It does appear that there is a rainbow on the horizon after the Covid storm disrupted our lives. The resulting isolation and then socializing within bubbles may be bursting as vaccines make us all less wary of resuming our pre-Covid lives. Paul and I are now reconnecting with friends who have been seen either through computer screens or messaged via chats. It was therefore a welcome relief to meet up with our friend Erica Johansson, who is also a Virginia wine aficionado. This also gave us the opportunity to reconnect with the Virginia wine trails to discover new (to us in some cases) wineries, and this was the case with a visit to Williams Gap Vineyard.

Readers may want to be aware that many wineries are still by reservations only; however, that was not the case with Williams Gap Vineyard. The two-story tasting room is rustic yet well-appointed, and tastings can be customized to include service from a tasting educator for $20 per person. We selected this option and was expertly guided by Ken, a familiar face in the wine tasting community. Ken has been a wine educator at other Virginia wineries, and he has an extensive knowledge of Virginia wines and the varieties that can thrive in the state. The three of us knew that we were in good hands.

Six wines were available for tasting, and I will say that all were well-crafted. All wines were from the excellent 2019 vintage, and all grapes that produced the wine were estate grown. The Vidal Blanc may surprise some tasters who are more familiar with sweeter productions of this variety—-this one is bone dry and delightful. Lemon zest and a refreshing mineral note made for a refreshing yet elegant wine that will be perfect for summer salads and light cheeses. The White Blend, a mix of 75% Petit Manseng and 25% Vidal Blanc presented notes of chamomile and stone fruit with a rich, fruity palate. The weightier Petit Manseng was all tropical notes with an excellent balance between sugar and acidity.

The tasting transitioned to the red wines, and Ken started us off with the accessible Cabernet Franc. Lovely notes of raspberry, strawberry and spice played well on the palate, and a hint of chocolate added a bit of complexity. If anyone wonders what red wines are appropriate for summer, this Cabernet Franc would be one excellent example. Grilled fare or picnics with charcuterie present menu options, but be prepared to enjoy this one on its own. The Merlot was a bit more jammy with dense cherry and raspberry flavors. Expect a fruity entry and a surprisingly tannic presence in the mouth. It’s never too early to look forward to autumn menus and heartier fare, and the most complex Red Blend should be on the wine rack for cooler seasons. The blend is dominated by Cabernet Sauvignon with Cabernet France and Merlot as sidekicks. Dense plum and currants prevailed on the nose and palate along with a whiff of dried herbs. Tannins are a bit young here so don’t be afraid to let this one age for a bit; however, decant and drink now if you prefer.

As we tasted through our flight of wines, Ken filled us in on Williams Gap story. Virginia wine lovers may recognize the Williams Gap designation from the red blends poured at Delaplane Cellars. Those grapes do indeed come from the Williams Gap Vineyard. Owner Jack Sexton planted the vineyard on the Williams Gap site in 2006 and sold the grapes to area wineries including Delaplane Cellars. Sexton decided that Williams Gap would pursue its own rather recently, and 36 of the 200 acres of Williams Gap property is currently planted with vines. Additional plantings of Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc will result in another 14 acres of vines planted. Current case production is 1300, and wine production takes place under the skilled direction of Rob Cox at Paradise Springs. Expect to see a Rosé to be released in June. The tasting room has been open since the end of April.

So with tastings done, we ordered a charcuterie board that included cheeses and baguettes. Our wine of choice was the Cabernet Franc, and the three of us enjoyed catching up and reconnecting. Are you also reconnecting with friends over Virginia wines? Consider meeting up at Williams Gap Vineyards. Please mention that Virginia Wine Time sent you!