Afton Mountain Vineyards

September 26, 2024.   We worked long and hard to arrange a short trip to the Charlottesville area so as to avoid the crush of football weekends at the University.  But we did not reckon on a persistent pattern of dampness or outright deluge.  When we arrived at Afton Mountain Vineyards in Nelson County, low gray clouds glowered close along the hillsides of the Blue Ridge.  I’m sure twisty Mountain Road is a pretty drive in decent weather.

Afton Mountain has been in operation as a winery since 1978 when it was called “Bacchanal Vineyards.”  It is one of the oldest wineries in a region now full of them.  After several changes in ownership, the latest taking place in May of 2024, Afton Mountain finds itself with Brad and Yelena Dickerson in charge.  Brad was the CFO of Under Armour and Blue Apron among other businesses.  We understand that the Dickerson’s are not planning too many changes from the solid operation Tony and Elizabeth Smith built.  They are keeping Damien Blanchon as their winemaker and General Manager, and Michael Kimmel as the vineyard manger.

The tasting room is housed in a Prairie-style ranch building with walls of a dark mustard color and a red angled roof.  See how close the clouds are!

 

Across the parking lot is a glassed pavilion for separate seating and events.   Its roof recalls the angles of an old barn.  And down the hill from the tasting room is Baldwin Pond - a nice setting for a picnic or wedding event.

We spent part of our afternoon with Ginny in the tasting room and chatting with wine club member, Yvonne, in the leather sofa room adjacent to the tasting bar. 

 

Ginny told us that Afton Mountain has 25 acres under vine and that their wines are Estate Grown – 100%.  They produce between 2,000 and 3,000 cases per year depending on the harvest.  This year, the summer was drier than normal and led to finishing their harvest last week.  That was before nine inches of rain arrived, with more rain forecast in the next couple of days.

The sofa room has a nice wood fireplace for cooler months.  The patio off the tasting room has outdoor seating under a shady veranda, looking out to the vines and the eastern side of the Blue Ridge beyond.  The Vineyard sits is a hollow surrounded by these hills. 

Ask about their practice of grinding up wine bottles as a soil additive.  This helps keep bugs at bay and protects the vines in an organic way. 

Reservations are not required at Afton Mountain.  Outside food is allowed. Pets can visit but remain outside.  Children and families are welcome.  According to the website, however, buses are not welcome. 

Afton Mountain is a member of the Monticello Wine Trail and the Nelson 151 Wine Trail since it straddles both those areas.  Ginny served us some nice wines to while away some time out of the elements.  Thanks to her for juggling our tasting with what was a surprising Thursday afternoon.  Here’s what we tried::

2021 Chardonnay.  Kim rated the Afton Mountain Chardonnay a B.  Fairly unassuming iteration of the Chardonnay grape.

2022 Merlot.  This Merlot is light ruby and smooth.  Medium-bodied with some tobacco from the French oak.  The tasting notes say the wine could benefit from additional aging and that may be true, but not need really.  B. 

2018 Petit Verdot.  I detected a little sweetness in this wine – even hints of candied fruit.  Flowery nose.  24 months in French oak.  Balanced tannin.  B.

2019 T.  The 2019 T won a Gold medal at the 2024 Virginia Governor’s Cup competition and was one of the top-rated wines for the 2024 Governor’s Case.  This is Afton Mountain’s Bordeaux-style using 42% Merlot, 29% Petit Verdot and 29% Cabernet Sauvignon and aging 20 months in French oak.  Red fruit.  In my estimation, it should be aged a year or two more to get the tannins more balanced.   Up to 2019, Afton Mountain called their Bordeaux blend wine “Tradition.”  Ginny tells us that the winery ran into some copyright issues and now labels the wine just “T.”  I rated it a high B.

2017 Tradition.  Ginny let us do a vertical comparison of the 2017 Tradition with the 2019 T.  In doing so, the 2017 Tradition was no slouch.  It was itself in the 2020 Governor’s Case and won another Gold in the 2024 Governor’s Cup.  I found the 2017 Tradition was smooth, balanced, with mild, mannered tannins.  Medium bodied.  More nose than the 2019 vintage.  The blend in 2017 was: 41% Merlot, 37% Petit Verdot and 22% Cabernet Sauvignon.  The 2017 Tradition is listed on the Afton Mountain website as a Library wine and not regularly on the tasting menu.  The $70.00 price tag put me off buying a bottle.  However, this is a great wine.  I put it on my list.  I rate it an A.

2019 Tannat.  This is a blend with Tannat in the forefront and Petit Verdot in the back to soften the bite.  Some licorice on the nose and a touch of sweetness.  B.

Afton Mountain also offers a real Beaujolais Village, which is made by a native of Beaujolais (M. Blanchon) using grapes imported from his family farm in Beaujolais, France.  Kim and I just returned from Beaujolais and think much of the wine from there.  Please take a sample of the Afton Mountain Beaujolais and let us know what you think.

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