Walsh Family Wine

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Recently we met up with Kurt from Wine About Virginia at Walsh Family Wine. With all the changes happening at wineries during COVID-19, we wondered how Walsh Family was conducting tastings.

Like many wineries have discovered, they can continue to do tastings with modifications. Walsh Family is offering flights of wines to taste. Each flight consists of three wines you select served in little bottles. A wine glass is provided to sample each wine. I chose to taste the 2018 Chardonnay, the 2019 Rosé and the 2017 En Passant. All three were wonderful.

After our tastings we decided to enjoy a bottle of the sauvignon blanc with our lunch items. It paired nicely with our lunch. It was nice to relax, enjoy food and wine and catch up with Kurt. Because of social distancing, we were able to sit inside to avoid the heat and be comfortably away from others.

We had a chance to chat with Nate and Sarah Walsh. They are enjoying doing their “DrinkWell” virtual tastings on Facebook on Fridays at 5:00 PM. We have participated in a few of them and really enjoyed discovering new wines. You can purchase and have shipped the wines for each virtual tasting. Nate and Sarah have also begun doing corporate virtual tastings….exposing a wider audience to some fantastic wines.

They also shared with us a taste of the 2018 Petit Manning. Beautiful tropical nose with a dry finish with a pear note. It would pair nicely with scallops.

Before leaving we said our goodbyes and purchased our favorites. If you haven’t been to Walsh Family Wine in awhile, it’s time to go back. We felt very comfortable visiting Walsh Family with the COVID 19 restrictions in place. And don’t forget you can participate virtually with their Friday Drink Well virtual tastings. When you visit, tell them Virginia Wine Time sent you!

Romantic Rosé

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On a recent Saturday we met some friends at Gray Ghost Vineyards to catch up, do a tasting and enjoy some lunch.

Marketing director Amy Payette conducted our tasting. We worked through all the whites and reds but were most interested in tasting the new Romantic Rosé. This is the first time winemaker Al Kellert has produced a rosé for Gray Ghost. We learned the rosé is made from three different red grapes. It’s a secret which red grapes make up the blend though. We tasted the rosé and were instantly excited to see it is a dry rosé. We love dry rosés. We noted strawberry and raspberry notes with an overall fruity palate. We know this will pair nicely with cheeses, light fair or sandwiches for lunch.

After our tasting we decided to enjoy some rosé with our lunch items. We were socially distancing from other guests at Gray Ghost while we enjoyed our lunch. It was a warm afternoon but the rosé made it cooler. Before leaving we secured a few bottles of the rosé plus some other favorites. Plan a trip to Gray Ghost Vineyards soon to get your own bottle of the new Romantic Rosé. You’ll be glad you did. When you do visit, tell them Virginia Wine Time sent you!

Oh, check out the video that Gray Ghost posted about the new Romantic Rosé and an update on the vineyards.

Week Day Winery Visits

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During this time of COVID and busy weekends at wineries, we have decided to visit Virginia wineries during the week. We have done this a few times and found the wineries to be less crowded. A few weeks ago on a Monday we decided to visit Naked Mountain Winery and Vineyards. We hadn’t been there for a few years and it was time too see the changes and taste the current line up of wines.

Upon entering the tasting room (wearing masks of course) we noticed an addition to the tasting room. There was a new room off to the left full of tables and chairs for extra seating. There are no tastings at the bar but they do set up a tasting to do on your own. They have five small glasses with five different wines poured. You taste at your own pace. We tasted the 2017 Catamount Run White, the 2018 Barrel Fermented Chardonnay, the 2019 Naked Mountain Rosé, the 2018 Catamount Run Red and the 2018 Raptor Red.

Our favorites were the 2017 Catamount Run White with its crisp citrus notes and bright acidity and the 2019 Naked Mountain Rosé with its strawberry notes and crisp finish. We were disappointed with the 2018 reds. We found them both to be quite acidic and lacked specific flavors. We think this might have to do with the rough 2018 growing season.

At Naked Mountain there is plenty of space to spread out both indoors and out. They also have several food items for purchase and also allow visitors to bring their own food. Everyone was wearing masks and they are required when indoors.

We brought our own food and decided to try the 2017 Talon. The Talon is a blend of 40% Petit Verdot, 40% Cab Sauv and 20% Cab Franc. We noted cherry on the palate with a hint of spice. This red was also a bit acidic for our taste but it did pair with most of our lunch items.

After purchasing some of our favorites it was time to head home. Plan a trip to Naked Mountain soon….during the week! And if you do tell them Virginia Wine Time sent you!

Virginia Wine Time Begins Phase 1

/ Warren / 2 Comments

Yes, Paul and I are behind by one phase, but we are beginning to venture out. We do appreciate Nancy Bauer’s regular updates on wineries and their practices as things begin to open up a bit more. True to our last post, we have gone to wineries that offer either reservations only and/or open on weekdays. We were eager to get back on the wine trail even if on a limited basis.

Our first venture was to Linden in late May. Easy to reserve outdoor seating here, and we could not have picked a lovelier day to visit the winery. We enjoyed a bottle of the 2016 Claret with our picnic snacks included mortadella, Virginia ham, olives, and fresh berries. Our table was located in a prime spot on the crush pad, and we were entertained by barn swallows that flitted about the property. Jim Law stopped by for a chat, and he was very excited about the upcoming release of the 2018 Chardonnay Village; in fact, guests at Linden were treated to a sneak pour of this easy-sipper.

Gray Ghost Vinyeards was our destination on a weekday excursion to Amissville. We were treated to the aromas of vines in bloom, and we secured an outdoor table that allowed us to appreciate the immaculate vineyards. A tasting was available at Gray Ghost so we were able to catch up on new releases that included the crisp 2019 Seyval Blanc. Our picnic basket included smoked turkey, brie, almonds, and melon, and the wine of choice was the 2016 Chardonnay Reserve.

A trip to Breaux Vineyards last week was our final winery visit, and we reserved a table for outdoor seating on a weekday. Again—-easy process. No tastings at Breaux but a full range of wines by the bottle were available to enjoy while dining outdoors. Chèvre and manchego cheeses came along for lunch along with rosemary crackers and herbed turkey slices. Our selection of the 2019 Sauvignon Blanc Reserve done in a Fume style proved to be the perfect pairing for yet another afternoon of gorgeous weather and vineyard views. Paul was also able to catch up on collecting membership wines that included the 2015 Nebbiolo; Breaux Vineyards is well known for its success with that variety, so we look forward to appreciating this one after a rest on the wine rack.

We will probably stay in our own Phase 1 for a bit longer. However, we can attest to the caution taken by the wineries that we have visited. Wine associates wore face coverings, tables were distanced, and other customers were respectful of protocols. For those who wish to be extra cautious, wineries that are open during the weekdays might be the way to go since this is a way to avoid crowds. Whatever reopening phase in which readers find themselves, consider a visit to the wineries mentioned in this post. Please mention that Virginia Wine Time sent you!

Re-Opening Virginia – Our Plans During Phase 1

/ Warren / 6 Comments

Paul and I began this blog 15 years ago due to our desire to promote excellent wine being produced by Virginia winemakers. This has become both a hobby and a passion for both us, and we sorely miss being on the wine trails due to COVID-19 restrictions. The phase 1 of re-opening begins this weekend, and we are sure that winery owners and winemakers are relieved to see some light at the end of a bleak tunnel. Trust me, we are eager for a return to normal that includes a resumption of our local wine travels. However, we are taking a cautious stance on this matter and will be waiting a bit longer before hitting the wine trails. Here is why:

1. Health—-Paul suffered a heart attack in December and therefore belongs to a demographic that would struggle to recover from this vicious virus. He (and I, his spouse) would prefer to wait a while longer to be certain that it is indeed safe to venture out to the wineries. This leads me to reason #2:

2. Behavior of others during phase 1—-I predict that wineries will be descended upon by hoards of stir-crazy customers including “re-openers” who have been agitating for this to happen. We have seen similar scenes of crowds at beaches, restaurants, etc. in other states that have re-opened, and it was frightening to see the lack of regard for safety protocols put into place for re-opening. No face coverings + lack of social distancing=disregard for the health of others. Will a similar scenario play itself out at Virginia wineries? This leads me to reason #3:

3. Winery practices during phase 1—-We will pay attention to plans put forth by wineries to keep customers safe. Will there be enforcement of safety protocols? If so, how? Will there be a limit on crowds? Larger crowds=more touch points to maintain. Is it realistic to expect that bathrooms, for example, will be sanitized on a constant basis if unlimited numbers of customers are allowed to frequent the winery? If we decide to hit the wine trail later in phase 1, we intend to favor wineries that implement a reservations only/limited numbers approach, because that seems to be most realistic way of maintaining control over all factors mentioned here.

In the meantime, we will continue to order wine from Virginia wineries, participate in virtual wine tastings (we have learned so much from these), and pour Virginia wine at our virtual happy hours. To those who intend to venture out this weekend, please abide by safety practices put into place by the wineries so that they can indeed continue to carefully re-open. Of course, do enjoy yourselves, and let us know of a new release that you savored. Did you visit a winery that you read about on this blog? If so, please mention to your server that Virginia Wine Time sent you!

COVID and Impacts on Local Wineries

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The current COVID pandemic has impacted all of us in so many ways. One impact is the ability to visit and enjoy local wineries. Stay at home orders must be taken seriously, and local wineries have adjusted accordingly. Needless to say, this will have significant consequences for local wineries—-much of their products are sold directly from the winery. Of course, most wineries offer wine-related events such as vertical tastings, wine dinners, etc., and these have all been postponed or cancelled due to COVID. However, there are certain steps that readers can undertake to be certain that the wine keeps flowing from local wineries. Here are a few suggestions:

1. Visit winery websites or call wineries to order your favorite Virginia wines. Some may be waiving shipping fees during the current health crisis. Others may be offering specials on packs of certain wines. Keswick Vineyards, for example, offers three-packs of selected white wines, red wines, etc.

2. Find out when your favorite wineries are hosting virtual tastings and participate in them. Tailor these to coincide with wines that you have purchased online.

3. Host or attend a virtual happy hour and pour Virginia wine.

4. Find out if your favorite wineries are offering gift cards during the current crisis.

5. Purchase local wines from your neighborhood wine shop. If it does not offer local wines as a selection, now might be a good time to suggest to the proprietor that he/she does so.

6. Give shout outs to local wineries on social media when you are enjoying their wines.

Please feel free to add to the list! We are all anxious for the COVID crisis to be over; in the meantime, let’s all do what we must to stay healthy. Until we can all meet again at a favorite winery, consider the options listed above to support the local wine industry. Cheers from Virginia Wine Time!

Quality Prevails at Capstone

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Capstone Vineyards is indeed a rare gem in the ever-growing Virginia wine industry. This small operation requires an appointment for tasting in its small but quaint tasting room. Owners Dave and Andrea Adams comprise both the vineyard management team and the tasting room staff. The tasting menu offers four high-quality wines for a seated tasting; however, the ability to taste these wines may be for a limited time only—-only grapes from the 2015-2016 growing season were bottled. Rare indeed!

The Adams duo caught the wine bug while visiting California wine country in Sonoma; however, they decided to realize their dream in Virginia. They planted a 13 acre vineyard in Linden (yes, near that Linden) and varieties include the Bordeaux grapes minus malbec, muscat, sauvignon blanc, Chenin blanc, and chardonnay. The vineyard benefits from a south-facing slope and a 1300 foot elevation, and soil composition includes clay, sandy loam, and gravel. Capstone’s first harvest occurred in 2015 with Virginia wine guru Jim Law in charge of a custom crush of their grapes. Law also crafted the wines that comprised the 2015 as well as the 2016 releases.

And the wines? With quality vineyard planning and management coupled with expert wine making, what could go wrong? The crisp 2016 Chardonnay presented notes of lemon/lime and pear and a zesty finish. Chablis lovers should enjoy this one especially when paired with oysters or other shell fish. The 2015 Merlot demonstrated the grape’s potential in Virginia—-aged in neutral oak, its juicy entry led to flavors of blackberry and cherry; a note of anise provided an extra nuance. Tasters in the group suggested this one as an everyday wine to serve with light fare; however, I might enjoy with lean beef too.

The complexity factor increased with the structured 2016 Vintner’s Blend, a mix of cabernet franc, cabernet sauvignon, and petit verdot. Notes of smoke and cedar gave way to blackberry and black currant flavors. Nice acidity suggested that this one could hang out on the rack for a couple of years. Lamb chops came to mind as I sipped and savored. Our tasting finished with the 2016 Fielder’s Choice which includes merlot, cabernet franc, and cabernet sauvignon. Dark fruit prevailed on both the nose and palate, and I did catch a whiff of tobacco too. This is a fuller-bodied wine that should partner well with heavier beef, chops, roasts, etc.

So why make an appointment now? Dave and Andrea Adams’ vision may not include a long-term commitment to the retail end of the industry. In fact, they sold their grapes from the 2017 through the 2019 harvests. Vineyard management and the ability to enjoy their lovely mountain landscape drives their passion. Tasting room management and all that it entails? Maybe not. Therefore, they are using the limited ability to taste wine by appointment and perhaps even an odd weekend that is open to the public as a testing time to determine if that is a direction to pursue. We hope that they do! These wines definitely meet the standard for excellence. Please make your appointment to Capstone Vineyards as soon as possible, and mention that Virginia Wine Time sent you!

2020 Governor’s Cup

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Virginia’s 868 Estate Vineyards Earns 2020 Governor’s Cup® with 2017 Vidal Blanc Passito

Top-ranked dessert wine joins 11 other gold medal-winning wines in the 2020 Governor’s Cup Case®

RICHMOND—Governor Ralph Northam tonight awarded the Virginia Wineries Association’s 2020 Governor’s Cup® to 868 Estate Vineyards for their 2017 Vidal Blanc Passito. The winning wine was unveiled at the annual Governor’s Cup Celebration, which took place Tuesday evening at the Main Street Station in Richmond.

All wines in the Governor’s Cup competition must be made from 100 percent Virginia fruit, but the 868 Vidal ‘Passito’ represents the first winner made entirely from Loudoun County fruit. Produced by the Italian ‘appassimento’ technique of partially drying grapes to concentrate flavor, the winemaker halts the fermentation early to retain the natural grape sugar in the final product.

“I am thrilled to award the Governor’s Cup to Carl DiManno and congratulate the whole team at 868 Estate Vineyards on their sweet finish,” said Governor Northam. “The Vidal Blanc Passito embodies both the experimentation and artistry that has made Virginia the leading East Coast destination for wine. This year’s Governor’s Cup case is a strong reflection of our world-class wine industry and the distinctive wines being produced in our Commonwealth.”

Alongside 868 Estate Vineyards 2017 Vidal Blanc Passito, the 11 wines included in the 2020 Governor’s Cup Case are:

Afton Mountain Vineyards Tradition (2017)
Barboursville Vineyards Octagon (2014)
Barboursville Vineyards Vermentino Reserve (2018)
Delaplane Cellars Williams Gap (2017)
Lake Anna Winery Tannat (2017)
Michael Shaps Wineworks Meritage (2016)
Pippin Hill Vineyards Petit Verdot (2017)
Pollak Vineyards Cabernet Franc Reserve (2017)
Pollak Vineyards Smuggler (2017)
Rockbridge Vineyard Vd’Or (2017)
Shenandoah Vineyards Shenandoah Reserve Red (2017)

“I am pleased to see a team like that of 868 Estate Vineyards win with a hybrid grape—a rarity for the competition,” said Secretary of Agriculture and Forestry Bettina Ring. “With two dessert wines in the Governor’s Cup case alongside creative blends with grapes such as Tannat, it is clear that 2020 is another unique year for Virginia wine.”

More than 530 Virginia wines were submitted into this year’s Governor’s Cup competition. A panel of 19 judges, directed by Jay Youmans one of only 51 Masters of Wine (MW) in the United States, sampled the wines over a four-week period and awarded gold medals to those scoring 90 points or higher.

Within the case, there is wide representation from most regions of Virginia, most notably Central Virginia, with eight wines included. Northern Virginia and the Shenandoah Valley are also represented with two wines each. The broad geographical diversity highlights Virginia winemakers’ ability to listen to their land and navigate the Commonwealth’s varied landscape and conditions.

At Tuesday’s celebration, the Virginia Wineries Association also announced its Industry Awards, which are presented to industry members who show excellence in their craft and act as advocates for Virginia Wine. This year’s winners are:

Virginia Wine Person of the Year: Justin Rose of Rosemont Winery, who helped establish and currently runs the 27-acre vineyard and its 6,000 annual case production

David King Advocate of the Year: George Hodson, CEO of Veritas Vineyards and Winery, president and principal of Flying Fox Vineyards, and president of the Monticello Wine Trail

Gordon Murchie Lifetime Achievement Award: Randy Phillips, general manager of Cave Ridge Vineyard and Winery in the Shenandoah Valley

Now in its 38th year, the Governor’s Cup competition is a result of a partnership among the Virginia Wine Board, the Virginia Vineyards Association, and the Virginia Wineries Association, which owns and manages the competition. Ciders and fruit wines have their own category and medalists.

According to the Virginia Tourism Corporation, more than 2.2 million tourists visited Virginia wineries in 2015. Today, the Virginia wine industry generates $1.37 billion in economic impact and 8,218 jobs for the Commonwealth. Nationwide, Virginia is in the top six states in number of wineries and wine grape production.

A complete list of previous Governor’s Cup winners and information about the Virginia wine industry is available here.

All the information in this post is provided by a press release from the Virginia Wine Board Marketing Office.

Gold Medal Winners

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The Gold Medal winners in the Virginia Wineries Association Governor’s Cup Wine Competition have been announced. 64 different wines from 40 different wineries were awarded gold medals. 19 world-class judges tasted over 530 wines to select the best. Next week the Governor’s Cup winner will be announced at a special event held in Richmond. Congratulations to all the gold medal winners!

 

 

868 Estate Vineyards – Vidal Blanc 2017
Afton Mountain Vineyards – Tradition 2017
Barboursville Vineyards – Octagon 2014
Barboursville Vineyards – Vermentino Reserve 2018
Barboursville Vineyards – Octagon 2017
Bluestone Vineyard – Blue Ice 2015
Breaux Vineyards – Nebbiolo 2015
Breaux Vineyards – Merlot 2016
Cardinal Point Winery – Clay Hill Cabernet Franc 2017
Chester Gap Cellars – Cabernet Franc 2017
Chisholm Vineyards – Cabernet Sauvignon 2016
Chestnut Oak Vineyard – Chestnut One 2017
CrossKeys Vineyards – Ali d’Oro 2016
Cunningham Creek Winery – Herd Dog Red 2017
Delaplane Cellars – Williams Gap 2017
Delaplane Cellars – Rusticity 2017
DuCard Vineyards – Petit Verdot 2017
DuCard Vineyards – C’est Trop 2017
Early Mountain – Petit Manseng 2018
Early Mountain – Shenandoah Springs Cabernet Franc 2017
Fifty-Third Winery and Vineyard – Viognier, Monticello AVA 2018
Glen Manor Vineyards – Hodder Hill 2015
Greenhill Vineyards – Mythology 2016
Hamlet Vineyards – Eltham 2017
Hark Vineyards – Merlot 2017
Honah Lee Vineyard – Petit Manseng 2017
Jefferson Vineyards – Meritage 2017
Jefferson Vineyards – Jefferson’s Own Estate Reserve Red Wine 2017
Keswick Vineyards – Les Vents d’Anges 2018
Keswick Vineyards – Cabernet Sauvignon Estate Reserve 2016
King Family Vineyards – Loreley 2017
King Family Vineyards – Mountain Plains Red 2017
Lake Anna Winery – Tannat 2017
Lake Anna Winery – Chardonnay 2018
Lake Anna Winery – Petit Verdot 2017
Lost Creek Winery – Cabernet Franc 2017
Michael Shaps – Meritage 2016
Michael Shaps – L. Scott 2017
Michael Shaps – Petit Verdot 2017
Michael Shaps – Cabernet Franc 2017
Michael Shaps – Raisin d’Etre Blanc 2016
Michael Shaps – Meritage 2017
Michael Shaps – Petit Manseng 2018
Muse Vineyards – Cabernet Franc 2015
Narmada Winery – Chardonel Reserve 2017
Paradise Springs Winery – The Moment 2016
Pippin Hill Farm & Vineyards – Petit Verdot 2017
Pippin Hill Farm & Vineyards – Wild Common Reserve 2017
Pippin Hill Farm & Vineyards – Easton Blue 2016
Pollak Vineyards – Cabernet Franc Reserve 2017
Pollak Vineyards – Smuggler 2017
Pollak Vineyards – Cabernet Franc 2017
Pollak Vineyards – Cabernet Sauvignon 2017
Pollak Vineyards – Meritage 2017
Potomac Point winery – Petit Verdot 2017
Rockbridge Vineyard – V d’Or 2017
Rosemont Vineyards – Cabernet Franc 2017
Shenandoah Vineyards – Shenandoah Reserve Red 2017
Sunset Hills Vineyard – Mosaic 2017
The Barns at Hamilton Station Vineyards – Meritage 2017
Trump Winery – Blanc de Blanc 2014
Trump Winery – Cabernet Sauvignon 2017
Winery 32 – Thoroughbred Blend 2016
Zephaniah Farm Vineyard – Friendship 2017

This information was provided to us by the Virginia Wine Board Marketing Office.