Molon Lave Vineyards and Winery

April 21, 2023.  South of Warrenton off of Route 29 lies Molon Lave Vineyards, the younger sister to Mediterranean Cellars on the North side of town.  Molon Lave is managed by Louizos Papadopoulos, son of the founders at Mediterranean.  But this is a larger operation with 31 acres under vine of some 50 acres total.  It has fewer wines on its menu, more recent vintages, and less blended wines than Mediterranean.  Both wineries are 100% estate grown.

Molon Lave takes its name from King Leonidas of Sparta who, when the Persians demanded they lay down their arms, replied “Molon Lave” or “Come and take them.”  The battle of Thermopylae is also commemorated by the winery’s 480 B.C. Farm Brewery, which opened in 2020.  (We won’t be reviewing 480 B.C. Brewery beyond noting that it features four beers including a Saison, a Belgian Golden, a Dopplebock, and an IPA style beer.)

The tasting room and production facility is in a nondescript low-swung building.  The tasting rooms are expansive and fairly unadorned.  The winery has space for weddings and other special events both inside and out.  There is a fireplace inside for the colder months.  Outside there is a large deck and gazebo with lawns sloping down to a nice pond.  Your own food is welcome both inside and out. 

 

We spoke with Josh who told us the annual production at Molon Lave is a tiny 160 cases a year (given the acreage under vine, this is probably an error). 

 

Their offerings include Greek-style rosés and two Kosher wines (a Cabernet Sauvignon and a Chardonnay).  They advertise as being the “first and only Virginia Farm Winery to produce Kosher wines.”  Kim and I split a standard tasting with these results:

Pinot Grigio 2020.  Kim rated this a C.  The winery’s tasting notes describe this wine as “semi-sweet,” and Kim found it too sweet.  According to notes it has pear and melon.

Dedication NV.  This is Molon Lave’s Chardonnay, aged in oak and steel.  Kim rated this a C- and felt it was “off.”  She did agree on the apple aroma and taste.

Attica 2021.  This is a blend of Traminette and Riesling grapes.  The aroma is fresh and bright honeydew.  Kim rated it a C. 

Viognier 2021.  Kim also found the Viognier had a fresh aroma and rated it slightly better than the Chardonnay, a B.  Tasting notes describe this wine as off-dry. 

Chambourcin 2020.  This red is fully Chambourcin.  Heavy dried cranberry and cherry, a little jammy and sweet.  Low alcohol and some astringency.  Winery notes recommend pairing with chili and lasagna.  I rate it a B.

Merlot 2021.  In spite of the 16 or 22 months of aging in oak (depending on which set of winery notes you follow), the tannins felt sharp.  Some additional aging should help soften the tannins.  Some vanilla and chocolate.  I’d rate it a B.

Cabernet Franc 2021.  I found the Cabernet Franc had light fruit on the front of the palate – like strawberry - and a light body overall for such a wine.  Like the Merlot, it was aged in oak but for only 15 months.  I’d rate this one a B+.

300 NV.  We had this wine on our tasting even though it is available only to Wine Club members.  The 300, another nod to King Leonidas, is Molon Lave’s Bordeaux blend.  It has more tannins than the other reds, but in control.  I found it spicy, not earthy like most Bordeaux blends.  Tart fruit.  I’d rate this one a B.

Final Note: Sitting on the deck enjoying a cool breeze from the pond with one of Molon Lave’s seasonal Sangria’s is as good a way as any to spend a hot summer afternoon.  Give it a try.  We had the Mango-Berry.

Location: 10075 Lees Mill Rd, Warrenton, VA 20186, USA

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