Our 23rd wine tour (with an average of almost 7 wineries per weekend) was a rousing success. It was the first time we ended where we began. Mike has the notes, so I'm at a loss with the specifics, but I'll do my best with what's left of my memory.
As mentioned in an earlier post, our weekend began Friday night at The Barns at Hamilton Station. After a lengthy guided tour of the winery and grounds, we enjoyed a couple of glasses of wine and then headed back to the hotel.
Saturday took us to Purcellville, starting at Above Ground, the self-proclaimed "only urban farm winery" in the state. We had a grand time sampling the wines, talking to Mary Beth, and visiting the town. Otium was next. Max, the owners' son, was a class act. He recommended our lunch stop -- Magnolia's -- and 8 Chains North, our third stop for the day. It was there that we met up with the infamous green shirted contingency. (How many cock jokes can one person make with a fake chicken?) After lunch we went to North Gate. We loved that it is a "green" winery. We finished the day with Kyra at 868 Estate, #157.
Sunday began early at Jim Hanna's Catoctin Creek winery/home. We love visits like that! From there we went to Crushed Cellars, where we were wined and dined by Bob and his gracious server, Charmain(sp?). Number 160 was Hunters Run with its decidedly Irish flair.
Diane and I had planned on going as far as Fredericksburg Sunday night, but like steel to a magnet, we were drawn back to The Barns. We spent a raucous late afternoon/early evening drinking bottles of Cab Franc, eating freshly baked bread, creamy cheeses, and artery-clogging sausage, listening to great sin-along/dance-along music, and even watching a little football.
We fell back to our hotel, none of us having the energy to go out for dinner. Somehow we survived the night. We said our goodbyes the next morning after pancakes and eggs at IHOP, already planning our next tour.
That's the quick and dirty version. It was a weekend bookended by visits to the Barns with some spectacular filling in between. Thanks, Loudon County. You never disappoint.
Monday, November 12, 2012
Loud in Loudon
I don't know who was louder, that group from Harrisburg we met at 8 Chains North, the large crowds at so many of the wineries we visited, or our own crooning as we drove and listened to our homemade wine CD ("Sweet Caroline...bah, bah, bah...")
- #152 The Barns at Hamilton Station
- #153 Above Ground Cellars
- #154 Otium Cellars
- #155 8 Chains North Winery
- #156 North Gate Vineyard
- #157 868 Estate Vineyards
- #158 Catoctin Creek Winery
- #159 Crushed Cellars
- #160 Hunters Run Wine Barn
Catoctin Creek Winery
Every so often we come across a true surprise. On day 2 of our "Loud in Loudon" tour, we had an appointment with Jim Hanna at Catocin Creek Winery. Jim's operation is so small, you can see his barrel room, office, wine press, storage room, and tasting room standing in one spot. Nothing against large operations, but these very personal, intimate visits tend to be the most memorable.
Jim began his journey of wine making about 7 years ago. Working closely with Doug Fabilioli, Jim, currently a photographer by trade, produces only about 300 cases a year, but he is deadly serious about developing his craft. Not one to put ideas in your head, he believes in "wine democracy." He understands that everyone's palate is different, and he lets you draw your own conclusions about each wine.
We started with a small vertical tasting of his '09 and '10 Cab Francs. The four of us were in disagreement about which we preferred, but we all agreed that Jim was doing something right. He didn't have any whites bottled, but he gave us a barrel tasting of his Sauvignon Blanc. It still had some aging to do, but it's going to be a great summer wine.
Before we left, we took our obligatory group picture. The server/owner isn't always invited to be in the picture, but Jim was special. As this professional photographer set up our small, point and shoot camera on his tripod, he left us in stitches when the camera decided it wanted to visit the floor. What a funny picture he got as it took our picture on its way down!
Jim's hospitality and stories about his wine making experiences made us feel at home. We highly recommend that you contact Jim and make an appointment to meet him and see his unique operations in person.
Jim began his journey of wine making about 7 years ago. Working closely with Doug Fabilioli, Jim, currently a photographer by trade, produces only about 300 cases a year, but he is deadly serious about developing his craft. Not one to put ideas in your head, he believes in "wine democracy." He understands that everyone's palate is different, and he lets you draw your own conclusions about each wine.
We started with a small vertical tasting of his '09 and '10 Cab Francs. The four of us were in disagreement about which we preferred, but we all agreed that Jim was doing something right. He didn't have any whites bottled, but he gave us a barrel tasting of his Sauvignon Blanc. It still had some aging to do, but it's going to be a great summer wine.
Before we left, we took our obligatory group picture. The server/owner isn't always invited to be in the picture, but Jim was special. As this professional photographer set up our small, point and shoot camera on his tripod, he left us in stitches when the camera decided it wanted to visit the floor. What a funny picture he got as it took our picture on its way down!
Jim's hospitality and stories about his wine making experiences made us feel at home. We highly recommend that you contact Jim and make an appointment to meet him and see his unique operations in person.
Sunday, November 11, 2012
Barnstorming
On Friday, November 8, season 5 of the PoLo Wine Club of VA quest to visit every winery in the state of VA began in earnest. We met in Leesburg and headed for our 152nd winery visit since November 2008. If there's one thing we've learned, it's that expectations are rarely accurate. In this case, I don't believe we were expecting much one way or another from The Barns at Hamilton Station Vineyards.
We had been in touch with Kim, one of the owners, and we knew they had music and food. Originally, we had hoped to visit two wineries on the 8th, but the POs and the LOs didn't meet up with each other until after 6:00, so we figured we'd only have time for one. Music and food was a big incentive, so off to the Barns we went.
When we arrived, it was dark, dark, dark outside. We pulled in beside an old house and were surprised at the large number of cars in the driveway. There was a chill in the air as we maneuvered through the dark parking area and headed toward a large barn still with its original silo.
Upon entering we were greeted with the sounds and smells of a busy winery evening at the Barns. A guitarist was singing over by the fireplace. Patrons were scattered around at tables eating chicken pot pie, salad, and whatever wine they thought paired best. A few small groups were doing tastings on or around the bar.
We bellied up near the far side of the bar, and we met Ashton, a young aspiring teacher who began our tasting while also serving another group. Soon, Charlie, an amiable sort who fit right in with our corny sense of humor, took over the pouring duties. I think Mike scared him a little when he took out THE BOOK and started asking him THE QUESTIONS. He did fine spouting off facts and figures about this relatively new winery, while we sipped Chardonnay, Viognier, Cab Franc, Merlot, Petit Verdot, and a wondeful Meritage.
Charlie introduced us to the owners: Kim and her husband Craig and their partner Andrew (absent was Andrew's wife, Mary Ann). From there, the real fun began. After pouring a full glass of our favorites (most opted for the light but fruity Cab Franc -- I, for the deep, rich Petit Verdot) Craig and Andrew gave us a personalized tour of their winery. We learned all about how they met 30 years ago, how they transformed the old barn into an amazing facility, and how their vision has changed and still is with more changes to come. Their personal stories were funny, warm, and inspiring. By the time we refilled our glasses, we felt like we were all old friends.
The Barns has only been opened a few months, but they already have a large, loyal following. Some wineries attract you with their ambiance. For others, it's all about the wine. The Barns has it all. This is definitely a place where one visit won't be enough.
We had been in touch with Kim, one of the owners, and we knew they had music and food. Originally, we had hoped to visit two wineries on the 8th, but the POs and the LOs didn't meet up with each other until after 6:00, so we figured we'd only have time for one. Music and food was a big incentive, so off to the Barns we went.
When we arrived, it was dark, dark, dark outside. We pulled in beside an old house and were surprised at the large number of cars in the driveway. There was a chill in the air as we maneuvered through the dark parking area and headed toward a large barn still with its original silo.
Upon entering we were greeted with the sounds and smells of a busy winery evening at the Barns. A guitarist was singing over by the fireplace. Patrons were scattered around at tables eating chicken pot pie, salad, and whatever wine they thought paired best. A few small groups were doing tastings on or around the bar.
We bellied up near the far side of the bar, and we met Ashton, a young aspiring teacher who began our tasting while also serving another group. Soon, Charlie, an amiable sort who fit right in with our corny sense of humor, took over the pouring duties. I think Mike scared him a little when he took out THE BOOK and started asking him THE QUESTIONS. He did fine spouting off facts and figures about this relatively new winery, while we sipped Chardonnay, Viognier, Cab Franc, Merlot, Petit Verdot, and a wondeful Meritage.
Charlie introduced us to the owners: Kim and her husband Craig and their partner Andrew (absent was Andrew's wife, Mary Ann). From there, the real fun began. After pouring a full glass of our favorites (most opted for the light but fruity Cab Franc -- I, for the deep, rich Petit Verdot) Craig and Andrew gave us a personalized tour of their winery. We learned all about how they met 30 years ago, how they transformed the old barn into an amazing facility, and how their vision has changed and still is with more changes to come. Their personal stories were funny, warm, and inspiring. By the time we refilled our glasses, we felt like we were all old friends.
The Barns has only been opened a few months, but they already have a large, loyal following. Some wineries attract you with their ambiance. For others, it's all about the wine. The Barns has it all. This is definitely a place where one visit won't be enough.
November 11, 2012
Let me open with an expression of awe and gratitude to the men and women who are defending or have defended our great nation. It's a cliche to say that freedom isn't free, but we are the leaders of the world because so many are willing to sacrifice so much.
We are less than a week past the 2012 election. Since I first voted at age 18 in 1976, I have a .500 average. My first candidate won, but the next three elections taught me how to lose graciously (let's not even start on 2000). So, I understand why so many people were so disappointed Wednesday morning. Yes, elections have consequences, but thankfully there were a group of geniuses who developed a system of checks and balances that keep us from swerving too far left or right. Despite the lament of so many, we're not headed for a European, socialist future. I am amazed that we live in a land where we have peaceful elections, and seamless transitions of power. I'm also amazed that four years after putting an African American in the White House, we (at least the majority of those who voted) trust him enough to give him four more years. So, VA is a blue state for two elections in a row. I know we're not a deep blue, more of a bluish purple, but still...
So with these thoughts in minds, and with a heavy heart for all my family suffering through the hardships and losses from superstorm Sandy, we know how blessed we are to be able to tackle our 23rd wine tour in a little over 4 years and maintain the loving and close relationship of Lo and Po. Wine on!
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