OK Richmond, quit whining about the cold weather. This frigid season might not be a barrel of laughs, but there are plenty of ways we can fight seasonal affective disorder and avoid hibernation. One of those surefire ways just might be drinking or, rather, tasting. Vineyards located nearby on the Monticello Wine Trail offer the promise of an adventure blended with interesting history lessons, beautiful panoramas and, of course, award-winning wine.
Sure, Richmond boasts a list of events equal in length to our Canal Walk. But what about the open road? What about a low-cost, action-packed excursion that can easily deliver you home by the end of the day? With just enough time left over, well, to drink some of the wine you bought.
One more word of encouragement: local. Apply the popular "Buy Local" movement to your wine consumption. Here are some tips to help you become an oenophile, educated by some of the best vintners in America.
Background
Tourists visit the state just for our wine. We are considered the "Birthplace of American Wine," thanks to Thomas Jefferson, yet it took about 200 years for our wineries to really figure out the tricky climate and produce quality wines. We are now the fifth largest producer of wine in the United States.
Virginia wine has been applauded at the international level—proven by the 20 awards received out of 10,983 global wines entered—at the 2010 Decanter World Wine awards.
We have a native grape, the Norton, and even a crown jewel, the Viogner (vee-on-yay). The Viogner helped put Virginia on the map, thanks to the research and brave gambles of Dennis Horton, of Horton Vineyards. (This is some of the priceless stuff you get to learn about at the tastings.)
Additionally, our wine acreage has grown annually, as California’s drops.
"Wine popularity has grown tremendously over the past 10 years," said Andy Reagan, winemaker and vineyard manager of Jefferson Vineyards. "There are more visitors each year and more wineries opening as well."
There are now 23 vineyards clustered within 100 miles west of our fair river city and about 200 total in the state of Virginia. And, out of the 2,000 acres of vineyards statewide, half are in the Monticello area.
The Scoop
Don’t
Don’t be nervous about your first wine tasting. Don’t think you need to know how to talk about wine before you can go talk about wine with a total stranger.
That is absolutely not the case, at least not at most vineyards. In fact, these people love questions and they enjoy laughing. But not at you. With you. Wine tasting can be as fun as you make it. Think of the people with these big wine brains as your favorite bartender.
"Don't be afraid to ask questions, like how to pronounce certain varieties, or what the name of a wine means," said Reagan. "We're all about taking the snobbiness out of the wine culture."
"In fact, if a guest tells us it’s their first tasting, we make it a priority to help them understand the terminology, explain how things are made, how to pronounce some of the wines and, most important…how to taste the wines," said Missy Stevens, tasting room manager at Jefferson Vineyards.
For instance, you don’t use the tip of your tongue to lick a cold metal pole, rather you use it to taste wine. Each part of your tongue will notice something different about the variety.
Simply keep your ears open and learn as your host walks you through the process, flavors, history and subtleties of the particular wine you are tasting.
On a good note, you will learn more directly what it is you like and, perhaps, why you like it.
You probably won’t enjoy everything you try, but even the worst wine won’t be as awful as that first time you were forced to eat Brussels sprouts as a kid.
"Feel free to express your opinions on the wines, but try to keep negative comments to a minimum," said Kirsty Harmon, winemaker and general manager of Blenheim Vineyards.
It is acceptable to spit or pour out a wine you don’t enjoy. In fact, most professionals spit out the wine. There is no need to embarrass yourself or the vineyard by voicing negativity or disgust. Save that talk for the ride to your next tasting.
The Scoop
Do
When asked about any faux pas to avoid, Reagan commented, "drinking and driving."
Of course, that won’t stop the vineyard from selling you a bottle to drink on the property while you picnic. The key word here is food. Oh, and designated driver.
"Eat a big breakfast or lunch and pace yourself," said Harmon. "Wine tastings are lots of fun, but the little tastes of wine can add up quickly."
Scramble up a big breakfast and then hit the road. If you are visiting more than one location, eat lunch between the vineyards.
You can get a good sense of the wine you are trying without glugging the whole sample. Refer back to the spitting or pouring out if you start feeling too buzzed. The samples do add up. Vineyards will have an average of eight wines for you to try and, some, like Horton, feature 47 wines (although it is unlikely you will be allowed to try every single one).
Charlottesville is an afternoon foodie’s delight, with plenty of options for lunch. My favorite thing to do, if the weather accommodates, is to pack a picnic. Almost every vineyard encourages you to linger awhile. Views of the Blue Ridge Mountains grace most properties and make a spectacular backdrop to a picnic.
Several wineries do actually offer lunch, though reservations are recommended.
Have a smartphone? Look for check-ins via Foursquare or Facebook Places. Jefferson Vineyards will reward your check-in with a free wine tasting.
Planning
The slowest time for these wineries is winter and the busiest is fall. Plan to visit just two vineyards in a day, unless you opt to stay overnight. There are plenty of accommodations for a weekend get away, from cozy hostels to charming B&Bs, which allows you the time to also go hiking, shopping, or just do more tasting.
The standard price for tastings is $5. Horton Vineyards and a few others waive the tasting fee. Jefferson Vineyards recently raised the fee to $10, although you get a fabulous crystal wineglass souvenir. Generally, you get to keep the glass you used at the tasting. Your second tasting is free at Blenheim Vineyards, if you return with your glass.
The cost of a day trip depends on you. The frugal version is simply gas and tasting money, which runs zero to $15 bucks depending on which two vineyards you visit. That’s comparable with a two-hour movie and popcorn at theaters.
Or, bring enough money to buy a bottle to accompany your picnic. Virginia wines aren’t as cheap as Kroger’s international selection, but hey, you’re buying local. Horton has the best value wines that I’ve seen so far, but Jefferson Vineyards is my favorite. The most likely scenario is that you’re going to buy a few bottles from each vineyard. In that case, plan to spend around $75.
Below is a guide to help you explore vineyards by region. The stars indicate places I recommend, have visited or wish to visit. An excellent first excursion is a trip to Jefferson, one of the nation’s first vineyards and then Blenheim, an eco-friendly, modern winery owned by rock-star Dave Matthews. They are about 5 miles apart. Or try the Horton and Barboursville combo, also located within 5 miles of each other. Most vineyards have been reviewed on Yelp, if that helps you make a decision.
It isn’t about being an expert or arriving home a wine snob. It’s about having an adventure and celebrating our Virginia agriculture. Along the way, you will learn a lot of charming history and figure out what wines you really like. The biggest risk involved is that the wines you bought before at Kroger may no longer serve your palette.
Tell us in the comments which vineyards you’ve visited and loved.
North
Prince Michel Vineyards & Winery
Sweely Estate Winery
*Stone Mountain Vineyards
Mountfair Vineyards
White Hall Vineyards
South
*Jefferson Vineyards
*Blenheim Vineyards
First Colony Winery
Sugarleaf Vinyards
DelFosse Vineyards & Winery
Lovingston Winery
East
Keswick Vineyards
*Horton Cellars Winery
*Barboursvile Vineyards
*Burnley Vineyards
West
*King Family Vineyards
Pollak Vineyards
Cardinal Point Vineyards &Winery
*Veritas Vineyards &Winery
*Afton Mountain Vineyards
*Flying Fox Vineyards
Alix Bryan is neither a foodie nor a wine critic. She loves exploring Virginia and reporting back so you, too, can have great adventures. Give her a friendly follow on Twitter @alixbryan and share your favorite adventures.
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