Stone Mountain Vineyards July 5, 2021

 
Stone Mountain Vineyards  July 5, 2021

Stone Mountain Vineyards is perched on top of a mountain (Wyatt Mountain?) near the hamlet of Dyke, hard by Brokeback Mountain Road -believe it or not. This is one of the highest wineries in the State. To get here, you must traverse a single lane gravel mountain road with treacherous sheer drops on one side and wheel-eating ruts on the other.  On our ascent, descending traffic had to back up the mountain to allow us to pass, the road was so narrow in places.  Word of advice: Don’t use your GPS or WAZE to get here; those are unreliable in this area.  Better get directions from a local, like we did from Ellen Moss.  After that driving stress, the view from 1,700 feet is spectacular across the valley to Piney Mountain and the Southwestern Mountains in the distance.  We strongly advise having a glass of wine to celebrate your arrival.  The view is worth the trip.  

Jim and Deanna Gephart purchased the former Rubee Cellars it in 2016.  We met Deanna who told us about how she and Jim came to this property after careers in Federal service and the hard work to renovate the facility. She is the winemaker; he is the grower. 

Stone Mountain has a spacious tasting room and a wide deck where outside food is welcome.  Below the deck is a large patio with picnic tables directly adjacent to the vineyards clutching the steep slopes, ala Hermitage.  At 1,700 feet, Stone Mountain is well above the “frost line” and was not affected by the big April 2016 frost that killed off much grape production in the Commonwealth.

Kim tried the 2019 Pinot Grigio.  This is in Stone Mountain’s “International Series,” meaning that the grapes were grown outside of Virginia - in Chile, in fact.  Kim liked this wine enough to buy it even though it is not a Virginia wine.  I tried the 2019 Viognier, which is a Monticello AVA/Stone Mountain grown product.  It was fine, balanced but not especially commendable. 

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