Wineries of Southern Virginia

Virginian wine is having a moment right now and so we decided to spend the long weekend exploring more wineries of the Blue Ride and Southern Virginia Mountains.  Basing out of Charlottesville, we visited more wineries along the Gold Medal Wine Trail.  The wines from this region embody this unique position in the world. They are lush but structured; aromatic, expressive and beautifully balanced—blending the subtlety of the Old World with the boldness of the new. Read my recap below:

Barboursville Vineyards is an 18th century estate that is breathtaking and was our favorite winery of this weekend visit.  Situated on the broad, rolling plateau and foothills of the Southwest Mountains in the Virginia Piedmont, running parallel with the Blue Ridge to the west, the 900 acres occupy ground of sedimentary rock of volcanic origin, and separate stratifications of sandstone and conglomerates, with sloping exposures of even greater variety. We opted for a tasting on the patio of the Library 1821 that offers a changing selection of flights of current and older vintages. 

I picked six to taste for $25: Brut Cuvée 1814, 2020 Sauvignon Blanc Reserve, 2022 Viognier Reserve, 2021 Allegrante Rosé, 2020 Barbera Reserve, and the 2021 Cabernet Franc Reserve.  My favorite of these was the Brut so I purchased a bottle to take home.  With light bubbles this sparkling wine is created in the metodo classico and is 100% Pinot Noir of DOCG designation.  Keith chose the Vertical Flight of OCTAGON 2015, 2016, 2017, 2019 for $45.  Of these, we also picked a bottle of the 2019 to take home. Described as: "A wine of noble character, created by blending estate-grown Bordeaux varietals, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Petit Verdot, Octagon’s great prestige rests further on its being created only in fine vintages, and with the most astute selection from the harvest. This is the highest expression of our estate’s European derivation and inspiration, crafted to be a wine of distinctive character and age worthiness in every incarnation."

We stayed for lunch at their restaurant called Palladio. Here Keith ordered a full glass of of the 2021 Allegrante Rosé to go with his meal of Pork Belly and Bucatini Cacio e Pepe.  I enjoyed a glass of the 2019 Nebbiolo Reserve with my Vegetable Frito Misto and Lobster Ravioli.  Everything was lovely and we had a wonderful meal paired with wonderful wine.

Afterwards we took a stroll on to the historic Landmark Ruins of Thomas Jefferson's mansion for Governor James Barbour.

Technically not on the trail, we headed further south to visit one more winery before we headed to our hotel for the evening.  Designed by Dave Matthews and master craftsman William Johnson and finished in 2000, the Blenheim Vineyards winery building was designed to have minimal impact on the environment.  Blenheim Vineyards has been crafting quality and sustainable 100% Virginia grown wines and managing 32 acres of estate vineyards.  The history of Blenheim Farm dates back to 1730, when John Carter, Secretary of the Colony of Virginia and eldest son of Robert "King" Carter, obtained a patent for 9,350 acres northeast of present-day Carter's Bridge in what is now Albemarle County. Here, John Carter maintained Carter's Mill on the North Hardware River, and his son Edward built the first Blenheim house before 1799. The house, named in honor of the War of the Spanish Succession, was fought for and won by the British under command of the Duke of Marlborough. It was at Blenheim where Thomas Jefferson and his bride, Martha, are said to have "rested and warmed themselves" after their coach stalled nearby during a snowstorm.  We tasted the 2020 Sauvignon Blanc, 2019 Farm Chardonnay, 2022 Rosé , 2020 Merlot, and 2020 Painted Red.  I loved the brightness of the Sauv Blanc and we also enjoyed the red blend and loved the unique artsy labels so also got a bottle of the Painted Red to take home.

To start day two we visited Pippin Hill Farm & Vineyards a boutique winery producing award-winning estate wines and locally-focused food offerings together with integrated, custom-designed private dining venues for hosting weddings and private events. We sat on the outside veranda and tasted some of their signature wines from the gentle hills of the Monticello AVA paired with their house cheeseboard. The tasting was fun with an amazing view, and we bought a bottle of the 2018 Bundoran Blue to take home. Named as a tribute to the Bundoran Farm community where Pippin Hill resides while also paying homage to the signature, and ever-soothing, color palette of their sister event company, Easton Events. Despite the “blue” on the label, it is their signature, and ever-soothing, red blend.

Next, we headed west to Afton, VA and stopped at Veritas Vineyards which has grown into a 20-year-old family business that is on the leading edge of the Virginia wine industry. With over 50 acres in the Monticello wine region, and producing a complex portfolio of wine ranging from sparkling to beautifully balanced red wines, Veritas wine quality starts in the vineyard, and the terroir of the Blue Ridge Mountains. We sat inside for a tableside tasting and ordered some sandwiches for lunch. The Taste in Place flight featured 2021 Sauvignon Blanc, 2022 Viognier, 2019 Merlot, and 2021 Claret. I also ordered a glass of the 2022 Rosé.  Here we picked the 2019 Merlot to take home as it was rich with black cherry and soft chocolate.  This place was very popular with ample seating outside on the covered patio or in front in the picnic area.  Many groups brought their dogs and took a stroll along the vineyards.

Our last stop was at King Family Vineyards, a family owned and operated winery located at the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains in Crozet, Virginia just fifteen minutes from Charlottesville. The winery specializes in the production of ultra-premium wines that showcase the remarkable quality and terroir of the Monticello AVA. For $20, we enjoyed the in-person guided tasting of five wines. This experience was hosted by a Tasting Room Associate and is the perfect way to enjoy a variety of their wines. We loved the 2022 Crosé - a dry rosé named after the small town of Crozet and the 2020 Merlot that was smooth and medium bodied. The grounds were packed with people who were here to watch the polo matches that are held each Sunday at noon, from Memorial Day weekend through October, weather and field conditions permitting. Various food trucks are also available onsite.

Have you visited Southern Virginia wineries?  Please share your favorites in the comments below!