Author: Warren

Cool Jazz at Chrysalis

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We always make a point to attend Chrysalis’ springtime music event, and this year’s concert featured cool jazz. Saturday also offered a respite from the rainy weather, and it was just a gorgeous day to enjoy music and wine. We also got to catch up with Jenni McCloud who allowed us a sneak preview of her upcoming 2007 releases.

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Before settling down to lunch and jazz, we did opt to do a tasting at the outdoor tasting bars. Nine wines were offered for tasting, and we started with the whites. Of course, gold stars were brought along, and by the time we were done, we had gold stars all over the place. My own favorite of the white wines was the full-bodied 2006 Viognier with its seductive floral nose. Paul, however, enjoyed the clean, crisp 2006 Chardonnay. Of the reds, the 2003 Norton Locksley Reserve still tops the list and gets better every time I taste it—big dried fruit notes and flavors finish with a bit of pepper. Paul preferred the 2004 Norton Estate Bottled, and he noted cherries in the mouth with a smoother finish. For an every day red, we both enjoyed the 2004 Rubiana with its blackberry, smoky, and spice characteristics. For summer options, consider the 2006 Mariposa which the tasting sheet compared to a Spanish style Clarete. Some might call it a rose-style, but it is actually a blend of red and white varietals. Serve chilled, of course, Mariposa’s strawberry nose and flavors might be perfect for a summer picnic.

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With our tasting done, it was time for lunch, and we headed to the food tent to purchase lunch. Actually, this was a fairly large tent, and several vendors were on hand to offer locally produced artisanal products. I was particularly intrigued with Wanders Artisan Chocolaterie. Melanie and Wilhelm Wanders guided us through a sampling of their hand-crafted chocolates which they also paired with Chrysalis wines. In addition, they also make jelly candies produced from Virginia wines! The chocolates were divine, and I particularly enjoyed the espresso chocolates paired with Chrysalis’ Petit Verdot. However, we were mindful not to spoil lunch with desserts, and we both ordered chicken sandwiches. Wine? The 2006 Viognier—because it was my absolute favorite of the day!

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So we munched and sipped away on a glorious afternoon while being serenaded with various jazz acts. The bands were outstanding, and we enjoyed classics by Dave Brubeck and John Coltrane. In fact, we finished our 2006 Viognier while lounging on Adirondack chairs beneath a large tree, its limber branches swaying to jazz beats. As we were headed back to the tasting room to purchase some wines, we ran into Jenni McCloud. Jenni offered to update us on the latest happenings, and before long Jenni had us swirling and sipping previews of the upcoming 2007 vintages.

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Curtis Vincent, winemaker.

I’ve described Jenni as a visionary more than once, and we were excited to hear of plans for a restaurant and cheese bar on the Chrysalis property. Of course, her mission is Norton, and Jenni played for us a clip of an interview she did about Norton for NPR. We were also treated to a visit to the barrel room where we got to meet new winemaker, Curtis Vincent from California. It was with Curtis that Jenni guided us though a sampling of the 2007 whites. These are going to be blockbuster wines—the 2007 Viognier and the 2007 Albarino were particularly outstanding. The 2007 Viognier is truly reminiscent of a full-bodied Condrieu Viognier. Jenni proclaimed the 2007 Albarino to be the best Albarino in the country, and it was hard to disagree with her—clean, crisp and flinty with citrus flavors and nice acidity. I thought of crab cakes as the perfect pairing with this one. Paul favored the vibrant 2007 Sarah’s Patio Red made with Norton; Paul likes Sarah’s Patio Red with pizza. Not to be outdone was the 2005 Papillion. Big and bold with upfront dried fruit and spicy flavors, the 2005 Papillion is destined to join the 2003 Norton Locksley Reserve as a must-have from Chrysalis Vineyards.


So did we mention that we also met new chickens and cows? As part of Jenni’s vision to offer estate-grown eggs and dairy, her family of chickens and cows has grown since our last visit to Chrysalis; in fact, free-range eggs from her hens were available for purchase at the jazz event as well as her finishing oils produced from Norton seeds.



We always look forward to meeting up with Jenni McCloud—-I always wonder where she gets all of her energy. We know we’ll be visiting Chrysalis again very soon, but in the meantime, do visit Chrysalis and mention to Jenni McCloud that Virginia Wine Time sent you.

Pre Opening Party at Barrel Oak

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Purchasing Xanax On Saturday we went to Barrel Oak for a special pre-opening party. We last visited Barrel Oak at the beginning of April. The tasting room was close to completion. When we arrived on Saturday the tasting room was much farther along and only has a few more items to complete. Brian and Sharon plan to have it ready by the official opening day on May 23rd.

We toured around the tasting room facility and marveled at the changes that had taken place since our last visit. Here are a few pictures from the tasting room.

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We were very pleased to see an old friend working the tasting bar. Rick Tagg has joined the team at Barrel Oak as the assistant winemaker. At the tasting bar we were able to taste the Bowhaus Red and the Bowhaus White. We tasted the Bowhaus Red during our last visit and thoroughly enjoyed it but the Bowhaus White was new to us. It’s an 80/20 % blend of vidal blanc and sauvignon blanc. This one got Paul’s gold star.


While we were enjoying a glass of wine, we ran into another old friend, Ellen Crosby. You might know her from her books The Merlot Murders and The Chardonnay Charade. Her next book, The Bordeaux Betrayal, will be released on August 5th. Here’s a picture of Ellen Crosby with Rick Tagg.

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We enjoyed our time at the Barrel Oak pre-opening party. Brian and Sharon have created a wonderful experience with their wines and their tasting room. We look forward to visiting them many times in the future. If you find yourself at Barrel Oak on Memorial Day weekend or anytime in the future, be sure to tell them Virginia Wine Time sent you.

Village Winery

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https://www.completerehabsolutions.com/blog/4efx0aufhy It’s always a pleasure to visit Kent Marrs at Village Winery. We’ve been following Kent’s progress as a winemaker since Village opened, and we recently paid a visit to Village Winery to sample the newest releases. Of course, we also got to chat with Kent about the 2007 vintages, the upcoming 2008 harvest, and other new developments.


Kent graciously greeted us as we entered the tasting room, and before long we were tasting away. In fact, Kent treated us to a barrel tasting of his ‘07 releases, and this included the 2007 Merlot. Needless to say, Paul’s taste buds were anxious to sample this one; in fact, he wrote the notes for 2007 Merlot. “Amazing” was the adjective that he jotted down, and other descriptors included “lush” and “intense”. Paul noted big cherry notes and flavors with some mocha to boot. It earned his gold star for favorite red wine! My own favorite was the sneak sample of the 2007 Petit Verdot. This will be a second bottling of Petit Verdot for Village Winery, and the result is exemplary. A dense, inky color suggests a bolder-bodied wine. I also noted dark berry/currant and leather aromas that suggested a nice cigar wine. Blackberry and spice were characteristics observed in the mouth with a lengthier finish. This one is destined to age well and should be considered for robust meat dishes—leg of lamb came to mind. Not to be outdone was the 2007 Viognier. We were treated to a sneak preview of this upcoming release, and it should be quite the crowd pleaser for summer.

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Kent also guided us through the regular bar tasting. Topping Paul’s list of favorites was the 2006 Merlot (or course). Paul appreciated the mixed berry flavors and smoother finish of this merlot, and decided that two bottles of this one needed a new home. My own personal fave was the 2006 Petit Verdot. The 2006 offering shares characteristics similar to its younger sibling, the 2007 vintage; however, the 2007 promises to be bolder and more complex with a notable spiciness reminiscent of a Rhone-style wine. I did indeed make room on the wine rack for a bottle of the 2006 Petit Verdot as well as the cabernet franc-based Rose which also earned a gold-star.

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As we sipped away at the tasting bar, Kent also filled us in on new products which he developed with elderberries. Village Winery is known for its Elderberry wine, and Kent is now offering an elderberry syrup. Known for its health benefits, elderberry is also packed with flavor. The elderberry syrup could be used for breakfast foods or desserts—I added a bottle of this to my tab! Coming up in the fall will be a sparkling elderberry soft drink.

https://transculturalexchange.org/fdif8s92 With our purchases secured, we bid our farewells to Kent Marrs, and we know that we will return soon. In the meantime, visit Kent Marrs at Village Winery and mention that Virginia Wine Time sent you.

Hiddencroft Vineyards

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Buy Non Generic Xanax Online May 3rd was the grand opening of Hiddencroft Vineyards, Loudoun County’s northern most winery. We decided to visit Hiddencroft on their opening weekend to see what they have to offer and experience the new facility. Clyde and Terry Housel have been growing grapes since 2001;currently, they have six acres of vines planted, and these include cabernet franc, chambourcin, and traminette planted. We also got to chat with Clyde and Terry about their experience as vineyard managers and winemakers, and they also shared with us their dreams for the future of Hiddencroft.

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As is the case with many Virginia wineries, Hiddencroft is a family operation, and our tasting was conducting by Clyde and Terry’s daughter. She skillfully introduced us to all four of their wines offered on the tasting menu. We began with the aromatic Traminette which is blende with a touch of Vidal Blanc. Nice floral and fruity notes make this Traminette a hit for the summer but could also be considered with Thanksgiving dinner. We then moved on to the youthful and light-bodied Chambourcin, and here again was another versatile pour that could grace a picnic or feel at home with a pizza. “Juicy” might best describe the Chambourcin. The final red was the Cabernet Franc, and Hiddencroft’s version is also blended with Cabernet Franc grown and finished from another vineyard. A bolder red wine was revealed here with a denser color and darker berry flavors. We did detect slight caramel on the finish. Consider this one with pasta, beef, or grilled fare.


Currently Hiddencroft is offering one sweet wine, the Sweet Cherry. Warren found this one to be rather intriguing. It is produced from montmorecy cherries grown on the Hiddencroft estate. Do try this one with the samplings of dark chocolate—simply divine. The Housels do have plans to release a sweet Blackberry and a sweet Apple wine later this year.

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After our tasting we decided to sit on their patio and have some lunch. We selected the Cabernet Franc to go with our chicken parmesan and pasta. While enjoying our wine and food, Terry and Clyde paid us a visit. We ended up talked to both of them for more than an hour finding out all about the winery, the fruit, and their passion for growing grapes. We also got to meet Terry’s Mom who has also lent a hand in the vineyards. The hard efforts seem to have paid off, and the Housel, like other new wine artisans, have benefited from expertise offered from the close-knit winemaking community in Loudon County. The Housels gave credit to Doug Fabbioli, renowned winemaker, for helping them to craft quality wines, and we know that this collaboration will continue to pay dividends for Hiddencroft Vineyards.

If you are looking for a new winery to visit, check out Hiddencroft Vineyards. And when you do, tell them Virginia Wine Time sent you.

Notaviva Vineyards

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The last time we visited Stephen and Shannon Mackey of Notaviva Vineyards was March 2006. At that time they were concentrating on the vineyards. They had viognier and cabernet franc planted with plans to expand in the future. The plans for the tasting room were set and things were in motion to begin the construction. Since that time the tasting room has been built; in fact, they have bottled their first vintage of viognier! They have also planted an eighth of an acre of petit verdot. The 2007 Vivace Viognier will be available for purchase later this spring. Plan to purchase this one upon release, because it’s very good!

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After chatting with Stephen about all the hard work they’ve been through over the last few years, we got down to tasting some wine. (Even though it was a rainy, chilly Sunday, it was warm and cozy inside the new tasting room.) We tasted the 2007 Vivace Viognier. Notable descriptors like crisp, grapefruit, and honeysuckle came to our minds, and it was a lovely first effort from a promising winery.

https://www.completerehabsolutions.com/blog/labflrjre6y Notaviva is currently selling red wines from Fabbioli Cellars until they are able to produce their own reds. Their own 2007 Cantabile Cabernet Franc will be coming out late this fall. We anticipate this release. While we weren’t able to taste the 2007 Cantabile Cabernet Franc, we were able to taste the Fabbioli wines. These included Fabbioli’s Cabernet Franc, Chambourcin, Tre Sorelle, and his Raspberry Merlot. Doug’s reputation as a skilled winemaker is well known, and his wines that we sampled at Notaviva are top quality!

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After our tasting we selected a bottle of the Cabernet Franc for lunch. We enjoyed the wine and our food while enjoying the views from the beautiful tasting room. Below you can see a video of tasting room. We think you’ll agree it’s beautiful. In the video you’ll see the three levels of space. The very top level will be a performance area for music. The tasting room is nicely equipped with the latest in technology. There are HD TV’s, a large HD rear projection screen, wireless internet and more speakers than we could count. The sound in the tasting room is amazing. Before leaving Notaviva, we purchased a few bottles of wine and were able to chat with Shannon and Stephen a bit more. They informed us that HGTV will be airing the series, Dream House, about the building of the tasting room at Notaviva. The series begins on July 5th at 7:00 AM. Be sure to check out the show and see what went in to creating this beautiful space. Notaviva is just one of several new wineries opening in Virginia. Plan a visit to Notaviva soon and mention that Virginia Wine Time sent you!

Click play to see the video.

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Edible Chesapeake Spring 2008

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Alprazolam To Buy Online Remember back in January when we alluded to our upcoming article in Edible Chesapeake? In fact, I mentioned that our focus was going to be on Norton, and we interviewed Norton expert Jenni McCloud for the article. (Jenni even treated us to pancakes at her house!) Anyway, the article is now available to read in the newly released Spring 2008 edition. The article cannot yet be read online, but the free publication can be found at local Whole Foods stores.

Order Xanax Overnight Shipping I’d like to once again thank Jenni McCloud and Hump Astorga for their time and assistance in helping me to put the article together. Norton and its history is quite fascinating. Equally exciting was the tasting that Paul and I conducted with several friends who enjoy wine and had not experienced Norton. Most of the details are given in the article, and I won’t spill the beans here; however, not included in the article was the fact that I threw a California Zinfandel and an Italian Primitivo into the tasting mix alongside several Virginia Nortons. The tasting was not blind and was very informal, and I expected my tasters to place the California Zin at the top of their lists. However, it was Chrysalis Vineyards 2003 Norton Locksley Reserve that finished first!

https://homeupgradespecialist.com/uhqntmo9 Of course, behind the camera was Paul who captured the perfect pictures for the article.

Vertical Tasting at Gray Ghost

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Safe Xanax Online This past Saturday, we treated ourselves to an elegant evening of wine and food at Gray Ghost Vineyards. The occasion was a vertical tasting of Reserve Cabernets (93, 97, 98, 99, 01, 02) and Merlots (03, 04, 05, 06). Pictures will tell the story for most of this entry, but I will share some of our notes from the evening as well as some exciting news from Gray Ghost Vineyards.

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Al telling us about the evenings events.

The evening started with a pre-event social in the tasting room. Featured here was Gray Ghost’s first ever release of a Riesling. The Gray Ghost 2007 Riesling presented lovely floral notes with grapefruit flavors and was served with hors d’oevres that paired well with a dry Riesling.

The wine library where the wines were set out for pouring.

Before long we were invited to the wine library where the evening’s event was to take place. The setting there was truly elegant with candles creating a perfect ambiance for a night of fine, award-winning wines and dinner. We were first treated to the flight of Merlots and a first round at the buffet which featured such dishes as chicken and pasta, roasted pork loin, and venison teriyaki. Assorted cheese and dried meats were also served; of course, all of the buffet items complimented the wines. Also, Cheryl Kellert, who could probably pursue a second career as a chef, did all of the cooking

All the glasses ready for wine.

Once we all served ourselves a round of food, the room began to buzz about the Merlots. Of course, we all had our own favorites. I preferred the 05 followed closely by the 03. Both were packed with rich cherry flavors and nicely structured due to a limited yet appropriate time in oak. I also noted that the 03’s perseverance had to be due to quality wine making as 2003 was the year of rain, rain, rain and a special visit from Hurricane Isabel. Paul placed the 2006 offering at the top of his list, but his second favorite was also the 2003!

https://foster2forever.com/2024/08/tzwslrcdhg.html Round two at the buffet table, and this time to pair with the Reserve Cabernet Sauvignons. A special feature was the 1993 Reserve Cabernet; this was the first Reserve Cabernet poured by Gray Ghost, and it earned them numerous awards and rave reviews. I say special because this was the last time that this wine will be poured; remaining bottles will continue to rest in the library. So enough nostalgia—what Cabs were the faves? I kept grabbing the 1998 and placed this one at the top of my list. To me, this one represented a fine integration of aromas and flavors; I thought it was still nicely balanced. Paul went with the sentimental favorite, the 1993 Cab.

The candle light was lovely.

At the end of the evening, we were treated to a pairing of a rich chocolate dessert and a glass of the 2004 Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon. As the revered 1993 goes into final retirement, I predict that the 2004 will take its hallowed place at the verticals! We’ve written about this one before, and it only gets better every time we try it!

We had a great time.

We ended our evening with conversations with Al, Amy, and Cheryl. Exciting developments include the future release of its meritage blend called Ranger Reserve which has already won a silver medal in a California wine competition. In fact, several Gray Ghost wines have won medals in California already this year and include the 2006 Reserve Chardonnay, the 2006 Cabernet Franc, the upcoming 2007 Gewurztraminer and 2007 Adieu. We’ll return to Gray Ghost to sample these upcoming releases; so, put a trip to Gray Ghost on the agenda, and tell the Kellerts and Gray Ghost that Virginia Wine Time sent you!

Three Fox Vineyards

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We admit it—we’re behind in our postings. But for those 9 to 5 occurrences called jobs, we’d post more frequently! Anyway, after our visit with Brian and Sharon at Barrel Oak last Saturday, we decided to sample the latest offering at Three Fox Vineyards. Three Fox Vineyards is less than a mile from Barrel Oak, and it had been quite a while since our last visit to tasting room there.

We did indeed make it to Three Fox Vineyards but with fifteen minutes to spare. However, the tasting room associate graciously accommodated us, and before long we were tasting away. Of the whites, my personal favorite was the crisp 2006 Leggero Chadonnay with its citrus flavors. This Chardonnay is done in stainless steel and is quite versatile to boot. Nice sipper but can be brought along on a picnic, this Chardonnay might also pair well with a favorite shellfish dish. With warmer weather around the corner, sweet wine lovers might appreciate the 2007 Appassionata Vidal Blanc; at 3% residual sugar, this Vidal Blanc might be the right sunset sipper that can be partnered with a stronger blue cheese and baguette.


On to the reds, and my top pick here was the 2006 Alouette Cabernet Franc. Pleasing here for me was the fact that Three Fox does not blend this one and offers 100% estate grown Cabernet Franc. I noted dark cherries in the mouth and some pepper toward the end. This offering has earned Three Fox several awards, and we opted to share a glass of this Cabernet Franc after our tasting! For Chambourcin fans, Three Fox’s 2007 Rosso Dolce is a port-styled wine that is made from Chambourcin grapes. Chambourcin lovers might want to savor the Rosso Dolce with dark chocolates or strong cheeses!


In the process of our tasting, we met co-owner Holli Todhunter; her husband, John, is also owner and winemaker. We also got to meet and chat with Pam Rich, the Director of Tasting Room Operations. From Holli, we learned that Three Fox currently has 10 acres of vines planted with a production of 3000 cases. Future plans include a new tasting room and facility done in the Italian tradition. Holli and John are inspired by Italian wines, and this is evident in the other tasting menu offerings that include Pinot Grigio and Sangiovese. Also, upcoming winemakers’ dinners prepared by local chefs will feature Three Fox wines, so visit the winery website for more information. We must also add that Holli allowed us to enjoy a glass of their Alouette Cabernet Franc even though the tasting room was officially closed. Paul and I enjoyed our wine with some cheese and crackers while taking in spectacular mountain views.

Of course, we eventually did bid our farewells to Holli and the tasting staff at Three Fox. A bottle of the 2006 Alouette Cabernet Franc was purchased for future consumption, and we plan to return to Three Fox to sample future releases. Holli was very excited about the 2007 harvest, and we know that we will have to check out the results. Plan to visit Three Fox Vineyards, and mention that Virginia Wine Time sent you.

Making a Dream Come True-Part II

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Once our tour of the tasting room and grounds was complete, it was back to the Roeder’s house for a tasting of upcoming offerings. Scenic views and impressive tasting rooms are one thing, but what about the wine? We can attest that these are off to a fine start, too.


Paul and I were treated to a sampling of seven upcoming releases that will bear Barrel Oak labels. These were not estate wines; in fact, these wines were mature yet quality wines of the 2005 vintage purchased from other wineries and already in the barrel. However, these wines were still diamonds in the rough, and Sharon, with guidance from her cast of experts, was able to finish these wines to produce signature products. Of the whites, Paul favored the crisp Chardonnay done in stainless steel with minimal time in oak barrels. He noted ripe apples in the mouth with vanilla on the finish. I preferred the Seyval Blanc. This was produced from Seyval Blanc grapes purchased from a local, quality vineyard, and crushed, aged then bottled under Sharon’s direction. This may well be Barrel Oak’s competition-worthy white wine—crisp with a citrus nose and flavors that finishes with a pleasant, characteristic tartness. To be released just in time for late spring, crab cakes would pair just fine with this one.

On to the reds and more noteworthy pours. The Bowhaus Red is destined to become Barrel Oak’s festival wine. This blend of several red varieties is reminiscent of a softer claret with an herby nose and cranberry flavors. Easy and accessible were words that came to mind. The Petit Verdot will be Barrel Oak’s reserve offering, and I tended to favor this one. Currants and darker fruit aromas were noted with a bit of smoke; I also detected similar flavors with a nice spicy finish that would bode well for a pairing with lamb. My ultimate gold star award was presented to the Tour Ga Franc. This blend of Touriga and Cabernet Franc could grace any dinner party. Mixed berries, dried herbs, and tobacco notes were complimented by raspberry flavors with some mocha to finish. Paul saved his own gold star for the BowWow Norton; he favors Norton and appreciated the black currant notes and characteristic grapey qualities of this Norton. Not to be out done was the Cabernet Sauvignon—lots of potential here, this medium-bodied pour could be appreciated now or later after some time on the wine rack.


Now the canine references obviously pay homage to Barley, esteemed winery dog; however, these names and their unique labels replete with paw prints also designate the House and Reserve wines. The Tour Ga Franc offers a play on the Tour de France to signify Sharon’s affinity for biking. Also, a certain portion of the Tour Ga Franc fee will go toward the Lance Armstrong cancer association.

From tasting room to wines to wine labels, the personal touches of Brian and Sharon are unmistakable touches on a quality operation. Look for Sharon to produce her own estate wines in 2010 as estate vines will be mature enough by 2009 to offer premium pours. Before we bid our farewells to Brian and Sharon, my parting question was, “Why Virginia?” Brian is from California, and their dream could certainly have been fulfilled there or in any other better-known wine region. Brian’s immediate response was, “Virginia is home. It’s a community here, and we {Virginia winemakers} bring each other up. This is where our hearts have made a home together.”

What better note on which to end our time with Brian and Sharon Roeder! We anxiously await their official opening in May. Looking for a new winery to check out this summer? Put Barrel Oak on the agenda, and tell Brian and Sharon that Virginia Wine Time sent you!

Making a Dream Come True

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This past weekend, Paul and I visited Brian and Sharon Roeder, owners of Barrel Oak Winery in Delaplane, Virginia. Barrel Oak Winery will open in May, but Brian and Sharon graciously allowed us a sneak preview of their facility and wines. In the process, we discovered that Barrel Oak Winery is a dream come true for Brian and Sharon.

Sharon and Brian

We met Brian and Sharon at their home in Delaplane, and we quickly became acquainted. Both are friendly, outgoing personalities, and we even met Barley, who is ready to take on the demanding role of winery dog. We wanted to know how Brian and Sharon got into the wine-making business, and it literally started with a dream. Well, it was Sharon’s dream. Sharon was on a search for a life and career changing experience, and she had a recurring dream. In her dream, Sharon would see herself in a mountainous landscape tending to grapes in a vineyard. Finally, while on a trip to Key West, Sharon heeded Brian’s advice to make her dream a reality. In May, 2008, Brian and Sharon will fulfill the dream and open Barrel Oak Winery.

So what about making wine? Brian and Sharon have immersed themselves in learning this fine art. Sharon is the designated winemaker, and she has learned the business from the ground up. From vineyard management to harvesting to crushing to blending to tasting room management, Sharon has learned the ropes from masters in the business. Both she and Brian have been full-time students of such renowned experts as Jim Law, Chris Pearmund, and Tom Payette. In the process, they have dedicated several acres of their property to planting 7000 vines. Varieties will include seyval blanc, chambourcin, traminette, merlot, petit verdot and petit manseng. Although Brian and Sharon are the newest kids on the block, they have set their standards very high. Their goal is to eventually produce 10,000 cases of well-crafted wine.

The tasting room under construction.

Before treating us to a tasting of their wines, Brian and Sharon offered us a tour of their tasting room, which is still in construction. “Impressive” was the first word to come to mind, and that was probably an understatement. The main tasting room will be a 4000 square foot, state of the art facility that will feature a lengthy tasting bar. Sliding doors will also allow for the room to open up onto an expansive patio to offer breathtaking mountain views. These features will also offer versatility—events can be staged at the winery while regular tastings can be offered at the same time and without disruption to customers.

And there is more!! Above this main tasting area will be a loft that can accommodate meetings, seminars, and additional wine tasting space. A balcony effect will allow guests to look down upon the lower tasting room as they sniff, swirl, and sip. Below the main tasting room will be an additional facility that can only be described as “cavernous.” This 9000 square foot feature will be where all of the wine production and storage will take place. Here, too, state of the art equipment will be used to process grapes and to insure that wines will be stored at optimal conditions. Yet more space will be designated for tasting in this “wine cave”; in addition, a wine library will be constructed. As we toured the facility, Brian and Sharon’s passion and enthusiasm were evident; however, we also noted that their plans were carefully made. Though expansive, there will be no wasted space at Barrel Oak Winery. Even in the “wine cave”, pain staking efforts were made to ensure fluid operations from harvest to crush pad to fermenation and then to storage.

We should also mention that Brian and Sharon plan to have the most “green” facility in Virginia. Energy saving features will include the facility’s high vaulted ceilings, large sliding doors and windows, and a fireplace were all designed to conserve energy yet provide comfort to customers.

Barley

With our tour complete, it was time to taste wine. We hopped back into the golf cart and Brian brought us back the house. We stopped along the way to survey the vineyards and to visit with some equine friends who lived next door. Barley led the welcoming committee, but the several horses that grazed in the neighboring field seemed not to notice.

One of the neighbors next door.

And now the wines! Return later this week for Part Two of this Dream Come True, and I’ll tell you all about them!