So back on the Monticello Trail, and this time we were interested in sampling the wares at newer wineries. For this item on the agenda, we added Flying Fox Vineyard and Mountfair Vineyards.

Flying Fox Vineyard has operated as a winery for the last three years, so it’s still a relative newbie. The tasting room was quite nice, and the tasting associate was friendly and knowledgeable about the wines. After many years of growing grapes, they have moved into producing their own wines. Three white wines were offered for tasting, and we reached a split decision on the gold star awards. I favored the 2007 Chardonnay which was fermented in stainless steel to present a crisp wine. Nice citrus aromas were noted here with flavors of apples and pears. On a warm, sultry summer day, the 2007 Chardonnay could be the perfect sipper. Paul preferred the 2008 Viognier with its peach and melon characteristics and dry finish. This, too, was fermented in stainless steel tanks.

I did think that the red wines at Flying Fox were a bit stronger, and I particularly enjoyed the 2006 Cabernet Franc. Raspberry and cherry were evident on the nose with hints of dried herbs and black pepper with complementary flavors presented in the mouth. A small blending of Merlot rounded out this Cabernet Franc. Not to be outdone was the 2006 Petit Verdot with its blackberry and black cherry characteristics; the tasting noted use the term “concentrated”, and I do indeed concur. I noted some vanilla at the end with a lengthier finish to boot.

As we swirled and sipped, a rain shower announced its arrival outdoors. With our tasting done, we decided to gaze up at the summer shower from the dry comfort of the tasting room. We opted to enjoy a generous cheese plate offered by the winery which we then paired with the 2006 Cabernet Franc. I particularly enjoyed the Gorgonzola cheese while Paul munched on the white cheddar.

Alas, the summer shower did indeed end, and with lunch and wine consumed it was time to move on. With a lovely rainbow guiding the way, we made our way to Mountfair Vineyard. Mountfair just opened with the past six months, and the focus is blended red wines from Bordeaux varietals. We were fortunate enough to meet one of the owners, Chris Yordy. He conducted our tasting. Three wines were offered for tasting, and all presented different blending proportions of Cabernet Franc, Merlot, and Petit Verdot. I allowed Paul to award the gold star here, and this he presented to the Merlot-based 2007 Engagement. (The blending proportions here are 65% Merlot, 25% Cabernet Franc, and 10% Petit Verdot.) Paul’s descriptors included “intense cherry”, “spice”, and “nice tannins” to suggest a complex yet accessible red wine. I thought it still tasted a little young, so “engage” now with a purchase but enjoy a bit later with a favorite beef dish. A juicier pour is the 2007 Wooloomooloo (an Aboriginal term). The predominant varietal is Petit Verdot: so, expect a denser color with a more layered fruit structure.

Mountfair’s tasting room is still a work in progress; however, it’s the wines that count, and the wines here are very good. Paul was impressed with Engagement and purchased a bottle that now rests comfortably on his wine rack.

The list of Virginia wineries grows every day it seems, and that just keeps us busier and busier as we continue to sample Vriginia’s finest. Be sure to visit Flying Fox Vineyard and Mountfair Vineyards, and mention that Virginia Wine Time sent you.

I’m back from a beach vacation along the Gulf Coast and ready to finish the notes from the Chesapeake Bay Wine Trail! In our last post, I indicated that Ingleside Vineyards and Vault Field Vineyards completed our trail passport. Our friend, Bob, came along to sample the wines at these two wineries, and we included his opinions in our post. So what were our faves at these two wineries? Keep reading to find out!

Ingleside Vineyards maintains a full list of wines to sample and/or purchase. Since our quest was for summer wines, we paid attention to warm-weather sippers, and a unanimous decision was reached with the 2008 Pinot Grigio. “Crisp” and “citrusy” were descriptors that we all noted, and I placed a star next to this one. Another crisp pour was the unoaked Chesapeake Chardonnay with its apple and pear notes; Paul liked this one. Blue Crab Blanc was another summer pour that earned accolades from all three of us. Tropical fruit notes and flavors were noted here with a touch of sweetness to make the Blue Crab Blanc the perfect picnic pour or deck sipper. Grilled steaks on the menu? We suggest the 2006 Cabernet Franc with its raspberry/spicy aromas and flavors. My own favorite was the 2005 Petit Verdot. I noted dark plums and cherries on the nose and mouth with chewy tannins—certainly one to cellar for a while longer. Guest critic Bob also liked the 2004 Cabernet Sauvignon. He noted leather/tobacco on the nose with cherry flavors in the mouth.

Of course, we brought lunch along with us, and between the three of us we had quite a varied menu. It included grilled chicken, summer sausage, Gruyere cheese, roasted almonds and cheese-infused baguettes. We opted for the Chianti-style Chesapeake Cabernet Merlot to accompany lunch, and on a pleasant summer afternoon we dined and wined!

So on to the grand finale—Vault Field Vineyards. Here is where we completed the Chesapeake Bay Wine Trail and reaped the rewards of our efforts. Of the whites, I preferred the buttery 2007 Chardonnay. Fermented in both stainless steel and French oak barrels, this fuller-bodied wine should pair nicely with shellfish. The group “star” was awarded to the 2007 Red, a blend of Merlot and Syrah. We noted aromas of dark cherry and plums with some dried herbs; we also concurred with the black pepper finish described on the tasting notes. This one should prove to be a versatile red wine that could pair well with grilled meats.

Our tasting at Vault Field Vineyards completed our Chesapeake Bay Wine Trail passport, and I was ready to use my reward. With our passport completed, I was able to purchase wines at Vault Field and receive a 10% discount. What did I purchase? The 2007 Chardonnay and the 2007 Red.

We thanked Bob for his valuable input, and we know that we will return to Ingleside Vineyards and Vault Field Vineyards. Of course, readers who visit the Chesapeake Bay Wine Trail should also visit these two wineries, but be sure to mention that Virginia Wine Time sent you.

Up next for us? Wineries along the Monticello Trail—stay tuned!

This past weekend, Paul and I visited our friends Bob and Jackie who live in the Northern Neck of Virginia. We also used the trip as an opportunity to visit wineries on the Chesapeake Bay Wine Trail, and we discovered some wines to enjoy for warmer times.

Oak Crest Vineyard and Winery’s signature pours are made from the Symphony grape so called because it is a hybrid (symphony) of muscat and Grenache. From the symphony grape Oak Crest Vineyard and Winery produces five different wines: Symphony Dry, Moonlight Sonata, Symphony Sweet, Finale, and Hot Jazz. Dry and Moonlight Sonata resemble German-style white wines; Dry is crisp with floral aromas, and Moonlight Sonata is slightly sweeter with floral and peach characteristics. An interesting way to end the evening might be with a glass of the Finale, a white port-style wine. However, the most unique wine had to be the Hot Jazz made with Symphony grapes and 1% jalapeno peppers; the spicy splash makes its appearance mid-palate.

We were able to add White Fences to list of wineries visited. This is one of the newer wineries in the area, and we were able to sample their Meteor series as well as their new Blue Jimmy wines. The Meteor wines were dry or off-dry wines with the Meteor Firefly presenting less that 1% residual sugar. Firefly is a rose with bright strawberry and subtle melon flavors—a nice picnic or deck wine. Paul favored the Blue Jimmy line that included a stainless steel Chardonnel (Blue Jimmy Soft Shell White) and Blue Jimmy Soft Shell Red produced from the 2008 Chambourcin. The Soft Shell Red was all berry fruit in the mouth with a soft finish that may remind some sippers of a Beaujolais-style wine.

Also during our trip, we were able to return to Athena Vineyards. An expansive tasting menu featured fourteen wines to sample. I favored the Chardonnay, a Burgundian-style Chardonnay that was briefly fermented in oak barrels. I noted pears with citrus undertones and a nice honeyed finish. Nice to sip or enjoy with a crab cake. Athena’s White, a crisp blend of Vidal Blanc and Seyval Blanc, might be another option for light summer fare. Paul enjoyed the light-bodied Cabernet Franc with its characteristic raspberry and black pepper notes. A special pour was the Jacques Recht Pinot Noir so named to honor former winemaker Jacques Recht. Jacques Recht had an extraordinary career as a winemaker in Virginia, and he recently passed away. It was certainly a touching way to end our tasting experience at Athena Vineyards.

Summertime is the perfect season for sangria, and Belle Mount Vineyards offers a wine suited for this classic summer beverage. The Workboat Red is a fruity, sweeter Chambourcin that some may either enjoy on its own or blended with a favorite sangria recipe to create a cool summer sipper. If burgers or ribs are on the grill, Belle Mount Vineyards’ Norton might be the perfect partner.

Needless to say, we did not visit all of these wineries on the same day; this was a three day venture that found us participating in the Chesapeake Bay Wine Trail program. With passport in hand, each winery gave us a smiley sticker to confirm our visit. Stickers from six different wineries earn the participant a 10% discount on wine purchases on the Chesapeake Bay Wine Trail! So where did earn the last two stickers? Ingleside Vineyards and Vault Field Vineyards completed our passports, and we’ll describe these visits next time. In the meantime, should you visit the four wineries described in this current post then please mention that Virginia Wine Time sent you.