Sabin Wine Journeys

October 23, 2024.   We chose a fine soft Fall day to drive west along State Route 50 on what is now called “Little River Turnpike” into Loudoun County to Chrysalis Vineyards in the Ag District.      First, let’s clarify that this is same Route 50 that was formerly called the John Mosby Highway and is not the Little River Turnpike that most long-time residents of Northern Virginia equate with Route 236.   It is Route 50 to be sure.   The vineyard entrance is directly on Route 50 just west of the town of Aldie.        Second, let’s address the rather awkward name “Chrysalis Vineyards in the Ag District.”   According to a 2023 government report, there are over 20 Agricultural and Forestal Districts (AFD’s) in Loudoun County.   “AFD’s are rural conservation areas reserved for the production of agricultural products, timber, and the maintenance of open space land as an important economic and environmental resource.”   A...

October 18, 2024.   October is Virginia Wine Month everyone!   To celebrate, we present the following discussion we had with Dr. Joy Ting, the Research Enologist^ for the Virginia Winemakers Research Exchange (VWRE) headquartered in Charlottesville.   Joy is also the sole proprietor of Joy Ting Wines.   She holds a PhD in Applied Biology from Georgia Institute of Technology and holds a certificate on winemaking from the University of California, Davis.* Tell us a little about how a Doctor of Applied Biology ends up as the lead research scientist at the Virginia Winemakers Research Exchange.                When I completed my PhD, I moved with my husband, Paul, to Charlottesville.   This was in the early 2000’s.   Paul had accepted a position at the University of Virginia hospital as an anesthesiologist and professor of anesthesiology.   I took positions teaching biology in Charlottesville a...

September 28, 2024.   On our way home, we got off the beaten path which is Route 29 and drove about 9 miles North from the town of Madison on Route 231 also called the SFT Valley Road.   We were heading to Blue Quartz Winery in Etlan, Madison County.   We found it at the top of a steep gravel driveway from where you feel you are neighbors with the mountains.   It is an easy hike to the base of Old Rag Mountain next door.   It being Saturday and the first sunny weekend in at least two weeks, the winery was doing a brisk business.   We should note that the winery shares the tasting room and the tasting bar with the Shotwell Run Brewing Company.   Wine is on the right side of the counter; beer taps occupy the left side.   Hard cider and mead are available everywhere in between.   There is ample seating inside the long tasting room.   Check-out the old hickory floor and wagon wheel chandeliers.     French doors open onto a ...