Monroe Bay Winery

June 23, 2024.  The unexpected heat of late June continued through Sunday and our visit to Monroe Bay Winery in Colonial Beach, Westmoreland County.  The winery is next door to the recently established James Monroe Birthplace Park and Museum and in fact sits on part of the old Monroe family land.  The winery is also minutes from the town of Colonial Beach, home of the second largest sand beach in the state (after Virginia Beach itself).  

Monroe Bay Winery is mostly a wedding and special events venue.  It features a 3,000 square foot “Strawbale Barn,” which is built ingeniously of straw bales encased in siding.  Colored glass walls have been made from the butt-end of empty blue and green wine bottles.  The barn can accommodate up to 200 people.

From the barn, the land slopes gently to a pond.  Chairs were still set-up for a wedding that happened the previous afternoon.  There may have been some vines visible across the pond.  The wines sport a heron on the label, probably for the tall birds angling in the pond.  But all we could think about, frankly, were those poor wedding guests in their wedding best broiling in those folding chairs. 

The air conditioned barn was mostly empty when we visited.  There is a tasting bar at one end.  We were able to visit with the server Kristina, who, though cheerful and earnest, did not have much detail about the winery or what was being offered for tastings.  Winery owner, Kristen “Kiki” Apple, has not replied to my questions.  So, this post will be a little light on information.  I might edit this post if I get more information.

According to the winery website, Kiki Apple came by her love of wine by living in a house which she still owns in the South of France.  Corporate records show that Kiki incorporated the vineyard in 2014.  She and partner Walter Lamore had their first harvest in 2014.  The wedding barn came along in 2019.  Our server did not know how many acres are under vine at Monroe Bay or how many cases are produced on average or what percentage of wines are estate-grown.  She did tell us that Monroe Bay does not produce its wine; they use a contract winemaker.  But Kristina did not know who did the custom crush.  

Here's our impressions of what Kristina was serving that afternoon:

2016 Viognier.  Strong sweet floral nose.  Acid to the back and late arriving astringency.  B.

2015 Chardonnay.  Judging from the winery website, the vintage on the Chardonnay was 2015.  Kim rated it a C-. 

2016 Petit Manseng.  Kiki calls this her “Hot Tub Wine.”  Not really sure what that means, although on this beastly day a hot tub was the last thing on our minds.  The wine was off-dry, not too complex with light tannin.  I rate it a B-

2015 Rosé.  The rosé being served was unlabled, but Kristina said it was 2015.  It is a blend of 70% Merlot and 30% Vidal Blanc.  Some foxiness on the nose.  Drier than the Petit Manseng and more tannin.  I rate it a B-.

2015 Chambourcin.  This aged for two years n French oak.  It is slightly sweet but not jammy.  Light-bodied and mild tannin.  I rate it a B.

2015 Cabernet Franc.  Pepper on the nose.  Off-dry, not too complex or layered.  Late mild tannin.  This rates a B- from me. 

Monroe Bay wines tend to be on the sweet side, which is alright if that’s your thing.  I might be more concerned with serving whites that are now nearly 10 years old.  One might ask: “What have you done for me lately?”