"Where, exactly, IS Delaplane?" Long-time northern Virginia residents will recognize the name Delaplane - one time home of Willard Scott and Robert Duvall; some "place" near Marshall and The Plains on the way to Skyline Drive; the name that appears on GPS systems along route 66. But where is the place? It's a crossroads, near the railroad tracks, right off Exit 23, and offers a general store, a post office, and an antiques shop. But Delaplane also offers a bonafide wine loop - some call this area the "mini Napa" of Northern Virginia. TEN wineries, all unique in their own ways, within seven miles of each other.
A list of these ten wineries can be found under this blog entry, but we will spotlight four of them, for a nice cross-section of this mini Napa.
Barrel Oak Winery, affectionately called "BOW," is a northern Virginia favorite, and despite only being open for about five years, is already an institution in the world of Virginia wine. Owner Brian Roeder is the always upbeat host, his wife Sharon is the head winemaker, and the place is always buzzing on the weekends (visit during the week for a more intimate experience). This winery has gone to the dogs. In a good way. A visit to this vineyard is like a Best in Show dog contest: You'll see dogs of every shape and size. The wines aren't too shabby: Our favorites remain their "pizza wines" (table white and table red--named Bowhaus White and Red). Their petit verdot is a bold award winner (for the other side of the wine spectrum). Their wines are a bit pricey compared to other wineries in the area, probably due to the constant improvements Brian makes to his property. And despite how busy the location is during the weekend, you can always be guaranteed a picnic table on the sloping hill.
A few minutes away from BOW is Three Fox Vineyards, up a steep grade near the railroad tracks and Goose Creek. Three Fox is home to some wonderfully dry white wines, as well as a smooth merlot (silver medal winner in the 2012 Governor's Cup). Three Fox has a great property for spreading out--name your pleasure. Relaxing on a hammock? Check. Picnic by the babbling creek? Check. "Unwined" near the tasting room on the patio? Check. Grab their famous "table in the sky" (a picnic table perched on a hilltop)? Check. Become their Facebook friend for special deals.
Further down the road, past the village of Delaplane, lies Vintage Ridge Vineyards. This location is unique in that they specialize in sit-down tastings where light food is paired with their vino offerings. On a warm day, take your seat on their patio overlooking the Blue Ridge foothills, and mellow out with a glass or bottle of the blogmasters favorites: "Summer Night" (vidal blanc) or delicious syrah.
Delaplane Cellars is the final spotlighted location in this "winery congested" section of Fauquier County. The tasting room is on a slope overlooking the mountains, and the whole location is environmentally friendly and airy. The stars here are the viogniers: A light one (LoCo Viognier) and a bolder one (Maggie's Vineyard Viognier). The Williams Gap red is a true meat lovers red, a blend of Cab Franc, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Petit Verdot.
No longer just a crossroads, Delaplane is the heart of the Fauquier County wine trail and rumor has it a white oval bumper sticker is on the way: DELA.
Barrel Oak Winery
Three Fox Vineyards
Vintage Ridge Vineyards
Delaplane Vineyards
Additional Delaplane-area wineries:
Miracle Valley Vineyard
Cobbler Mountain Cellars
Aspen Dale Winery
Naked Mountain Winery
Capitol Vineyards
Linden Vineyards
Sunday, March 25, 2012
Saturday, March 24, 2012
Village Wine Stop #1: Middleburg
Middleburg is one of those northern Virginia villages featured in nearly every tourist guide and regional magazine at least three times per year. It is the center of northern Virginia horse and fox hunt country. The Safeway in the middle of town is the poshest Safeway you'll probably ever visit. Gridlock on a typical spring weekend day is nearly as bad as Old Town Alexandria. For our money, Middleburg the town is overrated. But there's hope as Middleburg features a few winning wineries a stone's throw away from town.
The first stop is arguably one of the most unique locations in the state (as far as Virginia wineries go): Quattro Goomba's Winery. This winery brings grapes in from California, Italy and Chile, and makes the wine in Virginia. Evidently Quattro Goomba's will be acquiring grapes from Breaux in the future, so a Virginia-grown product will be offered as well. The wines currently offered were a bit on the sweet side, but adequate. Like other wineries in the region, Quattro Goombas usually has a live band during the weekend, which continues to spoil the wine tasting mood for the blogmasters. We would rate Quattro Goomba's high for those just getting into the Virginia wine scene - you get the vistas of the Virginia countryside, the friendly staff, the generous tastings, but you don't get Virginia wine (yet).
Drive westbound on U.S. route 50 and follow the signs to Chrysalis Vineyards, the home of Norton, Virginia's original grape. If you want to experiment with this unique red, there is no better place to do it. Chrysalis is one of the original Virginia vineyards, and boasts a pictureseque setting amid the hills of fox hunt country. The tasting room and process is a bit small and confusing (respectively), and some of the wines were too sweet for our tastes, but for a Norton experience in Northern Virginia, Chrysalis Vineyards is worth a stop.
Swedenburg Estate Vineyard has its property right outside the town limits of Middleburg. This is our favorite winery in the region - wines are dry, Old World-style winners. Juanita Swedenburg was a pioneer of the Virginia wine industry, and fought long and hard for the state's now-flexible wine laws. Her spirit lives on as her son and grandchildren carry on with managing the vineyards. Despite being so close to the town, the vineyards and picnic area seem to be miles away. This is definitely a better warm weather spot as the tasting room is small and offers few tables (our only gripe about Swedenburg Estate Vineyard). The pinot noir itself is worth a visit, but stay to enjoy the mountain views and quiet vineyard setting.
Piedmont Vineyards, south of Middleburg (on the way to Delaplane), is another Virginia wine original. This is one of the oldest wineries in the Commonwealth, established in 1973. The owner/winemaker is a German gentleman who may put some off with his gruffness at first (he's all about his wine and making sure his guests have an intimate experience), but he warms up as soon as you start asking questions. Try the unoaked Hunt Country Chardonnay and the Hunt Country Red, a perfect sangria base.
The final stop on your tour could very well be Boxwood Winery, which the blogmasters have not visited. The slickness and formality of this place turns us off (you need an appointment to take a tour and try their wines at the winery). However you can try their wines at their satellite tasting rooms in downtown Middleburg or Reston Town Center. Their signature red, Boxwood, is a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Petit Verdot, and is incredibly good, but not better than many other more affordable wines we've had in the region. But due to its location near Middleburg, and the fact that the property (gated of course) is so impressive, it deserves a mention.
There is no shortage of restaurants in Middleburg to find food to soak up your vino experience (although we were sad to see our favorite restaurant in the area, the Hidden Horse Tavern, closed on the last visit). Pick your spot, or tour all of them, and enjoy a daycation away from the Beltway madness.
Quattro Goomba's Winery
Chrysalis Vineyards
Swedenburg Estate Vineyard
Piedmont Vineyards
Boxwood Winery
The first stop is arguably one of the most unique locations in the state (as far as Virginia wineries go): Quattro Goomba's Winery. This winery brings grapes in from California, Italy and Chile, and makes the wine in Virginia. Evidently Quattro Goomba's will be acquiring grapes from Breaux in the future, so a Virginia-grown product will be offered as well. The wines currently offered were a bit on the sweet side, but adequate. Like other wineries in the region, Quattro Goombas usually has a live band during the weekend, which continues to spoil the wine tasting mood for the blogmasters. We would rate Quattro Goomba's high for those just getting into the Virginia wine scene - you get the vistas of the Virginia countryside, the friendly staff, the generous tastings, but you don't get Virginia wine (yet).
Drive westbound on U.S. route 50 and follow the signs to Chrysalis Vineyards, the home of Norton, Virginia's original grape. If you want to experiment with this unique red, there is no better place to do it. Chrysalis is one of the original Virginia vineyards, and boasts a pictureseque setting amid the hills of fox hunt country. The tasting room and process is a bit small and confusing (respectively), and some of the wines were too sweet for our tastes, but for a Norton experience in Northern Virginia, Chrysalis Vineyards is worth a stop.
Swedenburg Estate Vineyard has its property right outside the town limits of Middleburg. This is our favorite winery in the region - wines are dry, Old World-style winners. Juanita Swedenburg was a pioneer of the Virginia wine industry, and fought long and hard for the state's now-flexible wine laws. Her spirit lives on as her son and grandchildren carry on with managing the vineyards. Despite being so close to the town, the vineyards and picnic area seem to be miles away. This is definitely a better warm weather spot as the tasting room is small and offers few tables (our only gripe about Swedenburg Estate Vineyard). The pinot noir itself is worth a visit, but stay to enjoy the mountain views and quiet vineyard setting.
Piedmont Vineyards, south of Middleburg (on the way to Delaplane), is another Virginia wine original. This is one of the oldest wineries in the Commonwealth, established in 1973. The owner/winemaker is a German gentleman who may put some off with his gruffness at first (he's all about his wine and making sure his guests have an intimate experience), but he warms up as soon as you start asking questions. Try the unoaked Hunt Country Chardonnay and the Hunt Country Red, a perfect sangria base.
The final stop on your tour could very well be Boxwood Winery, which the blogmasters have not visited. The slickness and formality of this place turns us off (you need an appointment to take a tour and try their wines at the winery). However you can try their wines at their satellite tasting rooms in downtown Middleburg or Reston Town Center. Their signature red, Boxwood, is a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Petit Verdot, and is incredibly good, but not better than many other more affordable wines we've had in the region. But due to its location near Middleburg, and the fact that the property (gated of course) is so impressive, it deserves a mention.
There is no shortage of restaurants in Middleburg to find food to soak up your vino experience (although we were sad to see our favorite restaurant in the area, the Hidden Horse Tavern, closed on the last visit). Pick your spot, or tour all of them, and enjoy a daycation away from the Beltway madness.
Quattro Goomba's Winery
Chrysalis Vineyards
Swedenburg Estate Vineyard
Piedmont Vineyards
Boxwood Winery
Wednesday, February 15, 2012
Drinking in Virginia's Eastern Shore
Virginia's Eastern Shore, the pencil-shaped peninsula surrounded by the Chesapeake on the west and south, the Atlantic on the east, and the Maryland border on the north, is one of the most unique landscapes on the east coast. Rolling farmlands, creeks, marshes, bogs, and bays share the peninsula with country roads and quaint towns and villages. If you've only experienced the Eastern Shore by traveling north or south on U.S. highway 13, you haven't experienced the Eastern Shore. The peninsula is a land of wild ponies, crab pots, and villagers who still have faint English accents. And now it's home to three wineries - and more are most likely in the future. The Eastern Shore has proven to have rich loamy soil that serve chardonnay, petit manseng and other whites very well - similar to the north fork of Long Island.
You can arrive on the Eastern Shore two ways from the DC area - take the long southern route, through Hampton and Virginia Beach, and over the famous Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel, or the shorter (albeit less scenic) route through Maryland. Most folks come out here to visit Chincoteague, Wallops Island and Assateauge Island, or the artsy town of Onancock. For the best tour of the Shore, get off U.S. 13 and follow state highways 318, 178, and county highway 618, through towns with strange names like Parksley, Painter, and Exmore. And if you're coming from the DELMAR (Delaware and Maryland), your first stop to imbibe will most likely be Bloxom Winery, named after the nearby village.
The gentleman who owns Bloxom is French Morrocan, a bit on the gruff side but not unfriendly. Depending on the time of year, you will be offered as many as five wines, or as few as two. His biggest seller is a red, despite the Shore's growing reputation as a white grape region: Merlot. Wonderfully complex yet smooth. His Cab Franc is good as well, if a bit watery compared to the mainland Virginia counterparts. Red Kiss is a sweet wine that is probably his most popular (for those "amateurs" from Ohio and Michigan visiting the ponies in nearby Chincoteague). He has a pizza oven he fires up three seasons of the year, and there is a welcoming sipping patio surrounded by plants.
Driving further south (prepare for about a 45 minute drive), the next stop is Holly Grove Vineyards, an exceptional and very low key spot that hugs a creek that dumps into Chessie. During warmer months, you can actually rent kayaks from Jonathan, the owner and winemaker, but for colder months, most likely it will be just you and the winemaker. He stores his wines in very large European barrels (nearly twice the size of regular barrels), and every wine on his list is exceptional. Genesis, a Bordeaux blend with a nice low alcohol content (translation: You can finish the bottle yourself and not feel utterly trashed), was the favorite red. On the other side of the coin, his petit manseng, at 14.8% alcohol, is delicious but totally creeps up on you. We imagine many overturned kayaks after a bottle or two of this stuff. Of the three wineries on the Eastern Shore, Holly Grove was our favorite. Bonus: You can order online! At blog entry time, he's sold out of Genesis, but we will watch his website with a keen eye.
The final stop on the Eastern Shore trek is Chatham Vineyards, owned by Jon Wehner, a Great Falls, VA native, who rightly deserves the reputation as the Godfather of Eastern Shore wineries. His tasting room is deceiving - he makes a lot of good to great wine here. Let's cut to the chase: The 2010 Steel fermented Chardonnay....hands down the BEST chardonnay we've ever had in Virginia. 2010 was an exceptional year for Virginia wines, thanks to a hot, drier than usual climate in late summer that allowed the grapes to reach maximum potential. The 2009 wasn't too shabby either (according to the website, only the 2009 is currently available). Perhaps he has some 2010 onhand at the winery - you must visit to find out. Other favorites are his merlot and rosé.
Drink in the Eastern Shore this spring, and watch yourself on those kayaks!
Bloxom Winery
Holly Grove Vineyards
Chatham Vineyards
You can arrive on the Eastern Shore two ways from the DC area - take the long southern route, through Hampton and Virginia Beach, and over the famous Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel, or the shorter (albeit less scenic) route through Maryland. Most folks come out here to visit Chincoteague, Wallops Island and Assateauge Island, or the artsy town of Onancock. For the best tour of the Shore, get off U.S. 13 and follow state highways 318, 178, and county highway 618, through towns with strange names like Parksley, Painter, and Exmore. And if you're coming from the DELMAR (Delaware and Maryland), your first stop to imbibe will most likely be Bloxom Winery, named after the nearby village.
The gentleman who owns Bloxom is French Morrocan, a bit on the gruff side but not unfriendly. Depending on the time of year, you will be offered as many as five wines, or as few as two. His biggest seller is a red, despite the Shore's growing reputation as a white grape region: Merlot. Wonderfully complex yet smooth. His Cab Franc is good as well, if a bit watery compared to the mainland Virginia counterparts. Red Kiss is a sweet wine that is probably his most popular (for those "amateurs" from Ohio and Michigan visiting the ponies in nearby Chincoteague). He has a pizza oven he fires up three seasons of the year, and there is a welcoming sipping patio surrounded by plants.
Driving further south (prepare for about a 45 minute drive), the next stop is Holly Grove Vineyards, an exceptional and very low key spot that hugs a creek that dumps into Chessie. During warmer months, you can actually rent kayaks from Jonathan, the owner and winemaker, but for colder months, most likely it will be just you and the winemaker. He stores his wines in very large European barrels (nearly twice the size of regular barrels), and every wine on his list is exceptional. Genesis, a Bordeaux blend with a nice low alcohol content (translation: You can finish the bottle yourself and not feel utterly trashed), was the favorite red. On the other side of the coin, his petit manseng, at 14.8% alcohol, is delicious but totally creeps up on you. We imagine many overturned kayaks after a bottle or two of this stuff. Of the three wineries on the Eastern Shore, Holly Grove was our favorite. Bonus: You can order online! At blog entry time, he's sold out of Genesis, but we will watch his website with a keen eye.
The final stop on the Eastern Shore trek is Chatham Vineyards, owned by Jon Wehner, a Great Falls, VA native, who rightly deserves the reputation as the Godfather of Eastern Shore wineries. His tasting room is deceiving - he makes a lot of good to great wine here. Let's cut to the chase: The 2010 Steel fermented Chardonnay....hands down the BEST chardonnay we've ever had in Virginia. 2010 was an exceptional year for Virginia wines, thanks to a hot, drier than usual climate in late summer that allowed the grapes to reach maximum potential. The 2009 wasn't too shabby either (according to the website, only the 2009 is currently available). Perhaps he has some 2010 onhand at the winery - you must visit to find out. Other favorites are his merlot and rosé.
Drink in the Eastern Shore this spring, and watch yourself on those kayaks!
Bloxom Winery
Holly Grove Vineyards
Chatham Vineyards
Sunday, February 5, 2012
If We Build [a Winery], They Would Come
The blogmasters have visited over 115 wineries in the Commonwealth, and we have our favorites (there are many), and our not-so-favorites (ditto), but we have yet to come across the Perfect Virginia Winery. Usually over several bottles at a particular winery, we conjure up our image of the Perfect Winery. A few in Virginia come close, but it's a tall order. What makes a Perfect Winery?
1. Wine: A no brainer. Good variety, crisp and dry whites, bold and dry reds. And maybe one or two sweets to appease those looking for what we now call Charms wines. And a dessert or port offering.
2. Interior Set Up: A large airy tasting room that absorbs sound. A real wood fireplace, that is actually used. A long tasting bar. Eco-friendly design. Plenty of tables and chairs. NO TV. NO LIVE BANDS. An iPod with a good winery-themed mix, or a DJ playing classics at a decent volume, works wonders. We find it amazing that so many wineries opt to be venues for live bands, particularly the ones in Northern Virginia. The wine, tasting room, and the view should be enough of a draw for visitors.
3. Exterior Set Up: A nice view (mountains, a body of water, the vineyards, meadows, forests - we'd use the natural setting to the best advantage). Plenty of picnic tables.
4. A Resident Cat and a Resident Dog. To please 100% of the pet lovers.
5. No Limos, No Keg Buses: Keep the drunkards who want to turn the tasting room into an alpha male frat house or loud, vulgar bachelorette party out.
It's unlikely that we'll find such a winery in the future of Virginia's growing industry, but we can dream.
What is your idea of a perfect winery?
1. Wine: A no brainer. Good variety, crisp and dry whites, bold and dry reds. And maybe one or two sweets to appease those looking for what we now call Charms wines. And a dessert or port offering.
2. Interior Set Up: A large airy tasting room that absorbs sound. A real wood fireplace, that is actually used. A long tasting bar. Eco-friendly design. Plenty of tables and chairs. NO TV. NO LIVE BANDS. An iPod with a good winery-themed mix, or a DJ playing classics at a decent volume, works wonders. We find it amazing that so many wineries opt to be venues for live bands, particularly the ones in Northern Virginia. The wine, tasting room, and the view should be enough of a draw for visitors.
3. Exterior Set Up: A nice view (mountains, a body of water, the vineyards, meadows, forests - we'd use the natural setting to the best advantage). Plenty of picnic tables.
4. A Resident Cat and a Resident Dog. To please 100% of the pet lovers.
5. No Limos, No Keg Buses: Keep the drunkards who want to turn the tasting room into an alpha male frat house or loud, vulgar bachelorette party out.
It's unlikely that we'll find such a winery in the future of Virginia's growing industry, but we can dream.
What is your idea of a perfect winery?
Thursday, January 19, 2012
Cork Calling Orson - All about corks
Through the years, the blogmasters have discussed the pros and cons of various methods to cap wine bottles with Virginia winemakers. We've compiled our notes into one brief summary post to explain the differences and mention the advantages and disadvantages.
Casual and serious wine drinkers have their preferences,and so do the winemakers. The answers to our questions were a bit surprising. To cork, or to screwtop, boils down to your drinking habits. A glimpse of the five most popular types of wine cappers:
Natural Cork
The preferred method of most wineries in the state, as well as the world. But as we've discovered, traditional cork doesn't always provide the best seal. And as natural cork can be unpredictable, the cork could crumble while opening the wine. Some have no problem with bits of cork floating in their wine glass (if you're drunk, who cares anyway?) But others may toss their wine out at the very sight of this. Natural cork, being natural and all, is subject to bacteria contamination, which according to some winery owners and wine fans, is just part of the "adventure of wine enthusiasm."
Natural cork costs the most of all wine bottle toppers, but they are naturally decomposing, therefore good for the environment. Better yet, save them to create a cool wine cork corkboard (you can buy the kits at Total Wine).
There are some wineries that feel natural cork is the one and only way to seal a bottle. Fox Meadow Winery near Front Royal swears by the romantic appeal of natural cork and will always use them.
Agglomerated Cork
Have you ever opened a wine bottle that appears to have a natural cork, only to realize it's some sort of "super packed" cork? Not very porous, and therefore useless for your cool wine cork corkboard? These are agglomerated corks, which are formed from granulated natural corks. They are less expensive than pure natural corks, they can provide a more consistent seal, and they repel bacteria more than their natural counterparts. But drawbacks are there: More difficult to open with a basic corkscrew, and they will not decompose like natural corks. Ox-Eye Vineyards in downtown Staunton works with agglomerated corks.
Synthetic Cork
These are those "foamy" corks that can come in different colors. They are inexpensive to produce, make that "popping" sound, and totally repel bacteria. But.....no cork "romance," and unless they are returned to the winery, they cannot be recycled. And if not properly capped on the bottle, air could filter through the synthetic cork after a few months (or even weeks). Still, many wineries in Virginia favor the synthetic cork, especially mass producers like Horton.
Screw Tops
The most hated method of wine bottle capping according to many fellow blogmasters, several Virginia wineries, and the diehard wine aficionado. Many green wineries in the state swear by screw tops, to reduce the demand from natural cork trees. The problem of course is metal cannot be absorbed by nature, so these wineries presume their guests will recycle. If you've been to Wolf Trap with your six pack of mini wine bottles from Barefoot or (your choice of cheap mass produced 7-11 wine), you know the advantage of screw top wine. Forget about aging wine on your rack, forget about a quality seal, forget about wine opening romance - quantity over quality. And sometimes, that's totally fine.
Many mass producers in Virginia offer the same wine in cork or screw top bottles (depending on your drinking habits). White Hall Vineyards near Charlottesville is just one example.
Zorks
We came across zorks at Byrd Cellars recently and were intrigued - this is a plastic combination of synthetic and screw top. Just as easy to open as a screw top, but with a more reliable seal. The biggest benefit of zorks are their natural-cork like ability to reseal. Screw tops do not allow for a good reseal, if you can't finish the bottle. For this reason, zorks are used in some countries for sparkling wines.
Here is a short video of a discussion with the winemaker at 8 Chains North Winery near Purcellville, explaining the wine sealing process:
Casual and serious wine drinkers have their preferences,and so do the winemakers. The answers to our questions were a bit surprising. To cork, or to screwtop, boils down to your drinking habits. A glimpse of the five most popular types of wine cappers:
Natural Cork
The preferred method of most wineries in the state, as well as the world. But as we've discovered, traditional cork doesn't always provide the best seal. And as natural cork can be unpredictable, the cork could crumble while opening the wine. Some have no problem with bits of cork floating in their wine glass (if you're drunk, who cares anyway?) But others may toss their wine out at the very sight of this. Natural cork, being natural and all, is subject to bacteria contamination, which according to some winery owners and wine fans, is just part of the "adventure of wine enthusiasm."
Natural cork costs the most of all wine bottle toppers, but they are naturally decomposing, therefore good for the environment. Better yet, save them to create a cool wine cork corkboard (you can buy the kits at Total Wine).
There are some wineries that feel natural cork is the one and only way to seal a bottle. Fox Meadow Winery near Front Royal swears by the romantic appeal of natural cork and will always use them.
Agglomerated Cork
Have you ever opened a wine bottle that appears to have a natural cork, only to realize it's some sort of "super packed" cork? Not very porous, and therefore useless for your cool wine cork corkboard? These are agglomerated corks, which are formed from granulated natural corks. They are less expensive than pure natural corks, they can provide a more consistent seal, and they repel bacteria more than their natural counterparts. But drawbacks are there: More difficult to open with a basic corkscrew, and they will not decompose like natural corks. Ox-Eye Vineyards in downtown Staunton works with agglomerated corks.
Synthetic Cork
These are those "foamy" corks that can come in different colors. They are inexpensive to produce, make that "popping" sound, and totally repel bacteria. But.....no cork "romance," and unless they are returned to the winery, they cannot be recycled. And if not properly capped on the bottle, air could filter through the synthetic cork after a few months (or even weeks). Still, many wineries in Virginia favor the synthetic cork, especially mass producers like Horton.
Screw Tops
The most hated method of wine bottle capping according to many fellow blogmasters, several Virginia wineries, and the diehard wine aficionado. Many green wineries in the state swear by screw tops, to reduce the demand from natural cork trees. The problem of course is metal cannot be absorbed by nature, so these wineries presume their guests will recycle. If you've been to Wolf Trap with your six pack of mini wine bottles from Barefoot or (your choice of cheap mass produced 7-11 wine), you know the advantage of screw top wine. Forget about aging wine on your rack, forget about a quality seal, forget about wine opening romance - quantity over quality. And sometimes, that's totally fine.
Many mass producers in Virginia offer the same wine in cork or screw top bottles (depending on your drinking habits). White Hall Vineyards near Charlottesville is just one example.
Zorks
We came across zorks at Byrd Cellars recently and were intrigued - this is a plastic combination of synthetic and screw top. Just as easy to open as a screw top, but with a more reliable seal. The biggest benefit of zorks are their natural-cork like ability to reseal. Screw tops do not allow for a good reseal, if you can't finish the bottle. For this reason, zorks are used in some countries for sparkling wines.
Here is a short video of a discussion with the winemaker at 8 Chains North Winery near Purcellville, explaining the wine sealing process:
Wednesday, January 11, 2012
Virginia WineRoad Trip: Route 6 Trail
The Charlottesville area is now home to so many wineries and vineyards (and a few breweries) that selecting the right Wine Trail is the best way to maximize efficiency - driving in a scenic area is great, as long as there are wineries dotted along the way! Route 6, a state highway that runs along the Rockfish and James Rivers south of Monticello, is a unique way to start in the country and end in the city - Richmond. Follow this course and you can do the rural thing and urban thing in one weekend, and hit a few places to imbibe along the way.
Like many state highways, route 6 doesn't follow a conventional straight line path. We suggest hopping on 6 via route 29. However your GPS, Google map or MapQuest map (or if you're a relic like us, your atlas) takes you there, you're looking for the intersection of U.S. 29 and state highway 6, near Faber, Virginia (home of a general store, and that's about it).
You will be rewarded for the trip on Route 29 (especially if you took 29 through Charlottesville) with the first winery - and you're not even on route 6 yet. The turnoff to DelFosse Vineyards is actually about a quarter mile past the intersection of 29 and 6. This place has to be seen to be believed. Picture traveling on winding mountain roads, very narrow in spots, for about five miles, and then coming across a giant campus dedicated to fine wine (oh, and the winery is surrounded by a nature preserve complete with a trail from the winery to the mountain woods). A pond, terraced vineyards, and a cabin you can rent for the night. Plus some amazing and unique wines. Be sure to try the Grand Cru Olivier red blend.
DelFosse is a hard place to find, but even harder to leave. Should you pass up on the cabin rental, find your way back to route 29 and drive northwards back to the intersection of 29 and highway 6. Make the right on 6 and follow the signs towards Scottsville. Scottsville itself is an interesting town that hugs the James River and you may want to stop for lunch. Or, continue on the trek. You still have several wineries to hit before getting to Richmond. About two miles past the village of Columbia, you'll arrive at the next stop: Byrd Cellars. Expect great things from this new winery. The wines are incredible, and the winemaker is serious. He even plans to release a Viognier later this year, even though he confessed to us that he is "not a fan." The winery is perched on a hill overlooking railroad tracks and the James River bed. Not one, not two, but three apple wines, and they are particularly proud of their Nortons (a regular and a reserve). We loved the chardonnay, but all wines are impressive, considering the newness of this winery. And be sure to ask about their "Columbia cats," a white cat with tabby markings that apparently pops up all over this section of Virginia. The winery has taken in several.
The next two wineries are not on Route 6 - okay, we're cheating. But by the time you hit Byrd Cellars, you may have grown tired of the road anyway. Chart a course to Windsong Winery, which you can plot on your own via GPS or ask the nice folks at Byrd (they'll be happy to draw a map for you). Windsong is another relatively new location, on "Funny Tree Trail," named after a strange looking specimen that the owners of Windsong are more than happy to explain. The wines are adequate, with room to improve, and definitely unusual. Three wines rare for Virginia: Muscat, Dornfelder and Garnet, plus a chardonnay and several fruit wines. A very serene location to be sure.
The last winery on this trail is another highly unique one: Grayhaven Winery. Follow U.S. highway 250 or I-64 eastbound towards Gum Spring, and look for the signs. The tasting room exists in a small Tolkien-esque building and the wines are just as unique as Windsong's. The whites are good, but the reds stood out. They boast an incredible Touriga that will keep on your rack for 10+ years. Other must trys are their Cab Sauv and Pinotage, which could be dubbed South Africa's answer to Pinot Noir.
Off to Richmond, if you really feel bold, Short Pump. Just follow I-64 or highway 250 (which becomes Broad Street). The Route 6 Trail offers highly unusual choices for the diehard Vavino fans out there.
DelFosse Vineyards
Byrd Cellars
Windsong Winery
Grayhaven Winery
Like many state highways, route 6 doesn't follow a conventional straight line path. We suggest hopping on 6 via route 29. However your GPS, Google map or MapQuest map (or if you're a relic like us, your atlas) takes you there, you're looking for the intersection of U.S. 29 and state highway 6, near Faber, Virginia (home of a general store, and that's about it).
You will be rewarded for the trip on Route 29 (especially if you took 29 through Charlottesville) with the first winery - and you're not even on route 6 yet. The turnoff to DelFosse Vineyards is actually about a quarter mile past the intersection of 29 and 6. This place has to be seen to be believed. Picture traveling on winding mountain roads, very narrow in spots, for about five miles, and then coming across a giant campus dedicated to fine wine (oh, and the winery is surrounded by a nature preserve complete with a trail from the winery to the mountain woods). A pond, terraced vineyards, and a cabin you can rent for the night. Plus some amazing and unique wines. Be sure to try the Grand Cru Olivier red blend.
DelFosse is a hard place to find, but even harder to leave. Should you pass up on the cabin rental, find your way back to route 29 and drive northwards back to the intersection of 29 and highway 6. Make the right on 6 and follow the signs towards Scottsville. Scottsville itself is an interesting town that hugs the James River and you may want to stop for lunch. Or, continue on the trek. You still have several wineries to hit before getting to Richmond. About two miles past the village of Columbia, you'll arrive at the next stop: Byrd Cellars. Expect great things from this new winery. The wines are incredible, and the winemaker is serious. He even plans to release a Viognier later this year, even though he confessed to us that he is "not a fan." The winery is perched on a hill overlooking railroad tracks and the James River bed. Not one, not two, but three apple wines, and they are particularly proud of their Nortons (a regular and a reserve). We loved the chardonnay, but all wines are impressive, considering the newness of this winery. And be sure to ask about their "Columbia cats," a white cat with tabby markings that apparently pops up all over this section of Virginia. The winery has taken in several.
The next two wineries are not on Route 6 - okay, we're cheating. But by the time you hit Byrd Cellars, you may have grown tired of the road anyway. Chart a course to Windsong Winery, which you can plot on your own via GPS or ask the nice folks at Byrd (they'll be happy to draw a map for you). Windsong is another relatively new location, on "Funny Tree Trail," named after a strange looking specimen that the owners of Windsong are more than happy to explain. The wines are adequate, with room to improve, and definitely unusual. Three wines rare for Virginia: Muscat, Dornfelder and Garnet, plus a chardonnay and several fruit wines. A very serene location to be sure.
The last winery on this trail is another highly unique one: Grayhaven Winery. Follow U.S. highway 250 or I-64 eastbound towards Gum Spring, and look for the signs. The tasting room exists in a small Tolkien-esque building and the wines are just as unique as Windsong's. The whites are good, but the reds stood out. They boast an incredible Touriga that will keep on your rack for 10+ years. Other must trys are their Cab Sauv and Pinotage, which could be dubbed South Africa's answer to Pinot Noir.
Off to Richmond, if you really feel bold, Short Pump. Just follow I-64 or highway 250 (which becomes Broad Street). The Route 6 Trail offers highly unusual choices for the diehard Vavino fans out there.
DelFosse Vineyards
Byrd Cellars
Windsong Winery
Grayhaven Winery
Sunday, January 8, 2012
Virginia WineRoad Trip: Route 20 Trail
Virginia Route 20 is one of the alternative routes to Charlottesville - do yourself a big favor and bail off U.S. 29 in Ruckersville if you drive down to Charlottesville any time of the year (particularly the fall). The highway north of C'Ville resembles Route 7 in Tysons Corner on a bad day. You'll want to stop at 7-11 and grab a bottle of Glen Ellen to survive that highway, thus ruining a great Virginia wine experience that awaits you.
The Route 20 Wine Route starts in Barboursville and ends in Scottsville, which is about 20 miles south of Charlottesville. A few wine destinations (some famous; others not so famous) are must-stops--including Barboursville, of course. There is a small town (more of a crossroads) named Barboursville, but this name is famous for its vineyard and winery, one of Virginia's originals (planted in 1976). If the Smithsonian operated a winery, it would probably resemble Barboursville. There is a restaurant (Palladio) on the premises as well. Rows of visitors descend on the tasting bar every weekend, no matter what season. World renowned for its Octagon red blend, Barboursville wines can be found in supermarkets all of the state (as well as the occasional Sunoco station) - this is a mass producing winery. There is something for everyone here, and the prices are right. The drawback of a place this large is the lack of space for "unwineding." On warm days, you can bring your own picnic and enjoy a bottle or three near the fascinating Barboursville Ruins. Photo ops at nearly every turn.
Driving a few miles south on Route 20, make a right turn off and follow the signs to Burnley Vineyards. Not as well-known as Barboursville (or Horton, which lies east of route 20 on the road towards yet another "ville"-- Gordonsville), Burnley is one year younger than Barboursville; first vines planted in 1977. Most likely, you will be greeted by the owners with a glass of warm mulled wine in hand. The tasting room is the polar opposite of Barboursville's slickness and the room in the back, for unwineding, is a mishmash of tables with folding chairs and old rolling office chairs. Highly unusual, and that describes the wines too. They are probably the only Virginia winery that offers a Red Zinfandel (grapes trucked in from California). A guest house if offered for those who want to wrap up the first half of the Route 20 jaunt.
As route 20 approaches Charlottesville, you can see the quaint city tucked into the foothills to the west. Continue on route 20 south and follow the signs to Jefferson Vineyards, the closest winery to Monticello. Another pioneer of the Virginia wine scene, Jefferson Vineyards is perched up on a hillside and offers a terrific Riesling (semi dry).
After the detour to Jefferson Vineyards (and Monticello for a glimpse of Gabriele Rausse's vineyard on TJ's estate grounds), return to route 20 southbound, and follow the signs to Sugarleaf Vineyards. The Long and Winding Road - a song appropriate for the gravel road leading to Sugarleaf (second after the road leading to Stone Mountain for "winery offroading" in Virginia). Sadly the former winemaker at Sugarleaf, Dan Neumeister, passed away a few years ago in a fatal motorcycle accident. His favorite tree on the Sugarleaf property, which also adorns the labels of their wines, greets visitors to this unique boutique location.
Continue on 20 south, and take a left turn before crossing the bridge and visit the Commonwealth's "celebrity wineries" (which exist side by side): Trump Vineyard (which opened in late 2011, on the property that used to be Kluge Estate Vineyards) and Blenheim Vineyards (owned by Dave Matthews). The experiences at these wineries fit the personalities of their owners to a tee--overdone, expensive, and elite for Trump Vineyard; Earth-friendly, unpretentious and naturally beautiful for Blenheim.
The final two wineries on the Route 20 Trail are next to each other as well: First Colony Winery and Virginia Wineworks. First Colony is one of the blogmasters' favorites in the state - every wine's a winner. The tasting room is more traditional, versus the "working winery" atmosphere of Virginia Wineworks, which is over the hill and through the woods, about half a mile from First Colony. Michael Shaps, the winemaker at Virginia Wineworks, is one of the Godfathers of Virginia wine, and the wines under his name are among the best on the east coast. The more affordable label, Virginia Wineworks, contains incredibly priced outstanding wines (including wine a box....the first Virginia winery to offer this.) According to the tasting room hostess, a picnic area is coming for the warmer months.
One trail, nine wineries, which, typical for Virginia, are completely different from each other. After Virginia Wineworks, find a place for an overnight (a tent will do at this point) and prepare for the next jaunt - the Virginia Route 6 Wine Trail......
Barboursville Vineyard
Horton Vineyards
Burnley Vineyards
Jefferson Vineyards
Sugarleaf Vineyards
Trump Vineyard
Blenheim Vineyards
First Colony Winery
Virginia Wineworks
The Route 20 Wine Route starts in Barboursville and ends in Scottsville, which is about 20 miles south of Charlottesville. A few wine destinations (some famous; others not so famous) are must-stops--including Barboursville, of course. There is a small town (more of a crossroads) named Barboursville, but this name is famous for its vineyard and winery, one of Virginia's originals (planted in 1976). If the Smithsonian operated a winery, it would probably resemble Barboursville. There is a restaurant (Palladio) on the premises as well. Rows of visitors descend on the tasting bar every weekend, no matter what season. World renowned for its Octagon red blend, Barboursville wines can be found in supermarkets all of the state (as well as the occasional Sunoco station) - this is a mass producing winery. There is something for everyone here, and the prices are right. The drawback of a place this large is the lack of space for "unwineding." On warm days, you can bring your own picnic and enjoy a bottle or three near the fascinating Barboursville Ruins. Photo ops at nearly every turn.
Driving a few miles south on Route 20, make a right turn off and follow the signs to Burnley Vineyards. Not as well-known as Barboursville (or Horton, which lies east of route 20 on the road towards yet another "ville"-- Gordonsville), Burnley is one year younger than Barboursville; first vines planted in 1977. Most likely, you will be greeted by the owners with a glass of warm mulled wine in hand. The tasting room is the polar opposite of Barboursville's slickness and the room in the back, for unwineding, is a mishmash of tables with folding chairs and old rolling office chairs. Highly unusual, and that describes the wines too. They are probably the only Virginia winery that offers a Red Zinfandel (grapes trucked in from California). A guest house if offered for those who want to wrap up the first half of the Route 20 jaunt.
As route 20 approaches Charlottesville, you can see the quaint city tucked into the foothills to the west. Continue on route 20 south and follow the signs to Jefferson Vineyards, the closest winery to Monticello. Another pioneer of the Virginia wine scene, Jefferson Vineyards is perched up on a hillside and offers a terrific Riesling (semi dry).
After the detour to Jefferson Vineyards (and Monticello for a glimpse of Gabriele Rausse's vineyard on TJ's estate grounds), return to route 20 southbound, and follow the signs to Sugarleaf Vineyards. The Long and Winding Road - a song appropriate for the gravel road leading to Sugarleaf (second after the road leading to Stone Mountain for "winery offroading" in Virginia). Sadly the former winemaker at Sugarleaf, Dan Neumeister, passed away a few years ago in a fatal motorcycle accident. His favorite tree on the Sugarleaf property, which also adorns the labels of their wines, greets visitors to this unique boutique location.
Continue on 20 south, and take a left turn before crossing the bridge and visit the Commonwealth's "celebrity wineries" (which exist side by side): Trump Vineyard (which opened in late 2011, on the property that used to be Kluge Estate Vineyards) and Blenheim Vineyards (owned by Dave Matthews). The experiences at these wineries fit the personalities of their owners to a tee--overdone, expensive, and elite for Trump Vineyard; Earth-friendly, unpretentious and naturally beautiful for Blenheim.
The final two wineries on the Route 20 Trail are next to each other as well: First Colony Winery and Virginia Wineworks. First Colony is one of the blogmasters' favorites in the state - every wine's a winner. The tasting room is more traditional, versus the "working winery" atmosphere of Virginia Wineworks, which is over the hill and through the woods, about half a mile from First Colony. Michael Shaps, the winemaker at Virginia Wineworks, is one of the Godfathers of Virginia wine, and the wines under his name are among the best on the east coast. The more affordable label, Virginia Wineworks, contains incredibly priced outstanding wines (including wine a box....the first Virginia winery to offer this.) According to the tasting room hostess, a picnic area is coming for the warmer months.
One trail, nine wineries, which, typical for Virginia, are completely different from each other. After Virginia Wineworks, find a place for an overnight (a tent will do at this point) and prepare for the next jaunt - the Virginia Route 6 Wine Trail......
Barboursville Vineyard
Horton Vineyards
Burnley Vineyards
Jefferson Vineyards
Sugarleaf Vineyards
Trump Vineyard
Blenheim Vineyards
First Colony Winery
Virginia Wineworks
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