Mid-A Wineries Review
 

Hey - this topic comes up once in awhile at the meets - so i thought I'd start a thread...

If anyone has visited a Mid-A winery - let's compare notes on how you liked it, how good the wine is, the scenery, the roads getting to it etc.

Chrysalis Vineyard
Champps Ford Road
Middleburg, VA

Welcome to Chrysalis Vineyards

This is a really nice winery about half way between Middleburg and Alde

I like it because of their specialty grape - the Norton.

They have a great vintner, Alan Kinne who makes many good wines mostly from grapes grown on the property.

Use caution, there is about a one mile dirt road to get to the property - but all the surrounding roads are fun to drive.

Bluemont Vineyard
18755 Foggy Bottom Road
Bluemont, VA

Bluemont Vineyard

This one is good for the scenery - not so much for the wine.
It is also really good for seeing Jay when he doesn't want you to see him. :)

the driveway is pretty steep and is full of holes - but the view from the top is really sweet. (this one is the highest elevation in VA)

When you're out here - make sure to drive on River Road.

Running Hare Vineyard
150 Adelina Road
Prince Frederick, MD

Running Hare Vineyard - For the Finest Wines in Calvert County

this one is really nice for scenery and party atmosphere. The whites (Chardonnay and Pinot Gris) are the best of the bunch, but they are made from imported juice. It looks like the onsite grapes just dont cut the mustard...

worth the trip if you like sitting amongst the vines listening to the live music.

Winery at La Grange
4970 Antioch Road
Haymarket, Virginia 20169

nice setting - live music - near nice roads.

You should try the Generals Battlefield Red - made in six oak barrels crafted from an old fallen tree from the Manassas battlefield.

Tarara Winery

Pretty close to Leesburg, nice setting - roads are pretty nice getting there... sit on the patio and enjoy a bottle.. but the wines are really not that special.

you can also pick apples here in the fall if you like.

Corcoran Vineyards

run by the very nice Corcoran family - they have been producing a few good whites for the last several years. now they are also a brewery...

Horton Vineyards

The only other large grower of the Norton grape. Definitely give the Horton Norton a try.

The Winery at Bull Run
15950 Lee Highway
Centreville, 20120

a very new winery.. they have a large (and very loud) indoor tasting room. the outdoor area is nice with a large stone fire pit and live music.

the wines were not so hot however.

Slow work day Randy?

you bet :)
actually - i did a cruize in Calvert Country last weekend and found 3 new wineries... which got me thinking I should do a cruize that connects several of my favorites.. so this list sorta goes with the Mid-A Bucket list for roads :)

868 Estate Vineyards
14001 Harpers Ferry Rd.*
Purcellville, 20132

this one is a very new winery - as a mater of fact - the vines wont be producing for a couple more yearts - but they do import wines from other places that are pretty good, and there is a nice onsite restaurant for upscale dining.

the 868 stands for the 868 feet above sea level (2nd highest so far in VA)

Berrywine Plantation

Linganore Maryland

Verdict: Gross unless you like fortified fruit juice and really bad hangovers.

Note: Don't go here if you have a lowered car. Trust me on this one :icon17:

Gordon Biersch Annapolis

Strange hoppy wines that don't taste very much like grapes for some reason

Verdict: delicious, yes, have some

Gordon Biersch? what kind of review is this!!!!!!!!

Only the best kind, because I did it. :roflpuke2:

Sunset Hills in Leesburg isn't too bad. Their merlot and Cab aren't too shabby.

I have a long, long list of wineries.

1. Naked Mountain Vineyard- unfortunately, no one is naked but the wines are awesome and the place is cute and you can chill for a long time there. Bring your dog.
2. Boxwood in Middleburg- not bad. Only 5 wines though, 4 red, one rose and it's pretty much all outdoors.
3. Bull Run Winery- Centreville on 29. Nice and new. Cool place to chill out plus they have rocking chairs, so they're automatically awesome
4. Pearmund- voted on of the best in the area. Really fun. Easy to get to and you can bring your own food and picnic
5. Potomac Point- off 95 past F-burg but so worth it. Fanciest, nicest one I've been to so far. They have a full blown restaurant bistro there and it's in Stafford right next to Stafford Nissan so you get your oil changed (for free (w/ Ester oil)) and then drive over and drink a lot.

That's it for now. If you're gonna go to a vineyard go to one of or all of these before the summer is over.

Now THAT, shado, is a wine review. :happydance:

yeah, I guess that's ok... pshh

I did a cruise up to a winery in Gettysburg called Hauser estates that's up in the freaking mountains (gravel road = no lowered cars). The wines were decent to ok but they make a really f'ing fantastic set of english-style (non-sweet) alcoholic ciders that are just amazing.

Hillsborough Vineyards
36716 Charles Town Pike
Purcellville, VA 20132

some excellent views - a paved driveway - and some pretty nice wines.

this one is a must see

North Gate Vineyard
16031 Hillsboro Road
Purcellville, VA 20132

a nice winery with many award winners including a gold medal from the San Diego festival.

if you become a member, then there are special events with the vintner (Mark) who is really interesting and will teach you a ton about making wine.

Fabbioli Cellars
15669 Limestone School Road
Leesburg, VA 20176

This one is waaay back a dirt road.. feels pretty small in the actual cellar of the house.
If you like sweet wines - this will be good for you especially the pear wine and the 'Port' style version made with some pear brandy.

The other benefit is that it is fairly close (compared to some of these others) There is no elevation and i think they have trouble with the 'standard' Virginia varietals.

I'm going to this one next!! :tiphat:

Casanel Vineyard
Leesburg, VA

No membership club, and only 6 or so wines - many are pretty good.
also some nice sitting areas and a grill

Rappahannock Cellars
14437 Hume Road
Huntly, VA 22640

They have a members club - a couple good reds - the Meritage and Merlot especially.

also, you can't beat this one for piedmont views and make sure you drive Hume Road on the way - it is one of the best roads around.

Capitol Vineyard
 

This is in Delaplane, it's very new and very small. They have 6 wines and the couple that run the place are young and involved. The building out front is historic and they let you waive the tasting fee if you buy a bottle. I think it's mostly outdoors and the gravel road sucks. This is a quick stop- you can do it in under an hour and move on to another location nearby.

Cobbler Mountain Vineyard
 

Super nice. Big hill, gorgeous house, cute family that runs it. Dogs welcome, fire pit, a ton of wines (they have a Malbec that's pretty epic). They also have awesome bread, cheese and honey that they get from up the road from a local farmer. Nice wooden chairs and picnic tables, no grills but you could picnic super easily. No public restroom. Gravel road not so fun. Great view. I loved it.

Breaux Vineyards
36888 Breaux Vineyard Lane
Pucellville, VA

Breaux Vineyards

great scenery - well rated wines.

I only enjoyed the Sauvignon Blanc and the Cabernet Sauvignon.
The tastings are a couple bucks more than most any other winery at $10. Even if you are a 'member' you only get a small discount as opposed to the typical free tastings and events.

Veramar Vineyard
905 Quarry Road
Berryville, VA 22611

Welcome | Veramar Vineyard - Virginia Wineries, Virginia Wine, Top Rated Wines Virginia

One of the few growers of Norton.
A good wine club, and great scenery. you should really try the Rooster Red!

Narmada
near Sperryville off 211

this is a not too bad winery. there are a couple of good meritage style blends, the tasting room is very nice with a great fireplace and good views of the vines.

it is owned by an Indian family - which seems odd - because you (I) don't usually associate wines and India... anyhow, the staff was all dressed up in traditional indian garb -and the food pairings were interesting

NotaViva Vineyards

13274 Sagle Rd
Purcellville, VA 20132

Notaviva Vineyards - Wine Paired with Music. Pour. Listen. Believe. (R)

this place pairs its wines with music.. kind of bizarre - but a unique theme. The House/barn was featured on a DIY show - which is interesting - the sunset views from the upper seating area are very pretty.

the wines are so-so. :)

Boxwood Vineyards
Middleburg VA

this is a very modern looking facility right on the edge of Middleburg. It was owned by Jack Kent Cooke (Redskins Fame)

they have basically a set of red blends that were not so stellar at all - but the facility is like a small wine making museum. unfortunately you have no view to the outside - which is odd.

probably a pass on this one unless you are already in Middleburg and just want to check it out.

update - they just release a really nice Cab Franc that is really worth a try.

Sub'd

Sunset Hills Vineyard
Purcellville VA

this one is well liked - gets votes for the best vineyard in VA etc.

they have several medal winning wines - a really nice tasting room and some reserve wines just for the VIP members - you should put this one on your list :)

Bogati Bodega and Vineyard

This tasting room is on the top of the hill by Hill Top bakery and store (make sure to pick up a homemade pie when you visit)

These guys are just making wine, no grapes grown on the property, but they are affiliated with Veramar - which is just down the hill. They make different wines - many of which are pretty good. Worth a stop after your run on River Road.

Miracle Valley Vineyard
3661 Double J Lane
Delaplane, VA 20144

A nice property with a small civil war era house that serves as the tasting room.
There is a pond that you can reserve a spot on for fathers day and catch some of the stocked fish...

The wines were so-so...