We’re stuck in the middle of a frigid, depressing winter with above-average precipitation, short days, and little sunshine. Diehard winery visitors like the blogmasters refuse to stay away from the Commonwealth wineries even during this time of year (that is, the wineries which are open year-round). But for many, these are not the ideal months for winery hopping (especially for the more remote wineries, where paved roads leading to the properties are typically rare). So that begs the question—“where can Virginia wine fans get their fix?”
Retailers of Virginia wine are not in short supply in the state. Because the blogmasters reside in Northern Virginia, we will focus on several locations in this area which have a decent selection of the Commonwealth’s finest offerings. Don’t expect low prices for these wines—as many who “buy local” already know, you will be spending a bit more for regional offerings. Virginia is not quite up to snuff compared to the distribution of wines from Italy, Australia, Spain, California, Washington State, et al. Therefore you will be spending more, unless you happen across a Virginia winery with mass production (and that doesn’t always guarantee that the wines are made in the Commonwealth; if it’s a wine from a Virginia winery and it’s stamped “American” instead of “Virginia,” it’s not grown or made in Virginia).
Intimate wine stores and major chains (supermarkets and specialty chains) will be spotlighted. If you’re lucky, you may happen upon a store during a tasting. In short, you won’t have to drive far during these bleak months to find Virginia wine. But as soon as that warmer weather breaks, readers are ordered to seek out actual wineries for the bona fide Virginia vineyard experience.
FERN STREET GOURMET (Alexandria)
Fern Street Gourmet is tucked away in a small roadside shopping center off Quaker Lane in the Fairlington section of Alexandria/east Arlington. Fairlington and Shirlington residents familiar with the neighborhood pub “Rampart’s” have probably walked by Fern Street Gourmet many times. This European-influenced small wine shop has a few Virginia offerings and also has frequent tastings, spotlighting Virginia varietals such as Norton. The small deli in the back of the store adds to the European flavor.
HARRIS TEETER (various locations)
As the case with other supermarkets, the number of local offerings varies from store to store. But as Harris Teeter is gaining a reputation for following up on customer requests, they will attempt to get a favorite Virginia wine on their shelves. Currently most stores offer the more mass produced wines found in the state: Williamsburg, Chateau Morrisette, Prince Michel, Horton, Barboursville. But they also offer Breaux, which makes some of the best wine in the Commonwealth (albeit a little on the pricey side).
OLD DOMINION WINE SHOPPE (Occoquan)
In our opinion, the best wine store in the state. Virginia wine, and only Virginia wine (plus a few beers). The industry is strong enough to support a store that only sells Virginia (and if you want to pick up a bottle or two from another world region, there is another equally delightful wine store two doors’ down from Old Dominion Wine Shoppe). The husband and wife who own the store are extremely chatty and know the industry well. Every Saturday, a different winery from the state comes in to pour and sell. It’s a win-win for the store (which sends out weekly e-mails to interested customers to alert them of the visiting winery) and the winery, which may be a distant location that many Northern Virginians haven’t been able to visit. The blogmasters have visited this store many times, and feel like the kids roaming around Willy Wonka’s candy garden every time. And the wineries keep coming – word has gotten out.
PLANET WINE (Alexandria)
The hip Del Ray neighborhood of Alexandria (history lesson—this section of Alexandria was an independent town named Potomac in the late 19th Century) boasts many independent retailers. Del Ray residents are proud of their independent spirit. In fact they have been successful at keeping out national chains….a 7-11 store is the only major chain found in Del Ray. Next door to the popular bistro Evening Star is Planet Wine, owned by the same folks who run Evening Star and several other restaurants in Alexandria/Arlington (including Tallula, Vermillion, and Rustico). Planet Wine has a handful of Virginia wines, but perhaps the coolest thing about this store is you can buy a bottle of wine (any bottle of wine), and if you visit Evening Star after the wine store, they will open your bottle for you and serve it at the restaurant. You pick the perfect wine for your dinner.
STATE RUN (ABC) STORES (various locations)
Not every state-run ABC store sells Virginia wine, but it was such a surprise when the blogmasters came across one that did that we have to mention it (the location in North Reston, for those taking notes). The selection consisted of the “usual suspects” (Prince Michel, Williamsburg, Barboursville), but offering Casanel, a small, family-owned spot in Loudoun County, earned the store a spot on this list.
TOTAL WINE (various locations)
This mass retailer has probably the best selection of Virginia wines in the area, if not the state. Total Wine has many fans and a few detractors (the most common complaint is the “largeness” of the store). But an entire aisle dedicated to Virginia wines? You can’t miss. The blogmasters always leave this store with a bottle or two of wine from the Commonwealth, even if our wine racks are already full. Our biggest complaint is that these stores are usually in hellish strip malls with overstuffed parking lots. After spending twenty minutes trying to get out of some of these lots (the Total Wine in Alexandria, in the Lincolnia Shopping Center, is probably the worst), we have come very close to breaking out the corkscrew in the glove compartment, and then breaking the law, to reduce the stress.
UNWINED (Alexandria)
One of the blogmasters spent six years in the Fairlington/Shirlington area of Alexandria and east Arlington, so he got to know the wine stores in this neighborhood very well. Unwined, in the Bradlee Shopping Center off King Street, has arguably the best customer service of the bunch, and if you don’t see a favorite Virginia wine on their shelves, they will make valiant attempts to get it on their shelves.
WEGMAN’S (various locations)
Wegman’s is more of an event than a supermarket—just ask anyone who’s been there. Cartoon character signs (as found in DisneyWorld’s parking lot) are needed to help you find your car when the store and parking lot get packed. Food courts, small gourmet shops within the main supermarket, even a seafood bar (in the case of the Leesburg location). Wegman’s boasts a wine shop that surpasses many of the stand-alone wine stores in the state. And yes, they have a great selection of Virginia wine. The chain is known for embracing local offerings, be it cheese, produce, or wine. And since Wegman’s is an upstate New York-based grocery chain, you can snap up bottles of great Finger Lakes wine on the same trip.
WHOLE FOODS (various locations)
Whole Foods has proven to be “hit or miss” (depending on location) when it comes to Virginia wine. The location in the Clarendon area of Arlington—HIT. Their location in Reston—MISS. But when Whole Foods has a hit, they rival Total Wine.
THE WINE CABINET (Reston)
Found in the same shopping center as the aforementioned ABC store, The Wine Cabinet has the best of the best tucked away in a corner of their store—not only Virginia wine, but the best in Virginia Wine: Barboursville’s Octagon, which many have deemed the best wine made in the state; Linden (Jim Law, the winemaker at Linden, is a Virginia wine pioneer); Lovingston (not only fantastic wine, but between $15 and $19 a bottle, fantastic prices).
Friday, February 25, 2011
Sunday, February 6, 2011
Wine Trail Spotlight--The Bedford Wine Trail
Bedford County is an intriguing rural county nestled between Roanoke and Lynchburg. One of the county’s biggest claims to fame is that of the troops who fought on D-Day on June 6, 1944, more hailed from Bedford County, Virginia than any other county in the U.S. This is why the D-Day Memorial, a highly impressive monument in the shadows of the Blue Ridge, was erected here (about a mile outside the town of Bedford itself).
But Bedford County also boasts a wine trail, which includes tucked-away spots such as Peaks of Otter Winery (fruit and vegetable wine—yes, vegetable wine), White Rock Vineyards, Hickory Hill Vineyards and LeoGrande Vineyards & Winery.
1. PEAKS OF OTTER WINERY
This winery is named for the two nearly-identical side-by-side mountain peaks due west of the D-Day Memorial. This is not a place for grape wine, but if you have a sense of humor and don’t mind experimenting with fruit (and vegetable!) wines, Peaks of Otter is a hoot. The winemaker and staff have a laid back northern California vibe, and their wines reflect their eccentricity. You name the fruit—a tree fruit (besides a citrus fruit) or a berry fruit—and most likely, they have it or have experimented with it. And some vegetables as well—peppers, pumpkins (and pumpkins are vegetables), tomatoes (fruit or vegetable—still debatable after all these years).
These are relatively low-alcohol and low price wines, so if you taste something you like, you can load up on bottles of it. These are wines best enjoyed in the warmer months, and Peaks of Otter is a fixture at many state-wide festivals, so you can stock up at the festivals if the winery is inaccessible during the winter months. (And they are extremely popular at festivals – seems like everyone is a fan of the entertaining staff and their unusual wines).
Our favorites were the plum, apple and blueberry wines. Other Virginia wineries are dabbling in fruit wines (see the December 2010 blog on this topic), but these wines are Peaks of Otter’s forte. Peaks of Otter only creates wine out of fruits and vegetables they grow on their property, which explains the lack of orange, lemon, banana and pineapple wine (although our hosts’ eyes lit up when we asked about those fruits). Any fruit or vegetable can ferment, so technically you can make wine (or brandy) out of all fruits. Peaks of Otter Winery, in all its quirky glory, proves this every year.
http://www.peaksofotterwinery.com/
2. WHITE ROCK VINEYARDS
Located inside a house that deserves a listing in Better Homes and Gardens, White Rock Vineyards is one of those “hard to find, but even harder to leave” rural Virginia wineries, like nearby Fincastle Winery and Virginia Mountain Vineyards. The winery boasts a deck overlooking the mountains and vineyards. It feels like someone’s mountain home, as opposed to a straight tasting room. And that’s because it is the owner and winemaker’s home. The tasting room is located inside a screened-in patio, much like a Florida room. There is a friendly Siamese cat to keep guests company.
The typical Virginia wines are offered—Chardonnay, Cab Franc, Merlot. And White Rock is one of the few state wineries with a fantastic Cab Sauv. They also boast a Traminette that lives up to its website description---Granny Smith apple tones make for a delicious wine in all seasons. And their prices are unbeatable – you are rewarded for driving the distance. All wines are under $20!
http://whiterockwines.com/
3. HICKORY HILL VINEYARDS
The closest winery to Smith Mountain Lake, the largest lake in the state, Hickory Hill Vineyards is another quaint, family-owned spot that has been crafting good vintages for nearly ten years. Using the lake’s name in many of their offerings (“Smith Mountain Lake Mist,” “Smith Mountain Lake Redbud,” “Smith Mountain Lake Sunset”), the winery has a generous offering of dry, semi-dry and sweet wines. Their Chardonnays (one unoaked, the other mildly oaked) are award winners and the owners are rightfully proud of the wines and their winery.
https://sites.google.com/a/smlwine.com/hickoryhill/
4. LEOGRANDE VINEYARDS AND WINERY
Located in Goode, VA (off the highway leading to Lynchburg), LeoGrande Winery is, like many spots in the Commonwealth, a totally family-run operation. The day your blogmasters visited, there was a sign hanging on the tasting room door—“We’re out in the fields. Please honk your car horn if you’d like a tasting.” We were happy to follow the sign’s instructions, and before long, owner and winemaker Norman LeoGrande himself, greeted us.
His wines are winners – every one of them. We were lucky enough to try some of his earliest vintages (his winery has been open for about three years now), including a Reserve Chardonnay that was one of the best we’ve had in the entire state. And because Mr. LeoGrande was partaking in his own product during the tasting (we love it when winemakers do that), these tastings were probably more generous than others. Other offerings worth note are Sangiovese, Syrah, and Nebbiolo. Beautiful wines, and perfectly priced (Nebbiolo, at $20, was the most expensive non-library wine on his list!)
Outside the tasting room, several Adirondack chairs are lined up facing the vineyards and a host of farm animals (cows, horses, goats, and even a potbellied pig!) Settle in and enjoy multiple bottles of his product, and admire the foothills to the Blue Ridge in the distance.
http://www.leograndewinery.com/our_wines.html
Take a weekend jaunt to Bedford County, lap up some scenery and history, and delve into the fruits of these farm wineries’ labors!
But Bedford County also boasts a wine trail, which includes tucked-away spots such as Peaks of Otter Winery (fruit and vegetable wine—yes, vegetable wine), White Rock Vineyards, Hickory Hill Vineyards and LeoGrande Vineyards & Winery.
1. PEAKS OF OTTER WINERY
This winery is named for the two nearly-identical side-by-side mountain peaks due west of the D-Day Memorial. This is not a place for grape wine, but if you have a sense of humor and don’t mind experimenting with fruit (and vegetable!) wines, Peaks of Otter is a hoot. The winemaker and staff have a laid back northern California vibe, and their wines reflect their eccentricity. You name the fruit—a tree fruit (besides a citrus fruit) or a berry fruit—and most likely, they have it or have experimented with it. And some vegetables as well—peppers, pumpkins (and pumpkins are vegetables), tomatoes (fruit or vegetable—still debatable after all these years).
These are relatively low-alcohol and low price wines, so if you taste something you like, you can load up on bottles of it. These are wines best enjoyed in the warmer months, and Peaks of Otter is a fixture at many state-wide festivals, so you can stock up at the festivals if the winery is inaccessible during the winter months. (And they are extremely popular at festivals – seems like everyone is a fan of the entertaining staff and their unusual wines).
Our favorites were the plum, apple and blueberry wines. Other Virginia wineries are dabbling in fruit wines (see the December 2010 blog on this topic), but these wines are Peaks of Otter’s forte. Peaks of Otter only creates wine out of fruits and vegetables they grow on their property, which explains the lack of orange, lemon, banana and pineapple wine (although our hosts’ eyes lit up when we asked about those fruits). Any fruit or vegetable can ferment, so technically you can make wine (or brandy) out of all fruits. Peaks of Otter Winery, in all its quirky glory, proves this every year.
http://www.peaksofotterwinery.com/
2. WHITE ROCK VINEYARDS
Located inside a house that deserves a listing in Better Homes and Gardens, White Rock Vineyards is one of those “hard to find, but even harder to leave” rural Virginia wineries, like nearby Fincastle Winery and Virginia Mountain Vineyards. The winery boasts a deck overlooking the mountains and vineyards. It feels like someone’s mountain home, as opposed to a straight tasting room. And that’s because it is the owner and winemaker’s home. The tasting room is located inside a screened-in patio, much like a Florida room. There is a friendly Siamese cat to keep guests company.
The typical Virginia wines are offered—Chardonnay, Cab Franc, Merlot. And White Rock is one of the few state wineries with a fantastic Cab Sauv. They also boast a Traminette that lives up to its website description---Granny Smith apple tones make for a delicious wine in all seasons. And their prices are unbeatable – you are rewarded for driving the distance. All wines are under $20!
http://whiterockwines.com/
3. HICKORY HILL VINEYARDS
The closest winery to Smith Mountain Lake, the largest lake in the state, Hickory Hill Vineyards is another quaint, family-owned spot that has been crafting good vintages for nearly ten years. Using the lake’s name in many of their offerings (“Smith Mountain Lake Mist,” “Smith Mountain Lake Redbud,” “Smith Mountain Lake Sunset”), the winery has a generous offering of dry, semi-dry and sweet wines. Their Chardonnays (one unoaked, the other mildly oaked) are award winners and the owners are rightfully proud of the wines and their winery.
https://sites.google.com/a/smlwine.com/hickoryhill/
4. LEOGRANDE VINEYARDS AND WINERY
Located in Goode, VA (off the highway leading to Lynchburg), LeoGrande Winery is, like many spots in the Commonwealth, a totally family-run operation. The day your blogmasters visited, there was a sign hanging on the tasting room door—“We’re out in the fields. Please honk your car horn if you’d like a tasting.” We were happy to follow the sign’s instructions, and before long, owner and winemaker Norman LeoGrande himself, greeted us.
His wines are winners – every one of them. We were lucky enough to try some of his earliest vintages (his winery has been open for about three years now), including a Reserve Chardonnay that was one of the best we’ve had in the entire state. And because Mr. LeoGrande was partaking in his own product during the tasting (we love it when winemakers do that), these tastings were probably more generous than others. Other offerings worth note are Sangiovese, Syrah, and Nebbiolo. Beautiful wines, and perfectly priced (Nebbiolo, at $20, was the most expensive non-library wine on his list!)
Outside the tasting room, several Adirondack chairs are lined up facing the vineyards and a host of farm animals (cows, horses, goats, and even a potbellied pig!) Settle in and enjoy multiple bottles of his product, and admire the foothills to the Blue Ridge in the distance.
http://www.leograndewinery.com/our_wines.html
Take a weekend jaunt to Bedford County, lap up some scenery and history, and delve into the fruits of these farm wineries’ labors!
Tuesday, January 25, 2011
Winery Spotlight: Loudoun Valley Vineyards
The Route 9 Wine Trail in Loudoun County makes for a perfect Saturday getaway—-several wineries, small to large, intimate to commercialized, dot the highway that leads from Route 7 (west of Leesburg) to Charles Town, WV. One of the oldest spots in the county is the aptly named Loudoun Valley Vineyards, which is a stone’s throw away from Route 9, but seems like a world away as soon as you drive down the road leading to their tasting room.
The Loudoun Valley surrounds the vineyards and tasting room. Yes, McMansions do appear in your field of vision (it is Loudoun County after all), but there is physical, aural and visual “space” here. The vineyards slope on foothills surrounding the tasting room. The tasting room itself is a modest affair: A one-story building with a wrap-around porch with views of trees and hills in all directions.
The tasting bar is no-nonsense and most likely, the owners will handle the tastings for you—-Bree Ann and Cameron Moore are probably the youngest winery owners in the state, but Bree Ann cut her cloth making wine in Sonoma County, CA, and that experience has paid off. Their wines are served in several Northern Virginia restaurants, particularly Vinifera in the Westin Hotel in Reston (I mean, a-hem, Reston Heights). Vinifera even has half bottles (quite rare in the Commonwealth, especially in restaurants) of Loudoun Valley wine.
Of the wines, most of the Virginia usual suspects are here, and then some....Cab Franc, Merlot, Pinot Grigio, Viognier, and Pinot Noir (the "and then some" of the bunch). Plenty of other wineries in the county offer these varietals, but Loudoun County's are unique - there is no other word for them. Familiar, yet different. In a good way.
As the owners are young, expect a younger crowd as patrons. And expect live music nearly every weekend (a Nirvana cover band played one weekend last summer). But as long as tables are available outside, you can escape the Seattle vibe. As for the winter, Loudoun Valley has “soup weekends,” and the small tasting building retains heat nicely. The wines are stellar, the location is cozy—Loudoun Valley Vineyards should not be overlooked on your next Route 9 winery jaunt.
http://loudounvalleyvineyards.com/index.php?home/chome
The Loudoun Valley surrounds the vineyards and tasting room. Yes, McMansions do appear in your field of vision (it is Loudoun County after all), but there is physical, aural and visual “space” here. The vineyards slope on foothills surrounding the tasting room. The tasting room itself is a modest affair: A one-story building with a wrap-around porch with views of trees and hills in all directions.
The tasting bar is no-nonsense and most likely, the owners will handle the tastings for you—-Bree Ann and Cameron Moore are probably the youngest winery owners in the state, but Bree Ann cut her cloth making wine in Sonoma County, CA, and that experience has paid off. Their wines are served in several Northern Virginia restaurants, particularly Vinifera in the Westin Hotel in Reston (I mean, a-hem, Reston Heights). Vinifera even has half bottles (quite rare in the Commonwealth, especially in restaurants) of Loudoun Valley wine.
Of the wines, most of the Virginia usual suspects are here, and then some....Cab Franc, Merlot, Pinot Grigio, Viognier, and Pinot Noir (the "and then some" of the bunch). Plenty of other wineries in the county offer these varietals, but Loudoun County's are unique - there is no other word for them. Familiar, yet different. In a good way.
As the owners are young, expect a younger crowd as patrons. And expect live music nearly every weekend (a Nirvana cover band played one weekend last summer). But as long as tables are available outside, you can escape the Seattle vibe. As for the winter, Loudoun Valley has “soup weekends,” and the small tasting building retains heat nicely. The wines are stellar, the location is cozy—Loudoun Valley Vineyards should not be overlooked on your next Route 9 winery jaunt.
http://loudounvalleyvineyards.com/index.php?home/chome
Monday, January 17, 2011
Great Winter Wineries in Virginia
If you’re a Virginia Vino diehard (and major league boozer) like the blogmasters, you will want to seek out a few wineries to keep the winter blues at bay (Snow? Ice? Who cares!) Some wineries in the state work better than others; tasting rooms housed in barns or more rustic cottages, with little to no heat (and no fireplaces) are probably not good options (and many are not open during the winter months anyway).
Some of the big year-round spots, like Barboursville Vineyards and Tarara, do have fireplaces, but have only a few tables inside to enjoy a glass (Barboursville also has a restaurant on the premises, and probably wants their guests to imbibe there after visiting the tasting room). So we’ve compiled a list of five excellent winter choices – these spots are open year-round and have ample indoor seating, with fireplaces. And all but one are in the northern Virginia region, so if snow does fall, hopefully you won’t have far to drive.
(5) Naked Mountain Winery (Markham, VA)
One of the many spots off “Virginia Wine Highway” (state highway 55, running parallel with I-66 on the way to Front Royal), Naked Mountain has a fun slogan (“drink Naked”), and terrific views perched up on the side of a mountain foothill. The tasting room resembles a sky chalet, and the fire is usually roaring. Naked Mountain offers both fine white (Chardonnay is probably the best), and reds (our favorite is their Merlot) offerings, along with the usual suspects in the way of crackers and cheeses. As one of the older, and more popular locations, along the Wine Highway, Naked Mountain can get busy, so arrive early and park yourself in front of that fireplace. And if you’re lucky, one of their cats will trot into the tasting room to keep you company.
http://nakedmtnwinery.com/Photo16.html
(4) Philip Carter Vineyards (Hume, VA)
Also located off the Virginia Wine Highway, Philip Carter Vineyards took over this location from Stillhouse Vineyards, which was one of the older wineries in the Commonwealth, several years ago. Follow a meandering dirt road to the Philip Carter tasting room, inside an eye-pleasing building that resembles a schoolhouse from yester-year. The gentleman who usually handles the tastings (the owner’s father-in-law) will guide you through an education of not only Philip Carter Winery, but Virginia (and U.S. wine) as a whole. The reds here are the winners (although the whites are not too shabby). Snap up a bottle of Cab Franc or their award-winning Bordeaux blend “Cleve,” and walk down to their sitting room, which offers several tables, another tasting bar (if they’re very busy), and a fireplace with chairs in front of it. One table even offered a chess set, if you feel the need to exercise the brain while imbibing…
http://www.pcwinery.com/wines.html
(3) Pollak Vineyards (Waynesboro, VA)
Pollak is one of the blogmasters favorite spots in the entire state, and their tasting room, although it is slick in look and feel, is cozy and boasts a fireplace. The tasting room is nestled in a valley not too far from I-81, between Waynesboro and Charlottesville. Every wine on their list is a winner – these folks are serious about their vintages. Our favorites are their Viognier and Petit Verdot (two varietals poised to be Virginia’s newest signature white and red). Pollak works for all seasons – enjoy the fireplace and the warm vibes of the owners and staff in the winter. In the spring, sit by the pond if the weather is warm enough and listen to the spring peepers. In the summer and fall, Pollak offers a large deck and picnic tables for enjoying the endless mountain and forest views.
http://www.pollakvineyards.com/contact.php
(2) The Winery at La Grange (Haymarket, VA)
A candidate for the most romantic winery in Virginia (although #1 on this list would be my vote), The Winery at La Grange, the only winery (thus far) located in Prince William County, is one of three spots owned by Chris Pearmund, one of the “Godfathers” of the Virginia wine scene (the other spots are Pearmund Cellars and Vint Hill Winery, both off of route 29 on the way to Warrenton). La Grange is a historical house in the woods near I-66, Haymarket and Gainesville. It’s hard to believe a place like this exists, given the booming development of Haymarket and especially Gainesville over the last few years. But driving down the wooded road on the way to La Grange, you do feel your blood pressure drop. The house was built in the late 1700s, and was painstakingly restored before opening as a winery about six years ago. The tasting room appears on the right after you enter the home, and the wines are high class and high quality. “Snort” is one of the few port wines offered in the state. After tasting, go downstairs (and be sure to watch your head—people were much shorter in the 18th Century!) Enjoy a bottle in the cellar, which doesn’t have a fireplace but is warm and cozy. Or, for fireplace action, visit the lounge area on the second floor and sit in one of their sofas. The La Grange house evidently is haunted, and if you ask one of the staff about a paranormal experience, she or he will probably have something to share.
http://www.wineryatlagrange.com/index.html
(1) Old House Vineyards (Culpeper, VA)
Another charming old house provides the home to, in our assertion, one of the finest wineries in the entire state. Like Pollak, this location is perfect for cold or warm months (many outdoor seating opportunities, plus an appealing, but slightly funky-designed, pond), and their indoor area is positively enticing. Their winemaker Damien is from the south of France, and makes some extremely drinkable vintages. Their Chambourcin (called “Wicked Bottom;” the origins of the name will be explained during the entertaining tasting) and “Clover Hill” (a table white similar to Pinot Grigio) are the favorites. Unwind in one of several sitting rooms (one, like Philip Carter Winery, has a chessboard). The room with the fireplace has several tables and another tasting bar, for overflow. Honestly, you could spend hours in the Old House. This is what winter winery hopping in Virginia is all about.
http://www.oldhousevineyards.com/directions.htm
Some of the big year-round spots, like Barboursville Vineyards and Tarara, do have fireplaces, but have only a few tables inside to enjoy a glass (Barboursville also has a restaurant on the premises, and probably wants their guests to imbibe there after visiting the tasting room). So we’ve compiled a list of five excellent winter choices – these spots are open year-round and have ample indoor seating, with fireplaces. And all but one are in the northern Virginia region, so if snow does fall, hopefully you won’t have far to drive.
(5) Naked Mountain Winery (Markham, VA)
One of the many spots off “Virginia Wine Highway” (state highway 55, running parallel with I-66 on the way to Front Royal), Naked Mountain has a fun slogan (“drink Naked”), and terrific views perched up on the side of a mountain foothill. The tasting room resembles a sky chalet, and the fire is usually roaring. Naked Mountain offers both fine white (Chardonnay is probably the best), and reds (our favorite is their Merlot) offerings, along with the usual suspects in the way of crackers and cheeses. As one of the older, and more popular locations, along the Wine Highway, Naked Mountain can get busy, so arrive early and park yourself in front of that fireplace. And if you’re lucky, one of their cats will trot into the tasting room to keep you company.
http://nakedmtnwinery.com/Photo16.html
(4) Philip Carter Vineyards (Hume, VA)
Also located off the Virginia Wine Highway, Philip Carter Vineyards took over this location from Stillhouse Vineyards, which was one of the older wineries in the Commonwealth, several years ago. Follow a meandering dirt road to the Philip Carter tasting room, inside an eye-pleasing building that resembles a schoolhouse from yester-year. The gentleman who usually handles the tastings (the owner’s father-in-law) will guide you through an education of not only Philip Carter Winery, but Virginia (and U.S. wine) as a whole. The reds here are the winners (although the whites are not too shabby). Snap up a bottle of Cab Franc or their award-winning Bordeaux blend “Cleve,” and walk down to their sitting room, which offers several tables, another tasting bar (if they’re very busy), and a fireplace with chairs in front of it. One table even offered a chess set, if you feel the need to exercise the brain while imbibing…
http://www.pcwinery.com/wines.html
(3) Pollak Vineyards (Waynesboro, VA)
Pollak is one of the blogmasters favorite spots in the entire state, and their tasting room, although it is slick in look and feel, is cozy and boasts a fireplace. The tasting room is nestled in a valley not too far from I-81, between Waynesboro and Charlottesville. Every wine on their list is a winner – these folks are serious about their vintages. Our favorites are their Viognier and Petit Verdot (two varietals poised to be Virginia’s newest signature white and red). Pollak works for all seasons – enjoy the fireplace and the warm vibes of the owners and staff in the winter. In the spring, sit by the pond if the weather is warm enough and listen to the spring peepers. In the summer and fall, Pollak offers a large deck and picnic tables for enjoying the endless mountain and forest views.
http://www.pollakvineyards.com/contact.php
(2) The Winery at La Grange (Haymarket, VA)
A candidate for the most romantic winery in Virginia (although #1 on this list would be my vote), The Winery at La Grange, the only winery (thus far) located in Prince William County, is one of three spots owned by Chris Pearmund, one of the “Godfathers” of the Virginia wine scene (the other spots are Pearmund Cellars and Vint Hill Winery, both off of route 29 on the way to Warrenton). La Grange is a historical house in the woods near I-66, Haymarket and Gainesville. It’s hard to believe a place like this exists, given the booming development of Haymarket and especially Gainesville over the last few years. But driving down the wooded road on the way to La Grange, you do feel your blood pressure drop. The house was built in the late 1700s, and was painstakingly restored before opening as a winery about six years ago. The tasting room appears on the right after you enter the home, and the wines are high class and high quality. “Snort” is one of the few port wines offered in the state. After tasting, go downstairs (and be sure to watch your head—people were much shorter in the 18th Century!) Enjoy a bottle in the cellar, which doesn’t have a fireplace but is warm and cozy. Or, for fireplace action, visit the lounge area on the second floor and sit in one of their sofas. The La Grange house evidently is haunted, and if you ask one of the staff about a paranormal experience, she or he will probably have something to share.
http://www.wineryatlagrange.com/index.html
(1) Old House Vineyards (Culpeper, VA)
Another charming old house provides the home to, in our assertion, one of the finest wineries in the entire state. Like Pollak, this location is perfect for cold or warm months (many outdoor seating opportunities, plus an appealing, but slightly funky-designed, pond), and their indoor area is positively enticing. Their winemaker Damien is from the south of France, and makes some extremely drinkable vintages. Their Chambourcin (called “Wicked Bottom;” the origins of the name will be explained during the entertaining tasting) and “Clover Hill” (a table white similar to Pinot Grigio) are the favorites. Unwind in one of several sitting rooms (one, like Philip Carter Winery, has a chessboard). The room with the fireplace has several tables and another tasting bar, for overflow. Honestly, you could spend hours in the Old House. This is what winter winery hopping in Virginia is all about.
http://www.oldhousevineyards.com/directions.htm
Friday, January 7, 2011
Winery Spotlight: Lost Creek Winery
Lost Creek Winery and Vineyards is one of the oldest wineries in “Washington D.C.’s Wine Country” (that would be Loudoun County). And it has the distinction of being one of the Commonwealth’s wineries that opened the blogmaster’s eyes (and taste buds) to the truly unique world of Virginia wine. This is a good winery to get acquainted with the state’s wine scene, and wine as a whole, for the wine beginner. Most wines, even the ones billed as “drier,” are on the sweet side. Most folks start their love affair with wine by favoring the sweeter ones, and develop tastes for drier selections after a few months or years of experience. But there is also a sub-set of winery fans who love sweeter options over the dry ones, particularly in the warmer months, when the wines can be served ice cold.
The winery is perched on a bluff near the Potomac River, a stone’s throw away from Tarara, an extremely popular (and more commercial) Virginia winery. You drive by the vineyards on the way up the hill, and arrive in a quiet spot overlooking the vineyards. Several outdoor seating options exist under an overhang and in the gardens. The tasting room itself is nothing spectacular but functional, with a gas fireplace to help in heating the room. Lost Creek offers numerous cheese and cracker options, along with warm baguettes, to go along with their vintages.
The emphasis on sweet wines is a bit jarring to the blogmasters, as we’ve spent the past year delving into the world of bone-dry, steel-tank aged whites and hearty reds. But for the casual wine fan, the Lost Creek varietals (and prices) should work just fine. On the white end of the spectrum, their blend called Spring Time (Vidal, Viognier, Chardonnay and Muscat) and their rosé (interestingly enough, their driest wine, with .5% residual sugar) were our favorites, and for the reds, their blend (50% Merlot and 50% Cabernet Sauvignon) was smooth and definitely fruit-forward. They also offer a “Christmas Blend” (limited supplies and apparently only part of the year), which has a hint of clove and can be served chilled or mulled. It’s an intriguing blend of white and red varietals (Vidal Blanc, Chambourcin, Cabernet Sauvignon and Chardonnay).
We enjoy the down-to-earth friendliness of the family that owns Lost Creek and the spot next door, Hidden Brook Winery, is owned by the son and daughter-in-law of the owners of Lost Creek (keeping it all in the family). Housed in an appealing log cabin, Hidden Brook also favors the sweeter options—these wineries know what their target market is. If we could suggest one thing to the winemakers--Try crafting a bone dry red, similar to Doug Fabiolli’s options (his winery is right down the road from Lost Creek and Hidden Brook).
Lost Creek is highly recommended as a safe start to exploring the diverse and wonderful world of Virginia wine.
http://www.lostcreekwinery.com/
The winery is perched on a bluff near the Potomac River, a stone’s throw away from Tarara, an extremely popular (and more commercial) Virginia winery. You drive by the vineyards on the way up the hill, and arrive in a quiet spot overlooking the vineyards. Several outdoor seating options exist under an overhang and in the gardens. The tasting room itself is nothing spectacular but functional, with a gas fireplace to help in heating the room. Lost Creek offers numerous cheese and cracker options, along with warm baguettes, to go along with their vintages.
The emphasis on sweet wines is a bit jarring to the blogmasters, as we’ve spent the past year delving into the world of bone-dry, steel-tank aged whites and hearty reds. But for the casual wine fan, the Lost Creek varietals (and prices) should work just fine. On the white end of the spectrum, their blend called Spring Time (Vidal, Viognier, Chardonnay and Muscat) and their rosé (interestingly enough, their driest wine, with .5% residual sugar) were our favorites, and for the reds, their blend (50% Merlot and 50% Cabernet Sauvignon) was smooth and definitely fruit-forward. They also offer a “Christmas Blend” (limited supplies and apparently only part of the year), which has a hint of clove and can be served chilled or mulled. It’s an intriguing blend of white and red varietals (Vidal Blanc, Chambourcin, Cabernet Sauvignon and Chardonnay).
We enjoy the down-to-earth friendliness of the family that owns Lost Creek and the spot next door, Hidden Brook Winery, is owned by the son and daughter-in-law of the owners of Lost Creek (keeping it all in the family). Housed in an appealing log cabin, Hidden Brook also favors the sweeter options—these wineries know what their target market is. If we could suggest one thing to the winemakers--Try crafting a bone dry red, similar to Doug Fabiolli’s options (his winery is right down the road from Lost Creek and Hidden Brook).
Lost Creek is highly recommended as a safe start to exploring the diverse and wonderful world of Virginia wine.
http://www.lostcreekwinery.com/
Wednesday, December 22, 2010
Rosé Bowl
Rosé, like non-grape fruit wine, is treated like the evil stepchild (Damien....) of the wine scene. However, rosé is making a name for itself in the rolling hills of the Commonwealth.
Associated far too long with the likes of Riunite and white zin (aka "blush"), rosé is a white wine with a pink color. Imagine a good table white with pink food coloring, and you wouldn't be far off. Rosés around Virginia run from bone dry to sweet. Since sweet wines are not the favored of the blogmasters, we'll recommend a few spots with stellar dry or off-dry rosés. Some of these Virginia wines are available at Total Wine, so if the bad weather prevents you from visiting a winery in the Old Dominion, or the winery is closed for the next few weeks, consider a jaunt to Total Wine (Sterling and Fairfax, VA are the preferred locations for the blogmasters).
Five Solid Virginia Rosés:
From semi-sweet to dry, here are five to try---
(1) Rockbridge "Jeramiah's"
Complete with a bullfrog on the label (you have to be of a certain age to get the reference....) This affordable wine is available at Total Wine and goes down smooth after chilling. You can also warm it up in a crock pot, add spices, and create a great mulled treat.
http://www.rockbridgevineyard.com/
(2) Dry Mill Rosé
This relatively new winery, one mile from downtown Leesburg in Loudoun County, is serving up some real treats - from hearty dry reds to sweeter whites. Their rosé is 2% residual sugar and works nicely with salty foods like Virginia peanuts.
http://www.drymillwine.com/Wines/tabid/57/Default.aspx
(3) Kluge Estate SP Rosé
This delightful rosé from popular Kluge Estate near Charlottesville comes packaged and billed as a sparkling. A bit on the pricey side (for a rosé), but a great alternative to overly sweet sparkling wines.
http://www.klugeestate.com/scripts/winepg.cfm/_/5/2007/Kluge%20Estate%20SP%20Rose/
(4) Hartwood Rappahannock Rosé
Just north of Fredericksburg lies this charming family-owned spot, with a surprisingly large list of whites and reds for all tastes. Their rosé is crafted from Chambourcin, the "white wine drinker's red," which translates into a sharper, but still fantastic, little wine.
http://www.hartwoodwinery.com/wines.html
(5) Cardinal Point Rosé
Cardinal Point is one of the Charlottesville area's oldest wineries, and they specialize in lighter wines (both whites and reds) that are very easy to drink, especially on hot summer days. They also make the driest rosé on our list - this is a wine that does not come packaged in a plastic bag and a box.
http://www.cardinalpointwinery.com/wines.php
Seek out one of these rosés, and taste what you may have been missing. Virginia is proud of its rosés.
Associated far too long with the likes of Riunite and white zin (aka "blush"), rosé is a white wine with a pink color. Imagine a good table white with pink food coloring, and you wouldn't be far off. Rosés around Virginia run from bone dry to sweet. Since sweet wines are not the favored of the blogmasters, we'll recommend a few spots with stellar dry or off-dry rosés. Some of these Virginia wines are available at Total Wine, so if the bad weather prevents you from visiting a winery in the Old Dominion, or the winery is closed for the next few weeks, consider a jaunt to Total Wine (Sterling and Fairfax, VA are the preferred locations for the blogmasters).
Five Solid Virginia Rosés:
From semi-sweet to dry, here are five to try---
(1) Rockbridge "Jeramiah's"
Complete with a bullfrog on the label (you have to be of a certain age to get the reference....) This affordable wine is available at Total Wine and goes down smooth after chilling. You can also warm it up in a crock pot, add spices, and create a great mulled treat.
http://www.rockbridgevineyard.com/
(2) Dry Mill Rosé
This relatively new winery, one mile from downtown Leesburg in Loudoun County, is serving up some real treats - from hearty dry reds to sweeter whites. Their rosé is 2% residual sugar and works nicely with salty foods like Virginia peanuts.
http://www.drymillwine.com/Wines/tabid/57/Default.aspx
(3) Kluge Estate SP Rosé
This delightful rosé from popular Kluge Estate near Charlottesville comes packaged and billed as a sparkling. A bit on the pricey side (for a rosé), but a great alternative to overly sweet sparkling wines.
http://www.klugeestate.com/scripts/winepg.cfm/_/5/2007/Kluge%20Estate%20SP%20Rose/
(4) Hartwood Rappahannock Rosé
Just north of Fredericksburg lies this charming family-owned spot, with a surprisingly large list of whites and reds for all tastes. Their rosé is crafted from Chambourcin, the "white wine drinker's red," which translates into a sharper, but still fantastic, little wine.
http://www.hartwoodwinery.com/wines.html
(5) Cardinal Point Rosé
Cardinal Point is one of the Charlottesville area's oldest wineries, and they specialize in lighter wines (both whites and reds) that are very easy to drink, especially on hot summer days. They also make the driest rosé on our list - this is a wine that does not come packaged in a plastic bag and a box.
http://www.cardinalpointwinery.com/wines.php
Seek out one of these rosés, and taste what you may have been missing. Virginia is proud of its rosés.
Wednesday, December 15, 2010
Fruit Wine - An Unexpected Treat
The holiday season is in full swing and life is crazy for the blog masters, so we only have time for a brief mid month post.
FRUIT WINE.....two words that make many wine fanatics shudder. (Although last we checked, grapes are fruit....) Images of Manischewitz in strangely-shaped bottles or Arbor Mist are immediately conjured. Truth to be told, there are some very good non-grape wines out there - and Virginia has several wineries that offer them. And not all of them are Charms lollipop sweet........
Below are five Virginia wineries that are worth a visit, if you really want to dive into the surprising pleasures of fruit wine. One big bonus is fruit wines are typically less expensive than grape wines. And many of them are dry. And many of them will get the job done - whether it's experimenting with different foods, or drinking the holiday chaos (or blues) away.
1. HILL TOP BERRY FARM AND WINERY
This charming spot is located in the heart of Charlottesville wine country - the grape wineries are usually the destination for folks visiting this part of Virginia, but Hill Top Berry Farm is a nice way to start the day, or end the day. And they also make mead (honey wine), if you really want to be bold!
Visit their website and check out their selections.
http://www.hilltopberrywine.com/wines.htm
2. PEAKS OF OTTER WINERY
Home of some truly unique wines. Chili wine? Pumpkin pie wine? A blend with tomatoes? Why not?
http://www.peaksofotterwinery.com/page2.html
And three wineries that offer both grape and non-grape selections, which is a great compromise if you have a pure wine snob in tow...
3. BLUEMONT VINEYARD
Norton, Viognier, Cab Sauv. AND strawberry, blackberry and peach (actually the peach is blended with a unique grape from eastern Europe called rkatsiteli, which has surprisingly delicious results).
http://www.bluemontvineyard.com/winery.php
4. HIDDENCROFT VINEYARDS
Another Loudoun County winner. Clyde offers magnificent white and red grape wines, but also has a soft spot for blueberry, raspberry and blackberry (and hopefully soon, the return of his greatest non grape offering--sweet cherry).
http://www.hiddencroftvineyards.com/1234Website_files/Page536.htm
5. MOUNTAIN COVE VINEYARDS
Mountain Cove Vineyards, between Charlottesville and Lynchburg, is the oldest winery in the Commonwealth - they opened their doors when Three Dog Night and The Carpenters were ruling the airwaves (that would be 1973). Their apple wine is heavenly, and their blackberry and peach goes down like liquid preserves.
http://www.mountaincovevineyards.com/ourwines.html
Several other Virginia wineries are lightening up a bit regarding non-grape wines - popular spots like Fabbioli Cellars and North Mountain Vineyards in Loudoun County and the Shenandoah Valley, respectively. If a winemaker is passionate enough about a fruit wine, as Doug Fabbioli and Clyde Housel of Hiddencroft are, indulge in something different!
FRUIT WINE.....two words that make many wine fanatics shudder. (Although last we checked, grapes are fruit....) Images of Manischewitz in strangely-shaped bottles or Arbor Mist are immediately conjured. Truth to be told, there are some very good non-grape wines out there - and Virginia has several wineries that offer them. And not all of them are Charms lollipop sweet........
Below are five Virginia wineries that are worth a visit, if you really want to dive into the surprising pleasures of fruit wine. One big bonus is fruit wines are typically less expensive than grape wines. And many of them are dry. And many of them will get the job done - whether it's experimenting with different foods, or drinking the holiday chaos (or blues) away.
1. HILL TOP BERRY FARM AND WINERY
This charming spot is located in the heart of Charlottesville wine country - the grape wineries are usually the destination for folks visiting this part of Virginia, but Hill Top Berry Farm is a nice way to start the day, or end the day. And they also make mead (honey wine), if you really want to be bold!
Visit their website and check out their selections.
http://www.hilltopberrywine.com/wines.htm
2. PEAKS OF OTTER WINERY
Home of some truly unique wines. Chili wine? Pumpkin pie wine? A blend with tomatoes? Why not?
http://www.peaksofotterwinery.com/page2.html
And three wineries that offer both grape and non-grape selections, which is a great compromise if you have a pure wine snob in tow...
3. BLUEMONT VINEYARD
Norton, Viognier, Cab Sauv. AND strawberry, blackberry and peach (actually the peach is blended with a unique grape from eastern Europe called rkatsiteli, which has surprisingly delicious results).
http://www.bluemontvineyard.com/winery.php
4. HIDDENCROFT VINEYARDS
Another Loudoun County winner. Clyde offers magnificent white and red grape wines, but also has a soft spot for blueberry, raspberry and blackberry (and hopefully soon, the return of his greatest non grape offering--sweet cherry).
http://www.hiddencroftvineyards.com/1234Website_files/Page536.htm
5. MOUNTAIN COVE VINEYARDS
Mountain Cove Vineyards, between Charlottesville and Lynchburg, is the oldest winery in the Commonwealth - they opened their doors when Three Dog Night and The Carpenters were ruling the airwaves (that would be 1973). Their apple wine is heavenly, and their blackberry and peach goes down like liquid preserves.
http://www.mountaincovevineyards.com/ourwines.html
Several other Virginia wineries are lightening up a bit regarding non-grape wines - popular spots like Fabbioli Cellars and North Mountain Vineyards in Loudoun County and the Shenandoah Valley, respectively. If a winemaker is passionate enough about a fruit wine, as Doug Fabbioli and Clyde Housel of Hiddencroft are, indulge in something different!
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