No Buses, No Limos, No Groups…

A good friend was trying to give me some ideas a few months back to make some money during my unemployment. She came up with a stellar idea but it would require a lot of weekends and I would have to buy a large vehicle. Doing wine & beer tours in Northern Virginia.

I liked the idea but I would have to limit how many folks I could haul around. As I kicked this around in my head, I remembered that sign at an area vineyard and I knew I couldn’t go through with this.

“No Buses, No Limos, No Groups Larger Than Six!”

Large groups partying on decks at local vineyards isn’t uncommon but it is frown upon at certain facilities. I don’t have a problem with groups enjoying themselves but when they start getting to rambunctious hoopin’ and hollerin’ then I can understand an owner getting a little nervous.

Some winemakers encourage the practice of the party crowds. But a serious winemaker who makes quality wine doesn’t want their site turning into a happy hour vineyard.

We have had good times at many vineyards laughing and carrying on. But some of the old school vintners don’t see the the humor of those having a large time. The patrons are a liability on site and the last thing anyone wants is to be asked to leave the premises.

Then there are those who want to break all the rules. These are the ones who probably have had too much vino to begin with and pop a top on cold one in the vineyards parking lot. I’ve seen ‘em do it!

Some think that the glasses are included in the tasting and they add to their collections – some high dollar stemware. You might ask before you toss the glass in your wives pocketbook.

Then of course, you have those who would take anything they can get their grubby little paws on. A vase and dried flowers were reported missing at a vineyard in my next of the woods recently. Really, dried flowers?

I’m guessing most of those with the sticky fingers are the same ones who have been called down and were asked to keep the noise at a certain level. They also probably didn’t see the sign of the limit to 6 people. Rookies!

Now I understand why Jim Law started his Case Club and only limits his deck to those who are members. I’ve heard the stories of large crowds on his deck back in the day. You will not see that again. Good for him.

As for the buses & limos. When I visited the 164 last year, I only encountered 3 limos and they were all filled with drunk chicks. The 12 girls from Georgetown who were letting off steam after finals. Another group of girls who were just getting their drink on & getting bat crap crazy. And of course, there was the bachelorette party of 12 in the Charlottesville area. They were drunker than 10 monkeys at 11a.m. Really?

Not all groups are going to act the fool but the majority do and I can see why some ban the large vehicles.

Go and have a good time, just don’t act like it’s a frat party. Your college party days are over and the cheap kegs are empty. You have come to a vineyard to refine your palate and add a little class to your repertoire.

Now, I know some of you would say to me:

“Hey, you wear ripped jeans, a cowboy hat and old concert shirts to vineyard!”

Yeah, I do! But…

I’m a good ole country boy and can pull that look off, you can’t!

Cheers Y’all! The snow is coming so be sure you have all the essentials. Food, Water, Beer, Wine and more Wine!

Next To Last Trip…

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

 

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

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

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

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

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

He was pouring two wines.

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

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

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

This was quite entertaining.

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

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

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

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

One Vineyard & The Diesel

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

I’m Done in Loudoun

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Did I mention the wines are in three liter bags?

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

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

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

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

Amherst, Scottsville & Barboursville

I battled sinuses for a week.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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.

6!

92…I’m so close to 100 I can almost taste it.Charlottesville was just beckoning me to visit again.
Thursday seemed to be the best day to head south. The weather was absolutely gorgeous. Trying to drive that way via the interstate was a joke. I ended up dropping off of I-81 in New Market and made my way toward Nelson County on Rt 340.

The drive was so nice I was wishing I had someone chauffeuring me to my destination. This way I could have enjoyed an afternoon buzz on a country road. Stop at a local convenient store and get an ice cold bottle of Boones Farm to sip on my way down the road. However, I just trudged through the area to my first stop of the day.

I kept debating whether to stop here now or later. Screw It, now is the time!

Jefferson Vineyards was my first stop of the day.

When folks ask me to pick my top vineyards in Virginia. This one ALWAYS makes my list and here is why:

’14 Viognier, a refreshing wine that has a wonderful fruity nose. Peaches and melon permeate my glass. Light sweet apricots on the palate that surprisingly transitions to heavy citrus finish of lemon zest. I have not been a big fan of Virginia Viognier until now. Even my redneck friends from the Class of ’83 would drink this wine. Okay maybe not.

’13 Petit Verdot, deep, dark burgundy colored wine. This full bodied wine, as you know, is one of my favorite varietals. A bouquet of smoke, leather and a touch of earth. Jammy fruits on the palate that turn to some of the heaviest tannins I’ve experienced this year. I! Love! This! Wine!

Just to the south, are 3 so close to each other that it’s insane.

Blenheim Vineyards, in December of ’13, Tish and I stopped and tasted here. If you are a true music fan, you know that this vineyard is owned by Dave Matthews. Anytime I think of him, his song: Jimi Thing always pops into my head. A nearly empty tasting room has the fat man very happy. They only had one white wine on the tasting sheet and I would rather talk about the reds.

’13 Grenache, a nice medium bodied wine. It’s actually a blend of Grenache, Syrah & Mouvedre so technically it is a GSM. Dark red fruits on the nose, A smooth pepperiness on the palate. The finish was of pomegranate with just a touch of tannins. This is your pizza wine.

’13 Cab. Franc, a rich colored wine. Aromas of green pepper on the nose. Plums, currants and dark cherry on the palate. A finish of white pepper shows this wine could give some of the big boys in this state a run for their money.

Hell, I could have walked to the next vineyard on my list. But, it wouldn’t be safe & I’m too fat to do so.

Trump Vineyards, this used to be Kluge Estate Vineyards until the Donald bought it a few years ago.

We haven’t been here since ’13 and their tastings have changed. Before, they offered 3 options: Bubbly, Whites or Reds.

Now, it is a straight shot from Bub to Reds. A long list and I was able to find a few to enjoy.

’09 Sparkling Blanc de Blanc, a Champaign style made from Chardonnay. A bright color with nice fruits of apple and pear on the nose. Wonderful effervescence on the palate with a crisp citrus finish.

This may sound crazy but a friend told me to try this and it is amazing. Potato chips would pair nicely with this wine. Yes, I said potato chips.

’12 New World Reserve, a medium bodied blend of Merlot, Cab. Fanc, Cab Sauv. & Petit Verdot. Complex aromas of peppers will the glass. Dark red fruits were noticeable on the palate. Nice tannins that gave way to a soft spicy finish. A nice surprise!

My next stop has me a little nervous. When I heard Gabriele Rousse had finally opened his tasting room, I was very excited to meet one of Virginia’s original wine innovators.

It was, just a lone “Tasting Room” sign hung on a crane boom and I drove right past it.

Cool building situated in the woods. A nice crowd of 6 were there as well as the man himself.

As for the wines:

’13 Chardonnay Reserve, golden in color. Buttery aromas were heavy on the nose. Vanilla and oak were dominate on the palate. An apricot flavor on the end, this was one of my favorites of the day.

’12 Nebbiolo Reserve, a light bodied wine, a nose of leather with a touch of dry herbs. Jammy notes of dark red fruits on the palate. The finish, WOW, big bold, heavy, chewy tannins. I would like to see this paired with a wild mushroom lasagna with a rich savory gravy. The tomato sauce would help balance the tannins on the finish.

Here is a pic with the man I like to refer to as one of Virginia’s Godfathers of Wine:

And it was time to visit my last stop of the day. I headed toward Crozet, Va. to visit King Family Vineyards.

I always looked forward to their reds but, it was their Rose´ that shined.

’14 Crose´ a blend of Merlot and Cab Sauv. this Rose´ has aromas of cherry and strawberry on the nose. A citrus presence on the palate with fresh acidity. A crisp balanced finish, makes this wine another favorite of the day.

’14 Cab. Franc, a nice nose of red fruit, with subtle flavors of pepper on the palate. An oaky yet minerality finish. This wine will shine in a few years. This would be your pizza wine.

After marking 5 off the list, it brings me to 97 for year, but I’m not done yet!

With Tish having to work on Sunday, I decided to visit the newest vineyard in the Shenandoah Valley, James Charles Winery.

Close to Winchester, Va. this is another creation from the owners of Veramar Vineyards.

A nice crowd had gathered to taste on this hot humid day.

My picks from J. C. Winery:

Riesling, this is not your typical varietal. Honeysuckle and apricots on the nose. Tart, citrus with a slight effervescence on the palate. The dry grapefruit finish made me want a glass but I refrained for the moment.

Petit Verdot, now you see why I waited. Leathery and just a touch of cigar smoke. Jammy flavors of blackberry and currants filled my mouth. The finish was a bit toasty with firm tannins. Here is the meat wine! A nice prime rib with roasted veggies would really go well with this bottle.

I debated what glass to enjoy and I opted for the Petit Verdot.

So with the extra bonus, I’m now at 98 for the year.

Next Friday, I will hit the mark and maybe more!

The Perfect Day For Wine

With company coming on Friday, I had to seek out a few wineries open during the week. This task wasn’t a hard one. Just under 70 miles south of Strasburg, I found a few to visit.

The humidity had lifted and the temps were in the low 80s. It was nice enough to ride with the windows down!

Music turned up and I made my way to the Fishersville area to my first stop of the day, Barren Ridge Vineyards.

Lush vines at Barren Ridge Vineyards.

It had only been a years since my first visit and what I remembered the wines weren’t bad.

’13 Vidal Blanc, this white seems to be popping up on a lot of Virginia’s tasting rooms. Wonderful aromas of melon and grapefruit on the nose. White peaches and lime dance on the palate with a minerality and low acid on the finish. This is the perfect wine for Sushi, forget about the Saki, this is would be my beverage of choice.

’13 Tramminette, this wine has a distinct floral nose of rose pedals. A complex palate of tropical fruits makes you wish you were at the beach. The high acid give this wine a delightful tart finish. Pork or Beef BBQ would go well with this gem.

Onward we go to the reds!

’12 Merlot, a soft, dry red that has a nice garnet color. Dark red fruit on the nose this wine is fruit forward on the palate. Heavy complex tannins give this wine a nice finish.
’10 Meritage, a rich burgundy colored wine. Aromas of smoke, pencil lead and leather fill the glass. Rich concentration of dark red fruits and coffee notes on the palate. Smooth tannins and white pepper give this wine an incredible finish. This is your everyday wine. It would pair well with any cuisine.
I’m trying to avoid I-81 as much as I can. But no one can give me any alternative routes so back to the asphalt hell I go.

The next stop was just outside of Harrisonburg, CrossKeys Vineyards. This place was booming on a Wednesday afternoon. Since it is so close to the interstate they get a lot of foot traffic.

As for the wine…

’14 Joy White, made from 100% Vidal Blanc with 2% residual sugar. Peaches and pears on the nose. Melons on the palate, a slight sweetness on the finish. The low acids in this white would pair well with spicy Asian dishes.

’13 Merlot, heavy green pepper on the nose. A very fruit forward wine with currants on the palate. Low tannins gives this wine a smooth finish. Rich pasta dishes will help balance this wine.

Not a bad stop but I felt like I was rushed through the tasting.

On to my last stop near the Bridgewater area, Bluestone Vineyards.

Gorgeous View.

I visited last June and remembered I enjoyed their Petit Verdot.

After trying to find their tasting room (they moved up on the hill) I got to enjoy these wines:

’14 Estate Grown Vidal Blanc, a bright white with a earthy nose. Tart melon with dried herb flavors on the palate with a citrus finish. This wine would be good with curried dishes with succulent warm spices.

’14 Viognier, Virginia’s signature white grape spent half the time fermenting in barrels and the other half in stainless. A floral nose of melon that has a transcending citrus flavors on the palate.The low acid finish give a subtle mellow finish. This wine doesn’t need any food pairing it stands on its own.

Let’s go on to the reds…

’13 Quartz Hill Red, named after all the quartz found on the property. A blend of Chamborcin and Cab. Franc, has bright red fruit and a earthy nose. Jammy with a touch of leather on the palate. Dark oaky notes on the finish, this wine would be the steak wine or even roasted portabella’s.

’11 Petit Verdot, this ruby colored wine has improved since I last tasted. Aromas of plum filled my glass. Cedar and black fruits on the front with white pepper on the finish. This was my pick to enjoy on their deck.

With these 3 marked off the list, this brings my total to 84 with just 16 to go.

It’s coming to an end but I may visit more.

Cheers Y’all!

Oops! I forgot!

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

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

Book!

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Stop by for a visit.

These wines stood out:

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

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

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

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

I like this wine too!

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Oh well, this visit wasn’t a repeat.

My favorites were:

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

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

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

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

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

Gorgeous facility and the wines weren’t bad either.

My flight at Early Mountain

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

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

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

I’m almost done y’all!

Just One

Looking for work is a bit tedious but it has to be done. I flip through the pages of jobs and select a few to apply and toss the dice. No sooner than the one email was sent, I got a call wanting to schedule an interview. Wow…that was quick.
I made my way to Capital Hill for my interview and I have to say all things went well. There was just one thing I wasn’t looking forward too, my commute home. I would get back to my car right at evening rush hour and I began to think of things to do. Sure I could have met some friends for an adult beverage or 12. Even go walk around the Galleria in Tysons. Instead, I got on Rt. 29 and made my way back to the valley when I remembered that there is a vineyard open 7 days a week not too far from my location
Clifton is a quaint little town that has some really cool shops and eateries. Just on the outskirts is one of Virginia’s newer vineyards and closest winery to the nations capital – Paradise Springs Winery.
Located on a narrow road with McMansions, this is a very unique stop. Beautiful tasting room is filled to the gills on the weekend which means, if you really want to visit I would recommend Thursday or Friday afternoon as a good time to sit relax and enjoy wine.
My first visit was last August and I really enjoyed the reds they were pouring. Especially the Petit Verdot!

Very nice tasting room

On this day, I enjoyed 2 whites along with 2 reds.

’13 Viognier, aged in stainless steel, this wines aromas were of citrus especially kiwi & pineapple. Apples dominated the palate and finish that was very fruity. All these tropical flavors have me craving shrimp macerating in Sriracha and a side of Kimchi.
’14 Sommet Blanc, another stainless aged wine with tropical fruits of mango and pineapple aromas filling the glass. Soft and delicate in the mouth that has a finish of melon. This is a delicate wine that should be paired with spinach, ricotta ravioli in a creamy Alfredo sauce. This dish will soften the fruitiness of this wine.
’13 Cab Franc, aged in French & American oak, the wine has a dark red fruit nose. Fruit forward with cherry on the palate that ends with a peppery subtle spicy finish. These flavors would pair well with wild game like venison.
’12 Meritage, a blend of five Bordeaux varietals in French and American oak, this full-bodied red has a nose of white pepper. A complex, balance of tannins and raspberry and cherry on the palate. A surprise of vanilla with a soft smoky finish makes this wine my favorite of the day. This is a carnivores wine. I would like to try pasta with it but, I feel this wine would overpower the dish. Burger or even pub food. If I didn’t need to get back to the hills, I would have enjoyed a glass on their deck.
I can see why No. Virginian’s flock to this stop.

With only one this week, my total didn’t climb very high. 72 down with 28 to go.
A trip planned this week to Nelson County has me planning on visiting a few that will be new to me.
Bottom’s up Y’all!

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