Saudé Creek Vineyards

September 6, 2023.  Before the summer of 2023 was over and Labor Day was still in our rearview mirror, we decided to travel beach-ward for a change of scenery. And to satisfy this blog’s appetite for content, of course, we visited some wineries along the way.  Our first stop was at Saudé Creek Vineyards in Lanexa, New Kent County.  This was actually our first visit in what is now officially the “Virginia Peninsula American Viticultural Area” (AVA), Virginia’s newest AVA.  Aside from being our first visit to the new AVA, Saudé Creek is, by our count, the 150th Virginia winery we have visited since we started keeping track of these things long before creating of this blog.  So, congrats to us, I guess.  Only 150+ more wineries to go…

Saudé Creek sits atop a rise from where you can see the Pamunkey River over the tree tops on the north side of the peninsula.  It is an easy drive and welcome respite from the monotony of Interstate 64.  No reservations are needed.  Outside food is ok and perhaps advisable as the food options on-site are limited and pre-packaged.  Pets and children are welcome.  It is somewhat steep walking up, but there is a ramp on the east side of the main building for those with difficulty walking.

 

The tasting room has lots of glass for that hilltop view and yet retains a cozy feel with much exposed wood.  There is a nice woodburning fireplace in the room, and firepits outside for cooler months.  The upstairs loft is rentable with even better vistas.  Special occasions for up to 1,250 people can be accommodated at Arris Hall nearby the winery. 


Saudé Creek is the brainchild of former Marine Jason Knight who opened the tasting room in 2011.  The vineyard began life as a cider processing site, and apple wine was the choice early on.  Now there are 20 acres of grapes under vine comprising more than six varietals.  Their output is around 5,500 cases annually. 

We spent some time with Katherine Meyerhoff, the General Manager, and tasting room associate Kasey.  We thank them both for their hospitality.  Here’s what we sampled:

2021 Pinot Grigio.  Kim had a glass of Pinot Grigio. She found it light to medium bodied, peach aromas.  Very good.  She rated it a B.  Pretty reasonably priced.

2020 “1791.”  Saudé Creek has two “Bourdeaux blends.”  “1791” is the Left Bank blend with Cabernet Sauvignon in the front and support from Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot.  It is light with some cherry.  Not too complex, little finish.  Also some sediment.  All Virginia grapes.  I rate it a B.  As a side note, if you prefer Right Bank Bourdeaux, you may wish to try “Valor,” Saudé Creek’s version of a Right Bank wine.  Valor is more expensive than “1791,” but a portion the sale proceeds go to a Veterans association.

2019 Touriga.  More tannic and cherry and spice.  Light bodied.  Virginia grapes.  B.

2020 Pinot Noir.  Light bodied, some spikiness.  Dark plum fruit.  This is a good smooth wine.  I would rate it a B+ except for the fact that this is made from Washington State grapes and is labeled appropriately “American.”  I rate it a strong B.

Saudé Creek Red (NV).  This blend of Chambourcin and Cabernet Franc has 1.9% residual sugar, which produces a more lingering effect but also makes the wine a little cloying for our tastes.  B-.

We found Saudé Creek a nice congenial break on our drive to the beach. Here's the website:

http://www.saudecreek.com/

Before leaving this, however, lets quickly note the Virginia Peninsula AVA.  The AVA has the James River on the south and the York and Pamunkey rivers on the north.  The Atlantic Ocean is on the east and the Hopewell fault and the Atlantic Seaboard Fall Line on the west mark where the Virginia Piedmont begins. The soil is sand and gravel which is good for grape vines and root penetration.  The weather is hot and humid as you’d expect being bordered by water on three sides.  The higher temperatures reduce effective photosynthesis pushing growers to let their grapes hang longer to get good sugar levels.  However, the higher temperatures of late are forcing growers to harvest earlier than they wish so that grapes don’t become raisins on the vine.  For the full official description of the AVA’s geology, soil, climate, and boundaries, check out 86 Federal Register page 47380. There are only six wineries in the AV, but it includes Williamsburg Winery, Virginia's largest producer.  More on Williamsburg Winery in a future post.


Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Linden Vineyards

Image
May 25, 2024.   Hello Readers!   It has been a while since we last posted.   We have been doing some traveling out of state, but we’re back!   We used a warm morning on the Memorial Day weekend to revisit one of the great Virginia wineries with some friends – Linden Vineyards - which is a few minutes south of the crossroads that constitute the town of Linden in western Fauquier County.   During our visit we spoke with owner and founder, Jim Law, and his son-in law, Alex Wilde, who poured for us.   Thanks to both of them for their time.   Much has been written about Linden over the years, and much by Jim Law himself.   A native of Ohio, Jim got a start in agriculture in the 1970’s when he served as an agricultural volunteer with the Peace Corps in Africa.   He loved working with fruit crops and on returning to the States, with wine and growing grapes.   His first experiences in the grape field came in Indiana but there was no mark...
Read more

Endhardt Vineyards

Image
January 26, 2024.   Days like this day don’t normally come around until June: high clouds, blue sky and warm breezes.   We came to Endhardt Vineyards along the North Fork and Lincoln Roads, Loudoun County, still wet and puddled from the left-over from early morning rains.   Johannes (Hannes) and Sarah Endhardt have built their winery among the steep hills south of the town of Lincoln (address is Purcellville).   Hannes, a German dual citizen, learned to appreciate wine from his father a wine aficionado in Bavaria who favored Italian and Austrian wines.   The tasting room is by the shores of a pond with a great vine-covered hill rising behind it.     We spent a pleasant afternoon with General Manager, Jason Deaver, an accomplished chef in his own right.   We appreciate his hospitality. All 46 acres of the property are under a conservation easement.   In 2019 they planted 11 acres of vines growing Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, Petit Verdot...
Read more

Sunset Hills Vineyard

Image
March 14, 2024.   Back in the winter of 2022, Kim and I with some of our companions spent a nice afternoon with the owner of 50 West Winery, Mike Canney.   We came away with a desire to visit someday the Mother winery – that is Sunset Hills Vineyard near Purcellville.   While 50 West aims at the younger clientele from its location right on Route 50 near Aldie, Sunset Hills is the more established, family-friendly farm locale.   Still, to discuss one is to discuss both as they are two sides of a single coin. Mike and Diane Canney first planted vines at Sunset Hills in 1999 on a 45-acre farm that included an 1870’s era working barn.   Sunset Hills was incorporated in 2006 and 50 West came along in 2017, both owned by the Canney’s.   Most of the grapes come from two farms in the Shenandoah, but more on them in a bit.   In July 2022, the Canney’s sold all of these properties to Chris and Katie Key.   We wanted to visit Sunset Hills under the new own...
Read more