Casanel Vineyards and Winery

September 16, 2022.  It was one of those perfect Virginia late summer days – puffy clouds in a bright sky, low humidity.  We could think of nothing better than to drive out to Leesburg in Loudoun County to sample some wine.  Kim and I last visited Casanel Vineyard and Winery in 2016 but made no notes about it.  Time for another visit.  As far as driving is concerned, we would advise approaching Casanel from the West off of Route 7 rather than from the Southeast from Routes 15 and 622.  The Route 622 approach is on a very narrow rutted gravel road.  The approach from Route 7 is mostly on paved roads in better maintenance.    

“Casanel” is a contraction of Casey and Nelson De Souza, the founders who bought the property in 2006 and had their first Estate Crush in 2014.  We were sorry to hear that Casey DeSouza has passed away. But Nelson continues to work the vineyard and to take care of much of the interior work for guests.  In fact, the whole family participates, including the grandchildren.

There are two tasting rooms: a smaller converted 1800’s cow barn for special events and Wine Club gatherings, and the larger Dawson Room for the general public.  The Dawson Room is upstairs from the Casanel production facilities and features ample comfortable seating inside and a large outdoor covered deck looking over a pond and gazebo.  The wood burning fireplace in the Dawson Room has stone work by Nelson from stones on the property.  In the winter, the fireplace warms the whole room with great smells.  The tables were made by Nelson from wood on the property.  Outside food is allowed on the deck and patios and in picnic areas.  Pets are allowed outside. For those traveling light, Casanel offers light refreshments.  Casanel accepts the Virginia Wine Pass.

Casanel produces around 1,200 cases of wine a year from 6.5 acres of vines across three vineyards.  The vines cover the typical European varietals (Chardonnay, Pinot Gris, Cabernet Sauvignon) as well as Virginia-favored grapes like Carménère, Petit Verdot, and Norton.  The selection of vines was under the tutelage of Lucie Morton.  With the exception of their Merlot and Cabernet Franc, which are from grapes grown at Breaux Vineyards and vineyards in the Shenandoah Valley, respectively, all of Casenel’s wines are estate-grown and all are produced at the Leesburg facility.  Most wines carry the Middleburg AVA label.   All juice is Virginia juice.

We were happy to spend some time with Victoria Childress, wine club manager, Anna DeSouza Want, Nelson’s daughter, and winemaker Adam McTaggart.  We asked Adam what sets Casanel apart from other wineries and he thought it was the Carménère, and Norton.  You read about Norton under our "What Grows" page.  More about Carménère, below.  Adam is in his second vintage at Casanel and in the midst of harvest right now.  We appreciate the time and the patience of the staff in accommodating us on short notice. 

Kim and I both got tasting flights.  Here are our observations:

2021 Ellianna Pinot Gris.  A great wine for 100° days in August. Very light and fruity. 

2020 Chardonnay.  On this visit, Kim preferred the Pinot Gris to the Chardonnay.  It is interesting that all of the whites we sampled were very pale, almost crystal clear, even the Chardonnay.  No gold color here.

2021 Patricia Marie Pinot Gris.  Kim preferred the Patricia Maria Pinot Gris.  It has more body and substance than the Ellianna and has a hint of oak.  It is fully estate grown.  Kim bought a bottle.

2021 José Rosé.  The Rosé is like a standard medium-bodied Rosé.  Hints of strawberries; good acid.

2017 Cabernet Sauvignon.  I found the Cab Sauv fairly light.  There was a little finish with some burn.  Fruit forward.  Tasting notes say it was aged 25 months in French oak.

2017 K2 Bordeaux Red Blend.  This is a blend of Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Carménère, and Petit Verdot.  Fruit is more subdued compared to the Cabernet Sauvignon.  Good mouth feel, more complex.  Light tannins.  We bought a bottle.  Carménère is one of the original six red grapes of Bordeaux, now grown mostly in Chile. It has a deep red color, and aromas of fruits and spices.  The tannins are softer than Cabernet Sauvignon and makes a medium bodied wine, good with fish.  It is often confused with Merlot and is often blended with Cab Sauv or Merlot, as Casanel does with its K2.  Casanel also produces a 100% Carménère that we did not sample. 

2017 Petit Verdot.  The fullest bodied wine on the tasting menu, although not as complex as K2.  Has a finish.  Good balance of acid.

We did not sample any of Casanel’s sparkling wines (Sparks) in white, red, or Norton.  Good thing to try on a return visit.

Location: 17956 Canby Rd, Leesburg, VA 20175, USA

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