Carriage House Wineworks

October 23, 2022.  Kim and I had long planned to visit Carriage House Wineworks with our companions, Anne and John.  In the time it took to make arrangements, we discovered that Carriage House is one of only six Virginia wineries mentioned in the Third Edition of Karen MacNeil’s The Wine Bible, published in October 2022.  This is high praise, indeed, for a winery that released its first vintage in 2019 and opened to the public in 2020.  We were anxious to see whether Ms. MacNeil’s endorsement was warranted.

Carriage House is located just outside of the quaint hamlet of Waterford, in Loudoun County.  Mike and Geri Fritz own the vineyard and winery, originally as a partnership with the nearby Windhorn and Quartz vineyards.  They bought Quartz Vineyard in 2017, and the partnership with Windhorn has been dissolved.  Mike Fritz now has six densely packed acres of vines which produced around 26 tons of harvest this year. 

Thanks to Mike for spending time with us during our visit.  

As of the end of October 2022, Carriage House offers only outdoor seating to the general public.  This is either at picnic tables under a covered deck or out in a small yard around fire pits.  We understand that there is a small indoor tasting room available only for wine club members.  In addition to being grape grower and wine maker, Mike was also keeping the firepits stoked with wood for the other patrons.  To get to the tasting deck from a small parking area, you walk past the production facility strewn with stacks of yellow plastic grape hottes and wine making equipment.  You should know that bathroom facilities are via port-a-potties.  Pretty rustic.  Mike told us that this November, he plans to enclose the deck to create a small tasting room.  (If you look closely at the picture, you'll see stakes around the deck outlining the planned enclosure.)

The wines at Carriage House are 85% estate fruit with the balance purchased from vineyards in the Waterford area and greater Loudoun County.  They produce around 500 cases a year putting them at the small end of the winery spectrum.  The vineyard, which used to be a livestock farm, has gentle slopes for good drainage.  Mike's dad was a chef in New Jersey, and Mike is totally familiar with the concept of wine and food pairings.  But he is still figuring out what grows well here - like the rest of Virginia grape growers.  Weather is a challenge, especially dampness and humidity.  He mentioned Petit Manseng and Petit Verdot as varietals that are resistant to rot, with their loose grape clusters and thick skins.  Compare with Chardonnay which is more prone to disease. 

Here's what we tried and our impressions:

2020 Gentry.  This is a light sparkling blush with 2.3% residual sugar.  It is a blend of Chambourcin and Cabernet Franc.  Some grapes are from Spring House Vineyard in Hamilton.  Crisp strawberry.  Good for summer.

2020 Petit Manseng.  This is a 100% estate grown blend of 80% Petit Manseng and 20% Viognier.  Don’t worry at all about the minimal sediment.  This is a full-bodied golden wine that has little filtering.  The light passing through is diffuse and warm.  1% residual sugar.  We bought a bottle.  This wine is a must try – even for a Red-wine guy like me.

2020 Viognier.  This was not too aromatic.  Very dry.  Not too much taste or crispness.  Tastes diluted.

2020 Cabernet Franc.  Good tannin and subdued fruit.  Light to medium-bodied.

2019 Red Barouche.  The Carriage House red blend consists of Cabernet Franc, Merlot, and Petit Verdot.  It is dark and chewy, with more tannin and structure than the Cabernet Franc.  Good finish.  Medium bodied.

2019 Tannat.  This is a full-bodied strong tannic wine.

2020 Petit Verdot.  This was a very nice to meet the acquaintance of this wine.  It has a good balance and fruit.  Good finish.

We like what Mike is doing at Carriage House and look forward to returning next year when the new facilities will be done.

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