Lake Anna Winery

February 18, 2023.  It was Kim’s idea to depart from our plans to visit Lake Anna Winery in Spotsylvania, and what a bit of good luck it was.  Lake Anna Winery is located, as the name implies, just three miles from the resort lake.  The winery is in a 1940’s converted and structurally reinforced dairy building situated among the vines that slope gently downward to the woods.  The tasting room is medium sized single barn-like room with lots of activity and noise.  At one end there is a gas fireplace and a comfy sofa.  At the other end is a two-station tasting bar.  Outside there are picnic tables looking over the vines.  There’s not much food selection here, so plan to bring your own.  Families are welcome and were having a good time strolling between the rows of dormant vines. 

 

 Bill and Ann Heidig first planted grapes on their farm in 1983 and first released wine in 1990, making it one of the older Virginia wineries.  The winery is under a stock corporation formed in 1989.  It was also good luck to bump into Jeff Heidig, the second generation of the Heidig family to own and operate this winery.  Brothers Jeff and Eric Heidig bought the property in 2002.  (They are hoping there will be a third generation.)  
                                                                             Jeff Heidig - Photo from Open Source

From around 20 acres of vines, winery production is around 4,500 cases per year, which is fairly stable from what was reported in 2002.  According to their website, long-term winemaker Graham Bell stresses the importance of blending and structural balance, especially in his reds. 

Without further ado, here’s what we tasted and our impressions.  Most of the wines are in the $20.00 per bottle range – pretty reasonable for Virginia:

Seyval Blanc 2020.  Kim rated this a “B.”  She found it weak – probably because of the full stainless steel treatment and early bottling.

Barrel Select Chardonnay 2019.  Kim also rated this a “B,” also a bit weak.  This was a Silver Medal winner in the 2022 Virginia Governor’s Cup. 

Verdi 2020.  Also a 2022 Silver Medal winner, Kim rated this wine highly and bought a bottle.  This is a new release from the winery.  Good for summer picnics and very reasonably priced.  Some citrus on the finish.

Totally White 2019.  Kim also found this should be a good summer wine.  Here balance is everything between Seyval, Chardonnay, and Traminette with 1% residual sugar.

Spotsylvania Claret (NV).  This is an off-dry red with low acidity; medium bodied.  Almost 1% residual sugar. Is that from the Chambourcin mixed with the Merlot and Cabernet Franc?

Morgan Merlot 2019.  This is a medium bodied wine from a rich 2017 harvest.  Light tannins, some bite.  Brighter than the Chambourcin.  Only 10% Petit Verdot.

Chambourcin 2021.  I found the Chambourcin to show light cherry fruit, some tannin but less bite than the Merlot.  It is dry with a smooth finish.  A good wine.

Petit Verdot 2019.  The PV has lots of tannin and almost obscures the black fruit.  Full bodied from 100% Estate grown fruit and aged in French oak for 2 years.  According to the tasting notes, this is Lake Anna’s first Petit Verdot, and I think they could use some practice getting the tannins under control.

Location: 5621 Courthouse Rd, Spotsylvania Courthouse, VA 22551, USA

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