On this Father’s Day weekend we decided to continue our quest for stickers in the Passport To Virginia Wineries book by going to two other wineries we that had not visited. Therefore, we paid visits to Old House and Prince Michel. In addition to collecting two more stickers, we got to taste some very nice wines!

We had not been to Old House since the fall of 2005 and were looking forward to seeing what new wines they had released as well as tasting some of our old favorites. As we drove in on Corky’s Lane we noticed the vines looked very healthy, and the property looked as Victorian as it did when we last visited. Two other visitors were also there, and we were able to compare our notes with them; we also had some nice conversation with them during our tasting.

We were treated to eight wines, and of the whites, the Clover Hill Vidal was particularly interesting. As many of you know, Vidal is usually a sweeter wine; however, this treatment of the Vidal produces a wine that is akin to a Pinot Grigio. It is fermented in stainless steel, and the flavors of citrus and minerals were quite evident. Our tasting partners were more partial to the Chardonnay, and this one would indeed be a crowd pleaser—nice pear and buttery flavors that are associated with a well made Chardonnay. The oak did not prevail but provided a nice texture. The reds also produced an interesting standout, and that was the anSamradh. One of our comrades recognized the name as Scottish, and the tasting associate confirmed her suspicion! The anSamradh is a blend that include Chambourcin and yes, Vidal Blanc. The result is a red wine that is fruity, accessible, and slightly sweet. The lighter-bodied nature of this one along with the bright fruit flavors would match perfectly with pizza! Serve this one slightly chilled.

We continued to taste the other reds with our eye on what to have with lunch. Warren brought along a roasted pork tenderloin that he had prepared the night before, and he could not resist the fresh raspberries and strawberries now available at the market; so, those came along too! With this in mind, we were eager to sample the 2003 Cabernet Franc, and that is what we ultimately decided to buy to accomany our lunch. Of course, 2003 was a tricky year for wine makers in Virginia due to heavy rains; wet years particularly effect red wine grapes. However, the 2003 Old House Cabernet Franc exhibited characters associated with a nice Cabernet Franc. It had a clear ruby color that suggested a medium-bodied wine; aromas of raspberry with slight hints of pepper were noticeable. In the mouth, raspberry, cherry, and pepper also prevailed; in fact, the fresh raspberries that we brought along seemed to so me alive when paired with this Cabernet Franc. We savored our Cabernet Franc with lunch, and then we bid adieu to our tasting partners as they made their way to another winery. And guess what we did next? We, too, went off to another winery—Prince Michel.

After lunch we headed off to Prince Michel. Prince Michel is a larger winery that produces about 10,000 cases a year. We had frequented Prince Michel several times in the past and always had good experiences. In the process, we became friendly with one of their tasting associates, and we enjoy seeing her each time we visit. This visit was no different, and our favorite tasting associate was there. She told us of all the changes taking place and the new wines we needed to taste. The tasting consisted of 10 or more of their wines. The Pinot Grigio was one of our favorites whites; however, Warren enjoyed the Mt. Juliet Chardonnay. For those who like a full-bodied Chardonnay, this one is excellent. For summer picnics and outdoor concerts, please try Prince Michel’s 2005 Dry Rose. We know what you’re all thinking—White Zinfandel. Unfortunately, White Zin has ruined the reputation for all wines lumped into the rose/blush category; however, there are some excellent dry roses out there, and this is one of them. This blend of Cabernet and Merlot is packed with nice berry flavors and has a lovely, dry finish. Save the White Zin for the hot tub; bring this one along for a nice picnic with BBQ fare, Mexican bean salad, and fresh fruit!

Paul’s favorite red was the Shiraz, and Warren concurred with his high marks on this one. In fact, we even bought a bottle to enjoy with some chocolates on their enclosed patio. Paul brought the rest of the Shiraz home but also bought a bottle of their Merlot and the 2005 Rose. Another noteworthy red is the Symbius—a Bourdeaux-style blend that is more full-bodied. Warren bought a bottle of this one during his last visit to Prince Michel.

As we concluded our tasting and visit, we found out our friendly tasting associate will be leaving Prince Michel to move to California. We were disappointed at this news but wished her well in her future.

We had a wonderful afternoon tasting the different wines from Old House and Prince Michel. The afternoon tastings secured two more stickers for our books and revealed several new Virginia wines that tasted wonderful!