Rockbridge Vineyard and Brewery

June 23, 2023.  For our second annual wine trip to the Shenandoah Valley we ventured further south than last year along that “Trucker’s Paradise” called Interstate 81.  After two and half hours of drizzle, clouds, and semi’s, we reached Rockbridge Vineyard and Brewery just outside the town of Raphine in Rockbridge County.  It was a welcome stop and a welcoming staff for us. 

We had a nice prolonged visit with Gratia Bobbitt doing the pouring, owner Shepherd (“Shep”) Rouse providing lots of technical detail, and co-owner Jane Rouse spending time just chatting.

 

                           Shep Rouse and Gratia Bobbitt

Shep and Jane Rouse purchased the property in 1988 and incorporated the winery in 1992.  The Rouse’s worked out a deal with their son, Parke, that he could open a brewery if he helped Shep with the winery.  With that understanding, the brewery opened three and half years ago (2019), and Shep has assured the winery will continue to the next generation.  Shep has a master’s degree in enology from University of California-Davis.  But he got the wine bug during his time in Germany where he experienced the very cool fusion of culture and wine that is Riesling.  His 2014 Riesling is still great.  Shep is very much the intense, shaggy, hands-on farmer with music in his blood.  He had tried to get permission from Hoyt Axton to name a wine after a Three Dog Night song, but in the end named the wine, simply, “Jeremiah’s.”  It’s a big seller at Rockbridge.  You probably can guess the song.

Rockbridge Vineyard has 17 acres under vine with additional 30 tons of fruit acquired from other local growers last year.  All Virginia fruit.  I think all Shenandoah fruit, too.  From this, they produce around 4,000 cases of wine a year.  Shep noted that they have cutback production significantly from 10,000 cases a few years ago to focus on quality, although their popular Jeremiah’s sweet wine continues at high production.  Rockbridge has won three Golds at the Virginia Governor’s Cup including the Governor's Case in 2023 for its ice wine called V d’Or.

We watched Shep on his tractor in his protective suit, spraying the vines.  Constant attention to vines is needed in Virginia to combat mildew, rot, and pests.  He expressed that climate change is a very real thing and his concern about the long-term sustainability of vinifera grapes in this changing era, with its rising temperatures and excessive rain events.

With one door for the tap house and one door for the tasting room, it’s all open inside the barn where the beer and wine drinkers can mix freely.  The tasting room features a nice stone semi-circle bar with views of the vines on the hillside.  Rockbridge is available for small weddings and other events.  There is a picnic pavilion across the parking area.  Not much space for events inside.  Limited seating indoors. 

Rockbridge has two labels – “Rockbridge” and its reserve label “DeChiel,” named for Shep’s French Huguenot ancestors on his mother’s side.  DeChiel-labeled wines are generally aged longer.  Overall, the wine was very reasonably priced.  Gratia poured us some good wines under both labels:

2019 DeChiel Viognier.  Kim rated this Viognier a B+.  Pretty good fruit forward wine.

2019 Rockbridge Chardonnay.  Kim rated this wine a B- but purchased bottles anyway.  Neutral barrel fermentation.  Very reasonably priced.

2021 St. Mary’s Blanc.  Kim rated this Vidal Blanc wine a B+ and again bought some bottles.  Citrusy and bright. 

2016 DeChiel Pinot Noir.  I rate this wine a B+.  Medium body.  I detected some petulance and spice.

2019 Tuscarora Red.  Another B+ from me.  More earthy.  Tannins extend the finish.  Very smooth.  Good with pasta.  The main grape here is Chambourcin, but it includes Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon and a French-American hybrid called DeChaunac, which is known for its resistance to mildew and for early ripening.

NV Extra Virginia Claret.  I gave this offering a C.  It was very light bodied with not a lot of fruit.  Not very complex.  This blend includes Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, DeChaunac, Chambourcin, and finally Norton.  The vintage claret (2104) is more than twice the cost of the NV offering and apparently is a full-bodied wine.

2015 DeChiel Merlot.  I rate this wine a B even though it won a Silver in the 2021 Governor’s Cup.  It is certainly more sophisticated than the Claret with cherry fruit and mild tannins.

2017 DeChiel Cabernet Franc.  People who know me know that I am a fan of Cabernet Franc.  This wine is one of the best – an A rating.  Very good balance, strong cherry aromas, good tannins, strong finish.  And reasonably priced to boot.  We bought some bottles.   

2017 DeChiel Meritage.  This Meritage was a Gold winner in the 2022 Governor’s Cup.  The tannins are intense serving a long finish.  Spicy.  I rated it a B.  Goes well with or without food.

2017 DeChiel Syrah.  Our final wine at Rockbridge was the reserve Syrah, which I rated a B.  Dark fruit with pepper and spices. 

This is great family winery and well worth the short detour from I-81.

 

Location: Raphine, VA 24472, USA

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