The Winery at Bull Run

 

The Winery at Bull Run.  October 14, 2021.  Continuing our October Wine Month celebration, Kim and I visited the Winery at Bull Run in Centreville.  Bull Run is the center of a large operation.  Opened in 2012 by Jon Hickok, Bull Run reports that with 225 acres, it is the largest operating farm in Fairfax County.  The winery also has an estate vineyard known as Rock Mill located in Little Washington, VA, with over 40,000 vines sitting on 115 acres.  Bull Run operates Sunrise Ridge Winery in Gainesville (see previous post) and the soon-to-be-opened Old Farm Winery in Aldie (expected opening date is November 20th - watch for that post).   According to its website, Bull Run wines are 100% Virginia grapes, which is glorious.  Bull Run also claims to be the closest winery to Washington DC (Woodlawn Press microwinery in the Alexandria part of Fairfax County might dispute this).

The tasting room at Bull Run is full of dark wood looking out across a covered patio to slopes featuring picnic tables with the vineyards beyond.  Outside food is welcome on the patio and picnic tables.  Inside, there is a cozy area by the fireplace and there appears to be an upstairs seating area, too.  There are a number of relics on display around the tasting room to remind you that the Winery is literally next door to Manassas Battlefield National Park where two pitched battles were fought during the Civil War.  Pet-lovers be warned that pets are not allowed unless they are service animals   

We sampled seven wines:

2018 Chardonnay.  The Chardonnay had balanced acidity but was not creamy as advertised.  Kim liked this (not being a cream fan) and bought a bottle.

2019 Lily’s Voignier.  The Viognier was a little creamier and fuller feeling.  Kim gave it a B-.

2019 Traminette.  At only 1.5% residual sugar, Kim found the Traminette too sweet and gave it a C-. 

2018 Merlot.  I found the Merlot to have good balance and tannin with some finish.

2018 Petit Verdot.  The Petit Verdot has more structure than the Merlot; a good medium-bodied wine with a better finish.

2018 Norton.  The Norton is 80% Norton and 20% Merlot. I found it was good to cut the Norton in this way.  You can definitely tell this is Norton – some sense of sweetness with no residual sugar and an earthiness.  This is a full-bodied wine with some pepper.

2018 Meritage.  I requested to try the Bull Run Meritage since, like the Chardonnay, it had distinguished itself at the Governor’s Cup competition.  The Meritage is not on the standard tasting menu. I found the Meritage more fun and exuberant than the other reds on offer.  It triggered more of the wine synapses with its fullness and complexity. I ended-up buying a bottle. 

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