Winery At Bull Run

Panoramic of the Winery At Bull Run

 

 

 

 

Welcome to the Winery at Bull Run!  This young winery is a great social hub for history buffs strolling through the battlefield or local visitors looking for a day out.  The Winery at Bull Run is one of Chris Pearmund's extensions, where he is mentoring winemakers.  This winery does not make wines from their own vines.  They only have about 1/2 or less of Norton grapevines.  According to the wine host, they are looking to plant Chardonnay in the future.  Much of their wine on their flight is similar in style to Pearmund Cellars offerings.  To be frank, if you like Pearmund's wine, then you will find this winery to a delightful extension of Chris Pearmund's vision and wine varietal.  Where Pearmund does not offer any fruit wines or "Port" style wines, this winery makes up for ti with a peach, blueberry and port-style dessert wine.  On today's flight they offered a 2012 Blueberry wine, but their was also a Peach wine for purchase.  In addition, they offered a port-style wine made from 100% Chambourcin, labeled 2010 Fort.  Throughout their wines they are using either stainless steel or American Oak.  The 2011 Chardonnay, made from 100% Chardonnay, is a Burgundian styled Chardonnay aged in French oak barrels.  It receives a full malolactic fermentation and has a nice buttery taste, if I remember correctly.  I also enjoyed the 2011 Delaney and the 2011 Rose.  The Delaney is made from 70% Vidal Blanc, 15% Petit Manseng, 10% Viognier, and 5% Rkatsiteli.  Their are 9 wines on the flight to explore, plus a peach wine and Sangria (which is made to order on at the winery).  The grounds of this winery are beautiful and the also provide a fantastic barrel room for private parties or just for off the path explorers.  This winery is a great choice for social events.   

 

 

 

 

 

 

Nortons

Looking into a Barrel

2013 Governor’s Cup

 2013 Governor's Cup Awards

Gold Medal Winners
Winery	Year & Description
Barboursville Vineyards	2009 Octagon 12th Edition
Bluemont Vineyard	2010 The Horse
Cooper Vineyards	2010 Petit Verdot Reserve
Glen Manor Vineyards	2010 Hodder Hill
Keswick Winery	2010 Cabernet Sauvignon Estate Reserve
King Family Vineyards	2010 Meritage
Lovingston Winery	2009 Josie's Knoll, Estate Reserve
Philip Carter Winery	2010 Cleve
Pollak Vineyards	2009 Cabernet Franc Reserve
Potomac Point Vineyard and Winery	2010 Richland Reserve Heritage
Rappahannock Cellars	2010 Meritage
RdV Vineyards	2010 Lost Mountain
RdV Vineyards	2010 Rendezvous
Shenandoah Vineyards	2010 Cabernet Franc
Shenandoah Vineyards	2010 Rhapsody in Red
Sunset Hills Vineyard	2010 Mosaic
Trump Winery	2008 Sparkling Rose
Virginia Wineworks	2008 Red Hill Reserve
Virginia Wineworks	2010 Cabernet Franc
Virginia Wineworks	2010 Chardonnay

Silver Medal Winners
Winery	Year & Description
Altillo Vineyards	NV Chardonnay
AmRhein Wine Cellars	2011 Vidal Blanc
AmRhein Wine Cellars	NV Chambourcin
AmRhein Wine Cellars	2011 Pinot Gris Reserve
Ankida Ridge Vineyards	2011 Voyage de Rouge
Ankida Ridge Vineyards	NV Vin Doux
Annefield Vineyards	2011 Rose
Attimo	Vidal Blanc
Barboursville Vineyards	2009 Petit Verdot Reserve
Barboursville Vineyards	2009 Cabernet Franc Reserve
Barboursville Vineyards	2010 Octagon
Barboursville Vineyards	2010 Petit Verdot Reserve
Barboursville Vineyards	2010 Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve
Barboursville Vineyards	2010 Viognier Reserve
Barboursville Vineyards	2007 Cabernet Franc Reserve
Barboursville Vineyards	2009 Nebbiolo Reserve
Barboursville Vineyards	2010 Nebbiolo Reserve
Barboursville Vineyards	2010 Merlot Reserve
Barboursville Vineyards	2010 Cabernet Franc Reserve
Barboursville Vineyards	2008 Malvaxia
Barrel Oak Winery	2010 Cabernet Sauvignon
Barrel Oak Winery	2010 Chardonnay Reserve
Barren Ridge Vineyards	2010 Meritage
Beliveau Estate Winery	2011 Serenity
Bluemont Vineyard	2011 Farm Table Red
Bluestone Vineyard	2011 Chardonnay
Bluestone Vineyard	2010 Meritage
Bluestone Vineyard	NV Beau
Bluestone Vineyard	NV Blue Ice
Bluestone Vineyard	2011 Viognier
Bold Rock Cidery	NV Crimson Ridge Vat No 1
Breaux Vineyards LTD	2010 Marquis De Lafayette
Breaux Vineyards LTD	2007 Meritage
Breaux Vineyards LTD	2012 Sauvignon Blanc
Breaux Vineyards LTD	2012 Viognier
Breaux Vineyards LTD	2007 Nebbiolo
Breaux Vineyards LTD	2012 Madeleine's Chardonnay
Breaux Vineyards LTD	2007 Merlot
Breaux Vineyards LTD	2012 Chere Marie
Breaux Vineyards LTD	2007 Cabernet Sauvignon
Breaux Vineyards LTD	2007 Cabernet Franc Reserve
Breaux Vineyards LTD	2011 Rose
Cana Vineyards and Winery	2011 Viognier
Cana Vineyards and Winery	2011 Le Mariage
Cardinal Point Winery	2011 Viognier
Castle Hill Cider	NV Terrestrial Fermented Cider
Cave Ridge Vineyard	2010 Fossil Hill Reserve
Cedar Creek Vineyards	2010 Cabernet Franc
Chateau Morrisette	2011 Chardonnay
Chateau Morrisette	2009 Petit Verdot
Cooper Vineyards	2010 Carter Mountain
Cooper Vineyards	2010 Cabernet Franc
Cross Keys Vineyards	2011 Pinot Noir
Cross Keys Vineyards	2010 Meritage
Delaplane Cellars	2010 Williams Gap Reserve
Delaplane Cellars	2010 Tannat
Democracy Vineyards	2011 Declaration 2011 Reserve
Doukénie Winery	2010 Vintner's Reserve
Doukénie Winery	2011 Mandolin
Doukénie Winery	2009 Dionysus
Doukénie Winery	2010 Merlot
Doukénie Winery	2009 Le Vin Rouge
Dry Mill Vineyards & Winery	2010 Merlot
Dry Mill Vineyards & Winery	2009 Merlot
DuCard Vineyards	2010 Petit Verdot
Flying Fox Vineyards	2010 Petit Verdot
Flying Fox Vineyards	2010 Merlot
Flying Fox Vineyards	2010 Cabernet Franc
Flying Fox Vineyards	2009 Trio
Foggy Ridge	2011 Sweet Stayman
Fox Meadow Winery	2011 Barrel Fermented Chardonnay
Fox Meadow Winery	2011 Riesling
Gadino Cellars	2010 Nebbiolo
Gadino Cellars	2010 Petit Verdot
Glass House Winery	2011 21st
Good Luck Cellars	2011 Viognier
Granite Heights	2009 Lomax Reserve
Hume Vineyards	2011 Petit Verdot
Huntly Vineyards	2009 Anghel
Huntly Vineyards	2010 Anghel
Huntly Vineyards	2008 Anghel

Richard Leahy provides a fantastic and detailed report on the 2013 Governor's Cup winners here:
http://www.richardleahy.com/2013/02/14/vwa-announces-20-gold-medalists-in-2013-governors-cup/

You Were Never Here...

Vint Hill welcome sign

 Vint Hill Craft Winery is a surprisingly great time! 

I found myself at Vint Hill later in the day, by recommendation of the Pearmund staff, because I was looking for a "Port" style wine to finish off the day.  First, Vint Hill is a craft winery not a winery, not a vineyard.  Don't expect to find rolling hills with grapes on vine.  Vint Hill is actually in a barn, which was used during World War 2 for enigma operators.  To me this is awesome, because it incorporates the history of code breaking, as this was a location used by the military for signals intercept.  Also, they have kept with the history and have adopted a very cool look to their theme and winery.  Again, this is not a vineyard, but a commercial establishment existing to help wine enthusiasts connect with their passion or craft better.  So here you get to choose between three flights for tasting.  They are Red, White and  Premium flight.  You get more wines on the red and white list, but I was really after the cream of the crop and not too mention the "port".  So I tasted the Premium flight.   I really really enjoyed all the wines on the list.  Something to note is that Vint Hill is also managed by Chris Pearmund (who was also the wine maker for Unicorn back when), of Pearmund Cellars.  If you enjoy Pearmund, you are likely to enjoy this establishment, as well.

Read more history of Vint Hill here.

Shot of the tree in bloom outside VH.

Inside the tasting room and where the
signals intercept was done.

They have earned many awards.

Never leave a glass full

Cover Girl

Cover Girl on the Chambourcin
One of my favorite "Port Style" wines
They add a brandy, not made from
the same grapes.

Another Cover Girl
I had too much wine at this point

Glass array.  I liked it then.

Little blurry, but that is what I was actually seeing

An Afternoon at Pearmund Cellars April 21, 2013

 I'm losing count on how many times I have visited and tasted at Pearmund Cellars.  This weekend I tasted their 2012 wines.  The staff at this winery go out of their way to communicate the vision of Chris Pearmund through the tasting experience and his wines.  Its hard to pick my favorite, because I like all of their wines.  I have tried to gather a taste of their wines from years 2008 through 2012, but its becoming harder and harder to do as the supply for VA wines is so limited.  At any rate, Pearmund is one of the wineries which I want to experience a depth knowledge across years of their varietals.  This weekend I settled on the 2009 Celebration, with my wife, which contains Viognier, Gewurtzminer, and Chardonnay.  The Gewurtzminer give the Celebration a slightly sweet taste.  Well as they describe it: Nose has notes of citrus, apricot, and a field of wild flowers. The palette has soft notes of honeysuckle and pear with a touch of clove on the finish.

See their Current Wine List here.

Enjoying the scenic grounds.

Enjoying a private tasting

 

Assistant Wine Maker, Mike.

with the 

 

A picture of the vines with buds on them.

What a nice Spring day!

King Family's Chardonnay 2011 (Est 1998)

Tonight I am enjoying a bottle of King Family Chardonnay 2011.  I have been waiting until the summer polo games to head out to King Family for a tasting.  After finding their Chardonnay 2011 (670 cases produced) and Seven 2010 (457 cases produced) at a local wine shop, I had to get a preview.   Sorry, but I have tucked the Seven 2010 (their version of a Port) away for another day.  With the sudden burst of summer weather here in Northern Virginia, I have decided to dip into the Chardonnay.

Here is the description from the King Family Website: 25% of the volume is aged in new French oak.  The nose offers fresh pear, caramel, and cut straw.  A flinty minerality opens onto a silky mouthfeel characterized by cucumber.  The finish is long with a hint of vanilla.  100% malolactic fermentation.  

This is a fantastic Chardonnay and leaves me craving ham and pineapple pizza or some pasta with white sauce.  I wonder if I opened this to soon and should have waited to schedule a nice dinner along with it.  (Chardonnay Food Pairing)

I can't wait to visit the vineyard!

King Family Vineyards

Polo Games Starting Soon

Roseland Polo will be kicking off the 2013 season on Sunday, May 26th.

Polo matches are held every Sunday from Memorial Day weekend through mid-October, weather and field conditions permitting. Matches begin at 1:30 pm and typically last about 1 1/2 hours. Matches may be cancelled depending on field conditions, rain, excessive heat or any number of reasons

2012 Gewurztraminer

2012 Gewurztraminer

The 2012 Gewurztraminer is available for tasting and purchase at Gray Ghost Vineyards! Last year's vintage earned 16 medals including "Best of Class" in California and three Golds. 
  
There are 200 cases available for sale at $19 per bottle.
"Gray Ghost's 2012 Gewurztraminer has a bouquet bursting with pineapple, ginger and peach aromas.  The palate exhibits bright, lush flavors of mango, honeysuckle, star fruit and passion fruit.  A hint of sweetness balances the lengthy spice finish.  This estate-grown Gewurztraminer is a refreshing complement to turkey, ham, Thai cuisine and fresh fruit."  

For more information: www.grayghostvineyards.com

Traminette and Blues on a Saturday Afternoon

Everyone asks me why I tolerate such a long commute from Warrenton, Virginia up to Washington DC everyday.  I ask why anyone would want to live in DC , when they have all the beauty and treasures of Virginia at their doorsteps.  One of the greatest treasures about Virginia is that you are only minutes from a world class winery, from most parts of the state.  Here in the heart of Mosby's territory we have several unbelievable vineyards.  Today I decided to take a break from the hustle bustle of RTE 29 and 66 and enjoy a bottle of Traminette by the pond at Unicorn Winery.  With the kids off exploring the treasures of the vineyard, I am enjoying a live blues band playing on the deck of the winery and taking  a minute for myself to unwind and watch the Spring come to life.   The vineyard is still waiting on bud break here at the vineyard, but the pond at unicorn is alive with activity of coy fish coming to the surface for food, frogs are warming in the sun and lonely turtles coming up to enjoy the company.  Cutting my thoughts short, I have attached some photos from today's journey.  Enjoy and stop by when you have a chance.