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.