Hampton Roads Winery

September 8, 2023.  We took the day off from people watching at the beach and drove an hour and a half west and north from Norfolk on winding Route 10, over bridges and through tunnels to reach Hampton Roads Winery..  This is about midway between the towns of Surry and Dendron..  The address is Elberon, in Surry County, off the beaten path. 

There we found a winery owned and operated by the Sheldon family – Dave, Diane, the winemaker, and son Rick, the vineyard manager.  Like so many owners, Dave and Diane are passionate about winemaking.  On an early Friday morning, we pulled both of them out of the vineyards to speak with us.  We greatly appreciate their taking time.  

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  

Ask how they came to be here, and you will get a good story:  On retirement, Dave and Diane relocated from New England, originally planning on North Carolina, then on Charlottesville, and finally Surry County where land prices were more reasonable.  Rick later joined them when a career with the Boston Red Sox was not progressing.  (Dave has some choice comments about Red Sox management.) 

The Sheldon’s first planted vines near the town of Bacon’s Castle in 2008.  In 2012, they purchased the farm where the winery is located.  Altogether they have around 13 acres under vine at the Bacon’s Castle site and the Elberon site.  From these grapes they produce around 1,000 to 1,500 cases of wine a year.  The dry wines are estate grown with the exception of their Chardonnay.  Hampton Roads also features some sweet wines that are made from Virginia grapes but not all from the estate properties.  Their largest seller overall is the Hog Island Sweet White, which is a blend that uses estate Scuppernong grapes.  Hampton Roads also offers some mead for that sweet tooth.  Dave’s theory is that their customers who live south of Interstate 64 tend to be sweet wine drinkers; while customers from north of that line tend to prefer dryer wines.  So, he produces both. 

In addition to wine, they also raise beef cattle.  And we need to highlight the small herd of goats on the property.  In some circles, Hampton Roads Winery is known as “the Goat Winery.”  They have a goat tower for the nimble little hircines.  Great for the children to feed. 

The Sheldon’s opened the winery in 2015.  The space is large inside with a fireplace for cooler months.  Tented patios are outside.  Outside food is welcome.  They are happy to be able to fill a niche as a community gathering space for the area.  The previous weekend they hosted a cross-country wine run.  They host some weddings, but baby showers are especially popular there for some reason.  

Dave told us that the family works well together in this venture.  They are open to criticize each other as loving families do.  Diane is a chemist who has put her skills to winemaking.  Dave is adjusting to changes in climate – hotter and more humid growing seasons are leading them to harvest earlier. 

Here are our impressions of the wines we tried at Hampton Roads.

2021 Goat Tower Chardonnay.  Kim found the Chardonnay too fruity.  It is stainless-steel fermented so nothing gets in the way of a light fruity wine.  She rated it a C.

2021 Goat Tower Vidal Blanc.  Kim rated this a B+|.  She found it off-dry, medium body.  Good aroma of pineapple and grapefruit. Bright.

2021 Norton Blush.  I rated this wine a B.  It is a clear Norton.  Fruity to sweet.  Definite jamminess but light.  Tart.

2022 Goat Tower Merlot.  Very well-balanced fruit with mild tannins.  Almost silky.  12.5% ABV.  Labeled “American Red” but we understand it is from Virginia grapes.  Bought a bottle.

2022 Cabernet Franc.  I found this light for a Cabernet Franc.  Has the typical spice, light tannins.  Some oak.  I rate it a B.

We did not sample any of the sweet wines or the meads.  If you favor sweeter wines, give Hampton Roads a try and let us know what you think.

https://www.hamptonroadswinery.com/contact

6074 New Design Road, Elberon, VA  23846

757-899-0203

 

 

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