Tasting at Cana Vineyards

Cana Vineyards opened in 2011 and expects to be producing a suitable grape in about 4 years. Cana takes its name from the bible. The vineyard had 8 wines to taste.  They included the Apple Wine (which I considered the best), the Raspberry Apple Wine, the Traminette, Riesling, Viognier, Rose, Cabernet Franc, and Le Mariage.  They are growing Petit Manseng and Viognier grapes on the grounds.  Overall, the vineyard was a beautiful place that sits atop a hill in Middleburg, VA. This area is also known for the Gray Ghost, John Mosby. The area offers other places worth seeing, such as the Red Fox Inn just down the road from the vineyard.   http://www.canavineyards.com/

Tasting at Pearmund Cellars

This weekend I got to enjoyed a nice afternoon of wine tasting at Pearmund Cellars. Pearmund Cellars is nestled in a nice country area just off 29 and located just outside of Warrenton, in Broad Run, VA. As always, Pearmund is about learning, having fun, and enjoying good wine. I liked the 2010 Cab Sauv, the Late Harvest Petit Manseng and the 2010 Malbec. During this tasting the host was kind enough to extend a vertical tasting on the 2009, 2010, and 2011 Cabernet Franc. I was surprised to observe how different the taste can be in such a small time frame. This also led into conversation about how much impact the environment and weather can effect the grape, which also changes the taste of the wine from year to year. This led me to realize that a wine is not just an enjoyable drink, but an art that captures some history in each bottle. Out of the tasting the 2009 Franc was my favorite of the three. Overall, I really enjoyed the vertical tasting because it allowed me to see the potential of the wine and the vision of the winemaker.  http://www.pearmundcellars.com/

Hiddencroft Vineyards: Dutchman's Creek Tasting House

Outside the tasting room

 Hiddencroft Vineyards is the northern most vineyard in VA.  The vineyard sets off the paved road a few miles and can be easily overlooked. Don't make the mistake of passing it up. The tasting room was built in the late 1800s, but the winemaker and his family have updated the inside of the building. The grounds have that historic Loudoun County feel about them and make a great place for an afternoon stroll. 

Inside the tasting room

View of the vineyard in Winter

They currently have 6 acres of grapes. We liked all of the wines here and it was extremely hard to pick and choose which one came home with us. Their list included a 2011 Chambourcin Rose (excellent), a 2011 Traminetee (excellent) and a 2011 Traminette semi-sweet (also excellent).  In addition, they had a 2010 Vidal Blanc, a 2008 Cab Franc, and a Cab/Sav/Bordeaux mix they named "Dutchman's Creek Blend". This name comes from the nearby creek. 

A view of the grounds

The host was the winemaker's daughter and she had plenty of insight into the wine, the grapes, the grounds and the winemaker's perspectives. The final two wines on their selection where fruit wines. They included a Cherry (100% cherry, which was the first wine made by the winemaker) and a Blueberry called, "Grandma's Love Potion". The Cherry was tart in taste for me. Grandma's Love Potion is a hit in the local area and was in fact the reason I hauled my family up to farthest and most northern winery today. This wine was made from 100% blueberries. They recommend it with a roast pork and I cannot wait to try that combination. This wine is sweet, but not overwhelming.

Hiddencroft Vineyards

Sunset Hills Vineyard

Outside the tasting room

I tasted 6 wines at Sunset Vineyards: the 2011 Viognier, 2011 Reserve Chardonnay, 2011 Merlot, 2011 Cab Franc, 2010 Sunset Red, and 2010 Nettare di'Tramonte.  Tasting cost $7.00 a person. The tasting area was very nice and their was plenty of room around the square bar. The grounds were beautiful, even in early December. 

The tasting room

The deck

The Viognier was done 50/50 in oak and steel. The 2011 Merlot would be the middle of road choice for hosting a social event, as it could appease about any taste. The Nettare di'Tramonte is a dessert wine.  It won the Virginia Wine Lover Magazine Competition for best dessert wine in 2010 and it took silver for the 2010 Virginia Governor's Cup.

The vineyard in Winter

I definitely enjoy the Loudoun county wine region. Within a hop skip and jump from Sunset Hills Vineyard, you can also visit 8 Chains North, Crushed Cellars, and Loudoun Valley Vineyards.

Driving through Loudoun County

I have been rolling down the road for Ports lately. Sunset Vineyards does not make a port at this time, but is going to release one in the future. To assist with my search the host recommended the port made at Dessert Rose Winery.

Sunset Vineyards

Sunset Hills Vineyards award list

I snatched their award list from their website, so I can review it later:

Chardonnay

Gold – 2011 - 2012 Virginia Wine Lover Classic
Gold – 2012 Finger Lakes International Wine Competition
Bronze – 2010 – International Eastern Wine Competition
Bronze – 2010 – Atlantic Seaboard Wine Competition
Silver – 2010 – Virginia Wine Lover's Classic
Silver – 2009 – Virginia Governor's Cup
Silver – 2007 – Virginia Wine Lover's Classic
Bronze – 2010 – Finger Lakes International Wine Competition

Reserve Chardonnay

Silver- 2011 - American Wine Society Competition
Silver - 2011 - Grand Harvest Awards
Silver – 2010 – Virginia Governor's Cup
Platinum – 2007 – Virginia Wine Lover's Classic
Gold – 2008 – Virginia Wine Lover's Classic
Commended – 2008 – Decanter World Wine Awards
Bronze – 2009 – Virginia Governor's Cup

Viognier

Silver - 2011 - Taster's Guild Consumers Wine Competition
Silver - 2011 - Grand Harvest Awards
Gold – 2011 - 2012 Virginia Wine Lover Classic
Silver – 2012 Finger Lakes International Wine Competition
Best Virginia Wine – 2010 – Virginia Wine Lover Magazine Competition
Silver – 2010 – Atlantic Seaboard Wine Competition
Silver – 2010 – International Eastern Wine Competition
Silver – 2010 – Virginia Governor's Cup
Platinum – 2010 - Virginia Wine Lover's Classic
Platinum – 2009 – Virginia Wine Lover's Classic
Double Gold – 2009 – Finger Lakes International Wine Competition
Gold – 2009 – International Eastern Wine Competition
Gold – 2010 – State Fair of Virginia
Silver – 2009 – Virginia Governor's Cup
Silver -2010 – Finger Lakes International Wine Competition
Silver – 2009 – Long Beach Grand Cru Wine Competition
Silver – 2009 – Tasters' Guild Consumers Wine Competition
Silver – 2009 – Virginia State Fair Wine Competition

Sunset Rosé

Silver – 2011 - 2012 Virginia Wine Lover Classic
Gold – 2011 – US National Wine Competition
Best of Class – 2012 International Eastern Wine Competition
Silver – 2010 – Atlantic Seaboard Wine Competition
Silver – 2010 – Virginia Wine Lover's Classic
Silver – 2010 – Finger Lakes International Wine Competition
Silver – 2009 – Virginia Wine Lover's Classic
Silver – 2009 – Virginia State Fair Wine Competition
Bronze – 2009 – Finger Lakes International Wine Competition

Merlot

Silver – 2010 - 2012 Virginia Wine Lover Classic
Silver – 2012 – Finger Lakes Int'l Wine Competition
Gold – 2009 – Virginia Wine Lover's Classic
Bronze – 2009 – Finger Lakes International Wine Competition
Platinum – 2008 – Virginia Wine Lover's Classic
Gold – 2008 – Virginia Wine Lover's Classic
Silver – 2008 – International Eastern Wine Competition

Cabernet Franc

Gold – 2009 - 2012 Virginia Wine Lover Classic
Silver - 2010 - 2012 Atlantic Seaboard Wine Competition
Gold – 2012 International Eastern Wine Competition
Gold – 2012 Virginia Governor's Cup
Gold – 2009 – US National Wine Competition
Gold – 2009 – Virginia Governor’s Cup
Bronze – 2009 Reserve – Virginia Governor’s Cup
Reader’s Choice Award Winner – 2009 Reserve - Virginia Wine Lover Magazine Competition
Reader’s Choice Award Winner – 2009 – Virginia Wine Lover Magazine Competition
Silver – 2008 – Virginia Governor's Cup – Reds
Bronze – 2008 Reserve – Virginia Governor's Cup - Reds
Silver – 2008 – Tasters' Guild Consumers Wine Competition
Commended – 2008 Benevino – 2010 Decanter World Wine Awards
Best of Category – 2007 – Atlantic Seaboard Wine Competition
Platinum – 2007 – Virginia Wine Lover's Classic
Platinum – 2007 Reserve – Virginia Wine Lover's Classic
Gold – 2007 – Atlantic Seaboard Wine Competition
Gold – 2007 Reserve – Virginia State Fair Wine Competition

Reserve Cabernet Franc

Silver – 2012 Virginia Governor's Cup
Gold - 2010 - American Wine Society Competition
Silver - 2010 - Grand Harvest Awards

Cabernet Sauvignon

Gold - 2010 - Grand Harvest Awards
Bronze - 2010 - American Wine Society Competition
Best of Category – 2010 - 2012 Atlantic Seaboard Wine Competition
Gold - 2010 - 2012 Atlantic Seaboard Wine Competition
Gold – 2012 International Eastern Wine Competition
Gold – 2009 – US National Wine Competition
Bronze – 2008 – Virginia Governor's Cup – Reds
Best of Category – 2007 – Atlantic Seaboard Wine Competition
Platinum – 2007 – Virginia Wine Lover's Classic
Silver – 2007 – Virginia Governor's Cup
Gold – 2007 – Atlantic Seaboard Wine Competition

Petit Verdot

Bronze – 2008 – Tasters' Guild Consumers Wine Competition
Gold – 2006 – Virginia State Fair Wine Competition
Silver – 2006 – Atlantic Seaboard Wine Competition
Silver – 2006 – Virginia Wine Lover's Classic

Petit Manseng

Silver - 2011 - 2012 Atlantic Seaboard Wine Competition

Sunset Red

Gold - 2010 - Taster's Guild Consumers Wine Competition
Bronze – 2009 – Virginia Governor's Cup – Reds
Gold – 2009 – Virginia Wine Lover's Classic
Gold – 2009 – Finger Lakes International Wine Competition

Nettare di Tramonte

Best Dessert Wine – 2010 – Virginia Wine Lover Magazine Competition
Silver – 2010 – Virginia Governor's Cup
Gold – 2009 – Virginia Wine Lover's Classic
Gold – 2008 – State Fair of Virginia
Silver – 2009 – Finger Lakes International Wine Competition
Bronze – 2007 – Virginia Wine Lover's Classic

Sunset White

Silver - 2011 - Taster's Guild Consumers Wine Competition