Effingham Manor Winery

June 11, 2022.  Despite forecasts of persistent rain, we ventured out to Effingham Manor Winery in Nokesville.  As we sat and had a tasting, and then a bottle or two, the sun peaked out timidly at first then gloriously full bore. 

Effingham is a child of Pearmund Vineyards and Winery in Broad Run and a sister winery to Vint Hill.  Reportedly managing director Chris Pearmund wanted a property closer to the Washington DC market.  He and his investor group settled on the 16 acres that includes the 1767 Effingham Manor and outbuildings.  He formed Effingham Manor LLC in 2015 but had to overcome a lawsuit by neighboring homeowners in the Alexander Lakes subdivision.  They claimed that the use of the access road to the winery violated the homeowner’s association rules against commercial use.  In 2017, a Prince William County Circuit Court judge ruled in favor of the winery and it opened.

The two principal buildings on the estate are the 1767 Manor House, a two story five-bay, Tidewater-style mansion bracketed by two large chimneys, and a Wine Building that houses production facilities and tasting bars.  The Barrel Room has space for 110 barrels.  We had a good chat with Frank Lynch, the Social Media Director on staff.  Thanks to Frank for spending time with us on a busy Wine Club Members Pick-up Day! 

Effingham is an adults-only venue.  No children – no pets.  You can bring your own food but must eat it outside.  The winery does bring in food trucks on the weekends and can serve a limited menu all days.  Effingham accepts the Virginia Wine Pass for free tastings or flights with the purchase of a bottle.  The Wine Building has a fireplace inside and firepits outside for the cold weather, as well as a number of picnic tables.  Make sure to visit the koi pond down the hill from the Manor.  The fish will be riotously happy to see you if you throw them a little something to eat. 

This is our third visit to Effingham.  In May 2017, I think the winery was labeling Pearmund as Effingham.  No more.  The three Pearmund affiliates share wine makers and thus the wines have a similarity among the three locations, but it is not an exact thing.  According to Frank Lynch, the focus at Effingham is more “old-school” wines like Bordeaux blends.  All whites at Effingham are made at Pearmund, aka “the mother ship.”  Effingham produces around 2,500 cases of a year.  On site there is around a half acre of Chambourcin producing around 3 tons a year.  It is not clear whether acreage can be expanded much with the close-by neighbors.  We and our tasting companions had several tastings and here are our impressions:

Viognier 2020.  My quest to push Kim toward Viognier is an on-going project.  Kim rated this a B-.  It was perhaps more full bodied than her preferences, having been made sur lie and aged 9 months on oak. 

Chardonnay 2018.  Kim initially rated this a C but it grew on her.  Eventually she bought a bottle.  It tastes like a classic clean Chardonnay with apple and oak from the barrel aging.

Rose 2020.  This rose is a blend of 50% Chambouorcin from the stand growing on the estate, and the other 50% a mix of Merlot, Riesling and other grapes due to the low yield of Chambourcin in 2020.  It is off-dry with good acid. 

Celebration 2020.  Kim and our tasting companions had different takes on Celebration.  Kim found it weak with little flavor, too light, a C-.  Her tasting companion thought it good overall, not bone dry, some residual sugar, lemony. 

Norton 2017.  The Norton is made from grapes grown at Chrysalis Vineyard, the font of all things Norton in Virginia.  It clearly has the spice you associate with Norton but not the heavy jamminess.  This Norton is light bodied.  Effingham does not have plans for Norton in future offerings, moving instead towards Petit Verdot.

Meritage 2018.  The Meritage is 100% Virginia fruit. Medium body, subdued fruit, light tannin, little finish.  Our tasting companions found this Meritage not as smooth as some West Coast Cabernet Sauvignons.  Effingham distinguishes the Meritage, which per the terms of the Meritage Alliance can use only established Bordeaux grapes (Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot, Merlot, and Malbec) from the King’s Ransom- below.  We bought a bottle.

Kings Ransom 2018.  Since the King’s Ransom includes Tannat in the blend, Effingham will not refer to it as Bordeaux blend.  It is a “Virginia Blend” and their premium wine.  It is medium to full bodied, with more tannin and finish than the Meritage.  I found it somewhat dark and brooding.

Tannat 2019.  The Tannat was medium bodied and dry, the tannins not overpowering.

Effingham Reserve NV.  Our tasting companions found the Effingham Reserve a fuller bodied wine, dry but not too smooth.  It is blend of five varietals with Cabernet Sauvignon in the lead. 

Our tasting companions have also visited Effingham before and had the NV Snort, a Port-styled wine. They found the Snort at least equal to if not surpassing Ports they encountered in a recent trip to Europe.