Pippin Hill Farm and Vineyards

July 8, 2022.  We diverted from our itinerary to make a return visit to Pippin Hill Farm and Vineyard in North Garden.  This was actually our third visit – Kim visited solo in 2016, and we came together in 2018.  We noted then that the wine was only “ok.”

Pippin Hill was formed in 2010 and its tasting room and events venue opened in 2017.  There are several interconnected barns covering some 15,000 square feet.  From an easy chair on the long porch, you look out over some five acres of grape vines and to the Blue Ridge Mountains in the distance.  The focus for Pippin Hill and its owners, Dean and Lynn Easton Andrews, is to have an events venue for weddings (and other large events).  It is an events-oriented large operation and part of the Easton-Porter Group of hospitality properties  Wine and food are in service of those kind of events.  


Pippin Hill grows its grapes, or acquires them from the Monticello Co-op, and then leaves it to their winemaker, Michael Shaps to create the wines in a custom crush arrangement.  Mr. Shaps produces around 10,000 cases per year for the Farm.  Pippin Hill does not produce its own wine.

When we visited, the Farm staff was preparing to host its wine club members for an annual event with free tastings and appetizers served throughout the facility.  We spoke with staffer, Jimmy P, about the wine club ($800 per year per person), and the Pippin Hill offerings.  We appreciate Jimmy spending some time with us and giving his views.  Considering the lateness of the day and the approaching special event, we only sampled two wines:

2020 Chardonnay.  Kim rated this a B.  According to the tasting notes, this is a Chardonnay/Viognier blend.  It is light and lean of body.  Some honeysuckle sweetness, probably from the Viognier.

2019 Wild Common.  This a red blend with Merlot predominate.  Very smooth with lower tannin.  A little cardboard on the nose.  Medium bodied; medium alcohol, and not too acidy.  Good with roasted vegetables, chicken, or ribs.  Wild Common is named after the Wild Common restaurant in Charleston, SC, which is another property of the Easton-Porter Group.

 

 

 

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