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.

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 see what was new. First on the list was the 2006 Pinot Grigio. Paul gave this one a gold star right away. We then tasted the 2005 Premium Chardonnay, the 2005 Reserve Viognier, and the 2005 Viognier.

It’s always best to taste the reds after the whites so that’s what we did. We began with the Moonrise, which Bill told us is a new blend he’s trying. Next up was the 2004 Merlot, the 2005 Cabernet Franc, and finally the 2005 Cabernet Sauvignon. All lovely reds.

After chatting with Aleta and Bill while finishing our tasting, we decided to enjoy a glass of the 2006 Pinot Grigio on their deck with beautiful views of the vineyards. This was a wonderful glass of wine. It was a crisp, dry sipper with notes of grapefruit and just a hint of lemon. Before leaving Paul purchased two bottles for his wine rack. He also secured a bottle of the 2005 Reserve Viognier for his wine rack. Bill informed us they would be releasing a Reserve Merlot in a few weeks. We took this as a good reason to return to Gadino soon!

It’s always a pleasure to visit Gadino Cellars. If you visit, tell them Virginia Wine Time sent you!

With so many wineries to visit in Virginia, we realized that there were many wineries outside of our usual travel zone that deserved a try. With some extra time during the summer on our hands, we planned a trek to wineries in the Shenandoah and Southwest regions. First in our sights were North Mountain Vineyard and Winery and Shenandoah Vineyards.

North Mountain Vineyard and Winery offered seven wines for tasting on the day that we visited. As we walked into the tasting room, we observed a spacious yet cozy tasting room that included a piano. Paul and I were tempted to perform our version of chopsticks on the piano, but we did not want to scare off other customers. With our self control in check, we approached the tasting bar. The Vidal Blanc began our tasting, and it was also our favorite of the white wines. Done in a dry style, North Mountain’s Vidal Blanc offers a citrus bouquet with similar flavors and a crisp finish. The Vidal Blanc presents a pairing option with shellfish and poultry, but Warren found to be fine on its own.

Warren at the tasting bar at North Mountain.

The gold star winner, however, was the 2005 Claret. This Bordeaux blend includes Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot, and Cabernet Sauvignon. Darker berry aromas were evident here with subtle spice/herb notes. Soft tannins made the 2005 Claret an accessible wine that should be enjoyed with meats and grilled veggies. North Mountain’s 2005 Claret was a silver medal winner in the Virginia’s Governor’s Cup, and the reason was quite clear to us as we sipped through this one.

For those who prefer slightly sweeter white wines, the Oktoberfest may the right fit. Peachy aromas with apricot flavors should prove to be a versatile crowd pleaser. Enjoy on the deck, serve before dinner, or include in the picnic basket!

We ended our tasting at North Mountain and made tracks to Shenandoah Vineyards. By this time, we were also getting quite hungry, and we knew that we were now on a mission to determine which glass of wine to enjoy with lunch. (Tough mission, right?) A canopy of grapevines shaded our climb up the stairs to the tasting room; by the way, these grapes are not used to make wine. Shenandoah Vineyards is the third oldest winery in the state of Virginia, and it would be fair to say that Shenandoah is one of the pioneers in Virginia’s wine making industry. Our tasting associate skillfully guided us through our tasting of 11 wines. For those looking for a refreshing summer wine especially in the midst of our heat wave, the fruity yet crisp 2006 Johannisberg Riesling might cool things off. Warren’s own favorite was the 2004 Chardonnay with its pear characteristics that is kissed by a bit of oak. This is a nicely integrated wine with a lingering finish.

Warren at the tasting bar at Shenandoah.

Now on to the reds. Paul had two favorites here, and they were the 2004 Merlot and the Lot 04 Cabernet Franc. Paul appreciated the bold cherry flavors of the 2004 Merlot and noted that the 2004 could get even better with a rest on the wine rack. However, his own gold star went to the Lot 04 Cabernet Franc. Deep garnet color was observed with dark berry and woodsy spice on the nose. Aged in American oak, the tannins seemed a bit more assertive but not unpleasantly so. Blackberry and currants prevailed in the mouth with hints of spice. (Warren detected a slight “grapiness” and wondered if something else was blended with the Lot 04 Cabernet Franc.)

Lunch? Simple summer fare—summer sausage, derby cheese, and crackers which we enjoyed with a glass of the Lot 04 Cabernet Franc. Paul also munched on Virginia-made peanut brittle, but this was not intended to be paired with wine—he simply had a sweet tooth!

With appetites satisfied, we resumed our trek. Next up? Cave Ridge Vineyard. For now, we’ll end things here. However, you know the routine. If you visit North Mountain Vineyard and Winery and/or Shenandoah Vineyards, let them know that Virginia Wine Time sent you.

On another weekday outing, we visited Pearmund Cellars for a tasting. It’s remarkable how quieter things are in the tasting rooms during the weekday! For those who wish to avoid the buzz and crowds and enjoy a more intimate afternoon of wine, conversation and food, a mid-week visit to a local winery may just fit the bill.

Since our last write up about Pearmund Cellars, several new releases have been added to the tasting menu. In fact, most of the white wines were indeed new to us. Our friend and fellow blogger, Dezel, recently raved about Pearmund’s Sauvignon Blanc, and we concurred with his stellar review. In fact, it earned Paul’s gold star. Lemon and grass notes observed here with similar flavors and a nice acidity. Sublte tropical undertones might be noted as well and may be attributed to the 15% blending of Viognier with this Sauvignon Blanc. For those on the prowl for nice summer wines, the 2006 Riesling may be in order. Clear in color with citrus aromas, the 2006 Riesling is perfect for sipping with light cheeses and fresh melon.

We moved on to the red wines, and the 2005 Malbec was a new experience for us. A garnet colored gem, the 2005 Malbec presented a bright red berry bouquet with softer hints of spice. Here was a more fruit-forward wine with a softer finish that can certainly be enjoyed with grilled chops yet can also be enjoyed on its own. However, the other red wines were just as satisfying. Paul’s personal favorite is always Lisa’s Merlot with its deep cherry profile. However, Warren still had a gold star to issue, and his was presented to the 2004 Ameritage. This Bourdeaux blend is a classic with more complexity and nuances. It presented a longer finish and is destined to age well on the wine rack.

Winery outings for us usually means lunch and a decision to make about which wine to enjoy with our meal. We brought along herbed chicken, Manchego cheese, fresh berries and crusty bread; the cheese drove our decision. Manchego benefits from pairing with fruit-driven red wines, and we decided that Pearmund’s 2005 Malbec would do quite nicely. Once out on the front patio, we lingered over lunch and wine while watching butterflies flutter to and fro.

Alas, time seemed to fly by as quickly as our brightly winged friends, and it was time to depart. However, we did relieve Pearmund Cellars of at least one bottle of 2006 Sauvignon Blanc. Of course, we will return to sample Pearmund’s futures releases; however, readers will want to visit Pearmund even sooner. Remember to let them know that Virginia Wine Time sent you!

August, 2007 is an important month for a pioneer winery in Virginia. Oasis Winery turns 30! We recently visited Oasis Winery and caught up with Michaele Salahi; of course, we tasted the wines there and brought along some lunch–no surprises there, right?

As many readers may know, Oasis Winery is usually mobbed on the weekends; so, we decided to visit on a week day when things were more sedate. This was a great decision—we arrived in the early afternoon and got to chat with Michaele and then received a very informative tasting from Lori, our tasting associate. On top of that, we were able to enjoy the breath-taking mountain view that Oasis offers from its outdoor patio all to ourselves!

Now on to the wines. With gold stars in hand, we sipped and savored. Of the whites, we both agreed that the favorite was the Barrel Select Chardonnay. With its enticing pale straw color, this oak-aged Chardonnay presented scents and flavors of apple and pear with a nice vanilla/buttery accent on the finish. Friendly with poultry or shellfish, the Barrel Select Chardonnay is done in the classic French style (which in American means not overly oaked). Though this was the favorite, don’t rule out the Dogwood Flower Chardonnay, a non-oaked option that is semi-dry yet refreshing on a warm day. In fact, Paul checked this one as a bottle to bring home!

So what about the reds? The unanimous choice was the limited-production American Tribute. Though not part of the regular tasting, this one can be sample for a $10.00 fee; it’s worth the splurge. The American Tribute was produced to commemorate Virginia’s 400th anniversary and was poured for Queen Elizabeth II when she recently visited the former colony now premier wine-producing state in America. American Tribute represents a cooperative project between Oasis Winery and Hewitson Wines of Barossa Valley in Australia. It is a blend of 95% Shiraz and 5% Viognier, and the result is described in the tasting notes—intense. Very bold and full-bodied, the American Tribute presented dry fruit, leather and spice in the mouth. The ultimate cigar wine but must be enjoyed on a special occasion with leg of lamb, the American Tribute can be enjoyed now but will benefit from some aging. (Paul favored this one with grilled veggies!) For those who prefer a less assertive yet elegant red wine, try the 2005 Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve. Aged in French oak, this Bourdeaux-style red wine is softer and easy to enjoy even in the midst of summer either on its own or with a favorite grilled beef dish.

In the course of our tasting, we were able to catch up with Michaele Salahi. She was very excited to see us, and she readily shared with us that Oasis plans to celebrate its 30th anniversary with a special event on August 25. This will include a winemaker’s dinner and a blessing of the vines, an ancient tradition. Michaele also shared a very interesting story. In the mid-1970s, Oasis founders Corinne and Dirgham Salahi had a vision of owning a winery in Virginia, a region thought to be unsuitable for wine-making. At the same time, the founders of the renowned Inn at Little Washington held a similar vision of opening a world-class restaurant in rural Virginia despite objections from well-meaning family and friends that such a thing was impossible. The outcome for all concerned? Both Oasis Winery and the Inn at Little Washington are long-running success stories and have earned international accolades as a result.

Our tasting completed, we only had to decide on our lunch partner. Grilled chicken with herbs, almonds, and a block of Emmental cheese waited patiently in the trunk of the car, and we went with our gold-starred favorite, the Barrel Select Chardonnay. We settled on a perfect outdoor location so as to enjoy the mountain landscape and vineyards, and Lori brought out our Chardonnay perfectly chilled and resting in an ice bucket. As we dined and sipped, Paul and I noted colorful butterflies hovering atop fragrant flowers and various species of birds that ranged from long-winged hawks to brightly hued cardinals.

Lunch came to an end, and we bid our farewells to Michaele and Lori. We do plan to return and hope to do so with our friend, Michael Tyler. Oasis Winery is his favorite, and we marked wines that we know he will enjoy. Before then, do visit Oasis Winery and let the friendly staff know that Virginia Wine Time sent you!

We recently visited Rappahannock Cellars to taste their latest offerings. It had been several months since our last outing to Rappahannock, and some changes awaited us. This time around, we were able to choose between two flights for tasting. Flight #1 featured mostly non-oaked white wines and lighter-bodied reds. Flight #2 offered fuller-bodied white wines and bolder reds. We decided to each tackle a flight; Paul opted to sample Flight #1, and Warren agreed to try Flight #2. (Of course, we knew that we would be sneaking a taste from each others’ flights.)

Of the whites, gold stars were awarded to the 2006 Meriwether Vineyard Chardonnay from Flight #1 and the 2006 Viognier from Flight #2. The 2006 Meriwether Vineyard Chardonnay offered citrus aromas and flavors with a satisfying crispness that qualified this wine for the ultimate appertif or picnic wine. The 2006 Viognier was likewise crisp with citrus characteristics. Here was yet another option for those looking either for an appertif or a pleasant wine to pack along with the picnic.

The 2006 Rose was offered on both flights, and we both enjoyed this Rose crafted from a blend of several red grapes to include Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Petit Verdot. Bright strawberry flavors were noted here with other hints of melon and raspberry. We both noted a dry finish. We’ve stated in previous posts that Virginia is producing some lovely Roses, and the 2006 Rose from Rappahannock is no exception. It’s a versatile wine destined to please any palate.

Now on to the reds. Paul’s gold star was presented to the 2005 Claret. Rustic yet smooth were words that he used to describe this lush blend of Cabernet Franc, Norton, and Petit Verdot. Paul is partial to Norton, and that may explain his descriptors. Barbeque ribs (or any barbequed item, for that matter) would partner well with the 2005 Claret. Warren placed his gold star next to the 2005 Cabernet Franc. He noted the presence of darker fruit with shades of spice and smoke. Nice acidity and a lengthier finish rounded out the experience with the 2005 Cabernet Franc. A consistent gold medal winner for Rappahannock Cellar, the 2005 Cabernet Franc is yet another food friendly wine to be enjoyed with beef, lamb, or spicy holiday fare.

We should also mention that now we are in the midst of summer’s abundant harvests of fresh fruit that the 2006 Vidal Blanc would marry quite well with any fruit-driven dessert such as cobblers. However, consider an experiment with bolder cheeses and this dessert wine.

Call it a small world, but as we made our way to the tasting bar at Rappahannock, we ran into our friends, Robin and Jason. We compared some of our notes, and they seemed to enjoy several wines on the tasting menu including the Meriwether Vineyard Chardonnay, the 2006 Rose, and the 2005 Cabernet Franc. We all made our purchases and bid our farewells to the helpful tasting staff at Rappahannock Cellars. Of course, we will return, but readers will want to visit sooner. Please mention that Virginia Wine Time sent you!