Next To Last Trip…

It was unseasonably warm for this time of year. Last week I was scrapping my windshield, this morning I was wiping sweat from my head. Mother Nature has a sick sense of humor.

I remember when I came down a few weeks ago to the Richmond area, I saw the sign for my first stop today. I just don’t remember which exit it was. Easy with the old jokes folks!

The ride down 95 wasn’t bad and I turned off and traveled through Ladysmith to Sassafras Shade Vineyard.

Tucked back in a wooded area with an inviting front porch, it was a shame I stopped here first.

Ten wines on the tasting list and these were my favorites:

Chardonnay, light golden in color. Supple melon flavors on the nose. Bold honeysuckle flavors on the palate with tart apricots on the finish. This wine and that porch, that’s all I need to say.

Caroline Red, a blend of Cabernet Franc & Chambourcin. Bouquet of rose buds filled my glass. A medium bodied wine with dark red fruit flavors. Soft tannins and a smoky finish.

A nice stop that I will visit again in the future.

Just a few miles away is my next stop, James River Cellars. Located off of Route 1 this vineyard has been making wine since 2001.

 

The tasting room is next to a driving range so park well enough away from stray balls flying over the net. Staff was extra friendly and here is what I enjoyed.

’14 Petit Manseng, notes of grassy and earthiness on the nose. Pear and honey flavors dominate the palate. A gorgeous finish of grapefruit make this a really nice deck/porch sipping wine.

’12 Meritage, a blend of Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot. Bold aromas of cinnamon and nutmeg. earthy flavors on the front of the mouth that transcends to a smokiness on the back of the palate. Black raspberry, cherry flavors round out this wine with bold, crunchy tannins. A true steak, burger or venison wine.

My last stop of the day takes me down into the Powhatan area. The wine guides said they were open as did their website. After turning on the secondary road I found the entrance but it looked suspect. I gave them a call to confirm and the older gentleman told me to come on down and taste. Okay!

Bodie Vineyards reminds me of Berryhill Vineyards. Tasting room in the garage and super nice folks. Mr. Bodie came out and I figured this wouldn’t take too long but I ended up sitting and talking with him for and hour or so.

He was pouring two wines.

Michaud Blanc, made with Cayuga grapes. Earthy on the nose. Tropical fruit flavors on the palate. Semi-dry wine had a finish of graphite. A wine that would go well with seafood especially oysters.

Rochelle Rouge, a blend of Buffalo and Cabernet Franc.  A very light bodied wine with plum aromas on the nose. Strawberry and cherries on the palate with a finish of sweet currants. This would be the perfect Thanksgiving wine.

Mr. Bodie told me tales of college and advised me to go see an acupuncturist if I ever have back issues. As we chatted, he would pour another sample of his red.

This was quite entertaining.

With the these 3 marked off, this brings my total to 163 in 2015.

With only one week to go, I want to make the last vineyard to be a memorable one. The reservations are for New Years Eve. This redneck is excited to visit this place yet, I’m sad that my vineyard tour is coming to an end.

But with a new year come new opportunities and hopefully a new job. Maybe I can visit the last few vineyard next year to reach all of the them in less than two year.

To all of my readers, Happy New Year and Cheers!

One Vineyard & The Diesel

I picked up one the valley’s free newspapers, this publication usually has the latest openings and closings in the area.

As I go down the list, nothing stands out as breaking news. And then there it was…a new vineyard had opened in county. That will take care of this weeks visit.

Friday would be a good time to visit but I have a conflict.

In D.C. at the Verizon Center, The Green Turtle was doing a beer release party for Escutcheon Brewery’s John Riggins 4th & 1 Pilsner. With the release of the beer Riggo was going to be present for the unveiling.

Shorty contacted me about meeting him at the Turtle. So now, I have to plan accordingly but it can be done.

I traveled south to Quicksburg, to the newest winery, DeMello Vineyard, Third Hill Winery.  The tasting room is rustic with amazing views. The owners were extremely nice and so were the wines.

’14 Traminette, a soft lemon colored wine. Rose petals and honeysuckle on the nose. Crisp, refreshing lavender flavors on the palate. A sweet finish makes this wine a perfect pairing with goat cheese or a warm brie.

’12 Cabernet France, a rich red color. Sweet cherries on the nose. Earthy notes on the palate with a low tannin smoky finish. Perfect burger wine.

Shenandoah County now has 9 vineyards, 2 breweries and a cidery. We might catch up to Loudoun County some day.

I stopped by the house before heading into the city. Sent Shorty a text telling him about what time I was going to arrive. He was planning on being there about the same time. So we decided, the last one to arrive, buys the first round.

The drive to Vienna wasn’t bad, I hopped on the train and I had to rely on public transportation to get me there before Shorty.

It was going to be close and it was. He was literally 100 feet in front of me laughing and pointing. That Sucks!

We got caught up and decided to sample the 4th &1. This is a wonderful Pilsner with nice balance a flavor. And since it is made 20 miles from my house, I would be filling my growlers up with that goodness.

Riggo arrived. Shorty and I got our pics taken with the Super Bowl MVP and then we hit a few more stops before calling it a night.

My travels will take me back toward Richmond to visit a few stragglers then I will end the year in our area.

With the lone visit to the valley I have now visited 160 vineyards this year.

I Get Around!

There was a chill to the morning that required me to scrap frost from my windshield. I stopped for a cup of joe and I turned on some Stone Temple Pilots on to honor the late Scott Weiland for my trip to taste wine.

The only time I saw S.T.P. was in ’10 with Alice in Chains at DC101’s chili cook off. Rumors had it that he walked off of the bus with a cup the size of a Big Gulp full of red wine. So it was only fitting to play a few tunes while the Big K was going to taste some vino.

I traveled down Rt. 17 to get to the most dreaded road in the state I-95. Most of my visits I spend my time on secondary roads to avoid the crazies on the major highways.

I was on a mission and little did I know, my travels would take me further east than I had planned. The earliest vineyard opened at 10:00 a.m. I rolled in at 10:30 to start my tasting at New Kent Winery. It had only been a few years since my first visit and I was looking forward to seeing how well the latest vintage of the Chardonnay tasted.
This vineyard is located in the roundabouts of roundabouts. I think I drove through three of them. Huge tasting facility and an amazing staff waiting to serve their customers.

’12 Chardonnay a golden colored fruit forward wine. Tropical citrus flavors on the nose. Sweet grilled apricots were lively on the palate. A finish of the old school fruit cocktail that I remember at elementary school. This would be any person warm day deck sitting wine. I could have curled up in bed with a bottle.

Meritage, a blend of Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon & Petit Verdot. Earthy notes on the nose. A medium bodied red with flavors of dark red fruits. Mild tannins with a subtle sweetness on the finish. This would be a good wine for steak or burgers.

Just down the road was my second stop of the day, Saude´ Creek Vineyards. This vineyard had only been open 4.5 years gorgeous tasting room. A nice crowd has gathered to enjoy some local music and Barbeque. You know what I’m there for!

Vidal Blanc, an off-dry white with floral aromas of grilled peaches. Crips flavors of grapefruit on the palate. with a zesty finish. They call this wine: “Champagne without the bubbles.” and I can see this being poured on New Years Eve at a party.

Merlot, soft, medium bodied red. Currants and leather aromas filled my glass. Roasted coffee flavors on the palate. Soft tannins and raspberries round out the finish.

A nice stop and now it was time to make turn and head to the east toward Irvington.

The drive took 40 minutes and I was pulling into what was White Fences Vineyard but is now The Dog and Oyster Vineyard.

As I drove up the entrance, I see this massive cork screw out in the field. That’s one way to get your attention.

I walked into the tasting room and two young boys were hanging out. I though, “get them trained young!” They rushed off and got someone to come and pour me a tasting or 8.

’14 Pearl, made with at 100% Vidal Blanc. Notes of Kiwi and Petrichor on the bouquet. Fresh peaches with a touch of citrus round out the palate. A subtle oaky finish. A refreshing wine that would pair well with Indian cuisine or spicy Asian dishes.

’13 Shelter Dog Red,made with 100% Chambourcin. Dark Cherry nose. Medium bodied wine with flavors of rose petals on the palate. A nice smoky finish. The young lady described this as: “Pinot Noir meets Malbec.”

The next stop was only 15 minutes away, Good Luck Cellars in Kilmarnock.

I walked into the tasting room and the smell of fresh baked cookies permeated the room.

They had two tasting options, Whites or Reds for $8 per flight. I choose the Reds and here is what I enjoyed.

’13 Oak Aged Chambourcin, the grapes spent 20 months in French oak. Fruity nose with dark fruits on the palate. Raspberry and spicy notes on the the finish.

’13 Cabernet Sauvignon, again aged for 20 months in French oak. Jammy fruit flavors on the nose. Black cherries and new leather flavors on the palate. A smooth finish with a touch of sweetness. A nice light bodied wine that would go well with baked pasta dishes.

I was informed one of the vineyards in the area had already closed for the winter.

There was only two left for me to visit today and I had just enough time to stop before heading west for home.

Athena Vineyards, owned by a group of retired nurses. Here is what I enjoyed:

Nightingale Chardonnay, a crisp citrus floral nose. Soft flavors of apricots with a refreshing finish.

Merlot, a medium-bodied wine with aromas of green pepper on the nose. Flavors of raspberries and pomegranates on the front of the palate with cherries on the back. A smooth low tannin finish would make this a nice every day wine.

My last stop of the day is one Big D. told me not to miss, Vault Field Vineyards.

I was met in the tasting room by the vineyard cat. Freddie welcomed me as I waited for my tasting to begin.

’10 Vidal Blanc, a fruity wine with an intense pineapple nose. Sweet pear flavors dominate the palate and a medium acid finish with grapefruit flavors. This would go well with a lump crab cake on an Old Bay, cheddar biscuit.

’09 Red, a blend of Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon and Chambourcin. Fresh raspberry flavors on the nose. Sweet cherry flavors on the palate with a supple finish of you guessed it raspberries.

So this trip had me visiting 6 and it brings my total to 159. It’s getting tougher to visit without traveling long distances. But, I”m sure I can get a few more in before the end of the year.

The sun sets at Vault Fields on another day of tasting wine.

 

I’m Done in Loudoun

Tish was off to visit her mother over the Thanksgiving holiday (I told you I was behind). I was a good boy, I enjoyed a few plates of meat during this time. Since I knew Tish would be needing wine once she arrived home, I visited Glen Manor Vineyards to purchase a few bottles.

Shorty was coming back to the valley on Thanksgiving eve and we decided to meet and have a few adult beverages. We started at The Depot Lounge at The Hotel Strasburg. One of my classmates joined us (Dave) for a round or two. Dave called it a night and Shorty was ready to party!

The next stop was the Old Mill Grill for just a round. He wanted to head back to the Depot Lounge for a few more before we ended the night on my deck with Miller Lite’s and Ashton 898 stogies.

Joey came and picked Shorty up to take him to Momma’s house. I got my house in order then crawled into bed.

Thanksgiving fest at Momma’s and Pappy’s then I ended the day at Sandy & Mike’s for a night cap.

Tish came home on Friday and I decided to visit the newest watering hole in the Shenandoah Valley, Woodstock Brewery. Nice beer and wonderful Vanilla Porter.

Once Tish arrived home she dove into the Rose´ from GMV. On Saturday, she rested as I headed into Loudoun to visit my last two vineyards in that county.
I had to call Loudoun Valley Vineyards just to confirm they were open. There  were some rumors they had closed until Spring.

They responded that they would be open for the weekend. The vineyard has been purchased and the new owners won’t take over until the early spring. In the meantime, I would get to sample only 3 wines.

’09 Viognier, done in stainless steel. Grilled peaches and fresh apricots dominate the nose. Tropical fruits on the palate with a tart finish. This would go well with spicy Asian dishes.

’08 Legacy, a port-style made with Touriga Nacional. A bouquet of dark fruit. Dark chocolate flavors on the palate with a finish of sweet black cherries. A very nice port-style that will soon be gone.

My next vineyard is one I visited over a year ago. Sampling wines from a bag was a bit weird but they are worth a taste.

Raspberry Apple Wine, lush goodness from some nice fruit. This wine has a touch of dryness on the palate with a sweet shot on the finish. Anytime I taste one of these fruity wines, it makes think of field parties, ’80s hair bands and mullets. Not a bad memory. Basically I know most of my classmates would enjoy this wine.

Petit Verdot, rich black currants and leather on the nose. A very soft red fruit presence on the mouth. A smooth low tannin finish makes this a nice red wine.

Did I mention the wines are in three liter bags?

You get 4 bottles of wine in a bag for around $30, which isn’t bad.

I was in need of some food so I stopped and visited Jody & Jay at Quattro Goomba’s for some of their kick ass pizza and did a sampling of their beer. Quattro Goomba’s Brewery is open for business and is quite good.

Tish is on deadline this week which means I may visit a handful in the Richmond area or beyond.

With only 2 stops this week, It brings my total to 153 for the year.

Amherst, Scottsville & Barboursville

I battled sinuses for a week.

My palate was comprised therefore I didn’t attempt to visit any vineyards. After a week of medicating I was feeling a bit better and enjoyed a short trip to Atlantic City with Shorty. I’ll put that down in words later.

Now that I am back to normal…easy folks, it is time to add to my vineyard tour.

I have a feeling that this may be my last trip to the Charlottesville area to visit wineries as I’ve almost visited them all.

The day was early and I headed south of Nelson county into the Amherst area to visit a few there.

My first stop of the day, Rebec Vineyards. This is the location for the Wine & Garlic Festival each year.

The small shack didn’t have much room but we did get to taste some wine.

Chardonnay, light gold colored wine. Orange blossoms on the nose. crisp flavors of apples with a toasty finish.

Cabernet Franc, a medium bodied red. Dark red fruits on the nose. Fruit forward with blackberries on the palate. Green peppers round out the finish. This is young and should age well.

About a mile away was the second stop of the day, Lazy Days Winery.

’13 Chardonnay, a fruity nose of pear and apples. Crisp, tart flavors with low acid. Oak flavors give this wine a creamy finish.

Sweet Lazy Days, a blend of Chambourcin and Petit Manseng. Candied cherries on the nose. A balance of plums, raspberries and raisins on the palate. A dry yet sweet finish gives this wine it’s alias: “Party in a Bottle”.

The next stop will have me traveling 25 miles to the east just outside of Scottsville.
Thistle Gate Vineyard, is located just along Rt. 6. The barn-like tasting is a bit rustic.

’13 Chardonnay, aged in French and American oak. A buttery nose with oak flavors on the palate. The dry, low acid finish makes this wine a perfect match for a plate of cheese and baguette.

’14 Temperance Bridge Red, a blend of Chambourcin and Cabernet Franc gives this wine its dark ruby color. Raspberry on the nose. Bold flavors of dark chocolate with moderate tannins. The slight sweetness on the finish would make this wine pair well with roasted lamb or plate of meatballs in gravy.

The next stop takes me north of Charlottesville close to the airport, Adventure Farm Vineyards.

One of the newest vineyards in the area, They have 4 of their wines and a few of Michael Schaps on the tasting list.

’14 Rose´, made with 100% Chambourcin. A captivating light ruby color. Soft aromas of rose buds, refreshing dry flavors of plums on the palate. A light taste of spice on the finish makes this a nice wine to enjoy with friends.

’12 Gigi Red Blend, Chambourcin and Cabernet Sauvignon make a medium bodied wine. Earthiness and petrichor on the nose. Black raspberry and cherry flavors on the palate with an off dry spice on the finish. A big plate of pasta would be a good pairing.

A nice stop that I will have to bring Tish to on one of our trips.

The last stop of the day will be one of the areas oldest, Burnley Vineyards.

It has been a few years since my last visit. Let’s see how the wines are:

Riesling, tropical fruits on the nose especially pineapple. Tart melon flavors on the palate with a dry yet sweet finish. A nice wine to pair with grilled salmon.

Chambourcin, earthy with a bit of blueberry on the nose. Bold dark red fruits coat the palate with a finish of sweet dark chocolate and a touch of smoke. This would make a great cigar wine to enjoy with the boys.

Let’s hope mother nature plays well as we head into the Thanksgiving holiday and early stages of winter. With these 5 added to the list, it brings my total to 151 for the year.

Wine + Reunion Week = Debauchery!

Earlier in the week was busy. I was able to secure some complimentary tastings from a few vineyards for the Decade & a half reunion for this coming Saturday evening. My travels for the week were going to be limited.
I knew Saturday was going to be bat crap crazy so I decided to visit the few vineyards on the north end of Orange county.

I waited until 10a.m. to head down to my first stop of the day. My schedule was going to be tight as I had planned on going to the homecoming game and then drinks with classmates at the Old Mill Grill.

After relying on a cell phone voice giving me wrong directions, I finally arrived at Honah Lee Vineyard.

Just outside of Gordonsville, is this quaint boutique vineyard and tasting room. I was surprised to see a limo parked out front. Either a Birthday party or Bachelorette party, the latter. It wasn’t even noon before I started tasting and these girls were drunker than 10 monkeys.

The owner an ex-law man, kind of shook his head at the way those crazy kids were acting.

As for the wine…

’13 Chardonnay, golden in color. The nose was dominated by a big stick of butter! Then came a surprise, crisp, tart citrus flavors on the palate. Succulent honeysuckle notes on the finish, make this a very nice Chard.

’13 de la Merce, a red blend of Merlot and Chambourcin. Fruity notes of cherries on the nose. A softened flavor of leather and tobacco coat the mouth. This medium bodied wine finished with black raspberries and soft tannins. This would be a great everyday red. Pasta, pizza and red meat plates would help this wine shine.

So now, I have to travel about 15-20 miles to the next stop. I have my trusty map ready since I will be traveling into the hills to reach Kilaurwen Winery.

Nice winding roads to reach this locations and there were a few cars visiting from out of state.

The owner/winemaker explained the name of the winery. It was named after his three daughters. That’s kind of sweet.

Situated against the mountain, I was hoping to taste something good.

’12 Riesling, apricots and pineapple on the nose. Bold citrus flavors of lemon on the palate. A clean finish with essences of melon. Oysters on the half shell or shrimp scampi would go well with this wine.

’12 Cabernet Franc, a medium bodied wine with a gorgeous ruby color. Earthy aromas on the nose. Cherry, currants and smoky flavors on the palate with bold spicy tannins on the finish. A true steak wine.

So my travels took me to 2 and that would bring my total to 137 for the year.

Once I returned home, I got a few texts telling me they wanted to start the party early. I arrived at the Old Mill around 6. I had set up one of those “Events” on Facebook and invited all of my classmates who grace the social media giant.

Then of course, I have those friends that are in my contact list who I send messages too when an event like this is planned. Texts were sent and it was going to be a wait and see who shows up.

Deb was the first one there and I told Abe, the owner of the Mill, to stock up on Corona’s because I have seen her drink bars out of the Mexican Cerveza. Our last outing, she shared a quote with me that I have say is one of the funniest sayings I have ever heard:

“Beer is Great, Sex is Free, We’re the Class of ’83!”

I Love This Class!

We had a good turn out. About 10 showed up, some I haven’t even seen in 30+ years. A lot of alcohol was poured…including shots which we did not need and stories were told. We got the party started early and rolled out at midnight.

On Saturday, I went and purchased wine at Glen Manor Vineyards so Tish and I enjoy good Vino. I knew they were pouring Boone’s Farm but I wasn’t that interested in going down memory lane. Memories of bad hangovers on that stuff still linger after all these years.

We arrived early like the promoters suggested, we didn’t expect to be standing in line freezing our butts off. Everyone and their sister was there. I saw friends I hadn’t seen since I was 13 years old.

Margo visiting from Portland, Oregon.

Good Ole T.B.U. representing with Dave, The Fat Man & Clark. Old friends indeed!

I knew my boy Dave was suppose to be there, but I never saw him until late and by then the alcohol had my head spinning. I saw my prom dates and homecoming date. Of course, there were the hard cores, those Class of ’83 members who rarely make an appearance. Todd & Chewy. This night could get RIGHTEOUS and there was talk about visiting the “West Virginia Ballet”.

Chewy is a trip!

Todd never changes…Dammit!

The only details I can share are…good times were had by all and some were feeling quite ill the following day. We’re not teenagers anymore and we can not party like Charlie Sheen. Although I try my best!

As for my wine tour, Next week Tish leaves for the beach and I will consume a lot of meat along with beverages.

Visits to Loudoun and back to the Culpepper area to finally check off some of those wineries.

I’ve decided to see how many I can actually visit. This trip is coming to an end quick.

I leave you with one last pick from the reunion. This group was just looking for trouble.

Mel, Me, Roger & Rich. We included Mel to keep us out of jail, I’m too pretty for prison.

Forecast: Rainy, with a chance of wine

So Monday’s interview went well. I have a good feeling about this one but I’m not going to get too excited. My plans this week were to go back toward Charlottesville and make my way east. There was one problem, mother nature had other plans. Rain began to fall and a visit by hurricane Joaquin had me changing plans on Tuesday. Tish told me to plan a day earlier and make my trip on Thursday in case Joaquin makes land.

In a steady mist of rain, I traveled down Rt. 522 to my visit of the day, Mataponi Winery. The only time we have ever sampled their wines were at a few local festivals. It took them a few years but they finally have a tasting room open to the public.

Work being done to the floor in the tasting had me enjoying a chilly sampling of wine on their porch.

Riesling, faded lime in color. Nutty aromas were some what surprising. Supple flavors of sweet peaches and melon on the palate transition nicely to a honey finish. Shellfish and goat cheese would pair well with this wine.

’14 Cabernet Sauvignon, dark red colors with a smoky & tobacco nose. This medium bodied wine had blackberry notes with a soft cherry sweetness on the palate. The low tannins gives this wine a green pepper finish. Rich pasta dishes would enhance the flavors of this wine.

Kizismin, a 100% peach wine with 3% residual sugar. Big flavors of grilled peaches dominate with just enough sweetness on the palate. Lush flavors round out this wine. This IS a field party wine that my classmates would enjoy.

The next stop is on my way back toward the Lake Anna area to visit Lake Anna Winery. A large facility that if it wasn’t raining would be a good place to sit and enjoy a glass.

’14 Serval Blanc, light lemon aromas on the nose. Apricot and tropical fruits filled my palate. A wonderful crisp smooth finish. This wine was a winner with me. Smoked turkey with garlic roasted potatoes would help soften the citrus in this wine.

Spotsylvania Claret, a blend of Merlot, Chambourcin, Cabernet Franc & Tannat. Black cherries and dark chocolate flavors on the nose. A fruit forward, jammy flavors on the palate. Soft tannins with a hint of white pepper on the finish. This would be my cigar wine.

It was now time for GPS hell. Weston Farm Vineyard and Winery was to be my next stop. Siri had me going one way and Google maps had me heading toward the west. The old fashion map kind of helped but I was able get my bearings straight and find this watering hole.
Weston Farm Vineyard & Winery, isn’t at the location that Google says it is.So, if you’re relying on a smartphone to get you to this stop…don’t trust their guidance. You’ll be driving around a subdivision with the residences ready to call the cops. Thank God I wasn’t driving around in a panel van.

I finally arrived at my destination and it was time to taste.

Pinot Grigio, a pale lemon colored wine. Fresh cut apples filled my glass. Crisp flavors of lemons with low acid flavors. Limes round out  this wine. This would be perfect with a plate of calamari or steamed shrimp.

Cherry, a simple name with incredible flavors. A port-style wine that just had amazing tart fruits on the nose. My mouth and palate were coated in a liquid cherry pie. The finish was a bit hot but that had something to do with the pure grain that was use to fortify the cherries. Perfect pairing would be a steak with the reduced to a syrup and then it drizzled over the finish dish.

A quaint vineyard with a very nice staff.

The next stop is a must for me, Cooper Vineyards. We stopped here a few years back and the tasting room was located in an old house. Fast forward to present time, a big fancy facility that was quite impressive. And the wines were equally impressive.

’14 Rose´, light magenta in color. Soft cherry notes with flavors of subtle sweet strawberries. A crisp refreshing finish, this would pair well with a plate of cheese or even by itself. Truly a great Rose´ for a afternoon on the deck.

’13 Cabernet Franc, a rich color red. Soft earthy notes with just a touch of cherry on the nose. Bold, dark red fruits on the palate. Crunchy tannins and a spicy finish make this a really nice wine. This is a true burger wine.

My last stop of the day takes me just a few miles south to Grayhaven Vineyard. The owner/winemaker is from South Africa so he is growing one varietal from his native country, Pinotage.

Pinotage, Dark in color, with a dominate nose of currants. Medium bodied with blackberry and raspberry flavors on the palate. Soft tannins gives this wine a smooth finish. Drinks like a Pinot Noir.

Rendezvous, a blend of Pinotage & Touring. Blackberries on the nose, with bold fruity flavors on palate. Tart cherries on the finish with soft tannins. A very nice wine.

So after a rainy trip, these 5 vineyards brings my year total to 129. Not too bad.

Next week will have me returning once again to the Charlottesville area for a few stops.

Let’s hope for some drier weather next week.

I love the name of this road.

A Tough Week With A Little Wine

This week started out on a sad note.

I found out that my favorite Uncle had passed away. The way I discovered this news was from a friend on Zuckerberg’s social media. Not the proper way of being notified but, what do you do.

Med was a jokester and I had just talked to him about a month ago. Still sharp witted but you could see he was a bit frail. Now the cool side of the family are all gone. Med, Zada & Butch – all are missed…very much.

A phone interview turned into an actual face-to-face on Friday. This went well and another is scheduled for Monday. I felt like a small celebration was in order. I visited Al in Browntown, my new cigar smoking buddy. A veteran of both WWII and Korean War, we enjoyed some sticks and wine on his front porch.

A swing with an amazing view.

CAO stick courtesy of Al!

Saturday came and Tish and I made our way into Loudoun to visit a few vineyards, including the newest one to open.

Our first stop was 50 West Vineyards, this is a tasting room for Sunset Hills Vineyard. Their focus is pouring S.H.V.’s higher end wines. All were very nice including the ’13 Cabernet Franc. I inquired about their Mosaic, after being part of the Governor’s Cup a few years back I still haven’t had the opportunity to taste this wine.

Just my luck, they had a bottle open.

Such a nice wine!

’12 Mosaic, a blend of Merlot and Cabernet Franc gives this wine its deep rich color. A bouquet of dark red fruits including pomegranates. Blackberries and currants were dominate on the palate. Bold tannins with a peppery finish make this one of the best wines I’ve tasted this year.

Our next stop was a few miles north on Rte. 15 and down a gravel road, Zephaniah Farm Vineyard

The tasting room is located in a vintage house that is rumored to be haunted. I’m just here for the wine not for the ghoul’s floating around.

’13 Rose´, a blend of Cabernet Franc and Chambourcin done the French way. Earthy notes and minerals on the nose. Lush flavors of strawberry and cherry on the palate with a dry smooth finish.

’12 Cabernet Franc, done in French oak. Dark red cherry aromas in the glass. A fruit forward wine with jammy flavors of blackberries. Soft tannins give this wine a smooth finish.

The next stop is just outside of Hamilton, Hunters Run Winery.

Located right on Rte 9, I  expected this place to be crowded. Other than the handful of folks on the deck listening to music, foot traffic was kind of low.

Here are my choices:

Hunters Run Riesling, a nice wine with apricot aromas. Low acids with a sweet honey flavors on the palate. The sweetness gives way to a crisp finish.

Hunters Run Wine Bar Red, a blend of Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot. Deep colors with licorice nuances on the nose. Rich blackberry flavors and a smokiness on the palate. The spicy white pepper finish gives this wine a low tannic finish.

Now it was onto the newest vineyard to open in the past few weeks, Terra Nebula.

Traveling the roads in Waterford is relaxing unless you have one of those out of state A-holes trying to pass you on a narrow road. I just slowed down even more to make them madder than a hornet.

With no signal, my GPS wasn’t any good to me. I simply relied on signs and traffic to get me to this location.

The sign was funny and I can only hope this is what we were looking for or it could be another new vineyard to add to the list.

This sign makes me laugh.

Riesling, done in stainless, this wine had floral notes of tropical fruits. Sweet lemon flavors on the palate give this wine a soft, crisp low-acid finish. Perfect for shellfish.

Cabernet Franc, this wine is young. earthy notes of tobacco and currants filled the aromas in the glass. Jammy flavors of black cherries and raspberries. Wonderful tannins give the finish a slight peppery flavor. This wine will age well.

The Chamborcin Port-Style at Terra Nebulo

Tish wanted a  glass, of course she did.

After our 4 stop of the day we closed the day with a glass at Sunset Hills Vineyard just off of Berlin Parkway.

A nice view to end the day.

I enjoyed the Petit Verdot and Tish got the Viognier.

With marking these 4 off my list, this brings me to 124 visited this year. My next visit to Loudoun will be my last as I will have visited them all.

Next week will take me into Lousia county and the Lake Anna area.

It’s October and this ride is coming to an end.

Wine in Moonshine Country

I headed south, down close to where stills thrive. Botetourt County, not Franklin. I’m simply guessing that corn liquor is made in this area, based on the rural mountain roads to the vineyards. There are some areas you would not want to go in without back up. This wasn’t my first rodeo so…I kept going and this is what I found.
I traveled down I-81, the traffic wasn’t bad, just slow. Pap-paw must have been out for a Sunday drive on a Friday. The speed limit is 70 not 55! I decided to make an early stop at Rockbridge Vineyards before heading down to the Fincastle area.

Tish and I stopped here in 2011 on our way down to visit her classmates in Williamsburg, Ky. I remembered that day, they wine was good – it didn’t disappoint in 2015 either.
Here is what was memorable from today’s stop:

Pinot Noir Blanc de Noir, a dry white made the Champagne way. White grilled peaches on the nose. Tart, effervescence of citrus on the palate. The bold flavors in the mouth give way to a refreshing smooth finish. This with a little orange juice would make a nice Virginia Mimosas.

’09 DeChiel Pinot Noir, one of only a few Pinot’s in Virginia. Light body, fragrant of wild cherries and dried herbs. Smoky flavors with spicy tannin’s and end with a subtle smooth finish. Pizza, Pasta, Venison or anything would go well with this bottle.

Once back on the road, the traffic flowed just like the wine at my next stop, Fincastle Vineyard & Winery. A vineyard with a B & B which is convenient. I waited for the proprietor to open a few bottles. We chatted about how remote they are and she admitted to some moonshine activity in the area…SEE, I TOLD YOU!

’14 Chardonnay, golden in color and aged in American oak for 6 months. Oaky nose, with buttery nuances on the palate. Typical Chard that finishes with a vanilla finish. I would like this with a spinach ravioli in a in a creamy garlic sauce.

Knights Tour, a red blend of Petit Verdot, Cab. Franc and Cab. Sauv. A ruby color with a white pepper nose. soft in tannin’s and in the mouth with just enough spice on the finish. A true meat wine or pasta dishes.

I left one hollow only to travel 12 miles west to another vineyard in the hills, Virginia Mountain Vineyard.

An enticing view that if I had time would put me outside with a glass.

As for the wines:

Chardonnay Reserve, a dry white aged in French oak. Golden in color with floral notes of smoke and oak. Buttery, vanilla flavors on the mouth. The finish of sweet honey make this one of my favorites for the year.

’10 Cabernet Franc, burgundy in color with an earthy barn yard nose. Ripe red fruits on the palate with soft tannin’s and just a touch of spice on the finish.

A nice stop for the day and then it was time to head to my next stop just a few miles away. I was told it would only take me 15 minutes. On those narrow roads, it took me a bit longer.

Hairpin turns that would make your sphincter crave rusty nails and buttermilk (That one is from Tish). Even though I was a bit nervous, my next stop didn’t disappoint.

Blue Ridge Vineyard, the rustic  building with a wonderful view of the mountains. A young couple greet me and set me up with a tasting. As we chatted, another soul walks in and he joins me in tasting their wines.

Traminette, a nose of minerality. The flavors of sweetness on the front of the mouth give way to tartness in the back. Fresh apricots on the finish. Sushi would go well with this wine.

Cab. Franc, a deep dark ruby color. Fresh cut tobacco dominate the nose. Dark cherries and currants on the mouth. Very soft tannin’s with a green pepper finish. I enjoyed this so much, I now have a bottle resting in my wine cooler.

Another surprise this year, that I will revisit in the spring.

it was time to make my way north to my last stop of the day, Ox-Eye Vineyards.

A small tasting room located in the heart of Staunton. Situated in a hip part of town which has several breweries and restaurants.

They were busy compared to my last visit in ’13. My picks from their list:

’14 Riesling, a crisp citrus nose. Tropical fruit on the palate with Meyer lemons on the finish. They recommend shellfish and I can see a plate of spiced shrimp, crab cakes with Old Bay and even flash fried calamari.

’12 Pinot Noir, a medium bodied Pinot. Bright berries on the nose. soft flavors of rosebuds that transcends to rich currant and smoky finish. A leg of lamb with roasted veggies would go well with this bottle.

Two Pinot’s in one day, who would have thought.

After my whirlwind tour of the south, my total for the year is now at 120.

My trip next week will probably take me back to Loudoun to visit a few stragglers and a new comer to the scene.

Still out of work and still enjoying my time off.

Life Is Good!

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.