Sep 6thVilla Appalaccia Winery

Our last winery visit during our trip to Virginia was to Villa Appalaccia. The wine, as always, was excellent and the locale was beautiful. We planned badly by going right after a late breakfast. The meal was amazing at Mabry Mill, but we were unable to enjoy the bread and cheese tray at the winery. We did enjoy just sitting and relaxing with a glass of wine. The views are gorgeous in every direction.

The wines at Villa Appalaccia are made in an Italian style and make use of many Italian style grapes. Rosa, a white wine made with the Primativo grape, Sangiovese, and Corvina are all reminders of their Italian flair.

Visiting is worth the trip even though it is off the beaten path, just off the Blue Ridge Parkway. If you visit, I recommend staying at Bent Mountain Lodge and visiting nearby Floyd. You’ll have a wonderful time.

Aug 5thRaffaldini Vineyards

Before our trip to southwestern Virginia, I explored the internet looking for wineries that were close enough to visit and discovered that there were some in North Carolina that were nearby. While looking, the winery that stood out was Raffaldini Vineyards. Their wines are made in an Italian style and the vineyard is owned by a family with roots in Italy’s wine industry. Along with the family crest is the slogan “Chianti in the Carolinas;” we were intrigued. Photos from the internet seemed almost too good to be true; could it really be that beautiful? On our visit, we found out. Yes, it could be that beautiful. Raffaldini Vineyards is in the rolling hills of the North Carolina countryside, but a visitor might think they had made a trip to Italy. It is amazing.

As if the beauty of the vineyard and the tasting room weren’t enough, the wine was exceptional. Their white wine Vermentino,  medium bodied, with a peach flavor, was especially good. While not normally enjoying rosés, their Girasole created by the free run juice of Sangiovese and Montepulciano was delicious. The reds are all excellent, but the two we preferred were the Montepulciano and the Sangiovese Reserve. Montepulciano is not a common wine found in American wineries and we thoroughly loved it. The Sangiovese Reserve, with small amounts of Malbec and Petit Verdot blended in, had a pleasing cherry finish. Our tasting room host, Mary, was friendly and knowledgeable and made our tasting experience special.

This was our first visit, but won’t be our last. I recommend it to any wine lover visiting the area.

Aug 5thAmRhein Wine Cellar

In the southwestern region of Virginia, AmRhein Wine Cellar is nestled in the hills of Bent Mountain. Following a winding mountain road, visitors arrive at a lovely winery with a good choice of red and white wines. Last year, our visit was so enjoyable, we decided to spend our Friday evening there. This year, their event was a Hokie Pokie…Karaoke evening.

Though this was our first experience with a Karaoke, we did have a good time. We met and shared the evening with a group of local wine lovers, had wine, food, and listened to those who were brave enough to take the microphone.

AmRhein, near Roanoke, is an interesting place to visit. You will find a wine to enjoy and the views are exceptional.

Aug 5thBarboursville Vineyards

Readers, familiar with my blog or my book, will know that Barboursville Vineyards in Central Virginia is both our favorite winery and one of our favorite places to visit. Every visit has been memorable and our latest one was no exception. We did a tasting, enjoyed a glass, and toured some of their newest additions to the winery.

Barboursville wines are some of the finest in Virginia. They are becoming nationally and internationally known. Three of their current vintages, the 2008 Malvaxia Passito, the 2010 Nebbiolo Reserve, and the 2010 Octagon were a part of the Governor’s Cup Case in the 2014 Virginia Governor’s Cup Competition. Barboursville wines are featured in wine magazines and win many awards each year.

Choosing a favorite wine is difficult because each wine is exceptional and there are seventeen wines on their tasting list. Our favorites are their Sauvignon Blanc, Barbera Reserve, Sangiovese Reserve, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc Reserve, and their Nebbiolo Reserve. While available for sale only, their Octagon and their Petit Verdot Reserve are both amazing.

The winery has grown immensely since our first visit over twenty years ago. On our first visit there was a small, cozy tasting room; today the tasting room can accommodate large groups but still retains the same welcoming environment. The latest addition is a special tasting room available for tastings of their library wines, those wines that are not typically on their tasting menu.  It is lovely and we look forward to visiting on a weekend when it is open sometime. We also visited the Octagon room where the barrels holding that special wine are aging.

If you’re ever in Central Virginia, I recommend a visit. The gorgeous vineyard, the historic grounds, the beautiful tasting room are all worth the visit and the excellent wines will keep you returning.

Aug 5thKeswick Vineyards

Central Virginia, home to many of the state’s finest wineries, is the site of Keswick Vineyards. There are 43 acres of grapes on the 400 acre Edgewood Estate. Currently visitors can taste seven of their wines. Of those wines, three make use of the Norton grape. They produce a light Norton Rosé and a wine named Royale, made in a manner similar to ice wine. While the flavors of both were exceptional, their residual sugars were a bit too high for our palates. Their 2012 Norton Reserve was excellent. With a violet aroma, and a deep, dark color that is found in most Nortons, the flavors are smoother and more refined than some of Nortons that I’ve tasted due to a special yeast used by their South African winemaker.

Keswick Vineyards is one of the most beautiful wineries in Virginia with a lovely inviting tasting room. The grounds have tables available for visitors to sit and enjoy the views and the fine wine.

Aug 2ndMonticello

Thomas Jefferson’s home, Monticello, is one of our favorite places to visit. The atmosphere and ambiance, from the moment you leave the shuttle bus that takes you up the mountain, ignites a feeling of going back in time. Visitors walk the same grounds that Jefferson did when he lived there. The Thomas Jefferson Foundation, the owners of 2500 acres of the original plantation strive to hold true to Jefferson’s memory with all restorations. They do an excellent job.

We, of course, have visited Monticello many times, but each visit is unique. It seems like each time you get to experience something new, or learn something new about the home or the grounds. This trip was not different. Our tour was one of their special evening tours that takes visitors on a behind the scenes look at the house. We visited the public rooms and then moved on to the second and third floors. On those floors, restorations are being done to allow a glimpse into the lives and bedrooms of those who lived there. A visit to the dome room is enjoyable as the views from the windows are breathtaking. Our guide, Jim Pippen, was knowledgeable and helpful in answering all questions.

After the tour, we were treated to the opportunity to have a glass of wine from the vineyards of Gabrielle Rausse, the vitaculturalist at Monticello. His vineyard is just a few miles from Monticello. During the time we spent on the grounds we were lucky to chat with both Jim Pippen and Marianne Cole, another guide. Marianne showed us something we had never seen before on the outside of the house — marks on the brick made by finger prints of a child when the bricks were being made and a bullet hole from a bullet fired during the Revolutionary War.

Monticello is an amazing place to visit. If ever you find yourself in central Virginia, or if you are looking for an interesting place to vacation, I recommend a visit. You will be impressed.

Aug 2ndJefferson Vineyards

Just down the road from Thomas Jefferson’s Monticello, a vineyard was planted in 1774 by Filipo Mazzei. Jefferson’s dream was to produce a quality Virginia wine. On that same site today, Jefferson Vineyards, a family farm winery, produces 6000 to 8000 cases of wine annually. Virginia’s wine industry today more than fulfilled Jefferson’s dreams. Virginia wines are respected and recognized as some of the best made in the United States, winning awards at many competitions and often being recognized in national magazines.

Any wine lover will find something to love at Jefferson Vineyards. Ben, our host for the tasting, was knowledgeable and friendly. Their offerings are mostly dry, but have enough residual sugars to appeal to even those who prefer sweet wines. Pinot Gris, Rosé, Chardonnay, and Viognier are their white offerings and each one was pleasing to taste, even though those are not my personal choices of white wines. They offered exceptional dry reds. The Cabernet Franc was excellent and had a tasting surprise; there was a big of Lemberger in the blend. The Petit Verdot was also enjoyable with hints of espresso and blackberry. Their Meritage, a red blend, was especially tasty with a blending of Petit Verdot, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, and Cabernet Sauvignon.

We enjoyed our visit, even though it began with a dash through the rain to get to the tasting room. After all, if it’s raining, a winery is a nice place to wait it out.

May 28thHuber’s Orchard, Winery, & Vineyards

Whenever we are near southern Indiana, we try to stop at Huber’s. This describes many different things. Huber’s is a farm and an orchard, where visitors can pick apples, strawberries, and many other fruits. Huber’s is a farm store that offers a wide array of farm products, from packaged soup mixes to apple cider to jellies and preserves. Huber’s is a bakery with mouth watering pies, rolls, breads, and cookies. Huber’s is a cheese shop and an ice cream shop. And, last but not least to a wine lover, Huber’s is a winery and distillery. While offering all of these products, there are also meeting facilities and a café. Our visit yesterday included stops at almost all of their shops. We bought wine, strawberries, packaged soups and beans, rolls, cookies, cider, and preserves.

On our last few visits to the winery, we didn’t do a tasting, just purchased some grappa (a distilled grape juice) and peach nectar; but this time we noticed some new wines and decided to do a full tasting. We were glad that we did. Two of the new wines we tasted were Tannat and Malbec. Both of these are full-bodied red wines. As we enjoy the wines, I will be writing about them later. We enjoyed our tasting very much with a very knowledgeable wine professional. We discussed the wines and the grapes. After tasting the 2011 Heritage, he also gave us a taste of a 2010 Reserve Heritage. Huber’s Heritage is a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot, and Tannat; and the blend is excellent. We enjoyed the tasting with the friendly help of Scott, Sandy, and Jenn.

After the visit to the winery and the farm store, we traveled down the road to Joe Huber’s Restaurant and the Farm Store located there. The visit was wonderful, with a delicious meal and some ham purchases from the Farm Store.

If you are near southern Indiana, I recommend a visit to Huber’s. You will find many different things to enjoy that also include family friendly pursuits such as wagon rides and a playground. It is one of greater Louisville’s premier tourist sites.

May 28thOliver Winery

Earlier this week my husband and I celebrated our anniversary sitting under the trees, by the lake at Oliver Winery. As always, the visit was enjoyable. Late spring is a great time to visit the winery; the flowers were lovely, the weather was perfect, and the wine was very good. We enjoyed a tasting of several wines, poured by a knowledgeable young woman; but found ourselves enjoying our same favorites from the past the most. My husband enjoys their Shiraz. My favorite Oliver wine is their Sauvignon Blanc.

A baguette, some cheese, and a bottle of wine in a beautiful setting.

I can’t think of a prettier place to celebrate our anniversary.

Mar 16thThomas Family Winery

Just across the bridge from Kentucky, in the town of Madison, Indiana is home to one of our favorite places to just kick back and relax. Walking into the winery, located in what was an 1850’s stable and carriage house, visitors are greeted by Steve and Elizabeth Thomas and made to feel at home. The handcrafted oak bar with its bar stools are inviting and folks just want to spend the afternoon.

Thomas Family Winery has an assortment of wines, both reds and whites; but my personal favorites are their old world ciders. Gale’s Hard Ciders are crafted and fermented in the old style that is a Celtic tradition.

Whether you’re interested in ciders, or want an intense, complex Zinfandel, you’ll find something to enjoy. The ambiance of the historic building and the friendly welcome of the Thomas family will give you a reason to stay for a while.