Mountain Cove

Mt. Cove, the oldest winery in VA. One of 3 opened in 1973. Great stories. Great history.

Love Lovingston

We loved Lovingston! Stef was wonderful. She was so knowledgeable. Loved the rotunda red (even though we're VT fans).

Loving' Lazy Days

What a great surprise! Thanks, Heather for great wines (not a bad one in the bunch) and wonderful hospitality.

Double Take Tour

Trump used to be Kluge. Not many changes other than "T" and Trump all around. They were still using their flutes - test-tube like glasses - for tasting. We love them but were told they are discontinuing their use. Too bad. Unusual is fun.

One winery had no dump bucket. No matter how good you think your wine is, you need to respect the fact that not everyone will agree. Don't force people to drink.

At one place we were served by the owner who showed no interest in talking with us. We asked questions and showed an interest in his place, but he was not personable. Mingling with the customers may not be for everyone. That is fine. Hire someone to serve for you.

Glass House is very unusual. A greenhouse in which they grow fruit (which we got to sample) and have tables for enjoying wine and/or the live entertainment. Very nice.

#121-129 The Double Take Tour

#121 - Byrd Cellars
#122 - Virginia Wine Works
#123 - Blenheim Vineyards
#124 - Trump Winery
#125 - Keswick Vineyards
#126 - Castle Hill Cider
#127 - Glass House Winery
#128 - Stintson Vineyards
#129 - Weston Farms Vineyard and Winery

Charlottesville Wine Weekend

Due to reasons beyond our control, we haven't been out on the wine trails since the last weekend of October.  We're heading for Charlottesville this weekend.  Despite our Virginia Tech bias, we love Charlottesville area wineries.  We're looking forward to meeting interesting new people and tasting some new Virginia wines.

BTW, during the last few months Diane and Eric made a half dozen or so unofficial revisits to several VA wineries.  We just wanted to mention a new favorite: General's Ridge Vineyard's GRV red.  It's a wonderfully fruity, dry red wine.  Another great new discovery was the Merlot Verdot from Well Hung Vineyard.  So sad that they won't be around this weekend.

#113-120

To sum up this wonderful "Hallo-wine" weekend.
#113 Pippin Hill: A major highlight, great wines, great food, great view, exceptional venue
#114 Albermarle CiderWorks: an acquired taste
#115 Sugarleaf: many wonderful wines
#116 Ox-Eye: a fantastic surprise in historic downtown Staunton
#117 Bluestone: Worth the drive
#118 Barren Ridge: Lived up to expectations
#119 Fincastle: Enough said (read previous posts)
#120 Rockbridge: Especially loved the Pinot Noir Blanc (a rose) and the Tuscarora red.