We Rediscover Cana Vineyards

Brand Name Xanax Online Paul and I continue to slowly travel the wine trails of Virginia, and our last trek took us to Cana Vineyards. We had not been to Cana in quite a few years, and we learned that the winery is now owned by Lisa and Bryce Petty. They purchased the vineyard and winery from the Bell family in 2018. Co-owners Michelle and Tom Grant are now also part of the Cana team. The Cana facility now includes the expansive Sunset Pavilion which provided for adequate spacing of customers on a very cold afternoon.

https://www.clawscustomboxes.com/rrvrg2lwl

https://oevenezolano.org/2024/08/8mqxl98 Another noted change from our last visit, though, was the improved quality of the wines. I am an unashamed Chardonnay lover, and Cana’s 2019 Chardonnay hit all the right notes for me. It was elegant and well balanced with lovely pear and apple aromas, while the palate was treated to pear and citrus flavors accented with fall spice and a touch of oak. The 2019 Petit Manseng was another success and an example of what this variety can do in Virginia when in the right hands. Fresh tropical notes with a nice, refreshing acidity ended with a dry finish and destined to pair well with any seafood dish. The 2018 Le Mariage, a blend of Bordeaux varieties with Merlot taking the lead, presented a juicy berry entry on the palate followed by a spicy edge on the finish. Remember, 2018 was a very tricky vintage due to lots of rain and not a lot of sunshine in most parts of Virginia; however, a newcomer to Virginia wine would not have been the wiser after sampling this well-crafted blend. Paul’s favorite was the Cabernet Franc produced from the stellar 2017 harvest. Raspberry and tobacco notes melded with cherry flavors to present a rich wine made more complex by barrel-aging for 15 months. If leg of lamb is on the menu, it might be a good idea to have a bottle of this one on the wine rack as a pairing option.

Buy Liquid Xanax Online

https://solomedicalsupply.com/2024/08/07/mko82z2i Our tasting experience was enhanced by the expert knowledge of Don, a familiar face to us from previous visits to Cana (and Chrysalis before that!). Don got us up to speed on the various changes at the winery since our last visit which prompted me to inquire about the winemaker responsible for the improvements noted in the wines. He informed us Melanie Natoli assumed the duties of winemaker and vineyard manager in 2015; we then recalled that Melanie studied winemaking at Fabbioli Cellars. We decided it was time to learn more about Melanie, and she agreed to participate in an interview. (Ordinarily, we would arrange to do this in person, but—-covid.) Continue reading to learn more about the very talented Melanie Natoli.

Melanie Natoli
Photo borrowed from the Cana Vineyards website.

https://www.psicologialaboral.net/2024/08/07/l8g8rp6 https://udaan.org/xl6b76ydv.php 1. Why did you decide to switch careers from being in physical therapy to becoming a wine makers?
I followed my heart. When I make big decisions, I go with my gut. Growing up, no one in my family drank, so I found wine later. Hence, it wasn’t my first career choice, but when I found it, I knew it was my path.

Best Price Xanax Online  

 

https://sugandhmalhotra.com/2024/08/07/gvd9lm7wgx 2. Have you found any comparisons between being a physical therapist and a winemaker? Any similar challenges? Rewards?
Good question. They both come from the heart. I’ve always loved science and I chose physical therapy so I could be of service to others. Compassion is rooted in the heart, and so is creative passion for art, winemaking. As a winemaker I still get to connect with people, just in a different way.

Buy Alprazolam Online Mexico https://eloquentgushing.com/3mvw0r5 3. Why did you decide to become a winemaker in Virginia with its various challenges? Why not someplace like California, for example?
Virginia is where life put me. Virginia is where my love and interest in wine grew. I was close to moving to California and going back to school for a degree in winemaking, but I found/made my own path here and I’m so glad I did. The challenges we face here may cause me to lose a lot of sleep at times, but they’re also what keeps it exciting. There’s always going to be more to learn and I love that.

Buying Xanax In Mexico https://aiohealthpro.com/i7uv2fv 4. You were awarded Woman Winemaker of the Year at the Women’s International Wine Competition in 2017. Winemaking is still dominated by men, though. Do you think it is still more difficult for women to break into the field and then earn recognition for their achievements?
Sometimes. Starting in this industry as a woman and someone coming in with no experience or connections, I do feel I had to work harder to prove myself, so I have. I’ve had a few interactions that weren’t fair, but I kept my head down, worked harder, and poured myself into my wine. Now I’m proud of what I put in the bottle and I have confidence in my abilities, so that kind of stuff can roll off my back. I’ve only made wine in Virginia, but I have a suspicion the challenge would be greater in other regions. Our industry is young enough that a long history of a good ol boys club wasn’t built. Although there may still be more men working in our industry, the women are here and making their mark. The supportive community of Virginia winemakers is one of the things that makes our region so amazing.

Cheap Alprazolam Pills 5. What grape varieties do you grow at Cana? Which do you consider to be the flagships at Cana? Do you have plans to expand your portfolio beyond what is currently planted?
Reds: Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot, Norton
Whites: Petit Maseng, Viognier

https://www.clawscustomboxes.com/h5x0sbj We have 2 wines that I produce from our estate fruit. The Unite’ Reserve is a blend of Merlot, Cabernet Franc, and Petit Verdot. The blend will vary depending on what shines in the vineyard each year. The other estate wine is our Petit Manseng which often has some of the estate Viognier blended in.

https://oevenezolano.org/2024/08/6akw1fbv We only have 7 acres on the estate, so we also source from some fantastic partner growers. The 2 estate wines have a special place in my heart because I work the vineyard all season, so those wines I craft every step of the way from budbreak to bottle, but I have some other favorites. I’ve been working with Albarino since 2015, my first vintage at Cana, and I’ve had so much fun developing it. And did you think you’d talk to me without hearing about rose’? That is my number one love. If I’m going to be remembered as a winemaker for one thing, I want it to be dry rose’. Right now, we have 2 in our portfolio, Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon.

https://inteligencialimite.org/2024/08/07/s800eysg As far as new wines for the portfolio. I have two new red varietals hitting the bottle in April, so keep an eye out for them at the end of this year. I’d like to bring back Rkatsiteli, and I always want to make more rose’.

https://merangue.com/1mn1it0p 6. You have won a trip to a tropical island for a much needed vacation. You can bring three of your favorite Cana wines along on the trip. Which wines and vintages would they be?
I love this one! I also love the idea of a trip to a tropical island, much needed indeed! Since I make 2 rose’s, that’s 2 of the bottles! Because rose’. The 3rd is a tough choice, because I really love my Albarino, but Petit Manseng would be the perfect pairing for somewhere tropical. That’d be a gametime decision, when do I leave? And for vintages, 2019 or 2020. Those are my favorite white vintages so far, because each year I get to dial it in a little better. Although I may go 2017 for the Petit Maseng, I really loved the acid sweetness balance on that bottle.

Xanax Online Cheap

https://polyploid.net/blog/?p=9be08m4

https://blog.extraface.com/2024/08/07/at0eh01yqw We know that we will return to Cana Vineyards sooner rather than later. However, if readers get there before we do, please be sure to mention that Virginia Wine Time sent you!

Walsh Family Wine

Xanax Script Online 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.

Cheap Alprazolam Online

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.

https://nedediciones.com/uncategorized/z4hopbd 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.

https://www.completerehabsolutions.com/blog/6cox1sa 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.

https://foster2forever.com/2024/08/fy8bdzn2.html

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.

https://transculturalexchange.org/jc219zij 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

https://www.clawscustomboxes.com/k1s2q1r On a recent Saturday we met some friends at Gray Ghost Vineyards to catch up, do a tasting and enjoy some lunch.

https://homeupgradespecialist.com/zmlcczqmp8s 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.

https://merangue.com/znmugtkguq6

https://blog.extraface.com/2024/08/07/rlhkvqrbq 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.

Quality Prevails at Capstone

Best Site To Order Xanax Online 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!

https://mandikaye.com/blog/61bziuu

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!

Gold Medal Winners

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.

The Law of Evolution

We are all familiar with Darwin’s scientific theory of evolution; however, winemakers have their own viticultural theory of evolution. We recently became familiar with Jim Law’s theory of evolution at a recent tasting event at Linden fitfully called, “Evolution.”

Jim Law’s reputation as the pioneer of excellent winemaking in Virginia is well known. Law bottled his first vintage in 1987, and this included a Cabernet Sauvignon that was tasted at the event. He described this vintage and those of the 1990s as years of understanding vineyard management with a struggle to achieve high expectations. The primary expectation was that wines expressed the terroir, or sense of place, while presenting a balance of acidity and alcohol. Jim’s trip to Bordeaux vineyards in the early 2000s was described by him as the time when the “light bulb went off”, and it was then that Law, already considered an accomplished winemaker, took his own evolution as a winemaker to a different direction. Under the direction of vineyard managers in Bordeaux, a re-evaluation of vineyard management at Linden Vineyards Hardscrabble site took place. This included both red and white wine varietals especially Cabernet Sauvignon and Chardonnay. Vines that were not appropriately placed and thus presented ripening challenges were ripped up, and new vines were planted to take advantage of the site’s unique terroir and micro-climate. The transition year was the 2007 vintage, and it was the 2007 Hardscrabble Red that was included in the session’s tasting.

It was by tasting through the vintages of Hardscrabble Reds and Hardscrabble Chardonnays that we could witness the results of this evolutionary process. Law described the 1987 Cabernet Sauvignon as the result of his “wild cowboy days” when he was still learning best vineyard and winemaking practices. It was indeed a treat to taste this one with its sweet fruit, cedar, and savory characteristics. Gone too since the wild west days is the use of American oak barrels that Jim favored in 1987. The 2009 Hardscrabble Red, two vintages past the transition phase, was stunning. Dark fruit and plum notes with nice acidity and fruit through the palate was framed by velvety tannins, and better-placed vines took advantage of a dry yet cool summer that resulted in slow, even ripening. The 2016 vintage was fourth in the line up of red wines, and it presented fresh cherry and cola on the palate; young with good length, Jim believed that this vintage of Hardscrabble Red will hit its stride in eight years.

Evolution perhaps would be meaningless without passion, and vineyard work is truly Jim Law’s passion. However, Law seemed even more committed to his Chardonnay site that created the Hardscrabble Chardonnay. Chardonnay from Burgundy had been his father’s love, and Jim was allowed to sample the pleasures of white Burgundy wines at a very young age. This in turn led to Jim’s own desire to know more about wine, wine regions, winemaking, etc.; of course, the rest of history. A sampling of Chardonnay from Virginia’s Naked Mountain Vineyard in the 1980s convinced him that Virginia could produce stunning results from Chardonnay at a time when big, buttery Napa styles were the rage. The 2012 Hardscrabble Chardonnay was the earliest vintage offered for tasting, and here we tasted the product of older vines on the Hardscrabble site. Rich orchard fruit and lovely texture on the palate made for an elegant wine that Law declared had hit its “sweet spot.” His own favorite was the 2013 vintage with a fruit profile similar to the 2012 but leaner on the palate with a distinct mineral note. I favored the 2015 vintage with its juicy apple and pear presentation and generous feel on the palate. The white flight ended with the exquisite (and still evolving) 2017 Hardscrabble Chardonnay that seemed a bit riper on the nose and more acidic on the palate than the other vintages.

The witness to evolution continued with a trip to the cellar, and here we tasted barrel samples of the 2019 Chardonnay that will eventually make up the Village Chardonnay; picked from young, four year old vines, this one was all fresh apple in the mouth. It was resting in older, neutral oak barrels. (The 2019 growing season, already being heralded by local winemakers as one of the best in at least 10 years, was hot and dry.) A contrast to this vivacious youngster was a sample of the 2019 Chardonnay from the hardscrabble site. Produced from older vines planted in the 1980s, it was softer on the nose with better acidity and yet a rounder palate. The session concluded with two barrel samples of 2019 Cabernet Sauvignon from the Hardscrabble site; the first sample seemed soft with fresh cherry notes. However, the second sample seemed more tannic with blackberry and plum flavors. Jim confided that a blending trial for the 2019 Hardscrabble Red would be taking place on the Monday after our session that weekend, and these Cabernet samples will be part of the decision making process.

Evolving to achieve an expected standard of excellence best describes Jim Law as a vineyard manager and winemaker. We learned so much about this evolutionary process both by Jim’s testimony to his own process as well as by tasting the results. At the end of the session, we also appreciated his hard work and dedication. We will continue to appreciate wines at Linden, both those that have evolved and those that are evolving. Be sure to attend one of Jim Law’s educational sessions or plan a trip to the tasting room to experience the excellent wines there. Of course, mention that Virginia Wine Time sent you!

Free Form Tasting

During the month of December, Linden Vineyards veered away from their normal tasting routine to do Free Form Tasting. For the Free Form Tasting, Jim Law selects wines from the wine cellar as well as current and new releases to taste during this time. This year Free Form Tasting took place on the two weekends before the holidays. We attended both weekends.

Yesterday we went to the Free Form Tasting at Linden. Of course we started with white wines. Jim introduced us to a new release. It’s called Wabi Sabi. It’s a blend of Vidal, Semillion, and the 2017 Boisseau Viognier. Warren wrote down dry, exotic, generous weight on the palate due in large part to the Viognier. We think this one would pair well with spicy dishes. We went on to taste the 2017 Boisseau Viognier on it’s own (which we had last weekend as well) and the 2018 Riesling. Both are wonderful wines anyone would enjoy.

We changed tasting bars to taste the red selections. We tasted the 2014 and 2016 Clarets. Last weekend when we tasted these we preferred the 2014 which has a bit more acidity but this weekend we both enjoyed the 2016. Before leaving this tasting bar we were treated to a tasting of the 1994 Cabernet Sauvignon. What a treat! We noted leather, cedar, sage and dark currants. Amazing how well it is holding up!

We then went into the side room for more reds. We tasted the 2016 Avenius Red along side the 2007 Avenius Red (which is not for sale). The 2016 is merlot based whereas the 2007 is petite verdot dominant. The 2016 presents plum, currants, dark cherry, tannic. We noted wet stone, ripe berry and tannins with the 2007. We enjoyed them both!

The Free Form Tasting at Linden is done for this year. And they are now closed until the new year. But be sure to visit Linden in the new year because they have some changes coming to the Cellar Tasting and we’re sure the Free Form Tasting will return next December. And when you visit, tell them Virginia Wine Time sent you!

New (To Us) Wineries

As summer finally gives way to autumn, we reflect on wineries that, while open for a while, are new to our palates. Here we give brief reflections on those visits.

Effingham Manor Winery: This is a Pearmund operation and the tasting room is actually a historic home. We heard that it is haunted, but any ghosts and goblins were well behaved while we were there. We enjoyed the medium-bodied 2016 Chardonnay with its notes of pear and apple. For hearty beef dishes, try the 2016 Meritage—-blackberry and cherry elements were accompanied by tobacco and spice notes. The 2018 Rose is crafted from the Chambourcin grape, and this off-dry offering should please any palate.

Septenary – The Winery at Seven Oaks Farm: We were impressed with this winery. A start with the Sparkling NV had us hooked, and then led to the elegant, creamy Chardonnay 2017 with its pear notes and vanilla finish. Of the red wines, we favored the complex Carriage House 2016 and the fuller-bodied Coleman 2015 with its ripe berry nose and flavors of blackberry, plum and dried herbs. Enjoy a glass of a favorite wine while taking in the lovely grounds—-we will return to this winery!

Walsh Family Wine: Nate Walsh continues to produce quality wines, and this time he is doing so from the former North Gate Winery. Walsh purchased the facility and vineyards from former owners and winemakers of North Gate Winery, Mark and Vicki Fedor. Friend and fellow blogger Kurt Jensen (Wine About Virginia) joined us for a tasting of Walsh’s latest releases. We enjoyed the crisp 2018 Sauvignon Blanc but saved our accolades for the 2017 Merlot with its dark cherry elements and fruity palate. The 2017 Staggerwing Tannat was surprisingly accessible; buy now and enjoy now! Serve with braised meats and a crusty baguette on a chilly night.

Plan to visit these wineries if you have not already done so. Please mention that Virginia Wine Time sent you!

Veritas, The Farmhouse, and a Flying Fox

We reflect on summer’s passing with a feature on another experience from our Charlottesville vacation in July. Our trip included a tasting at Veritas, a Virginia Wine Time favorite; however, winemaker Emily Pelton and Elliot Watkins have also taken on the winemaking duties at Flying Fox. Of course, we had to sample the releases there. The Farmhouse? Read on to find out more.

Tasters who visit Veritas are offered a choice of the regular wine tasting or the reserve tasting. Guess which one we selected? The Sauvignon Blanc 2018 was presented for tasting on both menus, and we appreciated its citrus notes and zesty finish; however, the Harlequin 2017 was the reserve list standout. Chardonnay lovers who appreciate an oaky style will be wowed with this one. Its ripe pear note and creamy palate seemed destined to partner well with any dish that includes a cream sauce atop poultry, pork or fish. I already looked forward to autumn and heartier dishes, and the Vintner’s Reserve 2016 captured my palate. This blend of Petit Verdot, Merlot, and Cabernet Franc featured flavors of dark cherry, blackberry, and dark plum with smoky notes and a kiss of mocha. Braised meats, roasted veggies, game meats—-the pairing options seemed endless.

The team behind Flying Fox Vineyard consists of Emily Pelton, Elliot and Chloe Watkins and George and Traylyn Hodson. Emily and Elliot serve as the winemakers. The tasting facility appeared unremarkable from the street—until we walked through the door. The decor recalled a 1920s parlor to suggest that we had entered a speakeasy. Small touches such as a period Smith-Corona manual typewriter completed the impression, and we expected flappers to suddenly appear while dancing the Charleston! However, we were also impressed with the wines especially the Rose 2018 and the more complex Trio 2015, a blend driven by Cabernet Franc. Elements of blackberry, tobacco and pepper converged to create a more complex yet accessible blend.

Need a place to stay while visiting the Charlottesville area? The Farmhouse might be the perfect place. This bed and breakfast is located on the Veritas property. It consists of 8 luxury rooms with many options for wining and dining. For more information, check out their website.

We say farewell to summer as we welcome autumn and its crisp air and lovely colors. Plan a fall visit to Veritas Vineyards and Winery; you can even book a place to stay there at The Farmhouse. Include a tasting to Flying Fox to complete the experience. Be sure to mention that Virginia Wine Time sent you!

Visiting Old Favorites

A recent visit to the Monticello area offered us the opportunity to sample releases from favorite wineries. Here we present wines (and the wineries) that we enjoyed most:

Barboursville Vineyards: I always pay attention to the reserve wines at Barboursville, and this time was no exception. The Sauvignon Blanc Reserve 2016, Vermentino Reserve 2016, Viognier Reserve 2017 and the Cabernet Franc Reserve 2017 all earned my top scores. Perhaps it was due to the hot day, but I particularly enjoyed the Vermentino Reserve 2016 with its floral notes and nice mouth feel. I did, however, leave with a bottle of the Octagon 2015 to add to our collection of the Octagon line on our wine rack.

https://nedediciones.com/uncategorized/dpoyk5rfv Blenheim Vineyards: We always hope to run into winemaker Kirsty Harmon when we visit Blenheim Vineyards, and we were in luck this time around. The Albarino 2018 was my favorite; faintly floral with orchard fruit on the palate, it should complement light fare, shell fish, and fresh fruit. The light-bodied Cabernet Franc 2017 with its cherry notes is destined to please with grilled fare, comfort foods or on its own with sliced deli meats and cheeses.

Cardinal Point Vineyard and Winery: On a hot day, it was hard to not appreciate the 2018 Quattro, a blend of Riesling, Gerwurztraminer, Vidal Blanc, and Viognier; however, this fruity blend should also come in handy during the upcoming Thanksgiving or Christmas holidays—-never to early to think about future menus! Be sure to sample the 2017 Clay Hill Cabernet Franc—-red berry notes and a bit of spice on the finish reminded us why Cabernet Franc is one of Virginia’s signature grape varieties.

https://mandikaye.com/blog/1dc91fodt Gabrielle Rausse Winery: We continue to be impressed with this winery, and I always seem to leave with a bottle (or two) of the Vin Gris de Pinot Noir, and this time from the 2018 vintage. The Rose 2018 produced from Cabernet Sauvignon was another favorite; strawberry flavors were noted with a dry, crisp finish. The non-vintage Cabernet Franc can be described as very berry; a light-bodied, fruity palate make this one delicious to sip on its own or with food.

King Family Vineyards: We expect to see lots of rose produced from the 2018 growing season, and were not disappointed to see the Crose 2018 on the tasting menu here. This is always one of our favorite roses, and we stock up whenever to visit King Family Vineyards. Loads of bright red berry notes and flavors with a crisp finish aptly describe the Crose 2018; buy to enjoy now or throughout the year—-rose is versatile! I made certain to purchase the complex Meritage 2017; it presented dark fruit aromas and flavors with a note of tobacco and cedar. It is still young and a bit tannic—-buy now and decant or store and enjoy later.

https://foster2forever.com/2024/08/wlbcsa0gl.html Pollak Vineyards: Yay for Chardonnay and the 2017 Chardonnay from Pollak Vineyards; tropical fruit notes and a crisp finish make for a lovely representation of this grape without the oaky presence. And yes, Rose 2018—-this one driven by Cabernet Franc, I noted flavors of strawberry and watermelon and appreciated its crisp acidity. The 2015 Meritage showed quite well; expect dark plum, black cherry and currant characteristics with spice on the finish and a bit of a tannic “chew.”

Our next post will feature new favorites (or at least new to us.). In the meantime, visit these excellent wineries while in the Monticello area. Please mention that Virginia Wine Time sent you!