Old Farm Winery at Hartland

 

November 26, 2021.  A group of us tried out the newly-opened Old Farm Winery at Harland on a cold blustery day.  Old Farm opened on November 6th after several delays.  It is the second winery operation for Jon Hickok and the owners of Bull Run Winery.  The new winery is situated inside a new residential development called Hartland in the Brambleton section of Loudoun County near Aldie.  The property is one of the oldest farms in the county, dating back to the 1770’s with a farmhouse dating back to the 19th century and a derelict barn.  Future plans for the farmhouse and barn are to renovate them for special events – like weddings.   Further, Old Farm plans to build a more substantial indoor tasting room and convert the current tasting bar to an outside venue only.   When we visited, part of the outdoor area was enclosed by a tent with heaters.  Fortunately, we reserved a table in the heated tasting area.  All seating is at picnic benches.  You might want to bring a stadium seat if you have a bothersome back.  A few of the outdoor benches have propane fire pits.  However, none of the firepits were operational when we visited – no doubt they would have been blown out!  Old Farm does not allow outside food and does not permit pets.  The winery has a limited selection of cheeses and the ubiquitous charcuterie.  They also have food trucks on the property during most weekends – just not during out visit.  The winery is wheelchair accessible.  Walk-ins are welcome, but on weekends you would do well to make a reservation, especially for the enclosed and heated area during the colder weather. 

According to tasting room manager, Amber King, at this point most wine comes from Bull Run’s properly in Rappahannock County as the vines on the Brambleton property aren’t producing much yet.  Incorporated in 2020, the winery sits on 35 acres.  Bull Run has several vineyard properties around Virginia, and they supply beyond Bull Run operations, such as Fleetwood Winery and Sunshine Ridge. The staff are cordial and still getting used to the new operation.

Tastings are a pre-set sample of six wines and come with a souvenir glass.  Altogether, our group sampled the following:

Tally-Ho White Blend 2020.  This is a Virginia wine of 60% Vidal Blanc, 28% Traminette, and 12% Seyval Blanc.  The name conveys something of the hunt country where the winery sits.  Kim and others did not find it had the crisp acidity that tasting notes describe, but it was an acceptable wine nevertheless.  Not much finish.  Kim gave it a B-.

Rosé 2020.  The Rosé is a blend of 75% Chambourcin, 12.5% Petit Verdot, and 12.5 Cabernet Sauvignon.  This is a Virginia wine.  Some agreed that the watermelon flavor was noticeable.  It was not too dry of a rosé with some berry fruit sweetness.  It has an interesting orange color and light acid.  Kim rated it a B-. 

Chardonnay 2020.  The Old Farm Chardonnay is 100% Chardonnay and is crisp apple.  Kim rated this Chardonnay as an A and bought a bottle.  We found that the Old Farm Chardonnay did not have much butter, differing from the tasting notes.  It was fermented 50% in steel and 50% in new oak.  This is a Virginia wine.

Cabernet Franc 2020.  The only wine labeled as “American” on the Old Farm tasting menu, the Cabernet Franc does not display much of the bell pepper for which Cab Franc is known.  It had medium tannin.

Meritage 2020.   Old Farm features two Meritage options.  We sampled the non-reserve selection which is 49% Cabernet Sauvignon, 21% Petit Verdot, 16% Merlot, and 14% Cabernet Franc.  (The Meritage Reserve has an even balance between Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot).  We found a subtle smoke and cherry. It is not as dry as the Cabernet Franc.  Smooth with more tannin.  Not much finish.

Petit Verdot 2020.  This is 100% Petit Verdot, Virginia wine.  It has some tannins, and we found it a little sweet; some residual sugar.

The tasting menu also included a hard cider that Kim and others rated as B, above average.


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