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.

A Mini Vacation

A trip to the beach is never a bad idea. By mid-week, we were loaded and ready to head to visit Big D. in Va. Beach. The ride down to tidewater isn’t fun but, I know how we can make this trip a little more entertaining…let’s find a vineyard.
I picked two on the way down and as always Tish didn’t mind the detour.

Our first stop, Michael Shaps Wineworks.

A boutique vineyard specializing in French varietals. They now offer two tasting options. One lists all Virginia wines and the second French wines under Michaels watchful eye.

Here were my choices from both tasting lists:

Virginia side:

Mon Bidon Blanc, a white blend of Chardonnay and Vidal Blanc. Aromas of melon with a twinge of oak. A crisp, fruity tartness coats your mouth with incredible flavors. All that goodness ends with a minerality finish. The perfect wine to pair with grilled swordfish.

’12 Meritage, Bordeaux blend of Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Petit Verdot, Malbec & Cabernet Franc. Wonderful earthy nose. Big, bold red fruits with soft tannins. The finish has a touch of sweetness at the end. I enjoyed this wine so much, there is a bottle resting in my wine cooler.

From France:

’14 Bourgogne Rose de Pinot Noir, a nice Rose with a bouquet of dried herbs. Cherry flavors with a touch of effervescence on the palate. A typical dry French finish, this wine would e paired with a nice baguette and cheese. This is the perfect porch wine.

About a half a mile away is our last stop of the day, First Colony Winery.

The first thing I noticed when we walked into the tasting room, a big orange tabby lying under a chair. A vineyard with a cat, that is a good sign.

As far as what I enjoyed:

’14 Rose, a blend of Lemburger & Cabernet Franc done the traditional Bandol style. Big aromas of tropical fruit, especially lemon and lime. Crisp, tart flavors of grapefruit and tangerines fill the palate. With that much acid, the finish had a wonderful dry sweet honey finish. This would be a good wine for a carnivore. Any red meat would go well with this wine.

’13 Silver Doctor, a red blend of Petit Verdot and Cabernet Sauvignon. A big nose of blackberries and black cherries. Tobacco dominate the palate. Bold, robust flavors of plum and spicy peppers on the finish. I REALLY LIKE THIS WINE!

After arriving in Va. Beach, Big D. began laying out our itinerary. Thursday was gong to be spent visiting a number of Va. Beach’s breweries. I’m down with that.

We got on the road about 11-ish and our first stop was going to be another winery. That wasn’t part of the plan but I was able to charm the Clayton’s in stopping at my next stop on the Big K’s Va. Wine Tour, Pungo Ridge Winery.

This stop was similar to Hill Top Farm & Winery, fruit wines and mead. I’m not scared. I actually found one I really liked.

Strawberry Wine, yes I did type that. Sure, I have enjoyed my share of Strawberry Hill from the Boone’s Farm Collection but this was quite unique. It was dark amber in color, tart strawberry nose. Sweet flavors coat the mouth and ended with extreme fruitiness. Like I said, I enjoyed this bottle.

One of his Meads was made with mint and I have to say, I know a few folks in Strasburg, Va. & Williamsburg, Ky. who would enjoy this bottle.

The beer crawl of Va Beach consisted of: Home Republic, Back Bay, Young Veterans, Reaver Beach, Wasserhund & Pleasure House. I preferred Reaver, Home Republic and Pleasure House to make beer for me.

Friday came and it was time to visit one of the vineyards on the Chesapeake side of Va., Chatham Vineyards.

It was a Beautiful day to visit this part of Virginia. The plantation farm vineyard was amazing. One of the original houses on the property sat near the tasting room. Slate roof and the house was made from Cyprus wood which means it could withstand any storm.

As for the wine here…oh it’s well worth the trip!

’14 Chardonnay, done in stainless. Petrichor on the nose with a touch of minerals. The palate opens with heavy tropical fruit including crisp pineapple. A touch of tangerine which makes for a low acid finish.

’12 Merlot, dark burgundy colors. Milk chocolate notes on the nose. Dried fruit flavors filled my glass with soft tannins. A fruity yet smooth finish. Even if you’re not a fan of reds, you would drink a glass of this wine.

Before we headed back toward the tidewater area, Big D. wanted to visit Brown Dog Ice Cream Shop in Cape Charles. I had a coffee ice cream and then stopped at Kelly’s Pub to enjoy a glass of French Rose while they sampled wine at the wine shop. I then made my way down past Watson’s Hardware Store. What drew me to this place was a sign for cigars.

As I walked into the rustic building, men were walking around with cocktails in their hands. Okay, you have my attention. After making a lap around the store, I discovered the local men-folk were seated outside enjoy their adult beverages with stogies. I think I have found my location to retire!
On Saturday, we decided to have lunch in Norfolk before heading to Yorktown to meet up with Staci & K. When Big D. suggested Pasha, I asked if we could visit Mermaid Winery.

This winery has many tasting options but are they mainly using grapes from other states and countries. There were only 3 choices for Virginia, 2 whites and a fruit option.

Of the three, this was my favorite:

Siren’s White, a blend of Viognier, Petit Manseng & Roussanne. An herbaceous nose, with wet fruity flavors on the palate. A minerality finish gave this wine some balance. I would pair this with crabs or lobster.

That evening we ended up going to a street party. The girls went to listen to some Folk at a local pub, and I headed back to the street to listen to an ’80s Hair cover band, Teaze.

They performed all the staples and when they covered Cinderella and Warrant, I was a happy man!

Sunday, it was time to head back to the valley. We had a game plan but, we didn’t get on the road until late in the day. After a quick lunch, we said our good-byes and made our way home.

Of course, I had to make a stop. We had just enough time for one vineyard and I selected Gauthier Vineyards.

Gorgeous facility and the wines weren’t bad.

’14 Gazebo Blanc, a white blend of Chardonnay and Viognier. Bold aromas of apricot and melon filled the glass. Smooth oaky flavors on the mid-palate before a citrus finish. Spicy Asian & Mexican food would go very well with this wine.

’12 Chambourcin, medium bodied red. Milk chocolate and white pepper on nose. Dark cherry flavors fill your mouth that transcends to a warm spicy finish. Pasta would help balance and soften the tannins in this wine.

What a fun, 5 days!

So, lets get a total for this week. Another 6 brings me to 108 for the year. Next week, I’ll revisit 2012 as my travels take me back to the Cozet area to visit a few. At this rate, I will be close to 150 before December.

It’s going to be a fun 4 months.

Just One…But It Was FUN!

What direction should I go? I pondered early in the week. Didn’t really want to travel too far since we would be on a mini vacation next week.

Little did I know, a somewhat relaxing week would turn into a week of fun!

I went in search for tickets to see Motley Crue with Alice Cooper in Baltimore. Craigslist seemed to be a good source for us recently. After contacting the dude I met him at Hooters and I was able to score tickets for the final show in Charm City.

This would be my 10th or 11th time seeing Motley. I’m so not sure, I tend to forget.

We left early so we could enjoy some good times before the show. A little over 2 hour drive turned into a 5 hour commute. Found cheap parking and headed straight to Pratt St. Ale House. Since we are on the bay, our food would be primarily crab based. A soft pretzel with crab dip and jack cheese on top came first. Then TIsh and I split a crab and onion flatbread pizza.

After stuffing ourselves we headed to Baltimore Arena and got our Crue fix!

Another amazing show from the bad boys of Hollywood.

We ran into our friend who works at Jiffy Lube Live and she informed us that she may have tix to see Tim McGraw on Friday night if we are interested.

Hey, I’m always up for a show!

Friday rolled around and it was time to taste wine. I traveled down 340 to Stanley, Va. and stopped for lunch at the Hawksbill Diner. A small hole-in-wall diner that has some of the best home cooked meals. And most importantly, some very cheap prices. Juicy double bacon cheese burger with fries was what I ordered. Damn that was good!

About a mile away was Wisteria Farm and Vineyard. A quaint tasting room surround by spectacular views of mountains. Just remember, stay out of the hollows in that area. Guaranteed to hear banjo music.

My picks:

Ashtaroot, a blend of Seyval, Traminette and Apple Wine. Tropical fruit aromas with honey and apricots on the palate. Crisp sweet green apples on the finish make this wine a good pair for spicy Asian dishes.

Petit Verdot, Musky and earthy notes filled my glass. Dark red fruits with jammy notes in the mouth. A surprise of blackberries and vanilla on the finish. Pasta, pizza and a true sandwich wine. Not the usual big chewy tannins like other vineyards in the state but it is worthy of seeing how well it ages.

The text came through and we were headed to see Tim McGraw.

He puts on a hell of a show and Tish was quite smitten with his appearance.

With my lone visit this week my total for the year is 102.

Next week, I should add quite a few to this years tour. Just you wait and see!

A 24 oz. PBR, can’t get any more redneck than that!

2 To Go!

I wanted to do this right. Debated which winery to make number 100. I knew which one I wanted to visit but with being out of work, I really shouldn’t spend that kind of money.

Sure, I could go back down to Charlottesville and hit a few more – then, I had an epiphany. Head toward an area you haven’t visited, the Northern Neck.

I liked the idea, but I didn’t like being in Friday rush hour traffic near No.Va. Being unemployed has softened my commuting skills. That’s okay, I can deal with that.

With leaving the house at 9:30, I figured it would put me at my first stop right when they opened. Of course, anytime you go into the No.Va. area, traffic is going to be chaos.

Even in the Warrenton area, traffic was heavy. I made it to Fredericksburg and once I got on Rt. 1, north and I crept to my first stop. This one has been on my list for sometime and I finally get to visit; Potomac Point Vineyards.

My picks from this stop:

’14 Viognier, golden in color this wine has nice aromas of pineapple. Creamy and tropical fruits with a hint of honey on the palate. The low acid finish with a touch of minerality. This is a wine to be paired with spicy Asian dishes.

’14 Abbinato, a light bodied Chianti-style wine with a nice blend of fruit. A heavy nose of blackberries, cherries and a little vanilla. Soft tannins make this a refreshing balance on the palate. The surprise of spiciness on the finish make this wine a new favorite. Any Italian plate would go well with this red blend.

As I left, I made my way back down Rt. 1 and a 15 mile ride to Rt. 3 took me an hour. I was not happy.

After that painful ride I reached Rt. 3 and from that point the ride was quick and I arrived at number 100, Ingleside Vineyards. There was no ticker tape, fireworks, balloons or confetti. Just a smile on my face knowing I have reached my goal.

Only a few people were at this location. That isn’t deal breaker for me and I enjoyed these wines:

’13 PInot Grigio, golden in color. A fruity nose leads to firm crips tropical fruits on the palate. An herbaceous finish would make this wine a perfect match for shellfish. Grilled shrimp with a lime, cilantro marinade.

’13 Cabernet Franc, this ruby colored wine was wonderful. Green peppers dominate the aromas with a hints of dried herbs. Big, bold crunchy tannins and black cherries coat the mouth. A subtle touch of spice on the finish makes me want more.

At least number 100 left me with a good memory.

Just a few miles away is another I need to mark off the list, Oak Crest Vineyard.

I figured since I got to my goal before the end of the year, I might as well add to the list and see how many I can accumulate.

Here are my picks for Oak Crest:

Summer Rose´, a light pinkish colored wine made from 100% Cabernet Sauvignon. Strawberry nose with sweet cherry flavors on the palate. A dry finish, this would make the perfect deck sitting wine.

Summer Medley, a blend of Symphony grape and strawberries. A Fruity nose that transcends to sweet honey flavors on the palate. A crisp refreshing finish. Spicy foods would balance this sweet wine.

With these 3 stops, I have reached my goal and then some…101!

Let’s see how many I can visit before this year ends.

Loudoun Again!

After a week of tiding up the house and trying to clean my home office, it was that time again: “…Wine Time!”
Thank you Sambo for that quote!

Tish didn’t like the idea of leaving at 10 o’clock in the A.M. She would prefer to sleep but, I’m a firm believer in you’ll get all the sleep you need when you are dead.

So I got her up, she wasn’t happy but that changed after a few vineyards.

Our first stop was near my former employer or in that general vicinity. As most of you know, I have visited at least one new vineyard each month since Sept. ’11. And the streak continues.

Down Limestone Rd. we arrived at our first stop of the day, Winery 32.

I passed this vineyard a few months ago when I visited the cluster of vineyards in this area. However, they weren’t open that Friday so, I waited for another opportunity.

Peach trees line the road leading up to the tasting room. They better get down and start picking soon. I used to pick peaches when I was a kid. Old man Heishman was a crusty old fart and he paid me .50 cents a bushel which wasn’t much. However, it did put a little coin in my pocket…literally!

Another barn tasting room, Loudoun is known for their barn style tasting rooms. I guess they are trying to channel their inner redneck.

Oh Hell No!

Here are my picks from Winery 32:

Gloria’s Sunshine Light Peach, a blend of Peaches and Vidal Blanc. A nose of citrus almost tropical fruit filled the glass. Crisp on the palate, the Vidal Blanc helped cut down on the peach flavors. But the peaches shined on the finish as a sweetness closed this wine.

This is a sippin’ wine. For me and my classmates from the Great Class of ’83, this would make for the perfect field party wine to share with friends. No, this isn’t the type of wine that we would make a circle, take a swill from the bottle and pass it down…that’s Boones Farm. It just reminded me of cool nights, a bonfire and a little Southern Rock playing in the background. Give me a minute y’all…

…okay I’m back from the ’80s. I had visions of me with hair and sporting a mullet and a bottle of Country Quencher.

’11 Cabernet Franc, this one scared me. Knowing how horrible the growing season and harvest was for that vintage, I expected a flabby wine. I was wrong!

A full-bodied wine, the nose was predominately cigar smoke. I’m talking Dominican filler with a Connecticut broadleaf wrapper. I know too much info. A touch of leather too. Bright red fruits on the palate with just enough spice on the finish to bring out nice Tannins. A huge surprise.

Tish was partial to to Gloria Peach Dessert Wine. She grabbed a bottle to take home.

It was time to head over to the west side of Leesburg to our next stop, Casanel VIneyards.

We discovered this vineyard several years ago while we were out with Big D. and B.  On this trip we got to enjoy the new tasting room.

Beautiful building with an amazing deck. All the staff at this stop were absolutely Awesome!

As for the wines:

’12 Pinot Gris, a golden colored wine, with nice floral essence of honeysuckle. Apricots dominate the palate with a sweet acid finish. This wine would pair well with spicy shellfish. Crab cakes with an Old Bay Aioli would give this wine the right balance.

’11 Petit Verdot, a full-bodied red with a touch of green pepper on the nose. Smoky aromas on the front of the mouth that transcend to jammy plum flavors in the back of the mouth. The finish is any cigar smokers dream, a hint of white pepper and tobacco leaf. A vegetarian’s nightmare, this wine would go well with a juicy steak, a bottomless plate of ribs or even something a bit exotic like venison. I think PETA just tried to call.

We each got a glass and enjoyed the cool temperatures from their deck

Overall a good stop and if you’re in the LoCo area, stop in and taste. My next stop is just at the base of Mount Weather.

Bogeti Bodega Winery, this is probably the most convenient vineyard to all those who commute to and from the valley. Any watering hole close to your commute is a good stop. Remember my rant about The Lone Oak Tavern?

Here are my choices from BBW:

B-Thin Pinot Gris, are you noticing a trend? This light bodied wine had just a hint of honey and lime on the nose. Sweet yet crisp flavors on the palate. A tangy finish makes this wine would be perfect for an evening of baguettes and cheese with friends.

Bogeti Malbec, one of the few vineyards in the state that grows Malbec. This rudy colored wine has nice earthy aromatics with a touch of leather. Deep, dark red fruits on the palate that transition to a peppery finish. A nice wine that will get better with time.

With 3 down, it was only fitting that we make it an even 4.

Just over the mountain in Clarke County is the counties newest vineyard, 612 Vineyards.

This was part of my tour last year but I ended up just enjoying a glass of wine as they were pouring the wines from Cave Ridge Vieeyards.

After a year, they are now making their own.

Here is what I enjoyed:

Viognier, this was their barrel aged. A bit of earthiness on the nose with a bit of hay. Rich flavors of melon on the front with pineapple on the back of the palate. A crisp mouth watering finish. Another wine for the deck sitting and telling lies.

Always ‘n Forever, yeah I just sang the name of that wine. If you remember the song who was the band? A blend of Cab. Franc, Petit Verdot and Chamborcin. A medium bodied wine with intense flavors of rich dark cherries on the nose. Rich smoky flavors on the palate. Low tannins give this wine an astringent finish.

So after 4 vineyards, this brings my total to 92 for the year and I’m 8 away from 100.

This goal will be met within the next 2 weeks.

My travels over the next 2 weeks may take me to the Charlottesville area. Maybe even reaching to goal at few new ones.

The ride is coming to an end.