Early Mountain Vineyards

 

February 26, 2022.  To conclude our short trip to the Culpeper area, we drove down to Early Mountain Vineyards in Madison, just a short detour from Route 29.  Originally the property of Sweely Estate Winery, Jean and Steve Case of America On-line (AOL) fame purchased the property in 2010 and reopened it as Early Mountain in 2012.  Jean Case is the owner.  Early Mountain is a fictitious name of Madison County Wines, LLC, a Delaware corporation.  Between the Early Mountain site and the acquisition Quaker Run Vineyard in 2015, there are more than 55 acres of vineyard, featuring Cabernet Franc and Merlot and new varietals including Malvasia Bianca, Sauvignon Blanc, Tannat, and other varietals.

The tasting room is palatial, sophisticated, and high-end, especially compared with many Virginia wineries in the area.  If you want the intimate and casual hospitality of a small tasting room, Early Mountain may not be the place for you.  The winery website states that it was voted as the Number 1 Tasting Room in Virginia (See https://blog.virginia.org/2014/10/23-favorite-virginia-wine-tasting-rooms/)  There is a nice open wood fireplace inside and gas heaters outside on the terrace.  The facilities can easily accommodate special events and would be nice for a Sunday brunch.

 



 

No outside food is allowed.  We found the menu was somewhat limited on a Saturday, given the size of the operation.  Of course, there is the ubiquitous charcuterie.  Early Mountain does not accept the Virginia Wine Pass.

 Early Mountain features four tasting flights:  a mix of reds and whites, higher-end reds, hybrids, and a flight of wines selected from other Virginia wineries. One of the philosophical principals of the Early Mountain is that it showcases wines from other Virginia wineries and invests to have these selections independently curated on a rotating basis. On the day of our visit, the other wineries were Pollack, Barboursville, Stinson, and Hark Spark.  I elected to enjoy the mixed tasting while Kim tried the Chardonnay.

Madison County Chardonnay 2020.  Kim rated this 100% Chardonnay as an “A,” but at $34.00 quite high for the bottle.  Glass prices were reasonable.

Rosé 2021. I found the Rosé to have light fruit – strawberries- and strong acid.  No finish.  This does well chilled.  Very refreshing.  Tasting notes describe it as a blend of 72% Merlot, 10% Malbec, 9% Cabernet Franc, 6% Petit Verdot, and 3% Syrah.

Petit Manseng 2020.  This Petit Manseng has a little finish and is more complex than the Rosé.  Acid is more under control. More aroma.  Also good chilled.  Tasting notes describe this as a blend of 93% Petit Manseng, 4% Pinot Gris, and 3% Chardonnay. 

Madison County Cabernet Franc 2020.  This is a medium bodied wine with raspberry notes, balanced tannins.  Garnet and some legs.  Tasting notes describe this as a blend of 85% Cabernet Franc, 7% Petit Manseng, 6% Petit Verdot, and 2% Merlot.

Eluvium 2019.  The Eluvium is a dark purple with good balance, a noticeable finish, and depth like a Right Bank Bordeaux.  Some legs.  It is a simple blend of 80% Merlot and 20% Petit Verdot. 

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