Back to Old House Vineyard

 

I had an opportunity to stop in for another tasting at Old House Vineyards.  This is always exciting, because the staff is great, the vineyards are gorgeous, you are not rushed to leave, and the wine is fantastic.  Does the combination get any better?  Well, yes it does!  In fact, during the tasting the host and I were conversing over their Chambourcin Dessert Wine.  This is a red dessert wine aged in bourbon barrels and is made from the vineyards own Chambourcin grapes.  To achieve the "port" like quality, the wine maker uses brandy, which is distilled from their own Chambroucin grapes--Out of this world!  Anyways, the host had informed me that the vineyard owner has plans for a distillery to be built on the vineyard.  This is great news, because this opens up an opportunity for the vineyard to offer a wider selection of types of drinks.  The host couldn't comment on what the distillery would be used to produce or when, but it is in production.  Also, being added to Old House is a brick oven.  Hmmmm...what could that be used for, maybe PIZZA!  I don't know, but I can't wait to see what they do with the oven. 

Looking across the vine and out to the pond.

Looking back at the Old House tasting room.

 

 

 

This tasting included "Petillante".  This is a new addition and may not be permanent. Petillante is a sparkling wine.  It is 100% Chardonnay, with a splash of Cognac. Unbelievable!









The wine list:

• Petillante: A 2011 sparkling wine made from 100% Chardonnay, with a splash of Cognac.
• 2011 Clover Hill:  This is a dry crisp white wine.
• 2012 Chardonnay: This is a barrel fermented wine, with light oak and butter components.  You are fronted with tropical fruit overtones.
• 2011 Vidal Blanc: A semi-sweet, white summer wine.  This is your picnic wine.
• 2012 Rosie's Rose: This is Old House's lush Rose', made from Cabernet Franc.
• 2010 Cabernet Franc: Aged in French Oak, bringing full character to the palate and spicy notes to the nose.
• 2012 Wicked Bottom: This is their Chambourcin Reserve.  This is a barrel aged wine with a fruity character and oak structure.  
• 2010 Bacchanalia: This is a full bodied wine.  It is a blend of barrel-aged Cabernet Franc, Tannat, Petit Verdot, and Chambourcin.
• Arctica: This is a very sweet dessert wine, made from deep-frozen post-harvest Vidal grapes.  This is a very rich dessert wine.  The recommendation to try this on ice cream was passed and I think I will do it.
• Chambourcin Dessert Wine: This is a red dessert wine, aged in bourbon barrels.  The wine is made from their Chambourcin grapes and fortified with wine spirits.  Anyone got a cigar?