On a recent Saturday we went to Walsh Family Wine to check out the latest wines and enjoy the nice weather.
Warren chose the red wine flight and I chose the white wine flight. We shared our tastes.
My tasting consisted of:
2021 Bethany Ridge Sauvignon Blanc
2020 North Gate Estate Petit Manseng
2020 North Gate Estate Chardonnay
2020 Viognier
Warren’s tasting consisted of:
2015 North Gate Merlot
2020 Bethany Ridge Cabernet Franc
2019 Russ Mountain Merlot
2020 Bethany Ridge Tannat
While we enjoyed all the wines on the tasting, we did have some favorites. We both selected the 2020 North Gate Estate Chardonnay from the white wine tasting. We both noted the apple flavors, the round mouth feel and the long length. We were split on the reds. I enjoyed the 2015 North Gate Estate Merlot and Warren enjoyed the 2020 Bethany Ridge Cabernet Franc. We thought they were both versatile and ready to enjoy now. We also noted the 2020 Bethany Ridge Tannat was age worthy and could stand some time on your wine rack.
After our tasting we enjoyed a bottle of the 2020 North Gate Estate Chardonnay with a delicious bread and cheese board. All the cheeses paired nicely with the Chardonnay. Before leaving we purchased half a case of our favorites.
After our time at Walsh Family Wine, we decided to check out a new winery, Good Spirit Farm. They have only been opened about a month. Most of their plantings are relatively new and have not produced grapes to make wine with yet. Nate Walsh will be the winemaker in the near future. As more grapes are ready for winemaking, more wines will be produced.
Once again I selected to try the white wine flight and Warren selected the red wine flight. Each flight has a mix of Good Spirit Farm wines and other wines from different regions.
My tasting consisted of:
2021 Pazo Señorans Albariño
2020 Melanie Pfister Paar Pinot Blanc
2020 Good Spirit Farm Chardonnay
2021 Good Spirit Farm Rosé
Warren’s tasting consisted of:
2020 Good Spirit Farm Red Blend
2020 Lapostolle Grand Selection Merlot
2018 El Enemigo Malbec
2020 Good Spirit Farm Petit Verdot
After our tasting we shared a glass of the 2020 Good Spirit Farm Chardonnay. We had a chance to meet and chat with the owner Mike Gutermuths. His son also works in the tasting room. Before leaving we bought a few bottles to bring home. We plan to return in the future when they have more of their own wines to share. If you haven’t been to Walsh Family Wine or Good Spirit Farm, plan a trip soon and tell them Virginia Wine Time sent you!