A persistent polar vortex remains long after we all rang in 2026, and it’s been downright cold! However, winter tends to be a quiet time to visit Virginia wineries, especially on a weekday.  I took advantage of a free Thursday afternoon to taste the latest releases at Arterra Wines.

There are currently 17 wines to sample at Arterra with some releases produced from the Seven Oaks Vineyard site and others from the Arterra Estate Vineyard.  So I had decisions to make—which wines should I try?  Unique offerings include an Ancestral Chardonnay produced from an ancient technique of aging wines in clay amphoras, and Blaufrankisch, a variety commonly grown in Germany and Austria.  I opted for a mix of white and red wines grown on Seven Oaks Vineyard as well as the Albarino and a few red wines produced from the Arterra Estate Vineyard.

It had been at least three years or so since I tasted at Arterra Wines, and it may be that it simply slipped off my radar during Covid. I must say all of the wines I sampled were quite solid, so I will be returning sooner rather than later.  The 2024 Albarino presented white floral and citrus aromas with a bright fruity palate and a lean finish while the 2024 Gruner Veltliner trended toward tropical fruit characteristics.

The red wines were likewise well crafted.  The 2023 Cabernet Franc delighted the senses with ripe cherry and black raspberry, making a juicy splash on the palate.  A surprise for me was the 2023 Petite Sirah—yes, in Virginia.  Petite Sirah is grown predominantly in the northern Rhone region of France; however, the Arterra Estate Vineyard site has the micro-climate suitable to produce it.  Dark plum  and tobacco notes were observed, and dark fruit and perhaps a hint of blueberry opened at the mid-palate.  Tannins provide the structure to complete this complex wine.  Speaking of tannins, the 2023 Tannat was dense and brooding, providing a characteristic tannic”chew” to suggest it needed some time on the wine rack.  The 2023 Crooked Run is a union of Tannat, Petit Verdot, and Petite Sirah to present a full-bodied red blend that best expresses the Arterra Estate Vineyard.  Dense dark fruit elements came to the fore with some swirling, leaving behind a whiff of violet in the glass.

I brought along some charcuterie and cheeses to enjoy with my tasting, and as I swirled, sipped and nibbled, winemaker Jason Murray stopped by for a chat.  A bit of research beforehand informed me that Jason Murray had been transitioning to organic winemaking, and I wanted to know more about this.  This process began in 2023 with a trial of Cabernet Sauvignon, and by June 2025, all vineyard management transitioned to organic.  Organic farming means eschewing synthetic chemicals in the field in favor of natural materials.  Murray explained a reason behind this decision to go organic was in part due to health concerns as both he and his son were coming into constant contact with potentially hazardous chemicals while working in the vineyard.  Another reason behind this move lies in evidence that biological materials such as sulfur and copper working in tandem are effectively able to ward off disease such as Black Rot while actually fortifying the vines’ ability to ward off disease on its own.  If ever a growing season proved challenging in the vineyard, it was 2025 with its onset of constant rainfall in June and then crushing humidity in July.  However, the organic process rose to the challenge,  and 2027 will be the first year that all Arterra releases will be organic.

So as I wrap up this post, snow, sleet and freezing rain have descended upon the area, and I thankfully have Virginia wines to keep me warm, including wines from Arterra Vineyards.  Once we’ve thawed out, though, be sure to visit Arterra Wines to discover your own favorite wines there.  Of course, be sure to mention Virginia Wine Time sent you.