The Wine Reserve at Waterford

July 28, 2024.  Our late-July Sunday continued with heat and increasing humidity as we parked at the Wine Reserve at Waterford.  This is another winery off of Route 9 west of Leesburg in Loudoun County and about 4 miles from the historic Quaker village of Waterford.  Cori and Jonathan Phillips took over what was the Loudoun Valley Vineyards from the Cameron family in 2015, renamed it the Wine Reserve, and opened for business in January 2017.  Jonathan is a lawyer and substitute judge in Fairfax County.

From the outside, the winery looks like a California ranch home hugging the ground.  On entering, you feel as if you are welcomed into someone’s living room.  To the left are plush sofas bracketing a stone fireplace.  To the right is a long bright room with tasting tables that flows onto a wide side deck.  Here there are good views of the Blue Ridge. 

 

 

The Wine Reserve is a small boutique winery.  The tasting room is tiny and could get quite crowded on weekends.  Best to make reservations.  We were greeted by Amiee and Ryan, two aspiring actresses who staffed the tasting bar.  Another young lady was offering wine cocktails.   Outside food is welcome.  Children are ok.  Pets are ok if outside.

                                                                                          Amiee (l) and Ryan

One change that the Phillips’ made was to outsource vinification of their grapes to Doug Fabbioli at Fabbioli Cellars.  (The former Loudoun Valley Vineyards did their own wine production, and, judging from some reviews still online, not too successfully.)  There are seven acres of grapes under vine at the Wine Reserve property, called the Iron Will Vineyard and another 4.5 acres a half-mile away.  Amiee said that their annual production is between 200 and 300 cases.  Most of the wine is now estate-grown as the Phillips’ are seeing the results of an aggressive replanting project.

For the future, the Wine Reserve plans to add more wine storage and more seating.  Any special events they host must be small – small weddings, certainly.  The space is more suited to a rehearsal dinner and outdoor events like yoga in the vineyards. 

Tastings at the Wine Reserve are served in large test tubes, a holdover from Pandemic days, but a feature that is distinctive and utilitarian.  Here is what we had under the “Summertime” tasting menu:

2022 Silver Lining.  This Sauvignon Blanc is bright, with more herbaceous than fruit notes, and a touch of some metallic taste.  Kim found it a little weak for the $32.00 price.  We rated it a B.

2020 First Harvest.  The Wine Reserve’s Petit Manseng won Gold at the 2024 Virginia Governor’s Cup.  It has more of the sweetness of the apple than its tartness.  Some spice notes.  Kim rated it a B-.

2020 Home Sweet Home.  Vidal Blanc and Petit Manseng combine for this blend.  It is almost a dessert wine in its sweetness.  It gets a B- from us, but once again, we acknowledge that we favor drier wines.  If you like sweeter wines, the price is quite reasonable.  You should check it out.

2021 Quat.  Labeling officials felt the public could be misled into thinking this wine is made from kumquats.  (Yes, you can make wine from kumquats.)  Instead, “Quat” is the nickname for the Phillips’ son, and it is also the Wine Reserve’s Cabernet Franc just released this Spring.  Red fruit on the nose, medium-bodied.  Some green pepper and spice.  Rates a good B from me.

2020 Forager.  The Meritage blend combines four varietals some of which are from neighboring wineries in Loudoun County.  Spicy nose.  Herbaceous.  Low tannin, medium-bodied.  Plum fruit.  Flowers in the upper palate.  Nice finish.  I rate it a B+.

2021Gila.  “Gila” is the nickname for the Phillips’daughter, and is one of two Petit Verdot wines available.  I felt Gila was light on the fruit and had strong tannins.  Some burn going down.  Not fully balanced; it should do better with some aging.  I rate it a B. 

2019 Lost Somewhere. The other Petit Verdot, Lost Somewhere has powerful plum and herbs. It is mellower and smoother than the 2021.   I rate it a B+.

The Wine Reserve is a small, convenient winery with a homey atmosphere.  Have some wine or enjoy a cool cocktail and watch the sunset.

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