The Vineyard List

The year in wine is now behind me.

Here is a list of all the wineries by month I visited. Some months were slow and others were quite busy.

But…oh what fun it was!

January

1. Rappahannock Cellars
2. Linden Vineyards
3. Fox Meadow Winery
4. Dry Mill Vineyards Winery
5. The Barns at Hamilton Station Vineyards
6. 8 Chains North Winery
7. Creeks Edge Winery
8. Glen Manor Vineyards
9. Greenhill Winery & Vineyards

 
February
10. The Winery at La Grange
11. Valerie Hill Vineyard & Winery
12. Molon Lave Vineyards
13. Grey Horse Vineyards
14. Quattro Goombas Winery
15. Carroll Vineyards
16. The Winery at Bull Run

 

 

 
March
17. Shenandoah Vineyards
18. North Mountain Vineyard & Winery
19. Arterra Wines
20. Naked Mountain Winery & Vineyards
21. Chateau O’brien at Northpoint
22. Winery at Kindred Pointe
23. Stone Tower Winery

 

April
24. Cana Vineyards & Winery of Middleburg
25. Chrysalis Vineyards
26. Barrel Oak Winery
27. Hillsborough Vineyards
28. Breaux Vineyards
29. 868 Estate Vineyards
30. North Gate Vineyard
31. Pearmund Cellars
32. Miracle Valley Vineyard
33. Aspen Dale Winery at The Barn
34. Blue Valley Vineyard & Winery
35. Three Fox Vineyards
36. Delaplane Cellars
37. Sunset Hills Vineyard
38. Doukenie Winery
39. Twin Oak Tavern Winery

May
40. Cobbler Mountain Cellars
41. Philip Carter Winery
42. Winding Road Cellars
43. Desert Rose Ranch & Winery
44. Fabbioli Cellars
45. Hidden Brook Winery
46. The Vineyard & Winery at Lost Creek
47. Tarara Winery
48. Hiddencroft Vineyards
49. Otium Cellars
50. Bluemont Vineyard
51. Veramar Vineyard
52. Wicked Oak Farms & Vineyard
53. Willowcroft Farm Vineyards
54. Materella Winery
55. Mediterranean Cellars

June
56. Prince Michel Vineyard
57. Old House Vineyards
58. Gray Ghost Vineyards
59. Cave Ridge Vineyard
60. Wolf Gap Vineyard & Winery
61. Cedar Creek Winery
62. Veritas Winery
63. Pollack Vineyards
64. Maggie Malick Wine Caves
65. Two Twisted Posts Winery
66. Notaviva Vineyards
67. Little Washington Winery
68. Gadino Cellars
69. Narmada Winery
70. Chester Gap Cellars
71. Corcoran Vineyards & Cider
72. Paradise Springs Winery

July
73. Afton Mountain Vineyards
74. Hill Top Berry Farm & Winery
75. Democracy Vineyards
76. Mountain Cove Vineyards
77. Lovingston Winery
78. Keswick Vineyards
79. Horton Vineyards
80. Barboursville Vineyards
81. Early Mountain Vineyards
82. Barren Ridge Vineyards
83. CrossKeys Vineyards
84. Bluestone Vineyard
85. Vint Hill Craft Winery
86. Boxwood Estate Winery
87. Ducard Vineyards

August

88. Sharp Rock Vineyards
89. Winery 32
90. Casanel Vineyards & Winery
91. Bogati Bodega
92. 612 Vineyard
93. Jefferson Vineyards
94. Blenheim Vineyards
95. Trump Winery
96. Gabriele Rousse Winery
97. King Family Vineyards
98. James Charles Winery
99. Potomac Point Winery
100. Ingleside Vineyards
101. Oak Crest Vineyard & Winery
102. Wisteria Farm & Vineyard

September
103. Michael Schaps Wineworks
104. First Colony Winery
105. Pungo Ridge Winery
106. Chatham Vineyards on Church Creek
107. Mermaid Winery
108. Gauthier Vineyard
109. Grace Estate Winery
110. Stinson Vineyards
111. White Hall Vineyards
112. Mountfair Vineyards
113. Glass House Winery
114. Moss Vineyards
115. Stone Mountain Vineyards
116. Rockbridge Vineyard
117. Fincastle Vineyard & Winery
118. Virginia Mountain Vineyards
119. Blue Ridge Vineyard
120. Ox Eye Vineyards
121. 50 West Vineyards
122. Zephaniah Farm Vineyard
123. Hunters Run Winery
124. Terra Nubelo Vineyards

October
125. Mattaponi Winery
126. Lake Anna Winery
127. Weston Farm Vineyard & Winery
128. Cooper Vineyards
129. Grayhaven Winery
130. Cardinal Point Vineyard & Winery
131. Flying Fox Vineyard
132. Delfosse Vineyard & Winery
133. Loving Cup Vineyard & Winery
134. Pippin Hill Farm & Vineyards
135. Reynard Florence Vineyard
136. Honah Lee Vineyard
137. Kilaurwen Winery, LLC
138. Cardamon Family Vineyards
139. Crushed Cellars
140. Magnolia Vineyard & Winery
141. Granite Height Winery
142. Morais Vineyards and Winery
143. Rogers Ford Farm Winery
144. Hartwood Winery
145. Wilderness Run Vineyards
146. Chateau MerrillAnne

November
147. Rebec Vineyards
148. Lazy Days Winery
149. Thistle Gate Vineyard
150. Adventure Farm
151. Burnley Vineyards
152. Loudoun Valley Vineyards
153. Village Winery

 

December
154. New Kent Winery
155. Saúde Creek Vineyards
156. The Dog & Oyster Vineyard
157. Good Luck Cellars
158. Athena Vineyards & Winery
159. Vault Fields Vineyards
160. DeMello Vineyard Third Hill Winery
161. Sassafras Shade Vineyard
162. James River Cellars
163. Bodie Vineyards
164. RdV Vineyards

Now that the sun has set and 2015 is behind us, 2016 looks to be a good year. Most of the wine makers say that 2015 was a good year for fruit. Too bad it will have to be 2 years before we can taste these wines…I can wait, how about you?

 

An Incredible View

I seem to be drawn to this area. As I continue my tour of Virginia wineries, I enjoy visiting this part of the state.
My plan included secondary roads to get me to the Crozet area. Once I dropped over Afton Mountain, I was only a few miles away from the first stop of the day, Grace Estate Vineyard.

The estate to the left has an amazing view.

A new tasting room down near the road was a surprise. We enjoyed our first visit in the estate on the hill a few years ago. I wanted to visit the estate and take a few photos, I was told no. This is reserved to events especially weddings. That’s most unfortunate.

After startling the young lady in the tasting room (I scared the hell out of her), she began pouring their wines.

’13 Estate Le Gras Cuve, a refreshing wine of Vidal Blanc and Petit Manseng. Heavy aromas of lemon and lime with crips tropical fruits on the palate. Intense acids with a honey finish help round out a very nice wine. I could see this wine being used to make a white Sangria using white peaches, a splash of simple syrup and even cucumbers and a sprig of mint. Is it time to head to the porch?

’13 Petit Verdot, a deep ruby red color. Earthy and tobacco aromas filled my nose. Jammy notes of currants on the mid-palate with a subtle cranberry finish with smooth tannins. LOVE THIS!

About a mile away was my next stop, Stinson Vineyards.

Here are my favorites:

’14 Sauvignon Blanc, an elegant wine done in stainless, oak and in the egg which is made of concrete. A floral nose of tropical fruits – especially lemon. Intense flavors of peaches and grapefruit. The surprising mineral finish is from the concrete egg. With this much acid and flavors, I can see this wine paired with heavy curry Indian dishes.

’13 Sugar Hollow Red, a rich red colored Merlot. A fruit forward wine with bold dark cherry flavors. The oak and toasty flavors on the palate. Low, soft tannins leads to mild finish.

A bonus pour from Stinson Vineyards. I enjoyed this one too!

Another nice visit and then it was on to number 3 of the day, White Hall Vineyards.

My last visit was in June of last year. I truly enjoyed their Petit Verdot.

I had to settle for these:

’14 Pinot Gris, French oak and stainless give this wine a golden hue. Soft citrus aromas in the glass, with in your face flavors of lemon on the palate. The low acid gives this wine a soft finish. A lobster roll or crab cake is what I would be my go to grub with this bottle.

NV Cabernet Sauvignon, with 75% Cab Sauv. and about 25% Touriga. A spicy nose of white pepper and rich dark berry flavors on the palate. The softer tannins were surprising as I was expecting bolder, crunchier tannins.

I always enjoy this vineyard!

The narrow, paved mountain road takes me about 4 miles to next vineyard, Mountfair VIneyards.

When you pull into the parking lot and see a cast iron bathtub in the yard, you know you are in the hills. Relax, there were no banjo’s playing but the day is still early.

The tasting consisted of their wines and a local cider from Potters.

As for the wines, here are both red they had to offer:

’13 WooLooMooLoo, a blend of Petit Verdot, Cabernet Sauvignon & Tannat. A deep rich color with spectacular notes of dark fruits and licorice. A fruit forward with dark cherries on the palate. The finish is a cigar smokers dream, rich leathery and tobacco round out this wine.

’13 Bonfire, a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Petit Verdot and Tannat. A surprise of jammy big fruits on the nose. Mega flavors of currants, cherries and blackberries coat the palate. The finish really softens with cherry and low tannins. This wine would pair well with Chicago-style deep dish pizza. The flavors from the rich sauce and the wine would be complete Utopia.

Some of my favorite reds in the state!

One of the downfalls of being in this area is Siri doesn’t want to play. I did my best trying to connect with her and she was just not wanting to let me in. So, I relied on the old way to maneuver an actual map, but that didn’t go too well.

Based on what the states map said, I was heading into the right direction, The road began as a paved road before it turned to gravel. It was like being in Kentucky all over again and seeing the sign that said “Stay out or get shot!” I was not comfortable to say the least.

After about 15 minutes I was seeing houses that weren’t occupied, or I thought they weren’t. And then I saw my savior, a UPS truck. I knew he could give me directions. After a brief chat, he had me on my way.

In 7-8 minutes, I reached one of the coolest wineries in the state, Glass House VIneyards. As you walk into their doors, one of the first things you see are banana trees. A gorgeous green house of exotic flowers and plants line the table for folks to enjoy a glass or a bottle.

As for the wines:

’14 Pinot Gris, a sumptuous wine. Fruity nose with crisp apricot flavors on the mouth. A nice mineral finish makes this the perfect wine for sushi.

’12 21st, a Bordeaux blend of Cabernet Franc, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Malbec. A heavenly smoky nose, Rich cherry, currants and blackberries fill the palate. The tannins are chewy which makes for a spicy black pepper finish.

So Cool!

Just a few miles away, is a vineyard that has one of the most incredible views I have ever seen…Moss Vineyard.

Such a great view!

As for the wines:

’14 Viognier, wild tropical fruits permeate the glass. Floral honeysuckle on the palate with just a touch of mineral to round out the low acid finish.

’13 Vino Rosso, a red blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Petit Verdot, Merlot and Cabernet Franc. Earthy notes with structured flavors of bright red fruit. Sweet cherries and low tannins on the finish.

At this point, I looked at my time to see if it was possible to visit number 7 of the day. Just 3 miles away, is my next stop or so I thought.

I talked to the young man behind the tasting bar about the vineyard. Then, the 2 couples spoke up and told me I couldn’t leave this area without a visit to Stone Mountain Vineyards. I have heard about them and their narrow road leading to the vineyard.

So, I followed my new friends 1,700 ft. up the mountain to, what I’m convinced as…the best view in the state from a vineyard. Oh others boast their views but hands down, the most incredible view I have seen thus far.

Stone Mountain Vineyards, this could be the best view in the state!

I almost forgot, I’m here for the wine.

’14 Chardonnay Reserve, done in Stainless and Hungarian oak. Fruity nose and smoky melon flavors on the palate. The spiciness is from the oak that leaves just and hint of butter on the finish.

Merlot, this medium bodied wine is rich in color. Blackberries on the nose and dark cherry on the palate. Silky tannins make this a well balanced wine.

After that added bonus, that brought my days total to 7. And with this tour it brings my 2015 total to 115.

Next week, I’m thinking of either coming back to this area or going south to the Roanoke area to see what the wines are like down there.

This has been fun so far.

Oops! I forgot!

I’ve come to realize, that life does suck some times.
Even though I preach, “Life Is Good!”, we all encounter challenges that make us dread getting up in the morning. Recently, I have gotten frustrated with the job search but I know that I will find something that will be more beneficial in the long run.
The thought of retiring has crossed my mind. But, I’m not the type to go hang out at the local McD’s and enjoy my senior cup of coffee with the rest of the local old farts.

Then, a few old friends got me to thinking…
Write!
The!

Book!

Although they think it should be about Virginia wine, I’m considering going a different direction.

I started one 10 years ago, my ramblings were of trips and tales that I encountered in the ’80s.

Oh, those tales are GREAT and I’m still going with that. With my extra time, I will start rewriting the original score.

But in the meantime, I’m going to meet my goal of 100 Virginia vineyards before I return to the workforce.

I kept looking at the VinoWine app and trying to figure out which direction to go. I asked Tish to pick either south or south east. After telling her which ones I was considering visiting she told me to head to the S.E.

The ride down 231 was nice, temperatures were cool and I had the music turned up (Temple of The Dog) and I was on my way toward Orange county.

The first stop of the day had me heading down to the Keswick area to visit…Keswick Vineyards.

Stop by for a visit.

These wines stood out:

’14 V2, a blend of Verdejo and Viognier. Melon and apricots dominate the bouquet. Refreshing tropical fruits on the palate with a touch of honeysuckle on the finish. Broiled salmon with roasted veggies would go well with this white.

’13 Trevillian, a blend of Viognier, Chardonnay and Pinot Gris. An earthy nose with petrichor, vibrant acids fill your palate. Crisp and honeysuckle round out the finish. The only downfall is there are only a few cases of this wine left. A roasted chicken with lemon and thyme would help soften the acids.

A nice stop and if you’re doing wine tours, I would put this on your list to visit.

Next up was Horton Cellars. The last time I visited was in ’05 after the Rolling Stones concert in Charlottesville. Back in the day, you could pay $5 and taste ALL the wines. Of course, you wouldn’t be walking after making it through the list of 20+ wines.

I like this wine too!

So, I had to pick 10 for $5 and these were the ones I preferred:

’14 Albarino Private Reserve, a crisp floral nose of limes that transcends to apples on the palate. The fruity finish makes this the perfect deck sitting wine and would be great with a Wahoo loin with some intense spices.

’14 Nebbiolo Rose Private Reserve, a citrus nose of grapefruit with rose pedals on the palate. A refreshing finish with a touch of effervescence. A plate of cheese with a warm baguette would be a good choice for an evening of relaxing.

’13 Tannat, a dry medium bodied red. A nose of red fruit, with cocoa and butter on the palate. Very fruit forward and jammy flavors on the finish. This is the carnivores dinner wine. Steak, brisket with nice rub will balance this wine well.

’12 Petit Verdot Private Reserve, a deep ruby color wine. Dried fruit on the nose with plum and smoky flavors on the palate and notes of coffee on the finish. Pasta with a rich red sauce.

Just down the road was my next stop, Barboursville Vineyards.

My last visit left a bad taste in my mouth and it wasn’t from the wine.

The high volume of traffic on the weekends has the staff in the tasting room treating your visit like a festival. Sample and step back. How can you learn about what you are drinking by not asking questions and just keeping the glass full?

Oh well, this visit wasn’t a repeat.

My favorites were:

’14 Sauvignon Blanc Reserve, off dry white with earth grass notes on the nose. A citrus palate of grapefruit with low acids on the finish. Lobster ravioli would be wonderful with this bottle.

’14 Sangiovese Reserve, this Tuscan varietal had a gentle smoky nose. Well balanced cherry flavors on the palate with a plum lingering finish. I would enjoy this with a pulled pork sandwich with herb roasted potatoes.

’13 Cabernet Franc Reserve, aged in French oak for 12 months. A complex red with floral notes of currants and white pepper. Ripe berries on the palate that finish with a touch of smoke and bold tannins. This is my pizza wine.ff

At this point, this was my favorite stop…I had one more to visit.

About 10 miles to the north on 29, would be my last stop of the day…Early Mountain Vineyards.

Gorgeous facility and the wines weren’t bad either.

My flight at Early Mountain

’14 Pinot Gris, a refreshing wine. Tropical fruit on the nose with melon on the palate with a wonderful low acid finish. Pasta with basil pesto would be a nice pairing.

’13 Foothills, a full bodied Cab Franc & Merlot blend. Cherry and earthy aromatics, fruit forward with smoke and leather flavors in the mouth. A lingering low tannin finish.

With these 4 it brings my total for the year to 81!

I’m almost done y’all!