Marceline Vineyards

June 25, 2023.  We take seriously the recommendations of people we meet at wineries.  If, instead of a planned visit to Winery A, we meet someone who enthusiastically touts Winery B, we may change our route and go to the B.  After all, the goal is to visit all Virginia wineries.  In theory, we’ll get to Winery A eventually. 

This is how we arrived at Marceline Vineyards.  On the recommendation of our new friend, Bicycle Mark, we changed our plans in order to visit Marceline Vineyards instead of other wineries along Cross Keys Road in Mt. Crawford near Harrisonburg. 

Marceline occupies a large barn with a tasting room on the ground floor and an AirBnB upstairs.  First grapes were planted in 2006 and now cover some 22 acres on vine.  Marceline supplements with all local fruit from other growers.  Susan Pleasant incorporated the winery in 2014 and opened to the drinking public in 2016.  I believe that Tim Rausse is the winemaker (Is he Gabriele Rausse’s son?).  Unfortunately, we were unable to speak with Susan on this visit.

 

The old wood of the barn gives the tasting room a real country feel.  During our visit, all of the doors to the back patio were open for the breeze.  The high ceiling helps to keep the place naturally cool.  Dogs cavort and a somewhat drunk duo played country tunes on the patio while asking for the crowd to supply the lyrics they forgot.  While we were there, who should show up but friend Mark on his way biking home.  So we spent an extra hour at Marceline chatting with Mark about life in general.  We also encountered another drunk person.  There is no accounting for the drunks except perhaps the winery needs to be a little less accommodating of them.  Outside food is welcome.  And there are food trucks on weekends. 

                                                                  Kim and Mark at Marceline Vineyards June 2023

Here are our impressions of the wines at Marceline:

2021 Chardonnay Reserve.  Kim rated this Chardonnay B.  It is full-bodied and dry, but easy drinking.  On the creamy side.

2022 White Merlot.  I rate this a C.  It has high acid that may obstruct the taste.  Good on hot days.  Flavor of strawberries.  Could be mistaken for a darker Rosé.  Only 24 hours on the skins.

2021 Rosé.  I rate this Rosé a B.  It is watermelon-colored and off-dry at 1% residual sugar.  Pairs with light barbecue. 

2021 Estate Cabernet Franc.  I rate this Cabernet Franc a B.  It is medium-bodied with cherry notes.  Light tannin and dry.

Cabernet Sauvignon (vintage unknown).  The Cab Sauv was an add-on courtesy of the server.  It tasted like it had some residual sugar.  Not too complex or deep for a Cab Sauv.

We are looking forward to visiting some of the other wineries along Cross Keys Road.

 

Location: Mt Crawford, VA 22841, USA

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