This post will summarize our second and final day of the media event to celebrate the Shenandoah Valley AVA.
Day Two of the event began with a breakfast in the Bluestone Vineyard, and it was here that participants could experience the uniqueness of the Shenandoah Valley AVA. At a 1400-foot elevation and nestled between the Allegheny and Shenandoah Mountains, a gentle and constant breeze tempered the heat and humidity that was witheringly palpable at ground level. Excellent aeration and drier air deter pests and mildew that can threaten vineyards during the growing season. Lee Hartman treated us to samples of Bluestone’s 2021 Chardonnay and Cabernet Franc, both lighter-bodied and easy to drink. Breakfast eventually transitioned to lunch at Bluestone’s Meeting House, and a tasting of dessert wines followed by lunch.
Dessert wines were poured by Barren Ridge Vineyards, Bluestone Vineyard, and Rockbridge Vineyards. All of the selections included Traminette, a hybrid grape that mimics the characteristics of Gewurztraminer and grows quite well in Virginia and the Shenandoah Valley AVA in particular. The 2017 Blue Ice from Bluestone Vineyard used only the Traminette grape; however, the 2019 Christof from Barren Ridge Vineyards included Vidal Blanc, while the 2017 V d’Or from Rockbridge Vineyards included not only Vidal Blanc but also Vignoles. All shared a tropical/citrus element, but the younger 2019 Christof from Barren Ridge was fresher and lighter on the palate. The tasting included a panel discussion by the respective winemakers on dessert wines hosted by Tassie Pippert.
After lunch a tasting of red wines and a panel discussion were hosted by Frank Morgan of Drink What You Like. The 2019 Picasso was a red blend sampled by The Winery at Kindred Pointe, and Shenandoah Vineyards poured the 2019 Cabernet Sauvignon. Muse Vineyards offered its Governor’s Cup winning 2010 Clio. This tasting allowed participants to experience vintages in the Shenandoah Valley AVA as the 2010 Clio proved that the region could produce wines worth cellaring. The 2010 Clio presented tobacco notes with concentrated fruit components to suggest that this Bordeaux-style blend was ready to drink now. The youthful 2019 Cabernet Sauvignon from Shenandoah Vineyards can be described as very cherry with tobacco accents and could be enjoyed with a favorite beef dish, a cheese plate, or on its own. When moderator Frank Morgan asked winemakers/owners Michael Heny, Robert Muse and Bruce Helsley which grape best expressed the Shenandoah Valley AVA, all responded with Petit Verdot and Cabernet Franc. This would explain the Winery at Kindred Pointe’s 2019 Picasso, which leans heavily on Petit Verdot, followed by Chambourcin (another commonly grown hybrid grape in the AVA) and Cabernet Sauvignon.
Alas, all good things must end, and our celebration of the Shenandoah Valley AVA concluded with a speed tasting of wine sampled by wineries that participated in the media event. I cannot recall all of the wines being poured since the tasting seemed to fly by very quickly, but I can recommend the rosé currently poured at Barren Ridge Vineyards. It was dry yet fruity and refreshing—-perfect for summer! Below are a few of the wines we tasted during the speed tasting.
We plan to visit the Shenandoah Valley AVA sooner rather than later; however, we know that readers will want to plan a trip out there even before we do. Please stop by any of the wineries mentioned in this post and let us know which wines were your favorites. Be sure to mention that Virginia Wine Time sent you!
We would like to Thank all the partners who made this media tour possible:
Shenandoah County Tourism
Rockingham County Tourism
Virginia Wine Marketing Office
Seven Bends Spirits Tours
Muse Vineyards
Brix & Columns Vineyards
Bluestone Vineyard
Rockbridge Vineyards
The Winery at Kindred Pointe
Shenandoah Vineyards
Vicki Ruckman, Owner, The Virginia Farmhouse
Stephanie Pence, Co-owner, Brix & Columns Vineyards
Lee Hartman, Winemaker, Bluestone Vineyard