When it comes to winery touring, spring, summer and fall are usually the preferred months, but don't let the cold and the snow deter you from visiting from December to March. December is particularly inviting since many wineries have "Open Houses" with holiday decorations on full display (but watch out for those that blast Christmas music loudly - the only "grinch" thing about the blogmasters is our dislike of constant Christmas music).
What makes a perfect winter winery? Fireplace. Plain and simple. It's amazing how many winery tasting rooms in the state have a fireplace, yet never seem to use them. We'll spotlight five wineries that not only have a fireplace, but allow guests to maintain the fires (for the guys, it allows us to relive those long ago years of Boy Scouting....)
In order of preference:
1) Pollak Vineyards
When ranking the best of Virginia, Pollak Vineyards almost always finds its way to the top of our lists. This winery does just about everything right - the wine is fantastic, the views (in a valley near Waynesboro) are pure Virginia, the staff is great, and the tasting room large, bright, and airy and never seems congested. This is a four seasons winery. For warmer months, there are ample seats on the wrap-around deck and picnic tables outside. For the winter, they have indoor tables and that all-important fireplace, with the logs a few steps outside the door. Don't overlook this spot on your next trip to Charlottesville.
2) Barren Ridge Vineyards
Not too far from Pollak, on the highway towards Staunton, lies another Notebook favorite, Barren Ridge Vineyards. The tasting room is ski chalet-like; more rustic than Pollak but just as irresistible. The grounds used to be an apple orchard, and we're still waiting for that apple wine!
3) Chateau O'Brien
Not everyone is a fan of this place - just read the Yelp reviews for proof. Some call the winery and winemaker (Howard O'Brien) pretentious, but as far as we're concerned, he has bragging rights. His wines, albeit sort of pricey, are some of the best in the state. He's perched up on a mountainside, the tasting room inside a French-style farm house. And plenty of warm rooms for relaxing. Bonus points for the "no kids" rule. People seem to forget that wineries serve wine. They're not Chuck E Cheese.
4) Old House Vineyards
A tasting room inside a warm old house is just the ticket for any dreary day--rain, snow (if you're dropping anchor in nearby Culpeper, that is...), or winter cold. The tasting bar itself at Old House has a level of close-up intimacy with the staff and owners that makes it unique. Each room in the Old House offers seating, and if you're lucky, the talented winemaker from France will visit with a complimentary tasting of a new creation. One of the state's best locations.
5) Valhalla Vineyards
Overlooking the Roanoke Valley, in the city of Roanoke itself, lies Valhalla Vineyards. Their tasting room features an "indoor/outdoor" chimney for fires in all seasons - we are seeing more tasting rooms with this set up, which is perfect for all season tasting rooms. The wines are good to excellent, and a little unusual. Try their "Gotterdammerung" Cabernet Franc/Merlot blend.
Two "ALMOSTS":
These two locations have fireplaces, but we can't include them in our top five for various reasons. Read on.
Philip Carter Winery
Good wine, large new sitting area near a roaring fire, even a chess board set up if you get the urge....but if we hear those overly dramatic Christmas songs blasting again this year, we may just take our bottles of Cleve (their best red) and run!
Naked Mountain Vineyards
Not one of the blogmasters' favorites. The wine is mediocre, the staff is not very friendly, and they got rid of the previous owner's cats ("the new owners are not cat people so the cats were removed"...say what????) But they do have a nice view and a big open fireplace....
Friday, December 2, 2011
Sunday, November 20, 2011
Virginia Varietal Spotlight: Take III
Chambourcin
Chambourcin is gaining popularity in Virginia - this is a red varietal that can be as smooth as a Pinot Noir or as complex as a Cab Sauv or Norton. Wikipedia doesn't even mention Virginia as a Chambourcin-heavy state in the Mid-Atlantic. Pennsylvania, however, is mentioned, and with good reason. Pennsylvania wineries, particularly those around York and Lancaster, have been working with Chambourcin for about ten years. But the first wineries to experiment with this mysterious varietal are in the Finger Lakes region. If this red sounds unfamiliar, give it some time. The blogmasters predict it will catch up with Cabernet Franc as the signature Virginia red.
Where to try it:
If you want to give Virginia Chambourcin a shot, we're here to help. Our favorite Chambourcins can be found at (ranked in order of favorite):
Zephaniah Farm Vineyard
Fabbioli Cellars
North Mountain Vineyard
Hiddencroft Vineyards
Old House Vineyards
Corcoran Vineyards
Narmada Winery
Chambourcin is gaining popularity in Virginia - this is a red varietal that can be as smooth as a Pinot Noir or as complex as a Cab Sauv or Norton. Wikipedia doesn't even mention Virginia as a Chambourcin-heavy state in the Mid-Atlantic. Pennsylvania, however, is mentioned, and with good reason. Pennsylvania wineries, particularly those around York and Lancaster, have been working with Chambourcin for about ten years. But the first wineries to experiment with this mysterious varietal are in the Finger Lakes region. If this red sounds unfamiliar, give it some time. The blogmasters predict it will catch up with Cabernet Franc as the signature Virginia red.
Where to try it:
If you want to give Virginia Chambourcin a shot, we're here to help. Our favorite Chambourcins can be found at (ranked in order of favorite):
Zephaniah Farm Vineyard
Fabbioli Cellars
North Mountain Vineyard
Hiddencroft Vineyards
Old House Vineyards
Corcoran Vineyards
Narmada Winery
Sunday, November 13, 2011
Virginia Varietal Spotlight: Take II
Viognier
Viognier is Virginia. This is the official white varietal of the Commonwealth, and many wineries are doing incredible things with it. Like Norton, there is some adjustment time for this wine. It tends to have more bite to it than chardonnay or pinot gris. But now the word has gotten out. The popularity of Viognier has grown expontentially with the number of new wineries in the state over the past ten years. Horton even makes a special Viognier just for Total Wine (on Horton's Tower label). Recently, one of the blogmasters had dinner with a new vineyard owner from California, visiting Virginia for a business trip. We tasked him to order the wine for the table, and he picked a Viognier. This is a quirky, moody wine, and is perfect for the unpredictable growing atmosphere that is Virginia.
Viognier can be a difficult grape to grow because it is prone to mildew. It has low and unpredictable yields. Other states have attempted to create a perfect Viognier, including California. Results have been average to poor. About 15 years ago, Horton discovered that the varietal grows "like a weed" in Virginia. Some Commonweath wineries shun it - in fact, a few grimace at the very mention of Viognier (must be that "weed" designation). Others like Horton have embraced it.
Not all Viogniers are created equally. The unpredictable nature of this grape results in uneven wines. Keswick Vineyards had an Award-winner a few years ago - the smoothest Viognier we've ever had (with effervescent bubbles to boot). But their later versions were in the middle of the Mediocre-to-Excellent scale (still not bad but no match for that Award winner).
Since so many wineries in the state now offer a Viognier (even Fox Meadow, which several years ago swore they wouldn't make one), we'll just list a few of our favorites. What are yours?
Blenheim Vineyards
Chester Gap Cellars
Notavva Vineyards
Pollak Vineyards
Sunset Hills Vineyards
Veritas Vineyard
Viognier is Virginia. This is the official white varietal of the Commonwealth, and many wineries are doing incredible things with it. Like Norton, there is some adjustment time for this wine. It tends to have more bite to it than chardonnay or pinot gris. But now the word has gotten out. The popularity of Viognier has grown expontentially with the number of new wineries in the state over the past ten years. Horton even makes a special Viognier just for Total Wine (on Horton's Tower label). Recently, one of the blogmasters had dinner with a new vineyard owner from California, visiting Virginia for a business trip. We tasked him to order the wine for the table, and he picked a Viognier. This is a quirky, moody wine, and is perfect for the unpredictable growing atmosphere that is Virginia.
Viognier can be a difficult grape to grow because it is prone to mildew. It has low and unpredictable yields. Other states have attempted to create a perfect Viognier, including California. Results have been average to poor. About 15 years ago, Horton discovered that the varietal grows "like a weed" in Virginia. Some Commonweath wineries shun it - in fact, a few grimace at the very mention of Viognier (must be that "weed" designation). Others like Horton have embraced it.
Not all Viogniers are created equally. The unpredictable nature of this grape results in uneven wines. Keswick Vineyards had an Award-winner a few years ago - the smoothest Viognier we've ever had (with effervescent bubbles to boot). But their later versions were in the middle of the Mediocre-to-Excellent scale (still not bad but no match for that Award winner).
Since so many wineries in the state now offer a Viognier (even Fox Meadow, which several years ago swore they wouldn't make one), we'll just list a few of our favorites. What are yours?
Blenheim Vineyards
Chester Gap Cellars
Notavva Vineyards
Pollak Vineyards
Sunset Hills Vineyards
Veritas Vineyard
Sunday, November 6, 2011
Fredericksburg: Wine About History
There are plenty of reasons to visit Fredericksburg, especially in the fall, when the downtown streets are covered in orange, amber and red leaves: Visiting old (and haunted) shops, dining along the Rappahannock River, touring battlefields in town and outside of town, and an interesting cluster of wineries stretching north, west and southwest of town.
Your biggest challenge would be getting to "Fred" (as locals call it). It's not as easy for folks in Northern Virginia to trek down to Fredericksburg as it was twenty, or even ten, years ago. The traffic-clogged exurbs now extend to Fred, and beyond, so I-95 and U.S. Route 1 are likely to be slow-moving, or even stop and go, unless you leave very late Friday night and drop anchor at one of the many motels (basic to luxurious) dotting the interchanges around Fred. If you live anywhere west of DC, we suggest taking the Warrenton route - follow U.S. 17 or state highway 3 near Culpeper over to Fred.
Should you decide to take the Warrenton/Culpeper route, there are a few wineries along the way as you cut eastward to Fred. The first stop is one of our very favorites in the state, Rogers Ford Farm Winery, an absolutely charming, family-owned and operated boutique winery located on the banks of the Rappahannock (it's much narrower west of Fredericksburg), and on the edge of a wildlife preserve. Rogers Ford offers an intimate tasting experience and a peaceful deck overlooking their vineyards and the expansive property. Their reds are bold and delicious, and their whites tend to be on the slightly sweet side. In the end, they offer something for everyone. Our favorite reds: Virginia Red Select (a blend of Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Tannat) and Chloe Cabernet (several wines are named after children in the family of the owners). Whites range from the nearly off-dry Jacob Christopher Chardonnay to the sweet First Frost Vidal. Their rosé is a bit sweeter than other Virginia rosés we've had, and would fare better chilled in warmer weather.
Continuing on U.S. highway 17 eastbound, as the traffic lights around Fred begin to increase, make the left turn to Hartwood Winery. Like Rogers Ford, Hartwood is modest in size but big on variety and quality. They're one of the original Virginia wineries and offer great selection at good prices. The tasting room is typical Virginia - quaint but bustling. Rappahannock Red is their "fun" wine; aged in steel and a great everyday table wine. On the more mature end of the spectrum, they offer a classic Cabernet Sauvignon, as well as whites from semi-sweet to bone dry.
The south/southwest of Fredericksburg, approaching Lake Anna, offers two unique wineries that are staples at festivals held throughout the year: Lake Anna Winery and Mattaponi Winery. Lake Anna is the older of the two, like Hartwood and Rogers Ford Winery, one of the Commonwealth's originals. Located about three miles from Lake Anna itself, this winery has a pleasant tasting room and ample spots for a picnic. This is also one of the few Virginia wineries with an online ordering section of their website. Like Hartwood, Laka Anna has a wine for nearly every palate. Their Merlot was our favorite red and their barrel select chardonnay was the white that we took home. They also have several sweet wines, and a special label wine that emphasize the Civil War battlefield and Fredericksburg proximity of this winery.
Mattaponi Winery is the epitome of rustic. Named after the Virginia river (which in turn was named after an Indian tribe), the tasting room is located in an irresistible cabin, and Indian motifs are in spades. Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon stood out as their excellent full-bodied reds. They have several sweeter wines as well, and are probably the only winery in Virginia working with both Concord and Niagara grapes. Also three non grape wines worth noting: Blueberry, blackberry and chocolate strawberry (not a misprint!)
After a night in Fredericksburg, relax the next day at Potomac Point Vineyard, one of the largest and most elaborate locations in Virginia. Located north of Fred in Stafford County, the Potomac River is not in eyeshot of the winery, but you'll be too engrossed in this location to notice. Think Italian villa. The winery is about as big as an entire villa. They double as a bistro, so expect a crowd. However there are several rooms (with fireplaces) to drink away the fall and winter blues, as well as a courtyard patio for warmer days. Their wine list is impressive. Norton, Merlot, and Petit Verdot stood out among the reds. The chardonnay was our favorite white. This location is quite unlike the others on this list - Potomac Point is bustling and commercial. But not without its own charms.
Pick your battlefield (Wilderness, Chancellorsville, Fredericksburg) and pick your winery (or wineries), and wine about history this weekend!
Rogers Ford Winery
Hartwood Winery
Lake Anna Winery
Mattaponi Winery
Potomac Point Vineyard and Winery
Your biggest challenge would be getting to "Fred" (as locals call it). It's not as easy for folks in Northern Virginia to trek down to Fredericksburg as it was twenty, or even ten, years ago. The traffic-clogged exurbs now extend to Fred, and beyond, so I-95 and U.S. Route 1 are likely to be slow-moving, or even stop and go, unless you leave very late Friday night and drop anchor at one of the many motels (basic to luxurious) dotting the interchanges around Fred. If you live anywhere west of DC, we suggest taking the Warrenton route - follow U.S. 17 or state highway 3 near Culpeper over to Fred.
Should you decide to take the Warrenton/Culpeper route, there are a few wineries along the way as you cut eastward to Fred. The first stop is one of our very favorites in the state, Rogers Ford Farm Winery, an absolutely charming, family-owned and operated boutique winery located on the banks of the Rappahannock (it's much narrower west of Fredericksburg), and on the edge of a wildlife preserve. Rogers Ford offers an intimate tasting experience and a peaceful deck overlooking their vineyards and the expansive property. Their reds are bold and delicious, and their whites tend to be on the slightly sweet side. In the end, they offer something for everyone. Our favorite reds: Virginia Red Select (a blend of Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Tannat) and Chloe Cabernet (several wines are named after children in the family of the owners). Whites range from the nearly off-dry Jacob Christopher Chardonnay to the sweet First Frost Vidal. Their rosé is a bit sweeter than other Virginia rosés we've had, and would fare better chilled in warmer weather.
Continuing on U.S. highway 17 eastbound, as the traffic lights around Fred begin to increase, make the left turn to Hartwood Winery. Like Rogers Ford, Hartwood is modest in size but big on variety and quality. They're one of the original Virginia wineries and offer great selection at good prices. The tasting room is typical Virginia - quaint but bustling. Rappahannock Red is their "fun" wine; aged in steel and a great everyday table wine. On the more mature end of the spectrum, they offer a classic Cabernet Sauvignon, as well as whites from semi-sweet to bone dry.
The south/southwest of Fredericksburg, approaching Lake Anna, offers two unique wineries that are staples at festivals held throughout the year: Lake Anna Winery and Mattaponi Winery. Lake Anna is the older of the two, like Hartwood and Rogers Ford Winery, one of the Commonwealth's originals. Located about three miles from Lake Anna itself, this winery has a pleasant tasting room and ample spots for a picnic. This is also one of the few Virginia wineries with an online ordering section of their website. Like Hartwood, Laka Anna has a wine for nearly every palate. Their Merlot was our favorite red and their barrel select chardonnay was the white that we took home. They also have several sweet wines, and a special label wine that emphasize the Civil War battlefield and Fredericksburg proximity of this winery.
Mattaponi Winery is the epitome of rustic. Named after the Virginia river (which in turn was named after an Indian tribe), the tasting room is located in an irresistible cabin, and Indian motifs are in spades. Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon stood out as their excellent full-bodied reds. They have several sweeter wines as well, and are probably the only winery in Virginia working with both Concord and Niagara grapes. Also three non grape wines worth noting: Blueberry, blackberry and chocolate strawberry (not a misprint!)
After a night in Fredericksburg, relax the next day at Potomac Point Vineyard, one of the largest and most elaborate locations in Virginia. Located north of Fred in Stafford County, the Potomac River is not in eyeshot of the winery, but you'll be too engrossed in this location to notice. Think Italian villa. The winery is about as big as an entire villa. They double as a bistro, so expect a crowd. However there are several rooms (with fireplaces) to drink away the fall and winter blues, as well as a courtyard patio for warmer days. Their wine list is impressive. Norton, Merlot, and Petit Verdot stood out among the reds. The chardonnay was our favorite white. This location is quite unlike the others on this list - Potomac Point is bustling and commercial. But not without its own charms.
Pick your battlefield (Wilderness, Chancellorsville, Fredericksburg) and pick your winery (or wineries), and wine about history this weekend!
Rogers Ford Winery
Hartwood Winery
Lake Anna Winery
Mattaponi Winery
Potomac Point Vineyard and Winery
Tuesday, October 25, 2011
WINERY SPOTLIGHT: Featuring the Lesser-known and Newest Wineries in the Commonwealth
Zephaniah Farm Vineyard
Sometimes, small is better. Or in the case of Zephaniah Farm Vineyard, “smallest” is best. This is the smallest winery in Loudoun County, which is a microcosm for wineries in the entire state. Loudoun County boasts thirty wineries and/or tasting rooms as of October 2011, more than any other county in the Commonwealth. On the large, busy, and ultra-modern end of the scale, there’s Tarara, Breaux, Bluemont, and Sunset Hills. On the quaint, quiet and peaceful end of the scale, you’ll find Zephaniah Farm Vineyard. Sometimes we want party. Sometimes we want to be alone with our thoughts. The wineries in Virginia allow for both traits of our personalities to thrive.
Owned and overseen by head winemaker Bill Hatch, an extremely pleasant, laid back fellow with a California vibe (and whose “real job” as a video engineer takes him to ABC studios nearly every day of the week), his son Tremain assists him with the creation of their liquid gold. Tremain is a new faculty member at the Virginia Tech’s Winchester campus (which has a special program on viticulture, which makes sense as vineyards have taken off in the state over the last fifteen years), and both father and son spoke with pride about their wines. And they have plenty to be proud of. They may have small batches of wine, but it is quality over quantity here.
Chambourcin is the star. Both the regular and reserve are smooth, non-acidic, and worthy of comparisons to better-known wines like pinot noir. Many wineries in Virginia offer a chambourcin now, and the blogmasters had their favorite (from another Loudoun County winery). Zephaniah has claimed the title of our favorite. This wine holds up with the best France, California and Oregon have to offer. It’s that good. The other reds are Cab Franc and Merlot, both absolutely drinkable, with the Merlot having a bit more “bite” to it. For the whites, Zephaniah offers an oaked chardonnay (which is very good, and fairly typical of other chardonnays in the state) and a Sauvignon Blanc from Glen Manor Vineyards near Front Royal.
There are a few tasting rooms in the state located inside historic homes (LaGrange and Old House come to mind). Zephaniah Farm’s tasting room resides in a manor built in the 1830s (and apparently occupied by a friendly ghost as well as the winery staff), with an addition built in the 1950s. On the outside, it resembles John Lennon’s estate from the cover of the “Hey Jude” album. In the back of the estate, an array of picnic chairs is set up to enjoy the trees, pastures, and breezes of southern Loudoun County. No live bands, no tour buses, no weddings, no corporate parties. Intimacy is the key word here.
Have your Virginia map handy as no state highway signs exist (although when they’re not busy with harvest, the Hatches put temporary “flag signs” directing you to the winery each weekend). They’re open only on Saturday and Sunday – winemaking is a side note, as all family members have regular day jobs. But what a side note it is. Keep up with these wines, and Zephaniah Farm could easily become their sole income provider.
Directions: Travel south of Leesburg on U.S. 15. About two miles after the highway narrows, turn right at the gas station onto Harmony Church Road. Follow Harmony Church for about two miles, and turn left onto Dunlop Mill Road. Zephaniah Farm Vineyard will be about a half mile on the right side (Dunlop Mill Road is a dirt road so it’s prone to potholes).
Videoclip:
Bill Hatch and Son
Sometimes, small is better. Or in the case of Zephaniah Farm Vineyard, “smallest” is best. This is the smallest winery in Loudoun County, which is a microcosm for wineries in the entire state. Loudoun County boasts thirty wineries and/or tasting rooms as of October 2011, more than any other county in the Commonwealth. On the large, busy, and ultra-modern end of the scale, there’s Tarara, Breaux, Bluemont, and Sunset Hills. On the quaint, quiet and peaceful end of the scale, you’ll find Zephaniah Farm Vineyard. Sometimes we want party. Sometimes we want to be alone with our thoughts. The wineries in Virginia allow for both traits of our personalities to thrive.
Owned and overseen by head winemaker Bill Hatch, an extremely pleasant, laid back fellow with a California vibe (and whose “real job” as a video engineer takes him to ABC studios nearly every day of the week), his son Tremain assists him with the creation of their liquid gold. Tremain is a new faculty member at the Virginia Tech’s Winchester campus (which has a special program on viticulture, which makes sense as vineyards have taken off in the state over the last fifteen years), and both father and son spoke with pride about their wines. And they have plenty to be proud of. They may have small batches of wine, but it is quality over quantity here.
Chambourcin is the star. Both the regular and reserve are smooth, non-acidic, and worthy of comparisons to better-known wines like pinot noir. Many wineries in Virginia offer a chambourcin now, and the blogmasters had their favorite (from another Loudoun County winery). Zephaniah has claimed the title of our favorite. This wine holds up with the best France, California and Oregon have to offer. It’s that good. The other reds are Cab Franc and Merlot, both absolutely drinkable, with the Merlot having a bit more “bite” to it. For the whites, Zephaniah offers an oaked chardonnay (which is very good, and fairly typical of other chardonnays in the state) and a Sauvignon Blanc from Glen Manor Vineyards near Front Royal.
There are a few tasting rooms in the state located inside historic homes (LaGrange and Old House come to mind). Zephaniah Farm’s tasting room resides in a manor built in the 1830s (and apparently occupied by a friendly ghost as well as the winery staff), with an addition built in the 1950s. On the outside, it resembles John Lennon’s estate from the cover of the “Hey Jude” album. In the back of the estate, an array of picnic chairs is set up to enjoy the trees, pastures, and breezes of southern Loudoun County. No live bands, no tour buses, no weddings, no corporate parties. Intimacy is the key word here.
Have your Virginia map handy as no state highway signs exist (although when they’re not busy with harvest, the Hatches put temporary “flag signs” directing you to the winery each weekend). They’re open only on Saturday and Sunday – winemaking is a side note, as all family members have regular day jobs. But what a side note it is. Keep up with these wines, and Zephaniah Farm could easily become their sole income provider.
Directions: Travel south of Leesburg on U.S. 15. About two miles after the highway narrows, turn right at the gas station onto Harmony Church Road. Follow Harmony Church for about two miles, and turn left onto Dunlop Mill Road. Zephaniah Farm Vineyard will be about a half mile on the right side (Dunlop Mill Road is a dirt road so it’s prone to potholes).
Videoclip:
Bill Hatch and Son
Monday, October 10, 2011
Virginia Varietal Spotlight: Take I
NORTON
If you’ve been to a few Virginia wineries, then you’re probably familiar with Norton. This intriguing red varietal, named after Dr. Daniel Norton of Richmond, VA, is the official grape….of Missouri. Prohibition stopped the wine industry in the entire country in the 1920s, however Catholic churches got a pass, and Norton was the grape used to make the wine for mass. It was discovered that the climate in Missouri (similar to Virginia’s) works well for Norton, and the soil is in some ways superior (drainage from lakes and the age of the Ozarks and its foothills create soil different than the Commonwealth’s). Plus, Missouri had history on its side. At the 1873 Vienna World Exposition a Norton wine from Hermann, Missouri won a gold medal. Henry Vizetelly, a noted critic of the time, said that Norton from Missouri would one day rival the great wines of Europe in quality and quantity. With friendlier post-Prohibition alcohol laws in Missouri compared to Virginia, the Show Me state had a head start in perfecting Norton wine. But Virginia is certainly no slouch….
Norton is not for everyone. In fact, the blogmasters have a love/not love relationship with the varietal. It has caused some wicked headaches (and hangovers…..) But when a winery gets it right, Norton can be just as complex as a Cab Sauvignon or Merlot. The adjectives used to describe Norton have run the gamut from “smoky,” “leather,” “tar,” “licorice,” and “plum.” It’s a deep red wine and will leave you with a red wine mustache. But some Virginia wineries are doing incredible things with Norton, and finding one that agrees with your palate is like engaging on a vino treasure hunt.
Some Virginia wineries featuring Norton that are worth visiting, for exploring this unique grape:
Barrel Oak Winery
Casanel Winery
Chrysalis Vineyards
Cooper Vineyards
Horton Vineyards
Lexington Valley Vineyard
New Kent Winery
If you’ve been to a few Virginia wineries, then you’re probably familiar with Norton. This intriguing red varietal, named after Dr. Daniel Norton of Richmond, VA, is the official grape….of Missouri. Prohibition stopped the wine industry in the entire country in the 1920s, however Catholic churches got a pass, and Norton was the grape used to make the wine for mass. It was discovered that the climate in Missouri (similar to Virginia’s) works well for Norton, and the soil is in some ways superior (drainage from lakes and the age of the Ozarks and its foothills create soil different than the Commonwealth’s). Plus, Missouri had history on its side. At the 1873 Vienna World Exposition a Norton wine from Hermann, Missouri won a gold medal. Henry Vizetelly, a noted critic of the time, said that Norton from Missouri would one day rival the great wines of Europe in quality and quantity. With friendlier post-Prohibition alcohol laws in Missouri compared to Virginia, the Show Me state had a head start in perfecting Norton wine. But Virginia is certainly no slouch….
Norton is not for everyone. In fact, the blogmasters have a love/not love relationship with the varietal. It has caused some wicked headaches (and hangovers…..) But when a winery gets it right, Norton can be just as complex as a Cab Sauvignon or Merlot. The adjectives used to describe Norton have run the gamut from “smoky,” “leather,” “tar,” “licorice,” and “plum.” It’s a deep red wine and will leave you with a red wine mustache. But some Virginia wineries are doing incredible things with Norton, and finding one that agrees with your palate is like engaging on a vino treasure hunt.
Some Virginia wineries featuring Norton that are worth visiting, for exploring this unique grape:
Barrel Oak Winery
Casanel Winery
Chrysalis Vineyards
Cooper Vineyards
Horton Vineyards
Lexington Valley Vineyard
New Kent Winery
Sunday, October 2, 2011
Great VA Wineries: From A to Z
26 wineries, 26 favorites.
Virginia has enough wineries to tout a winery under nearly every letter (apologies in advance, Sesame Street style, to the letters E, Q, X and Y). If you’re a new Virginia winery in search of a name, some letters to consider….
These 26 wineries consistently rank among our, and other blogger and wine fans, favorites. (We will double up on certain letters that surround those missing ones to make sure we hit 26).
This is a short and sweet blog entry for those new to the Virginia wine scene. Click on the winery name and a hyperlink will take you to the winery’s home page.
Afton Mountain (Waynesboro)
Barren Ridge (Waynesboro)
Casanel (Northern VA)
DuCard (Sperryville)
First Colony (Charlottesville)
Flying Fox (Blue Ridge Parkway)
Gadino Cellars (Sperryville)
Hiddencroft (Northern VA)
Ingleside (Northern Neck)
James River Cellars (Richmond area)
King Family (Charlottesville)
LeoGrande (Lynchburg)
Mountain Cove (Blue Ridge Parkway)
North Mountain (Shenandoah Valley)
Old House (Culpeper)
Pollak (Waynesboro)
Rappahannock Cellars (Front Royal)
Rogers Ford (Culpeper)
Sharp Rock (Sperryville)
Twin Oaks Tavern (Northern VA)
Unicorn (Warrenton)
Veritas (Waynesboro)
Village (Northern VA)
Willowcroft (Northern VA)
Wintergreen (Blue Ridge Parkway)
Zephaniah Farm (Northern VA)
Virginia has enough wineries to tout a winery under nearly every letter (apologies in advance, Sesame Street style, to the letters E, Q, X and Y). If you’re a new Virginia winery in search of a name, some letters to consider….
These 26 wineries consistently rank among our, and other blogger and wine fans, favorites. (We will double up on certain letters that surround those missing ones to make sure we hit 26).
This is a short and sweet blog entry for those new to the Virginia wine scene. Click on the winery name and a hyperlink will take you to the winery’s home page.
Afton Mountain (Waynesboro)
Barren Ridge (Waynesboro)
Casanel (Northern VA)
DuCard (Sperryville)
First Colony (Charlottesville)
Flying Fox (Blue Ridge Parkway)
Gadino Cellars (Sperryville)
Hiddencroft (Northern VA)
Ingleside (Northern Neck)
James River Cellars (Richmond area)
King Family (Charlottesville)
LeoGrande (Lynchburg)
Mountain Cove (Blue Ridge Parkway)
North Mountain (Shenandoah Valley)
Old House (Culpeper)
Pollak (Waynesboro)
Rappahannock Cellars (Front Royal)
Rogers Ford (Culpeper)
Sharp Rock (Sperryville)
Twin Oaks Tavern (Northern VA)
Unicorn (Warrenton)
Veritas (Waynesboro)
Village (Northern VA)
Willowcroft (Northern VA)
Wintergreen (Blue Ridge Parkway)
Zephaniah Farm (Northern VA)
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