On March 31, the wine industry lost a treasured member. Cheryl Kellert, co-owner and co-winemaker at Gray Ghost Vineyards, passed away.  Cheryl and her husband, Al began their storied career in the winemaking industry in 1986 when they moved to Amissville and planted a vineyard.  Cheryl then apprenticed under Jim Law at Linden, and in 1994, Gray Ghost Vineyards opened its doors and wines to the public.  Cheryl was also the vineyard manager who carefully pruned and tended each vine.  As a result, Gray Ghost wines won countless awards, and Al and Cheryl earned numerous accolades for excellence in winemaking from the wine industry.

I cannot recall the exact year that I first visited Gray Ghost Vineyards, but it was in the late 1990s.  I decided to venture out into Virginia wine country and did a wine tasting at Swedendburg Winery.  My tasting was conducted by its cranky owner, Juanita Swedenburg. In the midst of my tasting, Juanita queried whether I liked Chardonnay.  I responded that I really didn’t know what I liked but would be willing to try hers, since I saw bottles of it behind the tasting bar. Juanita brusquely informed me she was not pouring Chardonnay that day but would give me directions to Gray Ghost Vineyards for good Chardonnay.  So off I went to Gray Ghost Vineyards.  Once there, Cheryl greeted me with a smile and introduced me to Gray Ghost wines, including Chardonnay. She also gave me a history of the winery and vineyards.  Her hospitality was a relief after my previous experience and nervousness over my inexperience with wine. In 2005, I met Paul Armstrong, my late husband, and Sutter Home White Zinfandel was his idea of good wine.  Gray Ghost Vineyards was the first Virginia winery Paul visited, and he fell in love with their Merlot.  From that experience, the idea of a blog dedicated to Virginia wines, called Virginia Wine Time, was eventually born.

Over the years, Cheryl made us feel like part of the Gray Ghost family.  We attended events at the winery, including their vertical tastings of Cabernet Sauvignon. It was at these events that we were treated to Cheryl’s favorite recipes paired with Cabernet Sauvignon, including their reserve bottlings produced during exceptional growing seasons.  We became harvesters and looked forward to being greeted by Cheryl, who checked us in and directed us to coffee and continental breakfast as the sun rose over the vineyards.

I also got to know Cheryl as a fellow Aquarian who enjoyed cooking, and we often compared recipes along with wine pairings.  We’d often laugh at Paul’s suggestion that Ms. Paul’s fish sticks paired well with just about anything! We also got to know each other’s families, and my parents always looked forward to visiting the winery to catch up with Cheryl.  Friends who were first-timers at Gray Ghost Vineyards always received a warm welcome from Cheryl, and they, too, became wine aficionados.  They began to regard Cheryl as a friend.

I write this remembrance from New Orleans while I am visiting family.  My dad is a fan of Gray Ghost wines, especially the Reserve Chardonnay and Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon, and we will toast to Cheryl’s memory.

While the wine industry has lost a cherished member, I lost a friend.  I extend my sincerest condolences to her husband, Al, and to her children, Amy (Tom), Al Jr. (Becca), and four grandchildren.