Wisdom Oak Winery

May 14, 2023.  With so many wineries to post about, we count as a mistake to visit a winery so soon after a posting.  We blogged about Wisdom Oak from our July 2022 visit to Charlottesville but erroneously found ourselves back on their doorstep in North Garden for this 2023 trip as well.  The July 2022 post is a fuller treatment.

We were able to spend some time with owner, vineyard manager, and winemaker Jason Lavallee on this visit and picked up some additional details about this recent Governor’s Cup case winner.  Wisdom Oak continues to “box above their weight class.”  All wines are estate-grown on approximately 20 acres of vines.  They produce around 4,300 cases and distribute to Wegmans and other smaller outlets through the Virginia Winery Distribution Company.  All varietal wines are 100% of that grape.  Grapes are hand-picked.  Jason intervenes in the process as little as possible. 

The family friendly atmosphere is as it was last year.  Even on Mother’s Day, the whole experience was relaxed.  And you need to relax after navigating up their single car lane, praying to avoid on-coming traffic.

For tastings, you may choose three wines from eight selections.  Kim decided on a glass while I selected three red wines:

2021 Chardonnay Reserve.  This Chardonnay has a mild aroma and hint of butter.  Kim rated it a B.

2021 North Garden Red.  This is a 50/50 Cabernet Franc/Cabernet Sauvignon blend.  It has a floral nose, cherry fruit.  Light bodied and somewhat immature.  B

Mystery Red 5.  We understand that Jason produces a mystery blend every year.  Wine Club members try to guess the blending proportions. I won’t venture a guess here. I will say that Mystery 5 has more depth of flavor, darker fruit, and low tannin.  B.

2019 Chambourcin.  A gold medal winner in the 2023 Virginia Governor’s Cup.  This is 100% Chambourcin.  Plummy aroma; taste of bright fruit.  Medium complexity, soft tannin.  Almost an off-dry finish.  B.

Location: 3613 Walnut Branch Ln, North Garden, VA 22959, USA

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