grape into a stand-alone wine if the growing season and harvest is perfectly suited to the varietal. And given the unpredictable nature of Virginia's weather, this is fairly rare. Besides 2005, Glen Manor offered 2007 and 2009 vintages of Petit Verdot (there is something about those odd numbered years).
Where to try stand-alone Petit Verdot now:
If you don't feel like waiting for the next International Award winning Petit Verdot produced by Glen Manor, there are other wineries in the state that offer it; their Petit Verdots may not be the perfectionist quality of Glen Manor, but some drinkers may actually prefer the wines offered by other locations. With wine, it's all about the taste buds of the participant. Below are wineries (hyperlinked to website) that offer distinctive Petit Verdots. Give it a try. And imagine this wine with a juicy steak or warm bowl of stew.
Ingleside Vineyards (Northern Neck)
General's Ridge Vineyards (Northern Neck)
Potomac Point Winery (Stafford)
James River Cellars (north of Richmond)
Willowcroft (Loudoun County)
Roger's Ford Winery (near Culpeper)
Thursday, March 13, 2014
Virginia Wineries Proudly Going to the Dogs
Dogs and vineyards are made for each other. Just look at the number of coffee table photograph books devoted to winery dogs - especially Virginia wine dogs. Dogs serve a function both inside the tasting room, and in the vineyards. In the tasting room, they greet guests with tails wagging and affection, and then of course show up when any guest takes a seat and pops open a bottle, and brings out the baguette and cheese or meat, or crackers, or cupcakes (we suspect the resident canines are not very interested in the vino....)
Most breeds of dogs are people pleasers, and love to be in the center of the action, which makes a busy tasting room a happy home. In the vineyards, they keep deer, foxes, crows and even bears away from the grapes. You would be hard pressed to find a winery in the Commonwealth that isn't ruled by a dog or two (or three, or four). And many locations also welcome guests to bring their dogs along - leashed, or even unleashed.
The Notebook has many favorite dog day wineries. Because dogs are such a mainstay at so many wineries, we'll narrow our favorites to five. These locations not only have memorable dogs, they actively encourage folks to bring their favorite pets along. And some have built the dog theme into the promotion of their wines.
5. Reynard Florence Vineyard (north of Charlottesville)
One of the newer wineries in the Monticello AVA, Reynard Florence is home to several surprising twists on the usually too sweet (for our palates) Petit Manseng. Another unusual (for Virginia) red found here is Grenache, a hearty bold varietal popular in Argentina and Chile. Most likely visitors will be welcomed by Ray, the corgi. Ray will hang around your feet during the entire tasting process, hoping for a taste of the wine, or better yet, a palate cleansing biscuit you may drop (by accident, or on purpose).
We were completely knocked out by our tasting experience here late last year; the wines are beautiful and the views of the foothills are what you come to expect in this area of the state. We can't wait to return in warmer weather and hang out with the owners, and Ray of course, again.
4. Unicorn Winery (west of Warrenton)
The resident dog at Unicorn is Franc, named after one of Virginia's most popular varietals. A standard schnauzer, Franc is mellow and quiet; unusual for one of the blogmasters used to the more hyperactive behavior of the terriers. Franc has been won best in breed in local dog shows and it's easy to see why. He exudes class, like the wines at Unicorn.
If you bring your own dog to Unicorn, there is ample room to let him run free. Walk down the hill and experience the narrowest sections of the Rappahannock River. Your dog will love jumping around in the river while you toast the day with a bottle of Unicorn Meritage, our favorite wine here.
3. Sharp Rock Vineyards (near Sperryville)
Another winery with lots of open space, perfect for dogs (leashed or unleashed), is another one of our favorites in the state: Sharp Rock, on the edge of Skyline Drive (you can see Old Rag Mountain from the property). Like Unicorn, the winery borders a river (the Hughes River in this case, which flows into the Shenandoah), and some visitors have taken to fly fishing while imbibing in Jimm and Kathy's wonderful creations (our current favorite is their Rosé Noir).
An entire page of their website is dedicated to their dogs, some sadly having passed. But there are always four legged friends to be found romping around the fields here.
http://www.sharprockvineyards.com/dogs.html
2. Chateau Morrisette Winery (off Blue Ridge Parkway near Floyd)
If you've picked up a bottle of Chateau Morrisette wine at Whole Foods or Harris Teeter (they are mass producer; one of the biggest wineries in the state), you will be familiar with the dog motif on the bottle. This is the original dog winery in Virginia; they have been crafting their canine-themed wines since 1982. Being situated a few steps away from the Blue Ridge Parkway guarantees a great view. And despite the vastness of the property and tasting room, every guest is treated like a member of the family here.
The owners call the location "The Winery that Dogs Built." Proceeds from the sales of certain bottles of their mass produced wine goes to animal rescue foundations. So you're imbibing in a good cause here. Their dog history is outlined on a dedicated page of their website:
http://www.thedogs.com/visit/the-winery-than-dogs-built.html
1. Barrel Oak Winery (Delaplane)
Those who've been to Barrel Oak Winery (or as they like to be called, BOW) will agree: There is no bigger dog fanatical winery in the state. Chateau Morrisette paved the way for the dog theme and BOW takes it to the hilt. Three of their resident dogs (Birch, Justice, and Peanut) actually serve as "avatar tourguides" of their website. And since our last visit, two new four legged buddies have entered the scene: Shell and Simba. Apparently none of the resident pups have issues with sharing their lair with the hundreds of dogs that visit BOW every week (sometimes all during the weekend).
Peanut:
Regardless of season, every weekend is a party here, and owner Brian Roeder is usually in the tasting room, making a point to say hi to every visitor, regardless of how busy they are. Our favorite season has to be summer - they are one of the few wineries open until 9 PM on Friday and Saturday night during the summer. Imagine being at a mini Wolf Trap, with emphasis on wine over music (although music is always in the air, audibly and visually confined to the property, whether an excellent local band or an iPod with a great mix of classic), and you have the general idea. And dogs, dogs, dogs.....everywhere.
Birch:
A responsible dog owner will know whether her dog is fit for a social environment at BOW, or any of the canine-friendly wineries in Virginia. So most likely, the dogs (whether heeling or running free) at a winery will be friendly. It's damn near impossible to leave BOW without a big smile on your face. And the wine isn't too shabby either, our favorites being their Norton and the table Bowhaus Red.
We hope you take a cue from these animal loving locations and visit Reynard Florence, Unicorn, Sharp Rock, Chateau Morrisette or Barrel Oak this weekend.
And be sure to check out the top Virginia winery cats! Click here for the cats.
What's your favorite dog day winery?
Most breeds of dogs are people pleasers, and love to be in the center of the action, which makes a busy tasting room a happy home. In the vineyards, they keep deer, foxes, crows and even bears away from the grapes. You would be hard pressed to find a winery in the Commonwealth that isn't ruled by a dog or two (or three, or four). And many locations also welcome guests to bring their dogs along - leashed, or even unleashed.
The Notebook has many favorite dog day wineries. Because dogs are such a mainstay at so many wineries, we'll narrow our favorites to five. These locations not only have memorable dogs, they actively encourage folks to bring their favorite pets along. And some have built the dog theme into the promotion of their wines.
5. Reynard Florence Vineyard (north of Charlottesville)
One of the newer wineries in the Monticello AVA, Reynard Florence is home to several surprising twists on the usually too sweet (for our palates) Petit Manseng. Another unusual (for Virginia) red found here is Grenache, a hearty bold varietal popular in Argentina and Chile. Most likely visitors will be welcomed by Ray, the corgi. Ray will hang around your feet during the entire tasting process, hoping for a taste of the wine, or better yet, a palate cleansing biscuit you may drop (by accident, or on purpose).
We were completely knocked out by our tasting experience here late last year; the wines are beautiful and the views of the foothills are what you come to expect in this area of the state. We can't wait to return in warmer weather and hang out with the owners, and Ray of course, again.
4. Unicorn Winery (west of Warrenton)
The resident dog at Unicorn is Franc, named after one of Virginia's most popular varietals. A standard schnauzer, Franc is mellow and quiet; unusual for one of the blogmasters used to the more hyperactive behavior of the terriers. Franc has been won best in breed in local dog shows and it's easy to see why. He exudes class, like the wines at Unicorn.
If you bring your own dog to Unicorn, there is ample room to let him run free. Walk down the hill and experience the narrowest sections of the Rappahannock River. Your dog will love jumping around in the river while you toast the day with a bottle of Unicorn Meritage, our favorite wine here.
3. Sharp Rock Vineyards (near Sperryville)
Another winery with lots of open space, perfect for dogs (leashed or unleashed), is another one of our favorites in the state: Sharp Rock, on the edge of Skyline Drive (you can see Old Rag Mountain from the property). Like Unicorn, the winery borders a river (the Hughes River in this case, which flows into the Shenandoah), and some visitors have taken to fly fishing while imbibing in Jimm and Kathy's wonderful creations (our current favorite is their Rosé Noir).
An entire page of their website is dedicated to their dogs, some sadly having passed. But there are always four legged friends to be found romping around the fields here.
http://www.sharprockvineyards.com/dogs.html
2. Chateau Morrisette Winery (off Blue Ridge Parkway near Floyd)
If you've picked up a bottle of Chateau Morrisette wine at Whole Foods or Harris Teeter (they are mass producer; one of the biggest wineries in the state), you will be familiar with the dog motif on the bottle. This is the original dog winery in Virginia; they have been crafting their canine-themed wines since 1982. Being situated a few steps away from the Blue Ridge Parkway guarantees a great view. And despite the vastness of the property and tasting room, every guest is treated like a member of the family here.
The owners call the location "The Winery that Dogs Built." Proceeds from the sales of certain bottles of their mass produced wine goes to animal rescue foundations. So you're imbibing in a good cause here. Their dog history is outlined on a dedicated page of their website:
http://www.thedogs.com/visit/the-winery-than-dogs-built.html
1. Barrel Oak Winery (Delaplane)
Those who've been to Barrel Oak Winery (or as they like to be called, BOW) will agree: There is no bigger dog fanatical winery in the state. Chateau Morrisette paved the way for the dog theme and BOW takes it to the hilt. Three of their resident dogs (Birch, Justice, and Peanut) actually serve as "avatar tourguides" of their website. And since our last visit, two new four legged buddies have entered the scene: Shell and Simba. Apparently none of the resident pups have issues with sharing their lair with the hundreds of dogs that visit BOW every week (sometimes all during the weekend).
Peanut:
Regardless of season, every weekend is a party here, and owner Brian Roeder is usually in the tasting room, making a point to say hi to every visitor, regardless of how busy they are. Our favorite season has to be summer - they are one of the few wineries open until 9 PM on Friday and Saturday night during the summer. Imagine being at a mini Wolf Trap, with emphasis on wine over music (although music is always in the air, audibly and visually confined to the property, whether an excellent local band or an iPod with a great mix of classic), and you have the general idea. And dogs, dogs, dogs.....everywhere.
Birch:
A responsible dog owner will know whether her dog is fit for a social environment at BOW, or any of the canine-friendly wineries in Virginia. So most likely, the dogs (whether heeling or running free) at a winery will be friendly. It's damn near impossible to leave BOW without a big smile on your face. And the wine isn't too shabby either, our favorites being their Norton and the table Bowhaus Red.
We hope you take a cue from these animal loving locations and visit Reynard Florence, Unicorn, Sharp Rock, Chateau Morrisette or Barrel Oak this weekend.
And be sure to check out the top Virginia winery cats! Click here for the cats.
What's your favorite dog day winery?
Saturday, February 8, 2014
In Praise of Fireplaces and Firepits
In the midst of a cold and snowy/icy winter, there is no better place than a Virginia winery with a tasting room (or patio) warmed by a fire. A real fire. Although we wholly approve of gas fireplaces in wineries where real fire could pose a hazard (such as a tasting room inside a restored old wood barn), nothing beats the romance and mellow vibe delivered by a real fire. The ex Boy Scouts in us love visiting a winery where a fireplace or firepit is raging. We tend to the fire, keep it going, so the staff can dedicate itself to the pouring and serving of other visitors. Several years ago, we posted the blog "if we could build a winery, they would come," and a real fireplace was near the top of our list of ingredients to make a perfect winery and tasting room.
The Notebook has a list of wineries that not only have a real wood fireplace, they actually USE the wood fireplace. Some tasting rooms have resorted to using their fireplace as a piece of furniture, sticking a table or bookcase or vase in the fireplace. Wood fireplaces require maintenance and resources (i.e. wood), and some locations have bigger fish to fry, like perfecting the wine and improving the tasting room experience. But we have a strong bias in favor of those locations that offer fireplaces or fire pits (the latter can be enjoyed in the winter if it's relatively mild outside, as well as all other seasons, exception being a sweltering and humid summer night).
Here's a listing of wineries with active (that is, usually ignited) wood fireplaces. Location names are hyper-linked to their websites:
Philip Carter Winery (near Markham, VA)
Pollak Vineyards (near Waynesboro)
Paradise Springs Winery (Clifton)
Barren Ridge Vineyards (near Staunton)
Naked Mountain Winery (near Markham)
Potomac Point Winery (near Stafford)
Valhalla Vineyards (Roanoke)
Byrd Cellars (near Goochland)
Afton Mountain Vineyards (near Waynesboro)
Twin Oaks Tavern Winery (Bluemont, VA)
Firepits: These can be outside, or on a patio. Firepits are nicely self-contained and work in every season, except those aforementioned sticky summer nights......
Firepits tend to be more popular with wineries as they present less of a potential hazard compared to a wood burning fireplace inside a tasting room. For that reason, most wineries with outdoor areas have firepits. A few of our favorites:
North Mountain Vineyards (south of Winchester)....not only a firepit, but a large brick firepit, perfect for campfires, of which this location has many during the warmer months (and some not so warm nights right into December!)
Hunters Run Wine Barn (near Leesburg)
Fabbioli Cellars (near Leesburg)
Barns at Hamilton Station Vineyards (near Purcellville)
Cooper Vineyards (near Mineral)
"Almost" fireplaces:
A shout-out to some favorite tasting rooms that don't offer a real wood fireplace, but nice alternatives:
Fox Meadow Winery (a real wood burning stove that keeps the tasting room nice and warm in the winter)
North Gate Vineyard (one chimney that houses a gas fireplace for inside, and a wood fireplace for the outdoor patio)
Old House Vineyards (nice warm gas fireplace inside the Old House)
White Hall Vineyards (gas fireplace facing the tasting bar)
Escape the winter blues and visit one of these spots this month!
"Fire is good. Fire is our friend." -Young Frankenstein
The Notebook has a list of wineries that not only have a real wood fireplace, they actually USE the wood fireplace. Some tasting rooms have resorted to using their fireplace as a piece of furniture, sticking a table or bookcase or vase in the fireplace. Wood fireplaces require maintenance and resources (i.e. wood), and some locations have bigger fish to fry, like perfecting the wine and improving the tasting room experience. But we have a strong bias in favor of those locations that offer fireplaces or fire pits (the latter can be enjoyed in the winter if it's relatively mild outside, as well as all other seasons, exception being a sweltering and humid summer night).
Here's a listing of wineries with active (that is, usually ignited) wood fireplaces. Location names are hyper-linked to their websites:
Philip Carter Winery (near Markham, VA)
Pollak Vineyards (near Waynesboro)
Paradise Springs Winery (Clifton)
Barren Ridge Vineyards (near Staunton)
Naked Mountain Winery (near Markham)
Potomac Point Winery (near Stafford)
Valhalla Vineyards (Roanoke)
Byrd Cellars (near Goochland)
Afton Mountain Vineyards (near Waynesboro)
Twin Oaks Tavern Winery (Bluemont, VA)
Firepits: These can be outside, or on a patio. Firepits are nicely self-contained and work in every season, except those aforementioned sticky summer nights......
Firepits tend to be more popular with wineries as they present less of a potential hazard compared to a wood burning fireplace inside a tasting room. For that reason, most wineries with outdoor areas have firepits. A few of our favorites:
North Mountain Vineyards (south of Winchester)....not only a firepit, but a large brick firepit, perfect for campfires, of which this location has many during the warmer months (and some not so warm nights right into December!)
Hunters Run Wine Barn (near Leesburg)
Fabbioli Cellars (near Leesburg)
Barns at Hamilton Station Vineyards (near Purcellville)
Cooper Vineyards (near Mineral)
"Almost" fireplaces:
A shout-out to some favorite tasting rooms that don't offer a real wood fireplace, but nice alternatives:
Fox Meadow Winery (a real wood burning stove that keeps the tasting room nice and warm in the winter)
North Gate Vineyard (one chimney that houses a gas fireplace for inside, and a wood fireplace for the outdoor patio)
Old House Vineyards (nice warm gas fireplace inside the Old House)
White Hall Vineyards (gas fireplace facing the tasting bar)
Escape the winter blues and visit one of these spots this month!
"Fire is good. Fire is our friend." -Young Frankenstein
Tuesday, January 14, 2014
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
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
Saturday, January 4, 2014
Winter Virginia Winery Scenes
Happy New Year!
Enjoy a few of our favorite winter scenes at Virginia wineries.
Narmada Winery:
Cooper Vineyards:
Chrysalis Vineyards:
Paradise Springs Winery:
The Barns at Hamilton Station:
Fox Meadow Winery:
The road leading to Fox Meadow:
Enjoy a few of our favorite winter scenes at Virginia wineries.
Narmada Winery:
Cooper Vineyards:
Chrysalis Vineyards:
Paradise Springs Winery:
The Barns at Hamilton Station:
Fox Meadow Winery:
The road leading to Fox Meadow:
Friday, December 20, 2013
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):
Afton Mountain Vineyards (spring 2011):
Democracy Vineyards (spring 2013):
Wintergreen Winery (fall 2012):
Sunday, December 8, 2013
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
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
Wednesday, December 4, 2013
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
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
Saturday, November 23, 2013
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:
Mountfair:
White Hall:
Video 1 (Intro):
Video 2 (enjoying wine):
Stinson:
Thursday, November 14, 2013
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
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
Saturday, October 26, 2013
A Shout-Out to Boutique Wineries
Many wineries in the Commonwealth pride themselves on being "boutique wineries." The number of locations written up in the annual Virginia winery map using the term "boutique" increases every year. What, exactly, defines a boutique winery?
There is no standard answer to this question. There is no Wikipedia page analyzing what makes a boutique winery. In our travels to vineyards that label themselves "boutique," the answer to the question is similar, but never exactly the same. What we've pieced together is this: Limited number of bottles, relying on smaller festivals to move wine, no heavy advertising, small staff usually consisting of family members, small tasting room, not a wedding venue, limited number of bottles. We mention the number of bottles twice as that's the answer that was consistent amongst the winery owners we asked.
A Virginia location like Horton, Williamsburg Winery, or Chateau Morrisette will somehow find a way to produce mass quantities of wine, year after year after year, available not only in their tasting rooms, but also restaurants, grocery stores, and the biggest festivals in the state. If there is a bad growing year, these wineries known for particular varietals will find some way to get the grapes to make their signature wines. So, while one year, you may be drinking a Muscat from Chateau Morrisette labeled "Virginia" on the bottle (meaning the grapes for the wine were grown in the Commonwealth, perhaps not at the winery but at least in a vineyard in the state), but the next year the same varietal will be labeled "American," meaning the grapes were grown in another state (this is particularly true for varietals that are difficult to grow in Virginia, like Muscat.)
A boutique winery doesn't play that game. If there is a bad growing year for one of its signature varietals, the winery will simply not offer one the following year. Instead, a boutique winery may offer the same varietal or something similar from another winery (boutique wineries are more likely to engage in friendly competition, and sharing of their products, due to their relatively smaller sizes). "Relative" is the term we would use to describe a boutique winery. And rest assured a boutique winery in California or Oregon would look nothing like a boutique winery in Virginia (one winery the blogmasters visited in California produced as much wine a year, and had a tasting room just as large, as Tarara, one of the larger Virginia wineries, yet called itself "boutique").
With the winery boom in full swing in the Commonwealth, given characteristics outlined here, it's no surprise so many spots are calling themselves "boutique wineries." The blogmasters have visited boutique spots in the state that specialize in eggs and homemade jams (Crushed Cellars in Loudoun county) and chocolate (Glass House Winery north of Charlottesville), and one winery that resides in a camp ground (Belle Mount in the Northern Neck). Wine seemed to be a supplemental business, although the owners/winemakers were very serious about their wine and would probably be insulted by the "supplement" comment (so apologizes in advance).
We tend to prefer the boutique locations over the more commercialized spots; we can always count on the larger locations to be open every day of the week, so if we decide to blow off our day job on a Wednesday, we know where to go (boutique wineries are usually open Friday through Sunday only). And if we need to order a case for the holidays, the more commercial wineries in Virginia are our go-to spots for very good wine at reasonable prices (boutique wines, due to their limited production, tend to cost a few dollars more). Some locations in the state are open by appointment only (in fact that section of the annual Virginia wine map seems to grow every year; appointment only wineries typically mean you will be tasting their wines in their actual homes).
Our favorite boutique wineries in Virginia are too numerous to list here, but we will single out a few that we frequent regularly, mainly due to our proximity to them (being the prisoners of the Capital Beltway that we are). As these are boutique wineries, they usually don't allow (that is, have the room for) large groups, so please call ahead if you want to visit with a group of 8 or more:
Zephaniah Farm Vineyard, south of Leesburg, makes some of the best Chambourcin in the state and offers a tasting room inside an early 1800s era mansion. One of the family members will pour for you on your visit, and offer a tour of the house and (if you're lucky), wine cellar.
8 Chains North Winery, located off highway 9 (a winery heavy road in Loudoun county, also home to the aforementioned Crushed Cellars), specializes in red varietals. Owner/winemaker Ben Renshaw worked closely with Virginia wine pioneer Doug Fabbioli and crafts some delicious reds (and a few whites) that are far and away some of the best in the Commonwealth.
Marterella Winery, north of Warrenton, is an always fun spot that offers something for every palate - from off dry whites to bold reds.
Chester Gap Cellars, south of Front Royal, is one of our favorite locations in the state (the view alone is worth the trip to the winery), specializing in Virginia's signature grape, Viognier, and also offering some intense (with higher than usual alcohol content) red varietals.
Hume Vineyards, between Front Royal and Washington, VA, works mainly with Bordeaux varietals, offering very mature wine despite the young age of the winery (they opened in 2011).
What's your favorite boutique winery?
There is no standard answer to this question. There is no Wikipedia page analyzing what makes a boutique winery. In our travels to vineyards that label themselves "boutique," the answer to the question is similar, but never exactly the same. What we've pieced together is this: Limited number of bottles, relying on smaller festivals to move wine, no heavy advertising, small staff usually consisting of family members, small tasting room, not a wedding venue, limited number of bottles. We mention the number of bottles twice as that's the answer that was consistent amongst the winery owners we asked.
A Virginia location like Horton, Williamsburg Winery, or Chateau Morrisette will somehow find a way to produce mass quantities of wine, year after year after year, available not only in their tasting rooms, but also restaurants, grocery stores, and the biggest festivals in the state. If there is a bad growing year, these wineries known for particular varietals will find some way to get the grapes to make their signature wines. So, while one year, you may be drinking a Muscat from Chateau Morrisette labeled "Virginia" on the bottle (meaning the grapes for the wine were grown in the Commonwealth, perhaps not at the winery but at least in a vineyard in the state), but the next year the same varietal will be labeled "American," meaning the grapes were grown in another state (this is particularly true for varietals that are difficult to grow in Virginia, like Muscat.)
A boutique winery doesn't play that game. If there is a bad growing year for one of its signature varietals, the winery will simply not offer one the following year. Instead, a boutique winery may offer the same varietal or something similar from another winery (boutique wineries are more likely to engage in friendly competition, and sharing of their products, due to their relatively smaller sizes). "Relative" is the term we would use to describe a boutique winery. And rest assured a boutique winery in California or Oregon would look nothing like a boutique winery in Virginia (one winery the blogmasters visited in California produced as much wine a year, and had a tasting room just as large, as Tarara, one of the larger Virginia wineries, yet called itself "boutique").
With the winery boom in full swing in the Commonwealth, given characteristics outlined here, it's no surprise so many spots are calling themselves "boutique wineries." The blogmasters have visited boutique spots in the state that specialize in eggs and homemade jams (Crushed Cellars in Loudoun county) and chocolate (Glass House Winery north of Charlottesville), and one winery that resides in a camp ground (Belle Mount in the Northern Neck). Wine seemed to be a supplemental business, although the owners/winemakers were very serious about their wine and would probably be insulted by the "supplement" comment (so apologizes in advance).
We tend to prefer the boutique locations over the more commercialized spots; we can always count on the larger locations to be open every day of the week, so if we decide to blow off our day job on a Wednesday, we know where to go (boutique wineries are usually open Friday through Sunday only). And if we need to order a case for the holidays, the more commercial wineries in Virginia are our go-to spots for very good wine at reasonable prices (boutique wines, due to their limited production, tend to cost a few dollars more). Some locations in the state are open by appointment only (in fact that section of the annual Virginia wine map seems to grow every year; appointment only wineries typically mean you will be tasting their wines in their actual homes).
Our favorite boutique wineries in Virginia are too numerous to list here, but we will single out a few that we frequent regularly, mainly due to our proximity to them (being the prisoners of the Capital Beltway that we are). As these are boutique wineries, they usually don't allow (that is, have the room for) large groups, so please call ahead if you want to visit with a group of 8 or more:
Zephaniah Farm Vineyard, south of Leesburg, makes some of the best Chambourcin in the state and offers a tasting room inside an early 1800s era mansion. One of the family members will pour for you on your visit, and offer a tour of the house and (if you're lucky), wine cellar.
8 Chains North Winery, located off highway 9 (a winery heavy road in Loudoun county, also home to the aforementioned Crushed Cellars), specializes in red varietals. Owner/winemaker Ben Renshaw worked closely with Virginia wine pioneer Doug Fabbioli and crafts some delicious reds (and a few whites) that are far and away some of the best in the Commonwealth.
Marterella Winery, north of Warrenton, is an always fun spot that offers something for every palate - from off dry whites to bold reds.
Chester Gap Cellars, south of Front Royal, is one of our favorite locations in the state (the view alone is worth the trip to the winery), specializing in Virginia's signature grape, Viognier, and also offering some intense (with higher than usual alcohol content) red varietals.
Hume Vineyards, between Front Royal and Washington, VA, works mainly with Bordeaux varietals, offering very mature wine despite the young age of the winery (they opened in 2011).
What's your favorite boutique winery?
Monday, October 14, 2013
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:
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:
Saturday, October 5, 2013
Four Wedding Wineries
It's no surprise that wineries are popular wedding venues. Most Virginia wineries offer incredible natural surroundings (be they mountains, lakes, rivers, forests, streams, meadows, ponds, vineyards), excellent wine, events rooms (and/or tents), and an onsite wedding planning staff. Some of the more popular Virginia wineries book wedding calendars up to three years in advance, in some cases - including winter months. Here we will spotlight four lesser-known but ideal wedding spots, keeping nearby accommodations, airports, and cities/towns in mind.
1. First Colony Winery
First Colony Winery is one of the first locations in the Commonwealth that the blogmasters fell in love with, and it remains a favorite. We always make a point to stop by, even with other wineries springing up so fast in this region southeast of Charlottesville, on the highway towards Scottsville. In fact, during our first visit, the owner and tasting room manager were preparing for a wedding (where the groomsmen inexplicably were bringing cases of Bud Light into the tasting room.....you can't take the Bud out of a sports fanatic). They allowed us to linger on one of their patios as they prepared and well into the start of the private wedding. That gave us a great first impression of the "you're at home here" quality of First Colony. That was way back in 2003. They've remained humble and accommodating to this day, with new owners and a terrific husband and wife team making the wine and managing the operation, respectively.
And speaking of weddings, this location is one of the best for weddings in the state, if not the best. Tucked away in the woods, not far from the main highway leading towards Charlottesville (the city is about 12 miles away, full of hotels, motels and B&Bs, plus an airport), the winery works in all seasons. A second floor of the tasting room can be decked out for cold months, and they offer both a deck in the back (facing the forest, with trees so close you can touch them) and a patio in front. As for the wine, something for everyone: Dry, off dry, sweet, rosé.
Winery website: First Colony (http://www.firstcolonywinery.com/)
2. Old House Winery
A close #2 on our list of all-around state favorites is Old House, named after an 1800s farm house that was lovingly restored by the owners. Another all-season location, Old House offers an events pavilion away from the house itself. The location includes a pond with an island, perfect for those inevitable hundreds of wedding photos:
The house itself is nicely appointed with antiques, paintings, knick knacks and chess boards. Several party rooms are offered. The wine is incredible, and they make some of the best Chambourcin in the state. They are located near Culpeper (Dulles Airport being the closest airport). The town offers hotels, motels and B&Bs for every budget.
Winery website: Old House (http://www.oldhousevineyards.com/)
3. Notaviva Vineyards
The blogmasters used to DJ on the side, and Notaviva Vineyards, in far western Loudoun County (2 miles from the West Virginia line on the way to Charles Town) was the location that referred the most brides and grooms-to-be to our business, and we gigged here a few times as well. Our experience with Notaviva Vineyards is partially based on our side business. The owners are professional musicians who themselves got married on the property several years ago. Their tasting room shares the property with their home, and was featured on the HGTV & DIY series "Dream House."
The tasting room is multi-leveled and the owners, having a passion for music, will ensure the entertainment matches the tastes of the bride and groom and guests. The passion for music here is so strong that their slogan is "wine paired with music." The property slopes towards a pond and a grove of trees, which provide ample photo ops. And of course the wine is stellar: The owner/winemaker worked closely with Virginia wine guru Doug Fabbioli, and crafts incredible Viognier, Vidal Blanc, and Chambourcin. An off-sweet blush is offered for those wine novices in your group.
Winery website: Notaviva (http://www.notavivavineyards.com/)
4. Saudé Creek Vineyards
A relative newcomer to the Virginia wine scene (compared to the other three wineries in this post), Saudé Creek is named after a waterway in Alabama, but is actually situated on the Pamunkey River, a tributary of the York River in Southeast Virginia (between Richmond and Williamsburg). The location allows folks to fly in to either the Richmond or Williamsburg/Newport News airport. We were totally knocked out by the personal attention of the owners and the detail put into the tasting building. The wine wasn't too shabby either, favorites being their Pamunkey Fall blend of Chardonnay and Chardonel, and Saudé Creek red blend (a semi dry pasta wine that is sure to be a hit with wedding groups, especially during colder months).
Saudé Creek tasting room:
Despite the nearby population centers of Richmond and Hampton Roads, this location seems tucked away in a different world. The fact that it's relatively new compared to other nearby spots (like New Kent Winery and James River Cellars), their wedding calendars may not be as booked. But reserve early as word is sure to get out about this delightful location.
Winery website: Saudé Creek (http://saudecreek.com/)
These are just four of our favorite wedding spots in Virginia but you can't really go wrong with any location. However not every winery in Virginia has the room (or interest) for hosting weddings. Consult the annual Virginia winery map available at most wineries as locations in the state that welcome weddings are indicated with a specific icon. Happy planning!
1. First Colony Winery
First Colony Winery is one of the first locations in the Commonwealth that the blogmasters fell in love with, and it remains a favorite. We always make a point to stop by, even with other wineries springing up so fast in this region southeast of Charlottesville, on the highway towards Scottsville. In fact, during our first visit, the owner and tasting room manager were preparing for a wedding (where the groomsmen inexplicably were bringing cases of Bud Light into the tasting room.....you can't take the Bud out of a sports fanatic). They allowed us to linger on one of their patios as they prepared and well into the start of the private wedding. That gave us a great first impression of the "you're at home here" quality of First Colony. That was way back in 2003. They've remained humble and accommodating to this day, with new owners and a terrific husband and wife team making the wine and managing the operation, respectively.
And speaking of weddings, this location is one of the best for weddings in the state, if not the best. Tucked away in the woods, not far from the main highway leading towards Charlottesville (the city is about 12 miles away, full of hotels, motels and B&Bs, plus an airport), the winery works in all seasons. A second floor of the tasting room can be decked out for cold months, and they offer both a deck in the back (facing the forest, with trees so close you can touch them) and a patio in front. As for the wine, something for everyone: Dry, off dry, sweet, rosé.
Winery website: First Colony (http://www.firstcolonywinery.com/)
2. Old House Winery
A close #2 on our list of all-around state favorites is Old House, named after an 1800s farm house that was lovingly restored by the owners. Another all-season location, Old House offers an events pavilion away from the house itself. The location includes a pond with an island, perfect for those inevitable hundreds of wedding photos:
The house itself is nicely appointed with antiques, paintings, knick knacks and chess boards. Several party rooms are offered. The wine is incredible, and they make some of the best Chambourcin in the state. They are located near Culpeper (Dulles Airport being the closest airport). The town offers hotels, motels and B&Bs for every budget.
Winery website: Old House (http://www.oldhousevineyards.com/)
3. Notaviva Vineyards
The blogmasters used to DJ on the side, and Notaviva Vineyards, in far western Loudoun County (2 miles from the West Virginia line on the way to Charles Town) was the location that referred the most brides and grooms-to-be to our business, and we gigged here a few times as well. Our experience with Notaviva Vineyards is partially based on our side business. The owners are professional musicians who themselves got married on the property several years ago. Their tasting room shares the property with their home, and was featured on the HGTV & DIY series "Dream House."
The tasting room is multi-leveled and the owners, having a passion for music, will ensure the entertainment matches the tastes of the bride and groom and guests. The passion for music here is so strong that their slogan is "wine paired with music." The property slopes towards a pond and a grove of trees, which provide ample photo ops. And of course the wine is stellar: The owner/winemaker worked closely with Virginia wine guru Doug Fabbioli, and crafts incredible Viognier, Vidal Blanc, and Chambourcin. An off-sweet blush is offered for those wine novices in your group.
Winery website: Notaviva (http://www.notavivavineyards.com/)
4. Saudé Creek Vineyards
A relative newcomer to the Virginia wine scene (compared to the other three wineries in this post), Saudé Creek is named after a waterway in Alabama, but is actually situated on the Pamunkey River, a tributary of the York River in Southeast Virginia (between Richmond and Williamsburg). The location allows folks to fly in to either the Richmond or Williamsburg/Newport News airport. We were totally knocked out by the personal attention of the owners and the detail put into the tasting building. The wine wasn't too shabby either, favorites being their Pamunkey Fall blend of Chardonnay and Chardonel, and Saudé Creek red blend (a semi dry pasta wine that is sure to be a hit with wedding groups, especially during colder months).
Saudé Creek tasting room:
Despite the nearby population centers of Richmond and Hampton Roads, this location seems tucked away in a different world. The fact that it's relatively new compared to other nearby spots (like New Kent Winery and James River Cellars), their wedding calendars may not be as booked. But reserve early as word is sure to get out about this delightful location.
Winery website: Saudé Creek (http://saudecreek.com/)
These are just four of our favorite wedding spots in Virginia but you can't really go wrong with any location. However not every winery in Virginia has the room (or interest) for hosting weddings. Consult the annual Virginia winery map available at most wineries as locations in the state that welcome weddings are indicated with a specific icon. Happy planning!
Sunday, September 22, 2013
Three Great Views: Looking Down
It's always a tough call when we visit the mountain wineries - views looking down, or views looking up (that is, being on top of a mountain, or in a valley).
Of course the wine is the primary draw at these locations. You will be hard pressed to find a Virginia winery that doesn't have at least one wine to your liking, unless you crave nothing but high alcohol Pinot Noirs prominently found in Sonoma, or sweet table wines commonly found in the front of grocery stores, usually with flip flops or slices of cake on the labels.
Last month, the blogmasters featured three wineries with views looking up (Pollak, King Family, and Wintergreen). This month we feature three locations with views looking down. A winery high in the mountains is not hard to find in the Commonwealth. Several exist along the I-66 corridor on the way to Front Royal. But the three that made the final cut are special for other reasons beyond the breathtaking views.
Great Views Looking Down
Stone Mountain Vineyards, northwest of Charlottesville, has a well-known slogan: "Taste the elevation." At 1700 feet above sea level, this location earns bragging rights as the highest vineyard in the state (and possibly the east coast). The road leading up to the winery is an event in itself. Watch for bears crossing! And when another car comes down the road, be prepared to pull over along cliffs that are not protected by barriers. Those suffering from vertigo may be a bit challenged, but the rewards are well worth it. The winery itself is an impressive building perched over the valley and resembles a ski chalet, on the outside and inside. White varietals are the star wines here, particularly their Chardonnay and Pinot Grigio (altitude suits these whites well). The Pinot Grigio is the traditional Italian dry style, with notes of honeydew melon and grass. The Rausse family (well known Virginia wine pioneer Gabriele and his son Peter) are the vineyard consultant and winemaker, respectively, guaranteeing the wines at Stone Mountain will be as special as the view and location.
Looking down from Stone Mountain's winery:
Closer to the Washington DC area, Bluemont Vineyard sits at 951 feet and affords a view of the landscape between the village of Bluemont (off route 7 in far western Loudoun County) and Reston/Tysons Corner. On a clear day you can see the skyscrapers of Reston Town Center and Tysons Corner, and with a pair of binoculars (or very good eyesight), you can see the tip of the Washington Monument. The winery is always buzzing with activity, but their multi decked tasting building has room for everyone. Bluemont is a working farm (you can visit the orchard side of the family on your way back down the steep hill). Rooster calls compete with the live bands every weekend. The wines are good "entry level" wines (many on the sweet side) for those just getting started with Virginia wine (and wine in general) exploration. Keeping with the farm theme, many wines are named after barnyard animals. With the exception of their fruit wines, named after the fruits themselves: The Strawberry, The Blackberry, and by far the most interesting wine here, The Peach, a 50/50 blend of Peach Wine and Rkatsiteli, a varietal from Georgia - Russia, not the state - that is gaining traction in Virginia.
View from Bluemont Vineyard, from the lower level of the winery:
One the most interesting wineries in the state, boasting a view so close to the mountains that you feel you can touch them, Chester Gap Cellars, near Front Royal, started as an experiment for the winery owners. Owner/winemaker Bernd Jung, a native of Germany, is a perfectionist who willfully admits that he's made some mistakes, as some of the most serious winemakers in the relatively difficult state (for wineries) of Virginia have confessed. His wines are higher in alcohol content than most in the state, some approaching 17% in alcohol content. Viognier is his specialty and depending on when you visit, you could be offered up to three different vintages and/or clone varieties of the signature Virginia white. The tasting room is rather bare bones, not much in the way of indoor seating, and due to the small size of the winery, no buses or limos are allowed. However this is a great "lesser known" spot and the view is breathtaking.
View from Chester Gap's deck:
As the case with wineries in the valleys, many other locations in Virginia offer fantastic views from the mountains and hilltops. Other favorites are listed below the three wineries spotlighted today:
Winery URLs:
Stone Mountain Vineyards
Bluemont Vineyard
Chester Gap Cellars
Other great views looking down:
Twin Oaks Tavern Winery
Willowcroft Farm Vineyards
Delaplane Cellars
Fox Meadow Winery
Wolf Gap Vineyards
Of course the wine is the primary draw at these locations. You will be hard pressed to find a Virginia winery that doesn't have at least one wine to your liking, unless you crave nothing but high alcohol Pinot Noirs prominently found in Sonoma, or sweet table wines commonly found in the front of grocery stores, usually with flip flops or slices of cake on the labels.
Last month, the blogmasters featured three wineries with views looking up (Pollak, King Family, and Wintergreen). This month we feature three locations with views looking down. A winery high in the mountains is not hard to find in the Commonwealth. Several exist along the I-66 corridor on the way to Front Royal. But the three that made the final cut are special for other reasons beyond the breathtaking views.
Great Views Looking Down
Stone Mountain Vineyards, northwest of Charlottesville, has a well-known slogan: "Taste the elevation." At 1700 feet above sea level, this location earns bragging rights as the highest vineyard in the state (and possibly the east coast). The road leading up to the winery is an event in itself. Watch for bears crossing! And when another car comes down the road, be prepared to pull over along cliffs that are not protected by barriers. Those suffering from vertigo may be a bit challenged, but the rewards are well worth it. The winery itself is an impressive building perched over the valley and resembles a ski chalet, on the outside and inside. White varietals are the star wines here, particularly their Chardonnay and Pinot Grigio (altitude suits these whites well). The Pinot Grigio is the traditional Italian dry style, with notes of honeydew melon and grass. The Rausse family (well known Virginia wine pioneer Gabriele and his son Peter) are the vineyard consultant and winemaker, respectively, guaranteeing the wines at Stone Mountain will be as special as the view and location.
Looking down from Stone Mountain's winery:
Closer to the Washington DC area, Bluemont Vineyard sits at 951 feet and affords a view of the landscape between the village of Bluemont (off route 7 in far western Loudoun County) and Reston/Tysons Corner. On a clear day you can see the skyscrapers of Reston Town Center and Tysons Corner, and with a pair of binoculars (or very good eyesight), you can see the tip of the Washington Monument. The winery is always buzzing with activity, but their multi decked tasting building has room for everyone. Bluemont is a working farm (you can visit the orchard side of the family on your way back down the steep hill). Rooster calls compete with the live bands every weekend. The wines are good "entry level" wines (many on the sweet side) for those just getting started with Virginia wine (and wine in general) exploration. Keeping with the farm theme, many wines are named after barnyard animals. With the exception of their fruit wines, named after the fruits themselves: The Strawberry, The Blackberry, and by far the most interesting wine here, The Peach, a 50/50 blend of Peach Wine and Rkatsiteli, a varietal from Georgia - Russia, not the state - that is gaining traction in Virginia.
View from Bluemont Vineyard, from the lower level of the winery:
One the most interesting wineries in the state, boasting a view so close to the mountains that you feel you can touch them, Chester Gap Cellars, near Front Royal, started as an experiment for the winery owners. Owner/winemaker Bernd Jung, a native of Germany, is a perfectionist who willfully admits that he's made some mistakes, as some of the most serious winemakers in the relatively difficult state (for wineries) of Virginia have confessed. His wines are higher in alcohol content than most in the state, some approaching 17% in alcohol content. Viognier is his specialty and depending on when you visit, you could be offered up to three different vintages and/or clone varieties of the signature Virginia white. The tasting room is rather bare bones, not much in the way of indoor seating, and due to the small size of the winery, no buses or limos are allowed. However this is a great "lesser known" spot and the view is breathtaking.
View from Chester Gap's deck:
As the case with wineries in the valleys, many other locations in Virginia offer fantastic views from the mountains and hilltops. Other favorites are listed below the three wineries spotlighted today:
Winery URLs:
Stone Mountain Vineyards
Bluemont Vineyard
Chester Gap Cellars
Other great views looking down:
Twin Oaks Tavern Winery
Willowcroft Farm Vineyards
Delaplane Cellars
Fox Meadow Winery
Wolf Gap Vineyards
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