Stinson Vineyards

July 8, 2022.  You find Stinson Vineyards on a busy corner in the town of White Hall near Crozet.  The winery sits several yards from where we bottomed out our car on last year’s wine trip to the Monticello AVA.  Glad we came back!  Driving up through the vines, you come to a utilitarian, unassuming production facility and tasting room.  You know that the focus here is on wine and not fancy weddings or corporate events.  There is really no extra space.  The tasting room and adjoining production area were designed by owner, Scott Stinson, and opened in 2011.  The winemaker is his daughter, Rachel Stinson Vrooman.

The property features mostly outside seating right up on the vines.  We saw the great Green Eggs that signal places for family barbecues.  Jessica Weisman is the tasting room manager.  Thanks for her insights on our visit.  Pets and families are welcome.  Outside food is allowed.  Stinson does not participate in the Virginia Wine Pass.

There are seven acres featuring eight varietal clones.  Stinson supplements with juice from other Virginia growers: Grace Estates, Horton, and Mount Fair Farm.  Like Merrie Mill Farm and a number of other vineyards, Stinson lost its entire 2020 crop to the late-Spring frosts.  That was a frost that seems to have spared vines that were at some elevation. 

According to the Stinson website, they are influenced by the Gariste wineries of France – whole berry fermentation for reds and sur lie aging for whites.  A very good selection overall and well priced.  Here’s what we sampled on this visit:

2018 Chardonnay.  Kim rated this a B and noted it is priced well.  Medium bodied.  Very light oakiness, Not overly fruity.  Bought a bottle.

2020 Meritage Blanc.  Kim gave this a C+.  It is unusual to find a white Meritage, but here it is.  It is a blend of the two classic Bordeaux white grapes Sauvignon Blanc and Sémillon.   (Sémillon is not listed in the list of Virginia varietals on Virginiawine.org.)  Dave McIntyre of the Washington Post recently reviewed this wine and suggested that it be allowed to age a few years if you can avoid temptation of drinking it now.

2019 Wildkat.  This orange wine is from the Rkatsiteli grape prominent in Eastern Europe.  Very light and dry.  Serve slightly chilled.

2021 Cabernet Franc.  Fruit on the front.  Quite aromatic.  Spicy, medium bodied.  Some alcohol taste.  Bought a bottle.

2019 Merlot.  Less fruit on the nose and palate.  More pronounced tannin.  Medium-bodied with similar alcohol to the Cab Franc.

2017 Meritage.  This was a 2022 Virginia Governor’s Cup Case Winner.  All estate grown.  Good balance of four grapes.  Earthy nose.  Plummy.  Aged 21 months in new French oak.  Full-bodied.  Considering the pedigree, the $38.00 price is not unreasonable.

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