We recently visited another new winery, Glen Manor Vineyards. In fact, Glen Manor Vineyards had only been opened for two weeks. We also got to chat with owner and wine maker, Jeff White. Jeff conducted our tasting and gave us a tour of the winery.


Glen Manor Vineyards has produced grapes for winemaking since 1995, and Virginia wine enthusiasts may be familiar with the Glen Manor vintages previously released at Linden Vineyards. Through his association with acclaimed winemaker Jim Law, Jeff honed his wine making skills and decided to produce his own wines from his Glen Manor Vineyards. The result of that decision was the construction of the winery in 2007; it opened in May of this year.


Jeff poured for us the two wines currently available for sale. Both were excellent, well-crafted wines. First up was the 2007 Sauvignon Blanc with its citrus and grassy nose. Mineral and citrus flavors prevailed and a crisp finish was noted. Perfect with shellfish, but we were inclined to sip a glass after our tasting! Not to be outdone was the 2005 Petit Verdot. Lots of blackberry notes were accompanied by smoke and tobacco. We both noted dark berries in the mouth with a bolder finish. Paul jotted down, "cigar wine", but I would favor a big meal with roasted meats.


As we sipped and savored, Jeff gave us some details about the Glen Manor Vineyards. Currently, ten acres are planted with Sauvignon Blanc, Petit Verdot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Merlot, and Petit Manseng. We also got a brief tour of the facility that included the barrel room and crush pad. Jeff uses old world methods of hand sorting grapes to ensure that only quality fruit is used to produce his wines. We also got a glimpse of the vineyards and noted that the vineyards and facility were kept in immaculate condition.


Jeff does discourage limos and large groups from visiting the tasting room, and the result is a quieter, more intimate tasting experience. Visitors may enjoy a glass of wine on the deck which offers peaceful views of the vineyards and mountains. In fact, that is just what we did with a glass of the Sauvignon Blanc!

I purchased a bottle of each wine poured that day, and I know that we will be back to Glen Manor Vineyards. Put a visit to Glen Manor Vineyards on your agenda, and mention that Virginia Wine Time sent you.

Last weekend we visited Gray Ghost Vineyards in anticipation of their release of the Ranger Reserve. The 2006 Ranger Reserve is the first true Meritage blend to be released by Gray Ghost Vineyards, and the medal counts prove that the Ranger Reserve is a winner.

Many Virginia winemakers are producing Meritage blends. Red Meritage wines are a blend of at least two Bordeaux varieties that include Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot and Malbec. The Ranger Reserve is a blend of all five of these varieties with Cabernet Sauvignon comprising 29% of the mix. The result is a complex wine rich with blackberry and cherry characteristics. Paul detected a hint of mocha, too. Smooth tannins make for a pleasant yet lengthier finish. The Ranger Reserve was aged for 15 months in French oak and should keep on the wine rack for at about ten years.


Al Kellert was very excited about the Ranger Reserve as it has already won numerous medals in national and international wine competitions. Leading the way in medal counts, though, is the 2007 Adieu that just won double gold in San Francisco.

Of course, lunch is always in the trunk, and we enjoyed spicy grilled chicken with a glass of the Ranger Reserve. We always sit outdoors to enjoy the Victorian garden and to do some bird watching, too!

With time to spare and lots of sunny weather to still enjoy, we decided to do a tasting at Chester Gap Cellars. It had been at least a year since our last trip to Cheaster Gap Cellars, and we also wanted to catch up with winemaker Bernd Jung.

The tasting menu presented several new offerings, and of the white wines, I favored the oak aged 2006 Viognier Reserve. Chester Gap’s Viognier Reserve is done in the Condrieu style with a bigger body and honeyed texture. Those who dine at the Little Inn at Washington will find the 2006 Viognier Reserve on the wine list. Paul preferred the crisp 2006 Sauvignon Blanc with its hay-like color and aroma.


Paul, however, was anxious to try the 2006 Merlot, and it immediately earned his star of approval. He noted cherry and chocolate notes with similar flavors in the mouth. “Smooth” was the adjective that Paul emphasized. I was more partial to the 2005 Cabernet Franc that is blended with small amounts of Petit Verdot and Merlot. This one presented layers of mixed berries with some dried herbs on the nose. The 2005 Cabernet Franc is another restaurant favorite and can be ordered at Citronelle perhaps with a favorite beef dish.

As we completed our tasting, it began to rain quite heavily. This gave us the excuse to share a glass of the 2005 Cabernet Franc, but we also chatted with Bernd for a bit. He shared with us that Chester Gap is currently producing 1500 cases of wine, and many area restaurants are now pouring Chester Gap wines. In addition to the ones already mentioned, these include such top-rated eateries as Bistro Bis, Bistro Francais Vidalia, and Charlie Palmer Steak House. Also, Bernd has been very busy building a tasting room; in fact, we were able to sample his well-crafted wines in the new tasting room. Work still remains to be done on the tasting room but sippers can already view beautiful mountain landscapes from deck.


The rain eased up, and we used the opportunity to make a run to the car. We bid our farewells to Bernd Jung and made a dash to car. Thus ended our day of wine tasting and chats with wine makers. However, we know that we will return to Gray Ghost Vineyards and Chester Gap Cellars. Plan a visit to these wineries, and please be sure to mention that Virginia Wine Time sent you.

Our visit to Central Virginia wineries included two other stops: Cardinal Point Vineyards and Winery and Barboursville Vineyards.

It’s always nice to run into Sarah Gorman at Cardinal Point Vineyards. Sarah is the sister of winemaker Tim Gorman, and she can usually be found in the tasting room greeting customers. We were anxious to try the latest releases at Cardinal Point and as always, we started with the white wines. My favorite was the 2006 Viognier with its peachy nose and subtle honey texture. Paul’s nod went to the 2007 A6 which is a blend of Viognier and Chardonnay and presented a nice, crisp finish. Summer sippers may want to try the 2007 Rose, a new offering from Cardinal Point. Made from Cabernet Franc, this Rose bursts with ripe strawberry flavors. Of the reds, we both tended to favor the 2006 Cabernet Franc with its smokey/herby nose and bright berry flavors.


As we sipped and chatted, we also found out that Cardinal Point is celebrating its fifth year as a winery. Of course, we offered our congrats, and then savored a glass of the Rose out on the patio after we finished our tasting. It was a perfect wine to enjoy on a bright but comfortable spring afternoon.


No visit to central Virginia wineries would be complete without a visit to Barboursville Vineyards. I’ll be brief here as we always write about Barboursville, but we did sample lots of new offerings this time around. Paul’s own faves were the 2007 Sauvignon Blanc and the 2006 Chardonnay. I preferred the 2007 Chardonnay Reserve which is barrel fermented and aged for eight months. Lovely body with this one with nice pear and vanilla flavors. Paul appreciated the vibrant citrus characteristics of the Sauvignon Blanc and noted its bright acidity. Of course, the 2006 Rose is always one to recommend for the summer.


The red wines were likewise well-crafted, and we both starred the fruity 2006 Merlot, a drink-me-now cherry/berry bomb that might win over even the most diehard Merlot critics. Paul purchased a bottle to bring to family a gathering, and it was the hit of the party. For those looking for age-worthy contenders, the 8th edition 2005 Octagon is the winner. A finely crafted blend of Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Petit Verdot, the 2005 Octagon continues the outstanding Octagon lineage. Darker fruit notes and flavors here with leather in the background will make for a fine accompaniment to a heavy beef dish, but do consider this one for a special anniversary, graduation, etc., Aging will only make this one even better! Available for purchase but not tasting is the venerated 1998 Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve which took home the Governor’s Cup this year. Barboursville’s wines consistently score well in Wine Spectator, and it’s always a treat to sample their wines. And be sure to reserve for dinner at the renowned Palladio restaurant---Paul was disappointed that we had not planned a dinner there, but we’ll certainly reserve for the next time!


Be sure to plan a trip to Cardinal Point Vineyard and Winery and Barboursville Vineyards, and mention that Virginia Wine Time sent you!

Seems like forever since the last time we posted, but with summer vacation now underway, I can catch up on some writing! During our last visit to the Charlottesville area we were anxious to sample the latest at King Family Vineyards. We pulled into the parking lot with minutes to spare, but Ellen King was nice enough to accommodate us for a tasting. In fact, a wedding was set to begin on the property; however, Ellen guided through a tasting and chatted with us about the latest news at King Family Vineyards.


King Family Vineyards produces excellent wines, so it was hard for us to award one gold star to only one white wine and one red wine. We both finally decided to place a gold star next to the floral-nosed 2006 Viognier. Nice tropical fruit in the mouth with a crisp finish, this Viognier does spend most of its time in stainless steel with some short time in oak. Think crab cakes here---it should pair quite nicely with any shellfish dish. I must admit, though, that I did store an extra gold star, and this one I awarded to the Crose, a vibrant rose made from Merlot and Cabernet Franc. Lively strawberry flavors prevail here with a crisp, dry finish. The Crose is always a crowd favorite, so stock up while it is available.

The red wines were next on the tasting list, and King Family Meritage is always hard to beat. A blend of Merlot, Cabernet Franc, and Petit Verdot, it is complex with layers of berry fruits, spice, and leather. However, Ellen gave us a sneak preview of our gold star winner, the upcoming 2006 Petit Verdot. The 2006 Petit Verdot presented a deep hue of burgundy and magenta in the glass with dried fruits, spice and tobacco on the nose. Similar fruit flavors and spice prevailed in the mouth, and Paul noted velvety tannins. Beef dishes, leg of lamb with roasted veggies, game meats---anything meat pairs with this Petit Verdot. Think aging, too as this one will only get better with time on the wine rack.

Throughout our tasting, Ellen chatted with us about the latest developments at King Family. Mathieu Finot is now their winemaker. Mathieu succeeds the renowned Michael Shaps, but Mathieu has developed an outstanding reputation in the Virginia winemaking community and continues the tradition of excellence at King Family Vineyards. Ellen also encouraged us to attend their Sunday polo matches; in fact, she even gave us information on how to go about taking polo lessons. I used to ride horses on a more regular basis, so one day I may just learn how to play a chukker or two.

Ellen invited us to stay a bit longer but with the wedding about to begin, we opted to purchase our wines and bid our farewells. We do plan to return to King Family Vineyards soon as it always on our list of wineries to visit while in Charlottesville. Put a visit to King Family Vineyards on your agenda, and be sure to mention that Virginia Wine Time sent you!

During a Memorial Weekend trip to Charlottesville, we paid a visit to Oakencroft Winery. Oakencroft is always on our list of wineries to visit when we are in the area; in fact, we always stop off at a local deli to buy lunch items, because we know that we want to enjoy wine and lunch at Oakencroft. An extra incentive was the upcoming 25th Anniversary celebration at Oakencroft, and although we would not be able to attend the event that was to be held on the Memorial Day, we did want to extend our congratulations to Felicia Rogan and the Oakencroft staff.


Of course, sampling the well-crafted wines at Oakencroft is always a treat, and an extra bonus was that Lorraine, the tasting room manager, was available to conduct our tasting. Lorraine immediately recognized us, and we were all chatting away. Wine tasting occurred, too! Lorraine started us off with the white wines, and Paul quickly assessed his favorite to be the 2006 Chardonnay; done in stainless steel, Paul noted apple flavors with a crisp finish. I was deadlocked---both the 2006 Seyval Blanc and the 2006 Viognier were winners in my book. In the end, I favored the 2006 Seyval Blanc. Yet another crisp offering, the 2006 Seyval possesses a lively citrus aroma and flavor. My close second, the 2006 Viognier, presented floral and peachy notes with peach and apricot flavors in the mouth. It was easy to understand why both the Seyval Blanc and the Viognier have been medal winners for Oakencroft Winery. In fact, Oakencroft’s Seyval Blanc may have even thawed the Cold War. In the 1980s, President Reagan presented a bottle of Oakencroft’s Seyval Blanc to Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev. Gorby enjoyed the wine, and he forged a relationship with Reagan that eventually ended the Cold War!


With a new piece of historical trivia in our minds, we were ready to savor the red wines. Paul favored the medium-bodied 2006 Merlot with its cherry characteristics. My own gold star was presented to the 2006 Estate Reserve Chambourcin. This is a fuller bodied wine rich with dark fruit characteristics and ends with a spicy finish. Inky and dense in color, this 100% Chambourcin will only get better with age. Of course, we had lunch waiting in the car, and for this we settled on the 2006 Jefferson Claret. Fruit forward and juicy was how Paul described this one, and I detected some cedar on the nose. The claret is a blend of Merlot, Chambourcin, Petit Verdot, and Cabernet Sauvignon. It was an easy, accessible sipper and a perfect accompaniment to ham and salami sandwiches that awaited us for lunch!

Dessert wine lovers will also appreciate the 2006 Encore, a blend of Vidal Blanc and Traminette. Floral with apricot flavors describe this sweeter offering.


We finished our tasting, purchased our wines, and made our way to our favorite chairs beside the pond on the Oakencroft grounds to enjoy lunch and wine. Before we left, we bid our farewells to Lorraine and promised to return soon. We were excited about the Anniversary party which would culminate with the release of Oakencroft’s latest Cabernet Franc. We were saddened, then, to later find out that Oakencroft will close at the end of 2008. Felicia Rogan will retire at the end of the year, and the winery has been sold to new owners who will not continue the winery. Felicia is an icon in the Virginia wine making industry, and Oakencroft wines consistently earn medals and accolades from experts and consumers alike. Therefore, be sure to visit Oakencroft Winery soon, and be sure to mention that Virginia Wine Time sent you.

So continuing with our introductions of newer wineries, up next is Sugarleaf Vineyards. Winemaking began as a hobby for Jerry and Lauren Bias, and it was really due the insistence of a close friend, Mike Taylor. A wine enthusiast and collector, Mike was confident that Jerry and Lauren could create their own high-quality wines; tragically, Mike died in the September 11, 2001 attacks. However, the horrific event and Mike’s memory inspired Jerry and Lauren to fulfill a dream that their friend thought could be reality. In 2006, Jerry and Lauren opened the Sugarleaf Vineyards‘ winery. Our visit to Sugarleaf Vineyards confirmed Mike’s confident assessment---Jerry and Lauren Bias do indeed produce well-crafted wines. In fact, Sugarleaf Vineyards has scored several medals in national competitions, and they are certainly destined to earn many more.


Paul and I approached the small tasting bar with gold stars in hand. Of the whites, my own gold star was awarded to the 2006 Viognier which is blended with some Vidal Blanc. Lovely tropical fruit nose and palate with a nice crisp finish, this Viognier spends some time in French oak and in stainless steel. Paul opted for the 2006 Chardonnay. He noted a lemony nose with ripe pear in the mouth. Paul is not one for oaked Chardonnays, but he did seem to appreciate the toasty finish. Perhaps Paul found the oak to be less dominate, and for good reason, because the 2006 Chardonnay spent 45% of its time in stainless steel. I found this one easy to drink and accessible. This Chardonnay is also produced from 100% estate chardonnay grapes.


On to the reds, and these were also well done. In fact, in our post-tasting conversation with Lauren, we concluded that the Bias’ focus really is to produce quality red wines from Virginia grapes. I presented my own gold star to the 2006 Cabernet Sauvignon which was also the gold medal winner at the Town Point Wine Competition. Dense garnet color with a seductive aroma of dark fruits and smoke, this Cabernet offers bold cherry flavors with some tobacco on the finish. This is certainly a bolder, full bodied wine that should age well. Paul’s award went to the 2006 Cabernet Franc. Yet another medal winner, Paul noted a bright berry and herby nose with similar flavors in the mouth. Some blending with Petit Verdot provides a denser color and complexity.


With our tasting done, we were able to chat with Lauren Bias. The Bias’ learned about vineyard management mainly though trial and error, but good soils allowed for many successes. Their first year of operation as a winery yielded 680 cases of wine in 2006, but their 2007 production will yield 1100 cases! Upcoming releases include a Petit Manseng, a Cuvee, and a dessert wine to be known as Nubia Nector.

We are eager to return to Sugarleaf Vineyards, but we know that readers will want to visit there soon. When you do, please mention that Virginia Wine Time sent you.

We’ve heard lots of good things about Blenheim Vineyards through the grapevine (pun intended), and we were eager to visit the winery and, of course, to sample the wines. While Blenheim is new to us, they are not new. They opened their doors in 2001. Blenheim Vineyards is the project of the Matthews family that includes rocker Dave Matthews. In fact, we had been corresponding with Dave’s sister, Jane, to coordinate our visit and tasting. Our tasting was conducted by our hostess, Irene Glenn who skillfully guided us through a tasting of nine wines currently offered on the tasting menu.



Blenheim’s tasting room has been open for awhile but an appointment is still necessary. We were captivated by the vaulted ceilings and sky lights that offered optimal, natural lighting of the tasting room. Large glass doors presented breath-taking views of vineyards and mountains. With this setting, we proceeded to complete our tasting. Of course, we were armed with gold stars, and all of the white wines were solid. Paul’s fave was the 2006 Star Label Chardonnay. Paul underlined “light oak” and “mineral notes” to signify his agreement with the notes on the tasting sheet. He usually favors stainless steel Chardonnays, but Paul seemed to appreciate the nine months on French oak and enjoyed the light honeyed texture of this Chardonnay. My own gold star was awarded to the Ox-Eye Chardonnay 2005. Lovely ripe pear and a honeyed texture led to a toasty finish due to a longer time on oak. I must admit, though, that the Blenheim Farm Chardonnay 2006 and the Viognier 2005 were also well crafted. The Blenheim Farm Chardonnay presented the same characteristics as the Ox-Eye with perhaps a more buttery finish and a lengthier finish. Unlike most Chardonnay nay-sayers, I do appreciate this style of Chardonnay with its full-bodied presentation. An equally assertive white wine was the Viognier 2005. I noted a honeysuckle nose with floral and peachy flavors with a nice acidity. Paul liked this one, too; he even took a break from taking pictures to take a second sip of the 2005 Viognier.



On to the reds, and the first was a 2003 vintage Cabernet Franc. Not an easy year to make wine in Virginia, but this one was easy to sip. A vibrant raspberry nose with herbaceous notes to boot, the 2003 Cabernet Franc is blended with Merlot to give it a rounded texture. Definitely in the light-bodied category, I’d have the 2003 Cabernet Franc with pizza or any picnic fare that might include spicy meats. Shutterbug Paul was more intrigued with the Cabernet Franc, and he presented his gold star to the Blenheim Farm Cabernet Franc 2005. Paul noted darker fruit on the nose and in the mouth and jotted down “plummy” on the tasting sheet. Bigger-bodied than its older sibling, the 2005 vintage could be appreciated now or held on the wine rack for a bit longer. My own favorite was the Blenheim Farm Petit Verdot 2005. Its inky presentation suggests a bolder wine. I noted dark berry notes along with a characteristic spiciness that included a layer of earthiness. Loads of blackberry and dark cherry in the mouth! Needless to say, aging is recommended with this one and will indeed get better with age. Paul thought the tannins to be a little tight, so for those who want to pour now, it might be a good idea to decant the Blenheim Farm Petit Verdot 2005 before serving (and serve with any game meats, lamb, herbed-coated meats, meat, meat, and meat!).


With gold stars awarded, we wrapped up our tasting and thanked Irene for her skillful presentation of Blenheim Vineyards’ wines. We were quite impressed, and we must attribute this not only to the family effort but also to the expert winemaking of Brad McCarthy. Blenheim's current wine maker is Kirsty Harmon. Kirsty began her career with noted Virginia winemaker Gabriele Rausse. Kristy was born in the Netherlands but grew up in Albemarle County. We see only good things for Blenheim Vineyards’ future, and we know that we will return for a tasting of future releases. Do visit Blenheim Vineyards and mention that Virginia Wine Time sent you!

We’ll be featuring more new wineries (or relatively new) in the upcoming weeks, and Miracle Valley Vineyard is one newbie that we visited a couple of weeks ago. Miracle Valley is located in Delaplane not far from Barrel Oak Winery that just recently opened its tasting room.


We were warmly greeted by owner Mary Ann Cunningham on a day that was actually quite cool for May. We were guided through a tasting of five wines currently offered. Of the white wines, Paul appreciated the 2006 Chardonnay which is fermented and aged in stainless steel. Paul noted grapefruit characteristics and found it to be a refreshing pour. The winemaker’s favorite was also my own favorite, the 2006 Cabernet Sauvignon. Dark cherry and smoke on the nose gave way to dark cherry and plum in the mouth with some mocha on the lengthier finish. Paul also observed some dried fruit on the nose and darker berries in the mouth. We both agreed that the 2006 Cabernet Sauvignon should age quite well.


“Rkat” fans will not want to miss Sweet Michelle---sweetness here comes mostly from the fruit character of the rkatseteli grape. Light with a short finish, Sweet Michelle is the perfect Sunday afternoon sipper while on the patio.


Miracle Valley has been open for about one year, and they currently produce 1200 cases of wine. Also, look for a Viognier to appear on the tasting menu this year. Be sure to visit Miracle Valley Vineyard, and mention that Virginia Wine Time Sent you!

We always make a point to attend Chrysalis’ springtime music event, and this year’s concert featured cool jazz. Saturday also offered a respite from the rainy weather, and it was just a gorgeous day to enjoy music and wine. We also got to catch up with Jenni McCloud who allowed us a sneak preview of her upcoming 2007 releases.


Before settling down to lunch and jazz, we did opt to do a tasting at the outdoor tasting bars. Nine wines were offered for tasting, and we started with the whites. Of course, gold stars were brought along, and by the time we were done, we had gold stars all over the place. My own favorite of the white wines was the full-bodied 2006 Viognier with its seductive floral nose. Paul, however, enjoyed the clean, crisp 2006 Chardonnay. Of the reds, the 2003 Norton Locksley Reserve still tops the list and gets better every time I taste it---big dried fruit notes and flavors finish with a bit of pepper. Paul preferred the 2004 Norton Estate Bottled, and he noted cherries in the mouth with a smoother finish. For an every day red, we both enjoyed the 2004 Rubiana with its blackberry, smoky, and spice characteristics. For summer options, consider the 2006 Mariposa which the tasting sheet compared to a Spanish style Clarete. Some might call it a rose-style, but it is actually a blend of red and white varietals. Serve chilled, of course, Mariposa’s strawberry nose and flavors might be perfect for a summer picnic.


With our tasting done, it was time for lunch, and we headed to the food tent to purchase lunch. Actually, this was a fairly large tent, and several vendors were on hand to offer locally produced artisanal products. I was particularly intrigued with Wanders Artisan Chocolaterie. Melanie and Wilhelm Wanders guided us through a sampling of their hand-crafted chocolates which they also paired with Chrysalis wines. In addition, they also make jelly candies produced from Virginia wines! The chocolates were divine, and I particularly enjoyed the espresso chocolates paired with Chrysalis’ Petit Verdot. However, we were mindful not to spoil lunch with desserts, and we both ordered chicken sandwiches. Wine? The 2006 Viognier---because it was my absolute favorite of the day!


So we munched and sipped away on a glorious afternoon while being serenaded with various jazz acts. The bands were outstanding, and we enjoyed classics by Dave Brubeck and John Coltrane. In fact, we finished our 2006 Viognier while lounging on Adirondack chairs beneath a large tree, its limber branches swaying to jazz beats. As we were headed back to the tasting room to purchase some wines, we ran into Jenni McCloud. Jenni offered to update us on the latest happenings, and before long Jenni had us swirling and sipping previews of the upcoming 2007 vintages.

Curtis Vincent, winemaker.

I’ve described Jenni as a visionary more than once, and we were excited to hear of plans for a restaurant and cheese bar on the Chrysalis property. Of course, her mission is Norton, and Jenni played for us a clip of an interview she did about Norton for NPR. We were also treated to a visit to the barrel room where we got to meet new winemaker, Curtis Vincent from California. It was with Curtis that Jenni guided us though a sampling of the 2007 whites. These are going to be blockbuster wines---the 2007 Viognier and the 2007 Albarino were particularly outstanding. The 2007 Viognier is truly reminiscent of a full-bodied Condrieu Viognier. Jenni proclaimed the 2007 Albarino to be the best Albarino in the country, and it was hard to disagree with her---clean, crisp and flinty with citrus flavors and nice acidity. I thought of crab cakes as the perfect pairing with this one. Paul favored the vibrant 2007 Sarah’s Patio Red made with Norton; Paul likes Sarah’s Patio Red with pizza. Not to be outdone was the 2005 Papillion. Big and bold with upfront dried fruit and spicy flavors, the 2005 Papillion is destined to join the 2003 Norton Locksley Reserve as a must-have from Chrysalis Vineyards.


So did we mention that we also met new chickens and cows? As part of Jenni’s vision to offer estate-grown eggs and dairy, her family of chickens and cows has grown since our last visit to Chrysalis; in fact, free-range eggs from her hens were available for purchase at the jazz event as well as her finishing oils produced from Norton seeds.



We always look forward to meeting up with Jenni McCloud----I always wonder where she gets all of her energy. We know we’ll be visiting Chrysalis again very soon, but in the meantime, do visit Chrysalis and mention to Jenni McCloud that Virginia Wine Time sent you.

On Saturday we went to Barrel Oak for a special pre-opening party. We last visited Barrel Oak at the beginning of April. The tasting room was close to completion. When we arrived on Saturday the tasting room was much farther along and only has a few more items to complete. Brian and Sharon plan to have it ready by the official opening day on May 23rd.

We toured around the tasting room facility and marveled at the changes that had taken place since our last visit. Here are a few pictures from the tasting room.





We were very pleased to see an old friend working the tasting bar. Rick Tagg has joined the team at Barrel Oak as the assistant winemaker. At the tasting bar we were able to taste the Bowhaus Red and the Bowhaus White. We tasted the Bowhaus Red during our last visit and thoroughly enjoyed it but the Bowhaus White was new to us. It's an 80/20 % blend of vidal blanc and sauvignon blanc. This one got Paul's gold star.


While we were enjoying a glass of wine, we ran into another old friend, Ellen Crosby. You might know her from her books The Merlot Murders and The Chardonnay Charade. Her next book, The Bordeaux Betrayal, will be released on August 5th. Here's a picture of Ellen Crosby with Rick Tagg.


We enjoyed our time at the Barrel Oak pre-opening party. Brian and Sharon have created a wonderful experience with their wines and their tasting room. We look forward to visiting them many times in the future. If you find yourself at Barrel Oak on Memorial Day weekend or anytime in the future, be sure to tell them Virginia Wine Time sent you.

It’s always a pleasure to visit Kent Marrs at Village Winery. We’ve been following Kent’s progress as a winemaker since Village opened, and we recently paid a visit to Village Winery to sample the newest releases. Of course, we also got to chat with Kent about the 2007 vintages, the upcoming 2008 harvest, and other new developments.


Kent graciously greeted us as we entered the tasting room, and before long we were tasting away. In fact, Kent treated us to a barrel tasting of his ‘07 releases, and this included the 2007 Merlot. Needless to say, Paul’s taste buds were anxious to sample this one; in fact, he wrote the notes for 2007 Merlot. “Amazing” was the adjective that he jotted down, and other descriptors included “lush” and “intense”. Paul noted big cherry notes and flavors with some mocha to boot. It earned his gold star for favorite red wine! My own favorite was the sneak sample of the 2007 Petit Verdot. This will be a second bottling of Petit Verdot for Village Winery, and the result is exemplary. A dense, inky color suggests a bolder-bodied wine. I also noted dark berry/currant and leather aromas that suggested a nice cigar wine. Blackberry and spice were characteristics observed in the mouth with a lengthier finish. This one is destined to age well and should be considered for robust meat dishes---leg of lamb came to mind. Not to be outdone was the 2007 Viognier. We were treated to a sneak preview of this upcoming release, and it should be quite the crowd pleaser for summer.


Kent also guided us through the regular bar tasting. Topping Paul’s list of favorites was the 2006 Merlot (or course). Paul appreciated the mixed berry flavors and smoother finish of this merlot, and decided that two bottles of this one needed a new home. My own personal fave was the 2006 Petit Verdot. The 2006 offering shares characteristics similar to its younger sibling, the 2007 vintage; however, the 2007 promises to be bolder and more complex with a notable spiciness reminiscent of a Rhone-style wine. I did indeed make room on the wine rack for a bottle of the 2006 Petit Verdot as well as the cabernet franc-based Rose which also earned a gold-star.


As we sipped away at the tasting bar, Kent also filled us in on new products which he developed with elderberries. Village Winery is known for its Elderberry wine, and Kent is now offering an elderberry syrup. Known for its health benefits, elderberry is also packed with flavor. The elderberry syrup could be used for breakfast foods or desserts---I added a bottle of this to my tab! Coming up in the fall will be a sparkling elderberry soft drink.

With our purchases secured, we bid our farewells to Kent Marrs, and we know that we will return soon. In the meantime, visit Kent Marrs at Village Winery and mention that Virginia Wine Time sent you.

May 3rd was the grand opening of Hiddencroft Vineyards, Loudoun County's northern most winery. We decided to visit Hiddencroft on their opening weekend to see what they have to offer and experience the new facility. Clyde and Terry Housel have been growing grapes since 2001;currently, they have six acres of vines planted, and these include cabernet franc, chambourcin, and traminette planted. We also got to chat with Clyde and Terry about their experience as vineyard managers and winemakers, and they also shared with us their dreams for the future of Hiddencroft.


As is the case with many Virginia wineries, Hiddencroft is a family operation, and our tasting was conducting by Clyde and Terry's daughter. She skillfully introduced us to all four of their wines offered on the tasting menu. We began with the aromatic Traminette which is blende with a touch of Vidal Blanc. Nice floral and fruity notes make this Traminette a hit for the summer but could also be considered with Thanksgiving dinner. We then moved on to the youthful and light-bodied Chambourcin, and here again was another versatile pour that could grace a picnic or feel at home with a pizza. “Juicy” might best describe the Chambourcin. The final red was the Cabernet Franc, and Hiddencroft’s version is also blended with Cabernet Franc grown and finished from another vineyard. A bolder red wine was revealed here with a denser color and darker berry flavors. We did detect slight caramel on the finish. Consider this one with pasta, beef, or grilled fare.


Currently Hiddencroft is offering one sweet wine, the Sweet Cherry. Warren found this one to be rather intriguing. It is produced from montmorecy cherries grown on the Hiddencroft estate. Do try this one with the samplings of dark chocolate---simply divine. The Housels do have plans to release a sweet Blackberry and a sweet Apple wine later this year.


After our tasting we decided to sit on their patio and have some lunch. We selected the Cabernet Franc to go with our chicken parmesan and pasta. While enjoying our wine and food, Terry and Clyde paid us a visit. We ended up talked to both of them for more than an hour finding out all about the winery, the fruit, and their passion for growing grapes. We also got to meet Terry’s Mom who has also lent a hand in the vineyards. The hard efforts seem to have paid off, and the Housel, like other new wine artisans, have benefited from expertise offered from the close-knit winemaking community in Loudon County. The Housels gave credit to Doug Fabbioli, renowned winemaker, for helping them to craft quality wines, and we know that this collaboration will continue to pay dividends for Hiddencroft Vineyards.

If you are looking for a new winery to visit, check out Hiddencroft Vineyards. And when you do, tell them Virginia Wine Time sent you.

This past Saturday, we treated ourselves to an elegant evening of wine and food at Gray Ghost Vineyards. The occasion was a vertical tasting of Reserve Cabernets (93, 97, 98, 99, 01, 02) and Merlots (03, 04, 05, 06). Pictures will tell the story for most of this entry, but I will share some of our notes from the evening as well as some exciting news from Gray Ghost Vineyards.

Al telling us about the evenings events.

The evening started with a pre-event social in the tasting room. Featured here was Gray Ghost's first ever release of a Riesling. The Gray Ghost 2007 Riesling presented lovely floral notes with grapefruit flavors and was served with hors d'oevres that paired well with a dry Riesling.

The wine library where the wines were set out for pouring.

Before long we were invited to the wine library where the evening's event was to take place. The setting there was truly elegant with candles creating a perfect ambiance for a night of fine, award-winning wines and dinner. We were first treated to the flight of Merlots and a first round at the buffet which featured such dishes as chicken and pasta, roasted pork loin, and venison teriyaki. Assorted cheese and dried meats were also served; of course, all of the buffet items complimented the wines. Also, Cheryl Kellert, who could probably pursue a second career as a chef, did all of the cooking

All the glasses ready for wine.

Once we all served ourselves a round of food, the room began to buzz about the Merlots. Of course, we all had our own favorites. I preferred the 05 followed closely by the 03. Both were packed with rich cherry flavors and nicely structured due to a limited yet appropriate time in oak. I also noted that the 03's perseverance had to be due to quality wine making as 2003 was the year of rain, rain, rain and a special visit from Hurricane Isabel. Paul placed the 2006 offering at the top of his list, but his second favorite was also the 2003!

Round two at the buffet table, and this time to pair with the Reserve Cabernet Sauvignons. A special feature was the 1993 Reserve Cabernet; this was the first Reserve Cabernet poured by Gray Ghost, and it earned them numerous awards and rave reviews. I say special because this was the last time that this wine will be poured; remaining bottles will continue to rest in the library. So enough nostalgia---what Cabs were the faves? I kept grabbing the 1998 and placed this one at the top of my list. To me, this one represented a fine integration of aromas and flavors; I thought it was still nicely balanced. Paul went with the sentimental favorite, the 1993 Cab.

The candle light was lovely.

At the end of the evening, we were treated to a pairing of a rich chocolate dessert and a glass of the 2004 Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon. As the revered 1993 goes into final retirement, I predict that the 2004 will take its hallowed place at the verticals! We've written about this one before, and it only gets better every time we try it!

We had a great time.

We ended our evening with conversations with Al, Amy, and Cheryl. Exciting developments include the future release of its meritage blend called Ranger Reserve which has already won a silver medal in a California wine competition. In fact, several Gray Ghost wines have won medals in California already this year and include the 2006 Reserve Chardonnay, the 2006 Cabernet Franc, the upcoming 2007 Gewurztraminer and 2007 Adieu. We'll return to Gray Ghost to sample these upcoming releases; so, put a trip to Gray Ghost on the agenda, and tell the Kellerts and Gray Ghost that Virginia Wine Time sent you!

We admit it---we're behind in our postings. But for those 9 to 5 occurrences called jobs, we'd post more frequently! Anyway, after our visit with Brian and Sharon at Barrel Oak last Saturday, we decided to sample the latest offering at Three Fox Vineyards. Three Fox Vineyards is less than a mile from Barrel Oak, and it had been quite a while since our last visit to tasting room there.

We did indeed make it to Three Fox Vineyards but with fifteen minutes to spare. However, the tasting room associate graciously accommodated us, and before long we were tasting away. Of the whites, my personal favorite was the crisp 2006 Leggero Chadonnay with its citrus flavors. This Chardonnay is done in stainless steel and is quite versatile to boot. Nice sipper but can be brought along on a picnic, this Chardonnay might also pair well with a favorite shellfish dish. With warmer weather around the corner, sweet wine lovers might appreciate the 2007 Appassionata Vidal Blanc; at 3% residual sugar, this Vidal Blanc might be the right sunset sipper that can be partnered with a stronger blue cheese and baguette.


On to the reds, and my top pick here was the 2006 Alouette Cabernet Franc. Pleasing here for me was the fact that Three Fox does not blend this one and offers 100% estate grown Cabernet Franc. I noted dark cherries in the mouth and some pepper toward the end. This offering has earned Three Fox several awards, and we opted to share a glass of this Cabernet Franc after our tasting! For Chambourcin fans, Three Fox's 2007 Rosso Dolce is a port-styled wine that is made from Chambourcin grapes. Chambourcin lovers might want to savor the Rosso Dolce with dark chocolates or strong cheeses!


In the process of our tasting, we met co-owner Holli Todhunter; her husband, John, is also owner and winemaker. We also got to meet and chat with Pam Rich, the Director of Tasting Room Operations. From Holli, we learned that Three Fox currently has 10 acres of vines planted with a production of 3000 cases. Future plans include a new tasting room and facility done in the Italian tradition. Holli and John are inspired by Italian wines, and this is evident in the other tasting menu offerings that include Pinot Grigio and Sangiovese. Also, upcoming winemakers' dinners prepared by local chefs will feature Three Fox wines, so visit the winery website for more information. We must also add that Holli allowed us to enjoy a glass of their Alouette Cabernet Franc even though the tasting room was officially closed. Paul and I enjoyed our wine with some cheese and crackers while taking in spectacular mountain views.

Of course, we eventually did bid our farewells to Holli and the tasting staff at Three Fox. A bottle of the 2006 Alouette Cabernet Franc was purchased for future consumption, and we plan to return to Three Fox to sample future releases. Holli was very excited about the 2007 harvest, and we know that we will have to check out the results. Plan to visit Three Fox Vineyards, and mention that Virginia Wine Time sent you.

Once our tour of the tasting room and grounds was complete, it was back to the Roeder's house for a tasting of upcoming offerings. Scenic views and impressive tasting rooms are one thing, but what about the wine? We can attest that these are off to a fine start, too.


Paul and I were treated to a sampling of seven upcoming releases that will bear Barrel Oak labels. These were not estate wines; in fact, these wines were mature yet quality wines of the 2005 vintage purchased from other wineries and already in the barrel. However, these wines were still diamonds in the rough, and Sharon, with guidance from her cast of experts, was able to finish these wines to produce signature products. Of the whites, Paul favored the crisp Chardonnay done in stainless steel with minimal time in oak barrels. He noted ripe apples in the mouth with vanilla on the finish. I preferred the Seyval Blanc. This was produced from Seyval Blanc grapes purchased from a local, quality vineyard, and crushed, aged then bottled under Sharon's direction. This may well be Barrel Oak's competition-worthy white wine---crisp with a citrus nose and flavors that finishes with a pleasant, characteristic tartness. To be released just in time for late spring, crab cakes would pair just fine with this one.

On to the reds and more noteworthy pours. The Bowhaus Red is destined to become Barrel Oak's festival wine. This blend of several red varieties is reminiscent of a softer claret with an herby nose and cranberry flavors. Easy and accessible were words that came to mind. The Petit Verdot will be Barrel Oak's reserve offering, and I tended to favor this one. Currants and darker fruit aromas were noted with a bit of smoke; I also detected similar flavors with a nice spicy finish that would bode well for a pairing with lamb. My ultimate gold star award was presented to the Tour Ga Franc. This blend of Touriga and Cabernet Franc could grace any dinner party. Mixed berries, dried herbs, and tobacco notes were complimented by raspberry flavors with some mocha to finish. Paul saved his own gold star for the BowWow Norton; he favors Norton and appreciated the black currant notes and characteristic grapey qualities of this Norton. Not to be out done was the Cabernet Sauvignon---lots of potential here, this medium-bodied pour could be appreciated now or later after some time on the wine rack.


Now the canine references obviously pay homage to Barley, esteemed winery dog; however, these names and their unique labels replete with paw prints also designate the House and Reserve wines. The Tour Ga Franc offers a play on the Tour de France to signify Sharon's affinity for biking. Also, a certain portion of the Tour Ga Franc fee will go toward the Lance Armstrong cancer association.

From tasting room to wines to wine labels, the personal touches of Brian and Sharon are unmistakable touches on a quality operation. Look for Sharon to produce her own estate wines in 2010 as estate vines will be mature enough by 2009 to offer premium pours. Before we bid our farewells to Brian and Sharon, my parting question was, "Why Virginia?" Brian is from California, and their dream could certainly have been fulfilled there or in any other better-known wine region. Brian's immediate response was, "Virginia is home. It's a community here, and we {Virginia winemakers} bring each other up. This is where our hearts have made a home together."

What better note on which to end our time with Brian and Sharon Roeder! We anxiously await their official opening in May. Looking for a new winery to check out this summer? Put Barrel Oak on the agenda, and tell Brian and Sharon that Virginia Wine Time sent you!

This past weekend, Paul and I visited Brian and Sharon Roeder, owners of Barrel Oak Winery in Delaplane, Virginia. Barrel Oak Winery will open in May, but Brian and Sharon graciously allowed us a sneak preview of their facility and wines. In the process, we discovered that Barrel Oak Winery is a dream come true for Brian and Sharon.

Sharon and Brian

We met Brian and Sharon at their home in Delaplane, and we quickly became acquainted. Both are friendly, outgoing personalities, and we even met Barley, who is ready to take on the demanding role of winery dog. We wanted to know how Brian and Sharon got into the wine-making business, and it literally started with a dream. Well, it was Sharon's dream. Sharon was on a search for a life and career changing experience, and she had a recurring dream. In her dream, Sharon would see herself in a mountainous landscape tending to grapes in a vineyard. Finally, while on a trip to Key West, Sharon heeded Brian's advice to make her dream a reality. In May, 2008, Brian and Sharon will fulfill the dream and open Barrel Oak Winery.

So what about making wine? Brian and Sharon have immersed themselves in learning this fine art. Sharon is the designated winemaker, and she has learned the business from the ground up. From vineyard management to harvesting to crushing to blending to tasting room management, Sharon has learned the ropes from masters in the business. Both she and Brian have been full-time students of such renowned experts as Jim Law, Chris Pearmund, and Tom Payette. In the process, they have dedicated several acres of their property to planting 7000 vines. Varieties will include seyval blanc, chambourcin, traminette, merlot, petit verdot and petit manseng. Although Brian and Sharon are the newest kids on the block, they have set their standards very high. Their goal is to eventually produce 10,000 cases of well-crafted wine.

The tasting room under construction.

Before treating us to a tasting of their wines, Brian and Sharon offered us a tour of their tasting room, which is still in construction. "Impressive" was the first word to come to mind, and that was probably an understatement. The main tasting room will be a 4000 square foot, state of the art facility that will feature a lengthy tasting bar. Sliding doors will also allow for the room to open up onto an expansive patio to offer breathtaking mountain views. These features will also offer versatility---events can be staged at the winery while regular tastings can be offered at the same time and without disruption to customers.

And there is more!! Above this main tasting area will be a loft that can accommodate meetings, seminars, and additional wine tasting space. A balcony effect will allow guests to look down upon the lower tasting room as they sniff, swirl, and sip. Below the main tasting room will be an additional facility that can only be described as "cavernous." This 9000 square foot feature will be where all of the wine production and storage will take place. Here, too, state of the art equipment will be used to process grapes and to insure that wines will be stored at optimal conditions. Yet more space will be designated for tasting in this "wine cave"; in addition, a wine library will be constructed. As we toured the facility, Brian and Sharon's passion and enthusiasm were evident; however, we also noted that their plans were carefully made. Though expansive, there will be no wasted space at Barrel Oak Winery. Even in the "wine cave", pain staking efforts were made to ensure fluid operations from harvest to crush pad to fermenation and then to storage.

We should also mention that Brian and Sharon plan to have the most "green" facility in Virginia. Energy saving features will include the facility's high vaulted ceilings, large sliding doors and windows, and a fireplace were all designed to conserve energy yet provide comfort to customers.

Barley

With our tour complete, it was time to taste wine. We hopped back into the golf cart and Brian brought us back the house. We stopped along the way to survey the vineyards and to visit with some equine friends who lived next door. Barley led the welcoming committee, but the several horses that grazed in the neighboring field seemed not to notice.

One of the neighbors next door.

And now the wines! Return later this week for Part Two of this Dream Come True, and I'll tell you all about them!

Our most recent tasting was at James River Cellars near Richmond. With warmer weather just around the corner, we were on the lookout for versatile pours; with twelve wines on the tasting menu, we were sure to find some special wines at James River Cellars.

Of the white wines on the menu, the 2006 Vidal Blanc was most notable. “Peachy” would be an apt descriptor of its notes and flavors though more crisp than expected from a Vidal Blanc. Consider this one for an appertif, a picnic, or even a companion to a spiced ham dish that might grace the dinner table during spring. Our friend and guest blogger, Michael Tyler, would appreciate the sweeter 2006 Hanover White. It shared the same profile as the Vidal Blanc but definitely made to satisfy the sweet wine lover.


On to the reds and my gold star award.---my favorite here was the 2005 Cabernet Franc. A rich nose was noted with a mix of berries, dried herbs, and violets. Mixed berries and plums were observed in the mouth with spice toward the end with a lengthier finish. The 2005 Cabernet Franc was blended with 5% Tannat which may explain the denser color and more complex characteristics. Paul and I shared a glass of the 2005 Cabernet Franc after the tasting and was a fine sipper, but a steak dinner would pair quite well with this selection.


Warren enjoying his glass of the 2005 Cabernet Franc while taking notes.
I decided to grace my wine rack with a bottle of the 2005 Cabernet Franc from James River Cellars, and we know that new releases are just around the corner at James River. While on a visit to Richmond, be sure to check out the selections at James River Cellars; remember to mention that Virginia Wine Time sent you.

This past weekend, Virginia Wine Time photographer Paul Armstrong, unveiled his first art show at Woodland Vineyard Farm Winery. Paul was invited to show his work by John and Megan Witherspoon who are part of the family team that operates Woodland Winery. (In fact, Megan is an outstanding artist herself.) Of course, wine tasting was on the agenda, and John commandeered the tasting bar to give us all a sampling of Woodland Winery’s current offerings.

The focus of our visit was art, and Paul brought along fourteen photographs from his extensive portfolio to present in the Woodland Winery tasting room. Paul is an avid photographer, and those who know Paul also know that his camera is always around his neck. He likes to capture the ordinary---old barns, chimney tops, leafless trees,---to create extraordinary art. Paul claims that he is fascinated by shapes; in fact, his exhibit is entitled, "Shapes Through the Lens." The art is available for viewing and purchase at the winery until July 13, 2008. (A sneak preview of the exhibit can be seen here.) Paul is very humble, but I know that he was excited to plan the display with Megan, and he was quite proud of the work presented!


So what did I do while the artists were at work? I carefully yet skillfully jotted the names of each piece on small placards that were then taped next to the appropriate photograph. Yes, these placards are indeed art pieces that exemplify the underground movement known as Penmanship Art. While these placards may be viewed at the winery, they are not available for purchase---they are simply too priceless.

With the exhibit now on display, it was time to taste some wine, and John gladly obliged us all with a tasting. Also, Megan’s Mom and Woodland winemaker, Melissa, was on hand to chat about Woodland wines. Of the white wines, my personal fave was the 2006 Reserve Chardonnay. Ripe apple notes and flavors were obvious with a buttery texture and toasty finish; for those who prefer a fuller-bodied white wine, the 2006 Reserve Chardonnay should fit the bill. I do appreciate bolder white wines and would gladly sip this one on its own, but lobster with cream sauce or a lobster bisque would pair nicely with this Chardonnay. Paul favored the crisp 2006 Stainless Steel Chardonnay.


John moved us onto the red wines, and it did not take Paul more than one sip to gold-star the 2006 Merlot. This release is blended with a small amount of Cabernet Sauvignon to provide structure and complexity. It also retains the bold cherry characteristics noted in the 2005 vintage. Melissa treated us to a sneak preview of the upcoming 2006 Cabernet Franc, and what a treat! Heady berry and cedar/woodsy bouquet promised dark berry and spice in the mouth. This one earned my gold star, and I look forward to this upcoming Woodland Release.

With our tasting completed, John obliged us all with a glass of the Cabernet Franc, and we took yet another look at Paul’s art to decide which piece was our personal favorites. Megan favored Red Barnand Table Grapes. Fingers to Heaven topped my list, but no one seemed to notice my Penmanship Art. We then enjoyed another gladss of the Cabernet Franc on the porch and chatted about wine.


Time seemed to fly as we chatted about art and wine. With one last look at the exhibit, we bid our farewells to Woodland. We were very grateful to John and Megan for putting us up for the night at their lovely home---John’s blueberry pancakes are 5-star delights!! Please be sure to visit Woodland to view Paul’s art exhibit and to taste Woodland’s current offerings. Be sure to mention that Virginia Wine Time sent you.

There are some interesting changes coming to Oasis Winery. A big thanks to our friend James Gannon over at The Rappahannock Voice for sharing one of his recent articles with us. Head over there and read about the changes coming to Oasis Winery.

Paul decided to take advantage of his Case Club membership at Linden Vineyards, and I went along for the ride. Actually, we trekked on out there on the Sunday before last when it was cool but sunny, and we looked forward to sampling new pours and enjoying a glass of wine on the deck. Once we got there, we also opted for the Cellar Tasting. All of the above are perks associated with the Case Club membership, and as Paul’s guest, I got to share in these delights.


Since I was the guest of honor, I let Paul take all of the notes on his nifty new iPod Touch. At the regular tasting counter, Paul’s favorite was the 2004 Claret, an easy and accessible blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Petit Verdot, and Cabernet Franc. He noted bright berry, dried herbs and tobacco on the nose with cherry and plum flavors in the mouth. However, Paul saved gold stars for the 2005 Hardscrabble Chardonnay and the 2005 Hardscrabble Red. Paul is very picky about Chardonnays and usually does not care for them, but he was very excited with the 2005 Hardscrabble. Fuller-bodied with big apple flavors and a nutty finish were the descriptors that Paul used, and a check mark meant that a bottle was going home. Equally pleasing to the palate was the 2005 Hardscrabble Red; in fact, Paul simply noted, “loved this one”. Other notes included dark fruit, smoky, and dried basil. These were certainly apt words to describe this blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Petit Verdot, Merlot and Caber net Franc. Another star awarded to a lovely wine, and we were back upstairs to enjoy food and wine!

We did end up nibbling on a block of Derby cheese and baguettes with a glass of the 2004 Claret. We did also observe that with the new case club restrictions, the atmosphere was certainly quieter. No problems finding a table from which to gaze on mountain views and to appreciate food, wine, and conversation! Paul purchased yet another case of wine this go round including several bottles of the Avenius Sauvignon Blanc. For myself, I purchased a bottle of the 2004 Claret to savor with a simple meal.


Linden Vineyards produces some of the best wines around! It’s always a treat to discover the gems produced by Jim Law, and we know that we’ll back soon, especially for the barrel tasting usually held in April. In the meantime, pay Linden Vineyards a visit, inquire into their case club membership, and mention that Virginia Wine Time sent you.

We’ve intended to re-visit Chateau O’Brien since our last visit about a year ago. This weekend we were determined to do just that and in the process catch up with owner Howard O’Brien about the latest developments at the chateau.


Howard greeted us like old friends, and we immediately settled in for some wine tasting and conversation. Howard was very eager to tell us about his successes with tannat, a varietal with potential in Virginia. Readers may know that Portugal makes some outstanding wines from tannat, and Horton Cellars right here in Virginia won gold in the Virginia’s Governor’s Cup with its 2001 Tannat. Anyway, Howard’s own tannat has won accolades from international wine makers. In fact, Howard traveled to Uruguay to talk tannat with winemakers there. Uruguay, like Virginia, seems to have the right climate for tannat, and Howard’s meeting proved fruitful. In fact, Howard will be hosting a tannat tasting and event at Chateau O’Brien in May featuring tannat wines from Uruguay.


As we chatted, Howard conducted our wine tasting. The 2005 Chardonnay, done in the French style, still shows well and remains my personal favorite of the white poured at Chateau O’Brien. Paul, however, favored the newer 2006 North Point White done in stainless steel. He appreciated its citrus and apricot flavors and crisp finish. The North Point White should prove to be a versatile pour that would be appropriate for an appertif, a summer picnic, or a light, casual meal that featured poultry or white fish. Of the reds, we both favored the 2005 North Point Red. This Bordeaux-style blend features all of the Bordeaux varietals except for Malbec. The result is an accessible wine with a vibrant appearance and lush cherry/berry flavors. Velvety tannins make for an easy wine to drink, and we later enjoyed this one with the cheese and baguette board offered by the winery.


After our tasting and conversation, we enjoyed lunch and wine in the chateau’s dining area, and we were able to enjoy lovely views of mountains and wished for spring to arrive. We should also mention that Howard does a reserve tasting for his Reserve Tannat and Reserve Chardonnay. We plan to arrange for a tasting soon so as to experience these excellent wines ourselves! In the meantime, visit Chateau O’Brien and mention that Virginia Wine Time sent you.

Our friends John and Megan from Woodland Vineyards and Anything Wine came to visit us from Richmond this weekend. They came up to experience some wineries in Loudoun County. This was their first visit to any Loudoun County wineries.


Our first stop was Loudoun Valley. We discovered they offer special soups on the weekends in January and February. Since we brought our own lunch, we did not take advantage of the offer.


Our next stop was Corcoran Vineyards. Lori always treats us so well when we visit. We enjoyed our tasting and were able to sample the new wines since our last visit. They were all very good and we left with almost half a case of wine!


Next we went to Doukenie Winery. They had a busy tasting room but we were able to sample their current selections. A favorite here was the Sauvignon Blanc. Paul walked away with two bottles!


Our last stop was Hillsborough Vineyards. We always enjoy our tastings at Hillsborough. This is where we settled down for lunch. It was a little chilly to be outside but the sun was warm on our faces. We enjoyed a bottle of the Opal and The Ruby...both paired well with our lunch items. Before ending the day we made a few purchases for our wine collections.

We had no intention of pairing these two, but that's what happened this past weekend. Jenni McCloud of Chrysalis Vineyards agreed to let us interview her again for an upcoming article on Norton, and she was nice enough to even feed us breakfast! We were treated to pancakes and eggs from her own harem of hens, and executive chef for Chrysalis, Hump Astorga joined us too to discuss food and wine.

It was a very, very cold morning when we met Jenni at her house, and I gladly took her up on the offer for a cup of coffee. As we chatted about wine, Jenni whipped up pancakes, fried eggs graciously delivered by her own hens, and bacon. The focus of our conversation was Norton, its history, and its potential. We've been following the Norton Renaissance first pioneered by Dennis Horton and then taken to a whole new level by Jenni McCloud. Since the time that we started this blog, we have noted that winemakers in Virginia have taken notice of Norton; newer wineries like Green Springs gladly offer Norton. Jenni and Hump shed light as to why that may be the case.


In the course of our chat with Jenni and Hump, we discovered that Norton, unlike European varietals like Cabernet Sauvignon, is resistant to the disease and fungus that is part and parcel of Virginia's humid climate. Also, Norton, a hybrid of native grape varietals is fully adapted to Virginia's sometimes wacky weather---late frosts, early springs, rain today, dry tomorrow, etc., Therefore, late freezes that may kill off a vineyard of European varietals most likely will never effect Norton. Also, with the current focus on "green", Norton does not need to be sprayed with chemicals---it is the product of its environment and can defend itself without the help of "agri-chemicals".

Our conversation continued to the dining table with its view of mountain-covered landscapes. We've already described Jenni as a true visionary, and she only confirmed that judgment as we munched on eggs and pancakes. In fact, Jenni shared with us that she recently poured Norton at a wine event in Sicily, and she remains steadfast in the conviction that Norton will put Virginia wines on the international map. (And no---we did not literally have pancakes with Norton wine!)


We did mention that our interview with Jenni and Hump were pursuant to an upcoming article--we'll leave you all in suspense about the article and its details for a bit longer. However, after we wrapped up our interview with Jenni and Hump ( and breakfast, too---we were pleasantly stuffed!), we made our way to the tasting room. Our goal was to find a Norton that we would serve at an upcoming Norton tasting. I already have the 2003 Locksely Reserve on the wine rack; Paul has his favorite, Sarah's Patio Red, but we both were interested in the newer 2006 Norton Barrel Select. This 100% Norton offering has earned Chrysalis accolades at wine competitions, and we understood why---dense, intense colors, jammy aromas and flavors that included dark berries and raisins, the 2006 Norton Barrel Select offered a fruit-forward presentation that demands to be appreciated now. Needless to say, a bottle of this one found its way home.


More to come about the outcome of our interview with Jenni McCloud and Hump Astorga. In the meantime, visit Chrysalis Vineyards and experience Jenni's vision of quality winemaking for yourself---be sure that Virginia Wine Time sent you!

Well, not really---we visited Naked Mountain, and we did keep our clothes on. Winter time is lasagna time at Naked Mountain, but the opportunity to sample some nice wines is always available at Naked Mountain.


Our focus was a wine to enjoy with sausage lasagna, and we honed in on the reds. Of course, Naked Mountain is known for their Chardonnays, and we did both the 2003 and 2004 vintages at the tasting bar. Paul and I were split on favorites; Paul favored the toastier 2003 Chardonnay, but Warren preferred the crisper 2004. Both were quite good, though. However, we did have our minds made up to have a red wine to accompany lunch, and we found our match with the 2005 Raptor Red. This blend includes 47% Merlot, 27% Cabernet Sauvignon, 17% Cabernet Franc, 4% Tannat, and 3% Petit Verdot. A dense garnet color best described its appearance in the glass; cherry and spice notes prevailed on the nose. Of course, it's the mouth that makes the final decision, and we both noted dark cherry and plum flavors. "Medium bodied" and "fruit forward" finished our notes. We both gold-starred this one!


Our tasting finished with the 2006 Chardonnay/Riesling. I'm not a fan of sweeter wines, but I found myself liking this one. At 3% residual sugar, it is on the sweet side, but not cloyingly so. It possesses a floral/honeysuckle bouquet and a pleasant honeyed texture with pear flavors. In fact, I placed an "MT" next to this one, because I know that our friend and guest blogger would love this Chardonnay/Riesling. Quite nice to sip on its own, I'd serve this one as a dessert wine partnered with baked pears.

By the end of our tasting, we were definitely hungry, and we could scent of lasagna and garlic bread wafted from other tables in the tasting room. We selected a table near the glassed door that opens out to the deck so that we could view the mountains on the horizon and try to guess which species of birds were visiting the bird feeders. The lasagna was soon brought to our table, and it was absolutely delicious; the Raptor Red matched the red sauce, sausage, and herbs quite well. (For the vegetarians out there, they also offer a vegetarian lasagna.)


We enjoyed a winter's afternoon lunch with wine, but before we know it, it was time to leave. We are sure to return to Naked Mountain to sample upcoming releases of their unoaked Chardonnay, oak-aged Chardonnay, and Cabernet Franc. In the meantime, we can think of no better way to spend a chilly afternoon than with lasagna and wine at Naked Mountain. Drink Naked, and be sure to mention that Virginia Wine Time sent you.

We recently visited friends who lived in the Northern Neck of Virginia, and we used the occasion to visit some wineries in the area. (Would we pass up the opportunity? Of course not !) In fact, our friends, Bob and Jackie joined us on the wine trail. They prepared a lovely picnic lunch to bring along, and we headed off to Ingleside Vineyards for our first stop. We've been to Ingleside on several occasions, and we were anxious to try newer releases. Bob and Jackie were also eager to sample Ingleside's numerous offerings, and we were all on a quest to find a wine that would pair with lunch!

We sampled several selections from three tasting menus---the Premium Wines, the Chesapeake Wines, and the Black Label Wines. Each menu offered something for everybody. The Premium and Black Label wines might be featured at dinner parties or black tie affairs; the Chesapeake Wines lend themselves to picnics, sunsets on the balcony, or summer concerts. With four different palates at the tasting bar, sampling from all three menus proved to be interesting.



Jackie tended to favor drier white wines and dinner-friendly reds. For her, the premium Chardonnay and the Black Label Sangiovese topped the charts. Warren concurred with these ratings. The Sangiovese presented notes of violet and plum with subtle smoky aromas. Cherry/berry flavors with a rustic, earthy charm made this one irresistible. Herb-crusted beef tenderloins would simply moo with delight when paired with this Sangiovese. And what if seafood is on the menu? Jackie's preferred Premium Chardonnay would be just fine. Done in the classic French style, the Premium Chardonnay has a gentle toasty finish that suggests an appropriate oak treatment..

Jackie's husband, Bob, likes his wines on the sweeter side. Two Chesapeake Wines struck his fancy---the Blue Crab Blush and the Sweet Virginia Rose. Both wines are done in the rose style and possessed bright strawberry flavors; pinkish colors suggest a sweeter style appropriate for the picnic table, poolside, or dessert! One Chesapeake Wine that did earn unanimous approval was the Blue Crab Blanc. The Blue Crab Blanc is a blend of white wine grapes, and the final product is not as sweet as its pinkish siblings. In fact, this off-dry selection would be quite lovely as a partner to light fare such as salads topped with crabmeat.

So what about Paul's favorites? Surprisingly, the Black Label Syrah finished ahead of the Merlot! Paul was enticed by the leathery/spicy aromas and was then hooked with its dry fruit and peppery flavors. Warren detected more black cherry on the palate, but each palate is different, and no one argued with Paul's gold star selection.



After our tasting, lunch was calling us from the trunk of the car. Jackie and Bob prepared sandwiches that included chicken salad, cheese and pimento, salad. and ham/cheese. Paul brought along various cheeses and nuts. Now our task was to find the right wine, and we actually selected two wines from our tasting options. One wine, the Rosato di Sangiovese, satisfied the dry wine lovers; the other, the Blue Crab Blush, pleased the sweet wine lovers. (Of course, we did not finish both bottles of wines, and leftovers came home with us!) At a loss for a wine for to serve with baked ham for the holidays? Try either of these wines.

We enjoyed food, wine and conversation amidst fall colors and crisp breezes that made us forget about the global warming autumn that characterized most of October. We all purchased bottles of favorite Ingleside wines and we bid our farewells. For those who plan a trip to the Northern Neck, do stop by Ingleside Vineyards and tell the tasting room staff that Virginia Wine sent you!

Our friend and wine enthusiast, Michael Tyler, joined us for wine and lunch at Winery at La Grange. It had been a while since we last visited Winery at La Grange; of course, it's enough to visit the facility just to tour the historic home and lovely grounds. On this crisp fall afternoon, though, we were also interested in Michael's impressions of Winery at La Grange's wines.


The tasting menu featured six wines to sample, and our associate, dressed in her finest Halloween fashion, guided us through our tasting. Of the dry whites, the unanimous favorite was the 2006 Fletcher's Chardonnay with its apple flavors and buttery finish. Michael tends to appreciated off-dry white wines, and the Cuvee Blanc was made just for him. In fact, Michael placed a check mark next to this one, and we knew that he would be contributing comments on this selection. Done in stainless steel, the 2006 Cuvee Blanc features three varietals that include Pinot Grigio, Viognier and Rousanne. The 1.5 residual sugar makes it slightly sweet but not cloyingly so. More on this from Michael later!


Six reds were next up for a taste, and the first three were lighter-bodied reds. The team favorite here was the 2006 Cabernet Franc. In fact, Michael placed another check mark next to this one, and we'll let Michael do the commentaries on this one. Three bolder reds were also presented, and Warren's own favorite was the 2005 Meritage. The 2005 Meritage blends Cabernet Sauvignon, Malbec, Cabernet Franc, and Petit Verdot; it was the most complex of its "red" siblings with darker fruit aromas and flavors with an earthy undertone. Done in American and French oak, this Meritage leaves a lengthier finish and destined for a favorite beef dish. We were also treated to a sample of the Reserve Cabernet Franc; aged in American oak for 20 months, the Reserve Cabernet Franc was surprisingly smooth and sophisticated.

So on to lunch. We brought along herbed chicken, pasta salad with chopped ham and parmesan cheese, and a wedge of cranberry cheese. Our selection for lunch was Michael Tyler's favorite, the 2006 Cabernet Franc. Michael noted woodsy/herby characteristics on the nose with bright berry flavors. He appreciated its lighter body and smoother finish and suggested that the 2006 Cabernet Franc might please those who would ordinarily drink a white wine. In fact, Michael stated that he would even sip a glass of the 2006 Cabernet Franc on the deck after work. Of course, Michael "check-marked" another wine that he sampled at the tasting bar, and he graciously jotted down his comments on the 2006 Cuvee Blanc.


Michael really enjoyed this one. He appreciated its pear and light citrus bouquet and "sparkling" color; Light and crisp, Michael commented that its melon flavors made this one a crowd-pleaser; if cerviche is on the menu, Michael would opt to pour the 2006 Cuvee Blanc.

As we finished our lunch and then toured the grounds, we enjoyed the pleasant breezes and mountain views. With fall finally in the air, it was a relief to even see some autumn colors. We know that we will return to Winery at La Grange, and we may even have Michael along with us. In the meantime, pay a visit to the Winery at La Grange and let them know that Virginia Wine Time sent you.

After an extended hot summer season, Fall has finally arrived, and we eagerly hit the wine trail to sample new releases and old favorites at local wineries. This past weekend, we focused on wineries located in the Middleburg area: Piedmont Vineyards and Winery and Swedenburg Estate Vineyard.

We began our day with a visit to Piedmont Vineyards and Winery. Readers may remember that Piedmont is a favorite of our friend, Michael Tyler, who graciously provided his expert commentary for our previous write up about Piedmont. His pick of the day that time was the Little River Rose; however, this spring/summer favorite is currently sold out. A newer offering; though, is the 2006 Hunt Country Red. We thought of Michael as we sample this supple red as it suits his palate quite well. The 2006 Hunt Country Red is a blend of Cabernet Franc, Merlot, and Cabernet Sauvignon and can best be described as a fruit-forward sipper, and it can also be paired with a variety of foods especially with holiday seasons quickly approaching. (Herbed poultry with cranberries seem like a natural partnering.) For those who do not like tannic red wines, the stainless-steel aged 2006 Hunt Country Red presents a pleasing alternative. In fact, we reminded ourselves that lunch was waiting in the trunk, an d we noted that the Hunt Country Red might be an option!


However, other selection on the tasting menu presented themselves. Lunch for us included herbed pork tenderloin, Swiss cheese, red grapes, and French bread. White wines are always a pairing idea with pork, and the 2006 Hunt Country Chardonnay was an idea. Pear aromas and flavors prevailed here with some oak aging to provide structure and body. We continued down the tasting sheet, and Paul became excited with Merlot as a possibility---Paul loves Merlot, in case readers have forgotten. Anyway, the 2004 Merlot quickly became an option for Mr. Merlot. Dark garnet in color, cherry and subtle spice notes gave way to dark cherry/fruit flavors in the mouth. Given the garlic and generous herb coating that seasoned the pork, Warren had to admit that the 2004 Merlot was a contender for a lunch rendezvous. As we tasted away, we were also able to catch up with John Fitter, winemaker, and Gerhard von Finck, owner of Piedmont Vineyards and Winery. They were very pleased with the 2007 crop espec ially the Cabernet Franc and Cabernet Sauvignon, and they are confident that 2007 Virginia reds will be memorable.

So what did we select for lunch? The 2004 Merlot was the selection of the day. We sat on the patio and enjoyed the afternoon's vittles while taking in vineyard landscapes, crisp breezes, and blue, sunny skies. As we sipped and nibbled, we received a visit from Anabel, the winery dog, who was a very sweet and gracious guest at our table. While Anabel did not ask for a sip of Merlot, she did help herself to some French bread; she then thanked us for food, conversation, and hugs and made her way into the tasting room.

With appetites satisfied, we loaded up the car and made our way back home. Along the way, we decided to stop by Swedenburg. We had not been to Swedenburg since the untimely death of matriarch Juanita Swedenburg, in June. In fact, we enjoyed our last bottle of C'est la Vie at Wolftrap this past summer; so, it was time to return. Newer offerings at Swedenburg include the Chardonnay with its pear/apple characteristics and dry finish. A partner to the Chardonnay is the latest in Ellen Crosby's wine country mystery series, Chardonnay Charade. For those who read Merlot Murders, Chardonnay Charade is a continuation of events presented in Merlot Murders; in fact, the third installment in this series will be going to press soon. Ellen Crosby consulted with Juanita Swedenburg to produce this series of spine-tinglers, and Chardonnay Charade can be purchased at the winery. In fact, Warren purchased a bottle of the Chardonnay with a copy of Chardonnay Charade---what a perfect pairing!


With Fall in the air, we will be sure to enjoy the season with our favorite Virginia wines. Of course, October is Virginia Wine Month, and we encourage readers to consider Virginia wines when thinking about holiday menus. When in the Middleburg area, do stop by Piedmont Vineyards and Winery and Swedenburg Estate Vineyard but be sure to mention that Virginia Wine Time sent you.

This article will appeal to wine tasters who may or may not appreciate two completely different tasting room experiences. One experience might appeal to the ADHD crowd---very visual, very active, and something new every ten minutes. The other experience might appeal to the those who prefer a more sedate, intimate experience. However, both experiences will reveal quality wines to the receptive taster!


For the ADHD folks, we recommend Chateau Morrisette. Chateau Morrisette has something for everyone. The tasting room offers not only a wine tasting experience but also a comprehensive gift shop---Warren did some early Christmas shopping! Trust us, there is a gift here for everyone. Of course, we were interested in the wines, and we were witnesses to the busiest wine bar in Virginia; at least thirty wine enthusiasts lined the tasting bar with glasses ready. In fact, we were curled around the tasting bar to squeeze ourselves into the tasting session. An informative tasting associate conducted this session with considerable skill and knowledge, and tasters were informed to push their glasses forward if they wished to sample the offering being poured. Sixteen wines were presented for tasting, but we pushed our glasses forward for the dry wines and opted to skip the sweet wines. (These are the ones that may be touted as “hot-tub wines”, and these should not be confused with well-craf ted dessert wines.) Anyway, Warren's gold star for the white wines was awarded to the 2003 Chardonnay with its longer finish punctuated with buttery/nutty flavors. Nice pectin fruit in the mouth makes this Chardonnay a natural pairing with shellfish or chicken. Not to be outdone was the 2005 Viognier---a classic offering here that is clean on the finish with lots of tropical fruit in the mouth. For both of us, the 2005 Cabernet Franc was the gem of the afternoon. This Cabernet Franc is actually a blend of Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot and Tannat, and the result is a wine with a denser core with woodsy-spicy notes. darker cherry/berry flavors with herb and violet undertones were noted in the mouth. Sipper is not the word that comes to mind with this one, but it should be enjoyed with any variety of meats and heavier cheeses; in fact, we enjoyed the 2005 Cabernet Franc for lunch with spicy summer sausage and hard cheese with crackers.


We completed our tasting before the sweet wines were poured, and we were also very hungry; so, we made our purchases and settled on an outdoor picnic table to enjoy lunch, wine, and mountain scenery. Little did we know that we would be treated to live music and belly dancers! Yes, it's true---before long, Paul was doing his best Dance of the Seven Veils to rival the shapely, gyrating ladies who provided the afternoon's entertainment. Other offerings at Chateau Morrisette include on-site lodgings and restaurant. This facility would be heaven to skiers!


A different experience was had at Savoy-Lee. We met owner David Wood at his facility. Savoy-Lee is a newer winery on the Bedford Trail in Huddleston Virginia; in fact, the tasting room was not yet complete on the day of our visit. However, David offered us a personal tasting in the work-in-progress tasting room, and we were seated at the make-shift tasting bar as David poured us through our tasting in a quieter atmosphere. No belly dancers here, but we were treated to personal attention and well-crafted wines. Gold-star favorite for the white wines was the 2005 Chardonnay with its slightly floral bouquet and pear flavors. The 2005 Chardonnay is done in stainless-steel and certain to please those who would not ordinarily drink oak-treated Chardonnays. Picnic goers may be well-served with the Johnson Mountain Picnic Red. This one is a blend of Cabernet Franc and Cabernet Sauvignon but fermented in stainless steel---any BBQ dish would pair nicely. We noted a more fruit forward wine that can be sipped as well as paired with a favorite summer meal. For palates that enjoy bolder red wines, the 2005 Echo Forest Red will do the trick. Warren placed a star next to this one and noted its well-rounded finish. More dark fruit with some spice noted here, the Echo Forest Red is a Bordeaux-style blend dominated by Cabernet Sauvignon. Can be enjoyed now, but we'd recommend a rest on the wine rack to be savored next year with a steak dinner!


As we sampled his wines, David informed us that his vision for Savoy-Lee included the opening of his tasting room as well as future plantings of more vines. His 2005 production of wines topped out at 300 cases; however, Savoy-Lee's output for 2007 will increase to 1500 cases. David's dedication is to quality wines and an intimate experience with customers. In fact, he encourages visitors to sign up for harvest. As we chatted with David and sampled his wines, the time seemed to fly by---as other customers arrived, we bid our farewells to David, and we know that we will be back to sample future offerings at Savoy Lee.

We did enjoy our different experiences at Chateau Morrisette and Savoy-Lee, and we can now conclude that Virginia wineries can offer something for everyone. If you intend to visit Chateau Morrisette and Savoy-Lee, please mention that Virginia Wine Time sent you!

As we continued our way along various wine trails of western and southwestern Virginia, we were able to visit wineries that would qualify as "boutique" establishments. These are wineries that produce fewer than 5000 cases of wine per year. Family-owned and operated, these wineries produce quality wines and are worth the visit. Three such wineries include Fincastle Vineyard and Winery, Virginia Mountain Vineyards, and Hickory Hill Vineyards and Winery.

The Sawyer family began Fincastle Vineyard and Winery as a vineyard ten years ago, but they opened as a winery in 2003. Its quaint tasting room enticing visitors to sample their quality wines. On the day that we visited, two whites were sampled as well as two red wines. We enjoyed all of the wines that we tasted---on a warm day, the Hybrid Vigor cannot be beat; however, with a crab cake dinner, the Chardonnay is the way to go. Warren favored the Chardonnay with its pear flavors and slight toasty finish. The Chardonnay spent six months on American oak. The reds were equally enjoyable with a nod to the 2004 Cabernet Franc. Berry fruit with more cherry accents greet the palate with some subtle licorice/spice undertones. We opted to enjoy lunch at Fincastle, and with chicken sandwiches, almonds, and brie the Chardonnay was a "must have."

Fincastle Vineyard and Winery

David and Marie of Virginia Mountain Vineyards began their plantings in 1998. Located atop Zion Hill, they now plant vines on almost ten acres of land. We were able to sample eleven wines on the day that we visited, and David personally guided us through the full slate of wines to be sampled that day. White wines of note included the stainless-steel fermented Chardonnay. Crisp and refreshing best describe this wine; its citrus flavors make it a crowd pleaser either as an appertif or patio sipper. For those who prefer a sweeter white wine, the Virginia White might fit the bill. Paul placed a check-mark next to the Cabernet Franc and noted its dark berry flavors and longer finish; in fact, he brought a bottle home with him with a favorite beef dish in mind.

Virginia Mountain Vineyards

Last but certainly not least of our family-owned wineries was Hickory Hill Vineyards and Winery located at Smith Mountain Lake. Owner Roger Furrow conducted our tasting, and we were able to chat with him about his wine-making philosophy. Hickory Hill produces easily accessible wines that can be sipped on the deck or enjoyed with food. The tasting room is actually part of a late-19th century home that he and his wife, Judy, renovated; we imagined that Roger's wines would have been right at home in more simpler times. These wines were not dominated by oak treatments and did not require extensive rest periods on the wine rack. We particularly enjoyed the Vidal Blanc. Aged in stainless steel, the Vidal Blanc was more reminiscent of a Pinot Grigio. Here was a wine that could be paired with fruit and light cheeses, salads, or premiered with any entrée that featured shell fish. For those who prefer a more fruit forward red wine, the Cabernet Sauvignon might be the answer. Re freshing cherry flavors prevailed here, and this Cabernet Sauvignon would even please those who prefer white wines. Do enjoy now with harder cheeses or grilled beef.

Hickory Hill Vineyards and Winery

We were pleased to note that each of our boutique wineries offered something for everyone. We know that our readers will want to visit soon, so please mention that Virginia Wine Time sent you.

It saddens us to report that Oasis Winery is for sale. Award winning Oasis Vineyards has been producing fine Virginia wines for 30 years. 2007 is their 30th year. The 108 acre estate, 60 of which are vines, is now up for sale. We found out about the sale in the Sun Gazette newspaper. You can read the article here. We hope that whoever purchases the vineyard will continue to produce award winning wines.

Earlier in the summer, we decided to turn a casual dinner with four other friends into a vertical tasting of Cabernet Francs from Corcoran Vineyards. The labels still bore the Waterford moniker, but Waterford has since changed its name and is now Corcoran Vineyards. We sampled Corcoran's Cabernet Franc from three vintages: 2002, 2003, and 2005. As we swirled, sniffed, and sipped, Warren noted comments from the group and then took a poll to rate the best of the three vintages. Which year won over our taste buds? Read on to find out the results!

We first sampled the 2002. Comments noted included: leathery, pepper, black berry, smooth, velvet. Here was a wine that had obviously benefited from aging. As we sipped away, this Cabernet Franc seemed to complement snacks on the table that included spicy summer sausage, manchego cheese, and a flavorful taleggio cheese. This one earned rave reviews for its elegance and complexity.


Next up was the 2003. Our panel of experts offered a different set of descriptors. Herby/herbaceous was at the top of the list. Raspberry was the leading fruit characteristic noted by all, and at least four panelists described the 2003 Cabernet Franc as a bit astringent. Not a bad pour, but I did note one observation as, "not bad to bring to a picnic." It should be added that 2003 was a very tough year for area vineyards which had to deal with heavy rainfalls and an unwelcome visitor named Hurricane Isabel.

The 2005 was last on our list, and this one earned immediate rave reviews. "Rich garnet" was one comment on the color, and we promised to quote one panelist, Debbie, on her assessment of the 2005 Cabernet Franc. Her comment? Party in the mouth! Our panel unanimously observed a more fruit forward wine that was easily accessible. "Cherry" was the leading fruit descriptor, and three tasters noted a longer finish.


So which Cabernet Franc earned top honors? The 2002 finished at the top spot with 2005 a close second, and the 2003 finished third. After the tasting, Warren brought out a slow-cooked tri-tip steak that had been roasting in peppers, tomatoes, and fresh herbs; this was served over rice and accompanied by roasted veggies. We invited our guest critics to partner the meal with their favorite Cabernet Franc from Corcoran Vineyards, and before the evening was done, we had poured through each bottle of wine!

We know that we will want to return to Corcoran Vineyards to sample their latest releases, including the Cabernet Franc. However, readers will want to visit soon---be sure to mention that Virginia Wine Time sent you!

As we continued to progress into the southwest region of Virginia, our next stop was West Wind Farm Vineyard and Winery. This was actually our last stop after visiting Blue Ridge Vineyard, and we were fearful that we would not be able to complete our trip to West Wind before closing time. However, we were warmly welcomed by vintner David Manley who was eager to have us taste West Wind's wines. We gladly joined him at the tasting bar!


We were immediately impressed with West Wind's tasting room. Well-appointed would be the apt descriptor; in fact, we wondered if we had not been transported to Tuscany! Large windows, a fireplace, comfy yet tasteful couches and other fine furnishings complemented breathtaking views of rural landscapes with mountains on the horizon. Of course, we were interested in the wines, and several offerings were gold-star contenders. Of the whites, the Galena Creek White offered a dry, crisp offering of the Vidal Blanc varietal. The Vidal Blanc is often associated with a sweeter white wine, but this is not the case at West Wind. The Galena Creek White just might be the answer for those looking for an interesting wine to serve with shell fish.

The red wines were as well-crafted as the whites. Warren is not a big Chambourcin fan, yet he raved about the 2005 Chambourcin with its plum flavors and spicy finish; this one might be an alternative to Pinot Noir as it is versatile and a destined crowd pleaser. However, Warren's gold star was placed next to the 2005 Cabernet Sauvignon. Elegant and velvety were adjectives jotted down on the notepad with this one. Deep berry flavors in the mouth were noted as well---dark cherries and blackberries with a hint of licorice to boot. A nice wine to serve with a well-prepared beef dish, this wine is one that will age quite well. Warren enjoyed a glass of this Cabernet after our tasting as we chatted more with David. Not to be outdone was Paul's own favorite, the 2005 Heritage Reserve. This limited production blend includes Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Petit Verdot and aged in French oak. Buy now but drink later---here is another one that will only get better with aging. Paul sensed the smoothing effect of the Merlot with the color and character of Petit Verdot and gave it the gold-star treatment. He also called this one his "cigar" wine, and determined to bring a bottle home!


David was kind enough to show us around the facility, and we were given a tour of the barrel room. West Wind produces fine wines in small quantities, and they debuted their selections in 2006. West Wind Vineyard and Winery is a family venture, and David joined the enterprise in order to become a part of Virginia's vibrant wine industry. In fact, West Wind ‘s 2005 Cabernet Sauvignon earned the winery its first gold medal! David also noted that West Wind offers food and wine events throughout the year, and we hope to be able to attend these events in the near future.

With several "gold-star" purchases in hand, we left West Wind Farm Vineyard and Winery. We know that we will return, but readers will want to visit even sooner. Please mention that Virginia Wine Time sent you!

Now determined to continue our trek down the Shenandoah region, we made two more visits and this time to Rockbridge Vineyard and Blue Ridge Vineyard. Actually, Rockbridge Vineyard is technically located in the central region of Virginia, but we won't obsess over such things. We were anxious to try Rockbridge's wines as we had heard so much about them, and Blue Ridge Vineyard was brand new to us. So, let's move on to some serious tasting notes!

The tasting sheet at Rockbridge Vineyard can be a bit daunting, but rest assured that not everything is available for tasting. From there, the discriminating taster can decide which wines to select from tasting. In our case, we sampled everything offered to us; so, we tasted seven wines. Warren's gold star in the white wine department was awarded to the DeChiel Chardonnay. Done in the classic French style, this reserve Chardonnay seemed to be the perfect marriage of fruit and oak. The DeChiel Chardonnay presented a lingering, vanilla/nut finish. Of course, we were out in summer's elements---heat and humidity. St. Mary's Blanc proved to be the remedy. Blended with Vidal Blanc, St. Mary's Blanc offered more fruit done in a dry style.


Paul reserved his gold star for the red wines, and for good reason. We had previously enjoyed Rockbridge Vineyard's Tuscarora Red, and Paul anticipated the 2005 bottling. He was not disappointed at the tasting bar. The Tuscarora Red is a blend of six varietals and prepared in the Tuscan style---rustic might be an appropriate word here. The Tuscarora presented a dense core yet proved to be an easy wine to drink. A food friendly red that can be enjoyed on its own---what more can a wine enthusiast ask for? Paul had a tough choice to make, but in the end the gold star went to the 2004 Cabernet Franc. Paul noted its smoothness with characteristic spiciness. (Warren added "herby" to the descriptors.) "Berry flavors" finished the tasting notes for Paul, and he suggested a pairing with lamb! (Note to self: next time Paul is over, serve leg of lamb with the 2004 Rockbridge Vineyard Cabernet Franc.)

Now for the ambrosia moment---the 2006 V d'Or. This product of late harvest Vidal Blanc was heavenly. Peachy/apricot notes and flavors were abundant, and a honeyed texture soothed the palate. This is a dessert wine, so expect a sweet experience. Try with cheesecake, but do explore with blue cheese and dry fruit!

Rockbridge Vineyard's owner, Shep Rouse, began his mission to produce quality wines in 1988, and his V d'Or has won the Virginia Governor's Cup in 1995 and 2001. However, Barbara Kolb and her husband, Jim Holaday, planted their vines in 1985. In 2006, they opened their own winery, Blue Ridge Vineyard. The focus for white wines is German varietals. Red wines include Pinot Noir and Cabernet Franc. So what were the gold star winners? Well, read on!

We were greeted by Barbara as we drove up to the tasting room; Barbara was atop her riding lawn mower in the deadliest heat, and we immediately deduced that Barbara took her wine making and vineyard maintenance very seriously. However, we quickly found her to be very friendly, and she eagerly took us to the country-quaint tasting room for our tasting. The Blue Ridge 2006 Riesling was first up and Warren's gold star winner. Here was a dry Riesling that was dry and crisp with melon and mineral noted on the nose. Light peach flavors and an undertone of lime prevailed in the mouth, and the finish was dry and tart. To be enjoyed on its own, with fruit and cheese, or with a gumbo! The 2006 Riesling should pair quite nicely with any shellfish. In fact, Warren ended up enjoying a glass after the tasting was done! For those who prefer an off-dry Riesling, a slightly sweeter version of the 2006 Riesling is offered at Blue Ridge Vineyard. The off-dry version was Paul's own gold-star favori te, and he brought a couple of bottles home to enjoy as an appertif.


Red were likewise enjoyable. These tended to be more fruit forward, and we particularly enjoyed the bolder Cabernet Franc with its blackberry flavors. Summer sausage and cheese or a favorite beef dish would pair well with this one. We wanted to sample the Pinot Noir, an oddity in Virginia, but it was not yet ready for tasting; however, we hope to be able to sample the Pinot Noir soon!

With our tasting concluded, we shared a glass of the 2006 Riesling (the dry version) out on the spacious pavilion adjacent to the tasting room. The cool shade and the well crafted Riesling made the summer heat seem distant. We were also visited by friendly canines who greeted us as we enjoyed our wine. In fact, Blue Ridge Vineyard will host an event to benefit the local SPCA on September 30th. Barbara Kolb was quite excited to share the detail of this event with us, and encourage animal/wine lovers who can attend this worthwhile event to do so! Barbara also chatted with us about her visions for Blue Ridge's future, and we see continued success!

So we grabbed a few bottle of Blue Ridge Vineyard Riesling, said our good-byes to Barbara---we know that we will visit Blue Ridge Vineyard again. However, we know that readers will want to visit even sooner---be sure to mention that Virginia Wine Time sent you!. Where to next? Westwind Farm Vineyard and Winery. Stay tuned!

We know we're in the middle of a series of posts about our winery visits in the southern part of the state, but this weekend we visited Gadino Cellars to find out what is new at the tasting bar. We were pleased with what we found.


Upon entering the tasting room it was good to see the familiar faces of Aleta and Bill Gadino, owners of Gadino Cellars. They recognized us and offered a tasting of their wines. We began with the whites and were curious to