Chisholm Vineyards at Adventure Farm

Now that the rain finally stopped and after indulging in a number of good wines and conversations, we began our trip home.  Our first stop on the return trip was Chisholm Vineyards at Adventure Farm in Earlysville.  The vineyard lies just west of the Charlottesville Airport.  In fact, you will probably have to drive around the main runway to get there.  

Adventure Farm was originally a cattle farm, founded in 1950 by Morris and Gigi Chisholm.  Gigi still lives on the property and visits sometimes.  They still sell beef, corn, and soy. 


All of their wines are from estate-grown grapes although Chisholm relies on Early Mountain for winemaking.  The small and comfortable tasting room was opened in 2014.   

There is ample outside seating both in front of a stage that features entertainment or under a trellised patio if you want shade.  If swaying to the music is what you want, the Cajun band we heard that afternoon made you swing.  Lots of room for families and for dogs to play frisbee with their owners.

They allow outside food at Chisholm.  They also accept the Virginia Wine Pass for discounts on bottle purchases.  Chisholm offers 12 small-lot wines and produces only around 1,500 cases per year total.  

We tried five wines on this visit:

2018 Chardonnay.  Kim rated this a B+ and bought a bottle.  It is medium bodied for a Chardonnay with 12.3% ABV. 

2019 Gigi Red Blend.  This is mostly a Chambourcin wine with about a quarter being Cabernet Sauvignon.  Past versions of this wine have been closer to 50/50.  It is light bodied all around – light on fruit from the Chambourcin, light tannin.  We bought a bottle.

2017 Cabernet Sauvignon.  Mid-body, earthy, low alcohol (13.7%) for a Cab Sauv.  Some finish.  It won a Silver Medal at the 2022 Virginia Governor’s Cup.

2017 Petit Verdot.  This is a full-bodied wine, complex, hearty, and earthy with some sweetness.  Alcohol is at 14.7 ABV. 

2017 Tannat.  Becca with the Chisholm staff noted that this wine is the highest in anti-oxidants of any of their selections.  Too bad we can’t deduct wine from our taxes as a medical expense!  I found the Tannat full-bodied with dark plum fruit.  A bit grippy.  Maybe lay it down for a while.

 

Location: Chisholm Vineyards, Earlysville

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