Virginia Wine Weekend Getaway Towns: Part 4

Continuing with our six-part examination of getaway spots in the Commonwealth where you can partake in Virginia's finest, and explore an interesting town while doing it, we move closer towards the Shenandoah Valley and focus on a town more famous for a cave than the town itself: Luray.

Luray Caverns needs no introduction. The most famous public cave on the East Coast (and some would argue the country), the caverns have left millions of visitors breathless. Virginia boasts several caverns in the state (Skyline, Shenandoah, and Dixie to name three others), and all of them offer photo ops galore. Luray is the most popular mainly due to its relentless advertising since the 1960s, and location other attractions affiliated with the tourist spot, including an auto museum and "Singing Tower Park," which features a carillon, directly across from the caverns.

The town was formerly (as recently as the early '80s) rather downtrodden, but the world popularity of the caverns and a vigorous town Chamber of Commerce publicity campaign starting in the mid '80s has allowed to town to prosper and grow into a best-kept secret destination with art galleries, charming stores, and farm to table restaurants.

If you add nearby Stanley (off U.S. highway business route 340), which has Americana small town charms of its own, you the makings of a terrific holiday weekend (heads up: one such holiday weekend is coming up!) There is a fine selection of restaurants in these two towns. Our favorites include Uncle Buck's, The Speakeasy, Gathering Grounds Cafe, and Countryside in Stanley.

Which leads us to the wineries. The first two are on the other side of Shenandoah National Park from Luray; if you approach Luray from the east, via U.S. highway 211, you can hit these two wineries on your way to the town. If you visit Luray via Interstate 81 on the west, these two wineries are a pleasant (and extremely scenic) 30 minutes from the town.

Sharp Rock Vineyards resides on our list of the most relaxing wineries in the Commonwealth. The Hughes River, which you cross via a one lane bridge leading up to the winery, is a favorite of fly fishermen/women, and the owners (Jimm and Kathy East) offer picnic tables, hammocks, and even an overnight cottage with a balcony over the river, for interested guests. The tasting room resides in a cozy cabin, with a nicely appointed sitting area outside. The views at this winery are, in short, breathtaking. Old Rag Mountain sits behind the winery and hikers gather in the tasting room after day hikes.

Sharp Rock Vineyards - one of the most scenic spots in the state:

Jimm owns one of the original Virginia wineries; we have been visiting his spot since the early '00s. He makes incredible wine. Rosé is our usual choice for our visits, however his Chardonnay, with green apple notes, and "Synergy" (his blend of Petit Verdot and Merlot) are noteworthy. Jimm or Kathy will keep you entertained during the tasting with stories about eccentric neighbors.

Sharp Rock Vineyards is a tough place to leave, but after spending a few hours here, you won't have far to go for the next location: DuCard Vineyards:

DuCard is situated in a "mountain cove," meaning you are surrounded by mountains on three sides. Like Sharp Rock, you are truly one with nature in another irresistible mountain location. The tasting building is eco-friendly green, and a bit slicker than the rustic cabin at Sharp Rock, but the tasting process is equally intimate at DuCard. Standout offerings include the Signature Viognier, with its honeysuckle and melon notes; Gibson Hollow White, off-dry and refreshing and a perfect summer cookout wine; and the Popham Run Red blend, a Meritage-like blend with bold notes of cherry and pepper.

More from DuCard Vineyards:

The final winery in this spotlight is a truly one-of-a-kind location near the town of Stanley. Wisteria Vineyard is a working farm, complete with free-roaming chickens and roosters and several sheep, with a European-meets-Woodstock (New York) feel. Acoustic live bands frequent this spot, which is off the beaten trail but well worth a visit. The property extends through the vineyards to several picnic areas, all with incredible views:

The varietals change here from year to year, it seems. Typically, Viognier and Chardonnay are styles offered. This is also one of the only Virginia wineries that offers a "Carmine" red; peppery and mineraly, similar to a fine Cab Franc, but smokier.

The vineyards give way to remote picnic areas near a creek - if you want to get lost at a winery, this is the place to do it.

As for overnight accommodations, Luray is well-covered. Several national chains have locations here, as well as the original Luray Caverns Motels (two locations in the town). For a "throwback" feel, try the Hillside Motel, a modest, clean motel with a spectacular view, east of town on route 211.

Plan a long weekend trip to these easily accessible (from Washington DC and Northern Virginia) towns and wineries this summer!
And be sure to visit our previous entries on Virginia Wine Weekend Getaway Towns.

Goodbye to Three Winery Friends

The Notebook was saddened to hear about the recent closures of three VAVINO favorites: Hume Winery, Unicorn Winery, and Wintergreen Winery. The reasons behind the closures are not certain based on our research, but we gathered they relate to owners yearning to retire, and/or the business was more intensive and costly than the owners (or new owners) imagined.

As anyone familiar with the industry in the Commonwealth can tell you, making a lucrative business out of grape growing in Virginia is not the sure-fire recipe for success as it may be in California (that is, when drought and earthquakes do not interfere with growing), Oregon, Australia, or France. Mother nature plays a big part, as do all variety of animal life (mammals, birds, and insects), fickle patrons, bottling and distribution costs, and so on.

Hume Winery was the youngest of the three. They opened in 2011, what planned to be a side project for the owners. However we understand the owners' day jobs increased in intensity. What was meant to be a weekend hobby turned out to be burdensome and costly. Assistance from other wineries was appreciated, and their location in the Flint Hill/Front Royal area of Northern Virginia was striking (especially when lightning struck on this very warm summer day in 2012):

The tasting room was a restored cabin that provided an intimate experience. With a little help from wineries such as Breaux, Hume was crafting fine wines from the time they opened their door to their last vintage.

One of the most memorable experiences the Notebook had at Hume was a crazy hailstorm during the summer of 2012. The storm clouds in the photos above welcomed us, and twenty minutes later the skies opened up. We captured the event on film--click here to check it out.

Not every visit was as unstable:

Hume Winery will be missed. Fortunately for those who live in this area of the Blue Ridge foothills, a winery opened last year close to Hume to fill the gap left with Hume's closing: Winding Road Cellars.

Unicorn Winery was a perennial favorite of the blogmasters. Located about five minutes from busy route 211 between Warrenton and Washington, VA. Several years ago, new owners acquired Unicorn and immediately made improvements to the property, and the wine. A fountain was installed in the pond on the property, which was previously peaceful but rather lily pad and algae clogged. More picnic tables were added along the shore of the pond, and down the hill on the banks of the Rappahannock River. The wine improved as well, particularly the Meritage blend. And we also enjoyed the visits from Franc, their mellow, prize-winning Schnauzer.

Shots from Unicorn over the years:

Unicorn frequently paired up with other wineries, such as Hartwood near Fredericksburg, for mini festivals on their property. Despite being close to a busy U.S. highway, Unicorn was a true best kept secret; a low key alternative to the busier, more bustling wineries further down the highway.

Wintergreen Winery was located in Nelson County, south of Waynesboro, near the entrance to the Wintergreen Resort. Like Unicorn, Wintergreen was one of the Virginia originals; about 15 new wineries (and a few breweries) have sprung up in Nelson Country over the last ten years, but the Notebook always found our way back to Wintergreen, for the wine, the gracious (and funny) hosts and hostesses, and the view.....

Circa 2004 (original Wintergreen logo sign):

Wintergreen Winery had an irresistible picnic area, where you could hear the gentle rapids of the Rockfish River. Rockfish is a familiar name to anyone familiar with the TV show The Waltons. Earl Hamner, the real "John Boy," grew up in the area (the Waltons Museum is about 20 minutes away from Wintergreen). He visited the winery on occasion to give informal talks and sign books.

Circa 2009, updated logo sign:

Every time the bloggers would bring friends to Wintergreen, we would go for the Black Rock Red, kick back by the river, and it seemed as if we were melting into the landscape that day.

We sincerely wish the former owners of Hume, Unicorn, and Wintergreen all the best in their future endeavors. You will be missed.

10 Romantic Virginia Wineries

Valentine's Day is falling on a Saturday this year, which will be bliss for restaurants and wineries all over the Commonwealth (and country). The blogmasters' emails are getting stuffed with messages from many Virginia wineries, all staking the claim as "the most romantic spot for you and your Valentine." If you're a fan of the Virginia wine scene, you probably have your favorites. Whether it's a live band and mingling with other couples, or a quieter, more intimate spot by the fireplace, the Notebook has you covered.

Our 10 picks for "Most Romantic Wineries," in no particular order..........with a few highlights to whet your appetite (or thirst):

1. Fox Meadow Winery (east of Front Royal)
What could be better for that special day than partaking in what we find is some of the best wine in the state, while "looking down on the mountains?" The bloggers have been coming to this winery since their opening in 2007, and their vintages just get better with each year. Hopefully some Le Renard Rouge ("The Red Fox," their multiple award winning red blend) will be open for your visit.

2. Flying Fox Winery (Nelson County)
An up close and personal location, utterly charming, with delicious wine for all palates (bone dry, semi dry, and sweet). The fireplace warms the tasting cabin up nicely. You won't want to leave this spot. Try the "Trio," a delicious blend of Merlot, Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot.

3. Three Fox Vineyards (Delaplane)
Two good fox wineries deserve another! Like Flying Fox, the tasting cabin here is warm and intimate, and you're surrounded by rolling foothills on all sides (plus a creek runs through it!) The Italian atmosphere is irresistible, and the wines are beautifully balanced. Our favorites are the La Trovatella Merlot, with notes of blackberry and bacon, and the slightly sweeter Gatto Bianco.

4. Twin Oaks Tavern Winery (Bluemont)
Not a fox winery, but their logo used to sport a fox, so we will make do with that. Twin Oaks Tavern actually was a tavern during the 1920s and 1930s, in the time before air conditioning, when Washingtonians used to travel to the mountains to escape the heat of the summer. On a clear day (or even partly cloudy day), you can see forever...into West Virginia. The winery has a northwest exposure, and West Virginia is a mere 5 miles away. The view here is just as impressive as Fox Meadow, and the wines are exceptional; impressive considering their young age. The signature wine here is Raven Rocks Red blend of Cabernet Franc and Merlot, with a touch of Cabernet Sauvignon and Petit Verdot.

5. North Mountain Vineyard and Winery (south of Winchester)
The tasting building here is something out of a fairy tale book - the owners have German backgrounds, so you get a definite Alpine flavor here. The wrap-around tasting area includes a comfortable sitting area that is tastefully decorated. If it's warm enough (for February), the owners will ignite the firepits outside for a rustic touch. Our go-to wines here are the Claret, a Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Petit Verdot blend; the spiced holiday wine (which can be served cold, or mulled); and the apple wine.

6. First Colony Winery (south of Charlottesville)
Although we have not visited since the ownership change (we're banking that Fritz the Cat is still ruling the tasting room here!), we will write under the presumption that the wines, which were already good to excellent, have gotten better, and the low key vibe inside the tasting room remains. This is a great getaway in all seasons; the back patio facing the woods for the warmer weather, and upstairs, or by the fireplace, for the colder months.

7. Paradise Springs Winery (Clifton)
As one of the wineries closest to the Nation's Capital, get to this spot early (like at opening time) on "V Day" to get your spot by the fireplace in the back. Pull up some sofas, order some tasty treats from their extensive menu (or bring your own picnic), and grab a few bottles of Viognier, with its notes of apricot, grass, and melon, and Meritage, their best wine, which hits you with black cherry and licorice.

8. Barren Ridge Vineyards (near Staunton)
The most ski-chalet like winery on our list, this is a busy spot, yet the staff treat all visitors as if they're part of their family. Another winning tasting room with a fireplace. Our faves here are the Red Barren, a semi-sweet blend of Chambourcin, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, and Petit Verdot, with notes of raspberry and fig, and their Merlot, an award winner with a touch of cherry and coffee.

9. Potomac Point Winery (near Stafford)
Another popular location (get there early!) Potomac Point is an impressive property that resembles a commercial Napa winery, but within its vast tasting building are intimate nooks and crannies, some with fireplaces, that will work well for the big day. The Chardonnay is really special here, crisp with a touch of green apple, and the Norton, with its notes of rhubarb, is a unique and tasty style to enhance your experience.

10. Old House Vineyards (near Culpeper)
A name like "Old House" invokes many a romantic image, and the location never disappoints. It's one of our favorites in the entire state, with plenty of space to stretch out (including private spots). If it's warm enough, be sure to check out their unique pond with the island. All wines are truly great, but the favorite has to be Wicked Bottom, a "Chambourcin Reserve" with smokey characteristics; complex like the best Italian Chianti. And although we rarely go for sweet wines, their Arctica, an "ice wine style" (not a true ice wine) is delicious, especially poured on pound cake.

We're certain we've missed some favorite romantic spots - feel free to chime in with your faves. Enjoy your special weekend in VAVINO country!

Virginia Wine Weekend Getaway Towns: Part 3

Continuing with our six-part examination of getaway spots in the Commonwealth where you can partake in Virginia's finest, and explore an interesting town or city (following our spotlights on the Eastern Shore and the Northern Neck), we land in a fascinating town often overlooked as Virginia getaway spots: Petersburg.

Petersburg is a historic city about a half hour south of Richmond, with a charming, cobblestone-street Old Town district that's less popular and more walkable than its more populated/popular sister city to the north. Petersburg, like Richmond, was pretty much ravaged during the Civil War, the famous Appomattox River flowing through the city's northern border and providing key access to the James River. Battlefields surround the city, giving the city a haunted vibe (weird Virginia fact #45: The only house made out of tombstones in the country is in Petersburg). The battlefields include the site of the horrific Battle of the Crater (depicted in the 2003 film Cold Mountain). You can spend your morning touring the battlefields, visit two nearby wineries during the afternoon, and finish up at a variety of cool spots in the Old Towne district of Petersburg.

Morning:
Tour the battlefields!

The blogmaster in front of a piece of artillery:

The Crater:

Chimney:

Afternoon:
Winery time!

Two wineries are located east of the Petersburg/Hopewell/Colonial Heights corridor: New Kent Winery and Saudé Creek Vineyards.

New Kent Winery is a unique location as it is the only winery that we're aware of in the state that was developed as not only a wine destination, but a permanent housing community. This is a planned community not far from the busy I-64 corridor between Richmond and Hampton Roads, with vintages in mind. In fact, some of the neighborhoods in this community have names like "Viniterra," and the community is popular with American families and retirees alike.

The impressive winery building was built from historic materials reclaimed from buildings and structures well over a century old. Heart-pine trusses were reclaimed from a 1901 Southern Railroad Depot located in the Shockoe Bottom area of Richmond, handmade, pre-Civil War bricks were added, and the siding and roof shingles were milled from cypress logs that had been submerged in north Florida rivers for more than 150 years. The result is an inviting structure that mirrors the attitudes of the owners, the staff, and the wines.

Of the vintages, we adored the Chardonnay Reserve, with smooth vanilla notes and a hint of oak; the unique white Norton rosé, with a touch of sweetness that works perfectly with curry-based foods, and the bold Merlot, with its notes of blueberry and raspberry. The tasting process is Virginia Lady or Gentleman style; deliberate, entertaining, and intimate. Visitors are welcome to join tours of the impressive property throughout the day. Or, you can kick back inside or outside on one of the patios (in warmer weather, of course) overlooking the grounds and the community. This is not Reston. This is a low-key, decidedly Southern, winery experience.

Not far down the road from New Kent, about 20 minutes southeast along highway 249, Saudé Creek Vineyards is another impressive, relatively new location. Their tasting building is built on a bluff about half a mile from the Pamunkey River (a tributary of the York) and you can see the river through the trees from their expansive outdoor deck. New Kent Winery's offerings were heavy on the white side; Saudé Creek offers more for the red fans in your group. The Chambourcin has a Pinot Noir-ish medium body, and is dry and tasty as a fine Chambourcin should be, with a slight mouthfeel of plum. Their Cab Franc has soft tannins and a slightly chalky and peppery finish; wonderful. For the whites, we loved their Pamunkey Fall, a blend of Viognier and Chardonnel - fruit forward yet dry. Fans of sweeter wines will enjoy their blush Squire's Blend, a blend of Chambourcin and Muscadin, as well as their Traminette, perfect for white pasta dishes or Thai food.

Video clip of the experience at Saudé Creek:


Evening:
Petersburg and the nearby cities of Hopewell, Colonial Heights, and Chester offer numerous hotel, motel, and B&B options. You can visit the Virginia Tourist Guide's Petersburg for a list of options. For a great selection of beer (both European and craft), as well as a warm (in both senses of the word) environment and great food, we highly recommend The Brickhouse Run, a true British pub (go for the Scotch eggs, bangers and mash or the delicious Petersburger). From their website: "We like to think that if Petersburg, Virginia were part of Britain this is what its pub would be like." True, that. The bar tender was immensely chatty and knowledgeable, particularly about craft beer. We didn't notice Virginia wine offerings, but we were in a beer mood by the time we arrived here anyway.

Petersburg is a college town (Virginia State University, Richard Bland College), so there can be a lively atmosphere here. For a throwback to your college days, visit Longstreet's, a burger/sandwich joint with an expansive selection of craft brews. Stroll around the cobblestone alleyways and be sure to visit the Appomattox River, where a mere 100 miles up the river, the Civil War was put to an end.

Any season is the right time to visit one of Virginia's best kept secret towns: Petersburg.

'15 New Winery Spotlight #1: Winding Road Cellars

As we usher in another year of hopping through Virginia's finest, we embark on a series of blog entries focusing on (relatively) new wineries that have sprung up over the past 12 to 18 months. Some of these locations have been listed in the past two annual Virginia Winery maps; others were open "by appointment" only, and just recently established regular business hours.

As we await the publication of this year's Virginia winery map, which will most definitely list new wineries to explore in the coming year, we focus on some spots that have been open for some time now.

Winding Road Cellars

A few weeks before Christmas, we loaded up several Beatles CDs and decided to pay a visit to a few favorites around Front Royal, including some new spots. As we passed Philip Carter Winery on the left, traveling near the village of Hume, we inserted the Let it Be album and turned left into Winding Road Cellars. The road leading to the tasting building was not exactly long, but it was a bit winding, as the gravel driveway led us down the incline to a tasteful holiday-decorated building.

We were greeted by one of the owners, who seemed a bit reserved at first but friendly. She led us through a tasting including the requisite bites of chocolate to pair with the wines. Although they have promise, we don't think Winding Road is quite there yet, compared to other mainstays in the area like Philip Carter, Chateau O'Brien and Fox Meadow Winery (although the wines were all decent to good.) Sometimes it takes newer wineries a few years to find their way, to determine what grows best in the vineyards, as the soil in the Commonwealth is so varied from region to region. We felt the same way about two other wineries near Winding Road, which opened in 2011 and have since locked into varietals that they're confident in creating: Cobbler Mountain Cellars and Capitol Vineyards.

The tasting included two off-sweet styles that would work well with extremely spicy dishes like spiced crab dip or Thai food: Vidal Blanc and Semi-Sweet Chambourcin. Both styles are favorites of wine "newbies," so Winding Road will do well with the scores of young people who descend on the winery scene throughout the year (and not just in the spring, summer, and fall anymore...) The Vidal Blanc was a touch too sweet for us, with some honey notes, but would work well with the aforementioned foods.

The 2010 Chardonnay was quite good, offering notes of butterscotch. The big guns were their reds, all of which have potential: Chambourcin (regular, not semi-sweet), Cab Sauv and Cab Franc. We understand that the owners are going to grow styles quite unusual to this part of Virginia, namely Pinot Noir and Riesling, because "my husband is a little crazy" (exact quote from his wife, who led us through the tasting with dry wit).

The interior of the tasting building is mostly wood, which is perfect for sound absorption. Although there was not a live band when we visited (thankfully), we understand from their website that bands do perform here. At least the wood will buffer some of the sound, unless the band is acoustic (and acoustic bands get a pass from us; they actually work very well in a tasting room).

Outside, a deck overlooks the large pond (bordering lake in its size). We asked about the decrepit little boathouse on the pond's shore, and she told us the previous owners of the land kept canoes and kayaks (and even a small sailboat) in the boathouse. The boathouse looks like a true fixer-upper and we envision another seating area or tasting room in that location.

All in all, Winding Road Cellars is a solid addition to the region. We were sad to hear Hume Vineyards, which also opened in 2011, closed its doors last year, due to a myriad of issues. We visited Hume several years ago during a crazy mid summer storm and documented the event (click here).

Some pix to get you inspired for a long and winding afternoon at this winery:

The pond:

Additional photos - during this pre-Christmas jaunt, we visited a few other spots in the area. As it was a Friday before Christmas week, we had the normally very bustling Rappahannock Cellars almost to ourselves!

And on a less positive note, we pulled in to the infamous Oasis Vineyards, to look at their sad property. These vines will have to be completely pulled up and the soil turned over, before new vines can be planted. This would explain why the nearby wineries are not interested in this land. It's such a sad story - the original owner made such fine wine, but he turned the operation over to his son, who was more interested in entertaining celebrities, operating a limo business, and crashing White House galas:

Vino Movies: Take V

Putting our Roger Ebert hats on for one last time, we're up to the final movie in our over year-long discussion of the Top Five Wine films. To bring you up to date, you can read about the previous four flicks we picked here:

5. The Godfather Part II
4. Notorious
3. Sideways
2. A Good Year

Before we unveil our top pick, here are three vineyard/winery-themed movies that would have made the list if we had analyzed a Top Eight:

6. A Walk in the Clouds
7. French Kiss
8. Under the Tuscan Sun

Which brings up to the Number One pick:

Bottle Shock

The Notebook adores this movie. It's charming, funny, nostalgic, wonderfully acted, beautifully photographed, and probably most important, based on a true story. The movie is set in the then still young (in the New World of wine) Napa Valley in 1975, the year before California wine defeated French wine in a blind taste test known as the "Judgment of Paris."

Chris Pine, on his way to becoming a major star courtesy of the Star Trek film reboot and other Hollywood blockbusters, stars as Bo, the slacker son of a very serious man (played by Bill Pullman, who's come a long way from playing the "dumbest person on the planet" in Ruthless People), who would rather smoke pot, crank the Doobie Brothers, and drink his father's creations right from the bottle in his Napa vineyards than learn about the craft of growing grapes, creating wine, and then marketing the creations. Pullman plays Jim Barrett, the proprietor Chateau Montelena vineyards, who threw away a very lucrative job in Los Angeles as a lawyer to follow his dream in Napa. Without giving too much of the film's surprises away, the film becomes Rocky-like in its inspirational story, as Bo shapes up and ends up representing his father's wines, as well as other blossoming Napa wines, in Paris in 1976.

There are some great characters and performances in the film, especially delightful if you're familiar with these actors' previous roles: Alan "Hans Gruber" Rickman as Steven Spurrier, the British wine fanatic who decides to open a wine shop in Paris, of all places, and embarks on journey to find the new winemaking centers of the world (and ends up in Napa); the late, great Dennis Farina (he of countless FBI agent and hilarious mobster roles) as Maurice, the owner of an American tourist shop next door to Spurrier's in Paris (we love Maurice's descriptions of the wines he constantly tastes - for free - in Spurrier's shop); Freddy Rodriguez (who also appeared in A Walk in the Clouds) as Barrett's most talented winemaker, who harbors a secret; and Eliza Dushku, who as an ex vampire slayer on TV would seem a little out of place in this film, but shines in several of the film's best moments as the owner of a local Napa bar. However, Pine and Pullman really take charge of the film as the estranged Bo and Jim. When Jim Barrett reaches rock bottom, it is amazing acting from Pullman, who in addition his break in Ruthless People, has played the President of the United States several times, battled voodoo in Haiti, and worked with acclaimed director Lawrence Kasdan in several films.

The characters in the film are real. The events are authentic (albeit slightly modified to appeal to movie audiences). The film is a perfect choice for wine lovers and holiday viewing, and tasting rooms throughout the state (and country) show the film in evening screenings. Although it contains some salty language, sexual situations, and (OMG) pot smoking, compared to movies like The Hangover and your pick of Seth Rogan comedy, Bottle Shock plays like a Disney movie.

Virginia wineries have been using the events depicted in the film as a template. "California, once seen as the joke of the winemaking world, can do it....so can we!" The small town of Paris, Virginia (up the road from Delaplane where routes 50 and 17 intersect) hosted its own "Judgment of Paris" a few years ago as a tribute. If you're a wine lover (Virginia wine lover, or just a wine lover in general), buy, rent or stream this film pronto!

Trailer:

The Politics of Vineyards

There is no question the country is divided. Whether you blame the current administration, or you blame the media, the country has now officially been divided up into sections of blue and red. But the truth is most Americans have moderate or middle of the road ("purple") beliefs. The Notebook blogmasters tend to lean left on many issues, but we have conservative views on a few hot topics. We thought it was time to reveal what we perceive are the leanings of some of our favorite locations, with tongue planted firmly in cheek.

When it comes to vineyard and winery ownership, the myth states that entrepreneurs tend to be more Conservative, and farmers tend to be more Progressive. But as we've gathered from some winery owners, that's not always the case. There are plenty of winery and vineyard owners "in the money" who support Earth Day and there are many grape growers and wine makers who fly Gadsden Flags on their property. Wine enjoyment is apolitical - if the wine is good, the location works, and the staff and owners are hospitable, we're there.

This entry will be a bit more provocative than most, as one can't mention politics without setting oneself up for debate. But in the spirit of the other entries, we will try to remain lighthearted as we review our picks of the Top 3 Red (right-leaning) and Blue (left-leaning) wineries in Virginia. Keep in mind we never get into political discussions with other patrons or staff at wineries. We never ask the owners what side of the political fence they reside on. We abide by the golden rule of "never talk about religion and politics in mixed company." These six choices are based on pure observation, as well as the random comments made by the owners or the pourers over the years.

Top 3 Red Wineries:

3. Trump Winery (south of Charlottesville)
With a name like Trump Winery, what would you expect? We were greeted with Hummers and other SUVs in the parking lot sporting Virginia Tea Party
license plates. Rumor has it, The Donald used his monetary (and famous name) muscle to get his winery highway signs much quicker than other new wineries when he took over the location from Kluge Estate's (also right-leaning) owners several years ago. The obligatory political observations aside, we were wholly impressed with the wine, the tasting room, and the generous level of service of the staff. Actually The Donald delegated the oversight of the winery to his son Eric, and photos of the Trump brood (including, of course, framed magazine covers) adorn the walls. We preferred the wine here over the previous Kluge Estate; more lighter varietals and whites, versus the Kluge offerings, which tilted towards heavy reds and sparkling wines. Prices were modest and there wasn't an elitist mood here (visitors requiring reservations, $40 tastings, etc. - contrasted to a few locations, which shall be nameless, in Virginia which do this). Of the wines, we loved the unoaked Chardonnay, Bordeaux-style new world reserve red, and the rosé. Maintaining the niche carved by Kluge, Trump also offers several nice sparkling wines.

2. King Family Vineyards (Crozet)
Also located in the Charlottesville area, King Family Vineyards was one of the first wineries in Virginia we visited and remains a favorite. The first time we visited, driving down the gravel road and observing the large polo field, "Dallas" instantly came to mind--the TV show, and the city. Turns out the winery has Texas roots (David and Ellen King hailing from the Lone Star state), and they planted their first vines here in the mid '90s. Horses, polo and lacrosse are the passions of the owners (David is also a licensed pilot), and they happen to make excellent wine. If you've seen the PBS documentary "Vintage: The Winemaker's Year," you probably recall the sequence where the family ignites campfires, and David King pilots a helicopter, to keep the warm smoke locked in over the vineyards during an unexpected spring frost. With the Texas and military background of the family, as well as the upper crust sports and visitors wearing Kentucky Derby-like apparel to watch the polo matches here, there is a decidedly "red" mood, but as the case with Trump Winery, there is no exclusive atmosphere here. Of the wines, all are very good to excellent, but we usually end up with several bottles of Croze and Petit Verdot.

1. Philip Carter Winery (east of Front Royal)
Christmas decorations galore, Christmas music played until New Year's Day, and a staff member who proudly boasts that Philip Carter is the favorite Virginia winery of a famous (or infamous) member of the George W. Bush administration (we'll keep that to ourselves for now....) Yup, this is about as "red" a winery can get, however the hosts are gracious, the tasting building has a real wood fireplace (a big plus), the view in the mountain "cove" is beautiful, and the tours are educational and amusing. You will certainly learn a lot of about Philip Carter and the Carter family, the owner and a direct descendant of one of the pioneering families in the history of Virginia wine. Prices are a bit steeper here (this is "recession proof" Northern Virginia, after all), but we typically end up leaving with a few bottles of their dry rosé, Rosewell.

Additional "Red" locations to try:
Fox Meadow Winery (east of Front Royal)
Wolf Gap Vineyard (south of Woodstock)
Valerie Hill Winery (south of Winchester)


Top 3 Blue Wineries:

3. Blenheim Vineyards (south of Charlottesville)
Only in Virginia....two celebrity wineries right next to each other. Blenheim Vineyards, designed and owned by musician Dave Matthews, sits a few yards away from the entrance to Trump Winery. It's a friendly rivalry - signs near the exits of these two wineries direct visitors to the other winery. Matthews is a well known progressive musician with professional roots in Charlottesville (although Matthews originally hails from South Africa). The eye-pleasing A-frame styled tasting building here is constructed from reclaimed wood fitted together with mortise and tenon joints, and the timber frame tasting room is lined with south-facing windows and skylights, which facilitate full daylighting of the space. No electricity is required to light the space in the summer. The deck behind the tasting room looks over a southeast setting, where you can make out the bluffs surrounding the James River in the distance. Of the wines, the pineapple-kissed Viognier and Merlot, with notes of plum, are our favorites.

2. North Gate Vineyard (Purcellville)
We get a progressive vibe at North Gate the minute we pull into the parking lot; spots are reserved for car poolers and fuel-efficient vehicles. Sustainability is the mantra here - and great wine. Nestled off Hillsboro Road, between the towns of Purcellville and Hillsboro in Loudoun County, North Gate is a favorite of the blogmasters. The large, airy tasting room offers a gas fireplace with a chimney that doubles for the real wood fire place on the other side (the outdoor fireplace). A patch of thick pine trees line the path leading to a foothill of the Blue Ridge. North Gate's solar PV system provides 100% of the power the owners need to operate the winery and tasting room for one calendar year. They utilize net-metering and send excess electricity that they generate back onto the grid for others to use. But it's not all about green energy and sustainability here. Try their Chambourcin (either room temperature or slightly chilled), Viognier, or their statewide-famous apple wine.

1. Cooper Vineyards (Mineral)
Cooper Vineyards takes the "green" approach of North Gate and turns it up to "11." In 2011, their new tasting building opened, which earned a coveted LEED Platinum certification, awarded only to construction projects that meet the highest-rated standards in green building technology. The tasting building resembles a merging of Frank Lloyd Wright and Woody Allen's "Sleeper." Nestled in the rolling Piedmont hills of central Virginia (between Richmond and Charlottesville), it's a hard place to leave. You really feel away from it all here. They offer several off-dry and off-sweet wines here, including arguably their most famous wine, Noche, a chocolate-infused wine. Their winery is not far from the epicenter of the 2011 Virginia earthquake (the then-new tasting room sustained a little damage but was quickly repaired). Cooper "celebrated" the earthquake with a wine called "Epicenter," a red blend that was extremely tasty but sadly no longer available. Our current favorites here are the Coopertage blend (Cabernet Sauvignon, Petit Verdot, Merlot and Cabernet Franc), and Coopertage Blanc, a Chardonnay and Viognier blend.

3 more "Blue" locations:
Barrel Oak Winery (Delaplane)
Fabbioli Cellars (north of Leesburg)
White Hall Vineyards (Crozet)

No matter what your "color" leaning is, we hope you check out these twelve Commonwealth locations soon!