Dry Mill Vineyards and Winery

September 16, 2022.  If location is everything, then Dry Mill Vineyards and Winery certainly has a prime location.  Advertised as the closest winery to Leesburg, it is minutes west from downtown.  We last visited in 2016.  The somewhat rustic tasting room sits on a hillock with its back to the traffic along Dry Mill Road.  Walk around to the front and the road noise disappears.  You are in the country again.  The tasting room inside is quite small, but outside there is an extended covered porch with heaters for the winter months.  The lawn rolls down to picnic tables and forest.  The building also features a balcony from which, we understand, the Fairfax Jubil-Aires can often be found serenading the patrons.  We appreciate the hospitality from Tricia, Sandy, and Lou on our short visit. 

Dry Mill is part of Vanhuss Family Cellars which has its principal office and its eight acres of vineyards in the Lovettsville area.  Dean Vanhuss is president.  Formed in 2008, Dry Mill is a smallish operation producing between 1,200 and 1,500 cases a year.  Most of Dry Mills wine (75%) is produced from the Lovettesvile vineyards.  Norton grapes come from Chrysalis (of course), and the Merlot comes from the Bluemont area but not Bluemont Winery.

On this visit, Kim and I had a glass each with our grapes, cheese, and crackers:

2018 Stainless Steel Chardonnay.  Beautiful gold color, aeromatic, crisp, and full-bodied.  Kim rated it a B.

2015 Merlot.  I got an earthy aroma right off.  Medium bodied.  Fruit follows the earth with some alcohol noticeable in the finish. 

We understand that Dry Mill is up for sale for anyone with $1.65 Million to spend.  The operation has been for sale for some time.

Location: 17745 Dry Mill Rd, Leesburg, VA 20175, USA

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