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.

 

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.

Down Route 17 and Beyond

I wish Virginia vineyards would coordinate with each other and have the same hours. But I understand that most do have day jobs and are not full-time vintners.

In saying that, I hopped in my car and headed back toward the Warrenton/Fredericksburg are to visit the last few on my list.

The first stop of the day was going to be Rogers Ford Farm Winery. Traveling to this area has always been very painful with the traffic on Rt. 17. However, my most recent visits the trip has a been rather pleasant. I pulled into the parking lot at 11:00 and I was the first one in the tasting room to encounter the “Crazy Wine Chick”. I’m only going by what she called herself, by the time the tasting was over I can vouch for that statement.

The old house was really cool and the wines weren’t bad either.

’13 Jacob Christopher Chardonnay, golden in color. Light oak aromas on the nose. Bold peach and apricot flavors with a touch of effervescence on the palate. A subtle sweetness on the finish makes this a good wine for spicy Indian cuisine.

’12 Petit Verdot, a light jammy nose with some earthy under-tones. Dark cherry and chocolate flavors in the mouth. Surprising soft tannins with a white pepper finish. A true meat lovers wine.

Snake Castle, a port-style made from Petit Verdot. Carmel flavors on the nose. This wine is fortified with Brandy distilled from their own grapes. Black cherry and dark chocolate flavors on the palate. This is an absolute sinful wine! One of the best port-styles this year.

Just down the road was my next stop, Hartwood Winery.

They are celebrating 26 years of business and the wines weren’t bad.

Rappahannock Rose´, a dry Rose´made with Chambourcin. Soft cherries on the nose. Lush tropical fruit on the palate with a crisp dry finish.

Cabernet Franc, this wine had big earthy, barn yard aromas. Smoky tobacco flavors dominated the palate. Tart cranberries rounded out this wine.

An interesting stop.

I would have to travel a few miles to get to my next stop, Wilderness Run Vineyards.

This stop would be quite interesting. Primarily a Virginia tasting room, I only got to sample one wine from their site. They had wines from 7 different vineyards, 1 cidery and a few beers on tap for purchases only. It kind of sounds like a bar huh?

’12 Wilderness Toolshed Red, raspberry flavors on the nose. Jammy and smoky flavors on the palate with a touch of green pepper on the finish. A true pizza wine.

I had some time and thought I could visit one more. About 15 miles away was Chateau MerrillAnne Vineyards. What the hell!
I quaint little tasting room and the wines were worth the travel.

’14 Palace White, a white blend of Vidal and Cayuga. Minerality is the best way to describe the nose. Citrus, tart with a bit of effervescent on the palate. A crisp dry finish make this the perfect wine for shellfish, warm brie or even a plate of spicy enchiladas.

’12 Founded 1734, a blend of vinifera grapes; Malbec, Merlot, Tannat and Cabernet Sauvignon. A leather and smoky aroma fill the glass. Dark chocolate and currants on the palate. Silky jammy note with spice on the finish.

It will be 3 weeks before I make it to another Virginia vineyard.

A sickness and a trip to Atlantic City with Shorty keep me from my goal.

With four on this trip, it brings my total to 146.

A Lot of Meat & Wine

Tish was leaving for the OBX area for 5 days.

I was going to be left alone to deal with the felines and fend for myself while she enjoys some sun and sand with her old friend Granny Smith.

I helped her load her car and we said our good-byes. She left me at 1:15 and at 1:20 I was heading south to the local butcher shop to score a few steaks. I had been planning my menu for some time.

The boys behind the counter sold me two of the most gorgeous Delmonico steaks I have ever seen. No sooner than I arrived home, I got out the spices and began rubbing my meat – oops that was bit dirty, I’m sorry.

Sun-dried Tomato Powder and Dried Basil macerated for 6 hours. I visited the grocery store and got the ingredients for my side along with America’s finest Pilsner, Pabst Blue Ribbon. I sat on my deck enjoying the 70º weather and got updates on Tish’s travels. After plenty of dead soldiers were lined up  on the table, I began preparing this evening meal.

I cleaned the potatoes, minced the garlic and onion. grated some pepper jack and then it was time to grate the potatoes and turn them into…Cheesy, Old Bay Hash Browns.

After sautéing the onion and garlic, I added the spuds, Old Bay and a little heavy cream. Once golden brown, I flipped and placed the pan in the oven to finish the plate there.

That heavy cast iron skillet was smoking from the oil when I placed that slab of red meat inside the vessel. Just enough sear for a light crust. After flipping, I removed the spuds and placed the steak in the oven just for about 4 minutes.

I plated the hash browns then the steak and allowed the meat
to rest for a few minutes to let the juices redistribute throughout. Wonderful red flesh color…you can’t get any better. I retired to my deck to enjoy the evenings great weather.

Tomorrow’s weather was going to be even better, which means I need to visit one of my favorite spots…Glen Manor Vineyards.

Coffee was made, shower was taken and it was time for some grub. But first, I had to prep this evenings steak. Espresso Powder, Ancho Chili Powder and fresh Cracked White Pepper. I coated the meat and allowed to air dry for almost 7 hrs. In the meantime time, I headed toThe Queen St. Diner, and I had to have their signature burger named after the establishment. BBQ sauce, sharp cheddar cheese and a big ole fat onion ring with a side of fresh cut fries. I’ll have the meat sweats after this day.

Temps in the mid 70s and it is a perfect day for the ’14 Morales Rosé.This wine gets better each time I open a bottle. After a few hours of healthy Vitamin D, I headed to the homestead and relax on the deck before dinner.

Once the last of the Rosé was poured, I thought I should a bottle I received as a gift a few weeks ago.

One of my redneck friends gave me a bottle of homemade wine he wanted me to try. Based on the swill I drank back in the day, I wasn’t scared to try his concoction. Rich is a crafty, resourceful redneck. If you are in search of something, he seems to know an outlet. If he can’t find it for you, he will do his best to create it.

Now, he didn’t use traditional wine grapes, they either came from a grocery store, or he was able to obtain some from a friend down the road. He makes a sweet and a dry red, the latter  has been opened and I’m allowing to breath while I finish my Rose.

The color was a nice cherry red, this reminds me of being a kid and seeing the pitcher of Kool-Aid on Mamma’s kitchen counter. It was very fruity with a touch of sweetness on the nose. Definitely a young wine with a medium body structure. A mild finish of pomegranates and a surprise of the day.

A good ole boy can make wine even in this own kitchen. I gave him my feedback and I’m looking forward to seeing what next years vintages will taste like.

Dinner was wonderful and I decided to lay low on Friday. A former coworker contacted me about joining him and his wife at the beer festival in Ashburn at Lost Rhino Brewery on Saturday.

I rolled out of bed pretty early on Saturday. Took care of my flea-bag felines then headed into Loudoun to taste at two vineyards before meeting Carl & Jackie.

It was such a gorgeous day, I decided to try and avoid Rt. 7 as much as I can. Rt. 50 across Paris Mt. and then I took the Mt. Weather road that runs along the top of the mountain. After dropping out onto the opposite side of the mountain, I took the side road through Round Hill to get me on the North end of Rt. 9 near Hillsbourough. Once on the narrow road, I drove to my first stop of the day, Cardamon Family Vineyards.

This is one of four in Loudoun Co. I haven’t visited. After today though, that number will be cut in half.

Four wines were on the tasting list and each paired with a salsa made by the winemaker.

MACHA, a pale lemon color. The nose of fresh grilled peaches. Bold flavors of honey dew with a
burst of effervescence on the palate. A touch of sweet melon and low acid on the finish. A perfect wine for a plate of cheese and a baguette.

Peter Pie, a blend of Cabernet Franc, Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon. Rich red color with a hickory smoke and leather essence on the nose. A fruit forward with a medium bodied structure. Dark red fruits and jammy flavors on the palate. Refreshing light sweet finish. Pasta, Salmon or Steak, take your pick.

I asked about my next stop, the group said in unison; “Oh Bob!”

With that comment, I knew this was going to be entertaining.

About 7 miles away was the last stop for wine today, Crushed Cellars.

A tiny tasting room, that was filled with 4 young ladies out tasting wine and heading for a day at the spa.

Bob was a trip!

He doesn’t play by the wine rules. Six wines were made available for tasting and the pours were quite generous.

Chardonnay, butter and vanilla aromas on the nose. Smooth flavors of light oak on the palate. Well balanced acids make this a superb wine.

Meritage, a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Malbec, Petit Verdot and Merlot. Aged in French oak, ruby color. Dark red fruit with a touch of smoke on the nose. Jammy flavors of currants, pomegranates, and hints of leather on the palate. Nice tannins, with a spicy white pepper finish.This is your steak wine!

It was on to meet Carl & Jackie at the brew fest. By the time we arrived some of the breweries had kicked their kegs and they were packing up and heading for home. They invited me to join them for dinner at Ford’s Seafood House. They enjoyed Oysters on the half shell and savored the fish and chips.

Tish comes home tomorrow!

I did a rough clean of the house and planned to make her some baked tofu with an apple bar b que sauce for her dinner.

I have time and decided to visit a few wineries near Warrenton area.

Magnolia Vineyards is one of the newer vineyards to the area.

Located outside of Amissville, it was time to see what they had to offer.

’13 Black Walnut White, a blend of Vidal Blanc, Tramminette, Petit Manning,Chardonnay, Viognier and Riesling. Meyer lemons on the nose. Crisp flavors of tropical fruit like pineapple dominate the palate. Refreshing flavors of orange give this wine a succulent finish. This wine would be a good choice for a warm evening on the deck.

’12 Cabernet Franc Reserve, a rich colored wine. Nose of currants and some cloves. Fruity raspberry flavors fill the palate. Earthy notes and a touch of spice on the finish. A true meat lovers wine but I wouldn’t rule out a plate of roasted mushrooms for our vegetarian friends.

It was on to the next stop and it was a surprise!

Granite Heights located in Opal has been a point of interest for me but we never had the time to stop. I’m glad I did.

’13 Petit Manseng, done in stainless this was a big flavored white. Sweet apricots on the nose. A touch of effervescent with flavors of lavender and honey on the palate. The finish was super sweet on the finish but is only 2% residual sugar.

’11 Humility, a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot. Deep ruby color, with a smoky white pepper nose. Jammy flavors of cherry with some leather on the palate. Big bold, crunchy tannins give this a spice finish. One of my favorites this year.

Bealeton was my next stop, Morais Vineyard and Winery. Huge facility and impressive tasting room.

Rose´, a light orange in color. A subtle nose of cherries and smoke on the nose make this a unique Rose´. Soft flavors of strawberries with a finish of rose petals. Another deck sitting wine.

Cabernet Franc, a light bodied red. A bold fruity nose. Sweet currants and black cherries on the palate. The finish was surprising with leather and spice. As light as this wine was it had incredible flavors. A good pizza and pasta wine.

After this weeks visits, this takes my total to 142 for the year.

Next week will have me visiting the Warrenton are one last time with a few other mixed in.

In the meantime, Tish arrived home and brought presents.

It was a good week y’all!

Beyond Frustrated

This whole searching for work and a short sickness has kept me from updating my blog. I’ve had a number of interviews and a few have ended with what I thought was a bizarre comment/question:

“Send me an email tomorrow if you are still interested.”

Okay, this is new.

It must be a new trend in the hiring process that I haven’t read about online.

As much as I scratched my head wondering what this new step meant, I did what they requested and followed up the next day.

My normal reaction to such a comment would have been; “I just drove 70 miles one way, that should be “interest” enough!” But, I have become seasoned and just do as they say.

The “I’m Sorry…” emails came with what I have heard in the past; “you are over qualified.”

This isn’t what I want to hear and I’m anxious to start making a difference for someones business.

Until then, I’m going to give you an update on the wine tour in the next few days. I can tell you this much, I have reached 160 Virginia vineyards and 1 vineyard in New Jersey.

So, I will keep applying for work and start updating you on where to go and enjoy some wine.

Maybe someone reading this will hire me as a food, beverage reviewer.

I’ll take that job please!

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!