Chestnut Oak Vineyard

September 28, 2024.  The odds were that the sun would eventually return.  We are happy to report that after two weeks of rain and overcast skies, on this Saturday, she did reappear with glory.  We were able to get back on the road and drive north from Charlottesville on beautiful Route 20.  The sun dappled the road strewn with tree debris and wetness rising from the pavement.  A few minutes south of the intersection with Route 33, we came to the driveway for Chestnut Oak Vineyard, Barboursville, Albemarle County.

Chestnut Oak is a small winery facility surrounded by six acres of vines.  We were able to speak with the tasting room manager Sarah Leake.  Owner Jan Bolla was away at the time.  Jan and her husband are another couple who started a winery to keep busy in retirement.  I wonder if they are busier now than ever.  Most of Chestnut Oak’s wines are estate grown.  With the exception of their Chardonnay from Honah Lee Vineyard and the Sauvignon Blanc from the Shenandoah Valley, Chestnut Oak’s wines are estate grown.  They are planning to up that percentage going forward.  Michael Shaps was the original winemaker when Jan first planted vines in 2006.  Since then, they have brought production in-house and in 2013 hired David Eisesrman as the winemaker.  At around 1,500 cases per year, this is a smallish winery.

But it is a small vineyard that is doing great things.  They have a won a Gold Medal at the Virginia Governor’s Cup every year since 2019.  Sarah was proud to point out that Decanter Magazine recognized their 2019 Petit Verdot with a Gold Decanter World of Wine Award for 2024. 

You might think you are parking at someone’s private house.  The tasting room is cozy with comfortable sofas.

What immediately grabs your attention when you come inside is a bright swirling mural that fills the whole wall of the tasting room.  Artist Carol Barber installed the mural in 2015 and characterizes it as “whimsical.”  I’m not sure I’d call anything that’s 40 feet wide “whimsical,” but it is brilliant without a doubt.  Two wine lovers at the center are drinking the harvest (the vineyard and farm), drinking tradition  (Bacchus) with all of their emotions flooding around them.  Carol also designed labels for Chestnut Oak for years.  Another mural by Judith Ely occupies a side wall.  Be sure to check that one out, too.

 

There is a small amount of seating inside and out on the front porch.  Because of their small size, they only host small events – like baby showers or bachelorette parties; no weddings or corporate events here.  Families are welcome and outside food is as well.  Dogs are allowed outside.


                                                                         Sarah Leake at Chestnut Oak Vineyard

Kim and I both had a tasting flight courtesy of Sarah.  We thank her for her hospitality!

2022 White Table Wine.  This table wine is a blend of Viognier and Sauvignon Blanc. Kim found it pretty good and gave it a B.

2021 Alba.  The Alba is chestnut Oak’s 100% Viognier, soft and rich with flowers and herbs.  But Kim found it too soft and rated it a C+

2019 Chardonnay.  Kim rated the Chardonnay a B.  Medium-bodied with some citrus blended with earth notes.

2019 Euclid.  Kim liked the Chestnut Oak Euclid blend of Petit Manseng and Viognier, with a fuller mouthfeel from 16 months of oak aging.  She gave it a B and wished it had been cheaper.  (Actually $28.00 isn’t too bad…)

2021 Chestnut Two.  I gave this Bourdeaux blend a B+ in this its first release year.  It has 50% Merlot, 27% Petit Verdot, and 14% Cabernet Sauvignon.  Some violet flower on the nose.  Mild tannins, dark stone fruit and leather.  A little bitterness on the finish.  The wine won a Silver Medal in the 2024 Virginia Governor’s Cup.

2021 Petit Verdot.  More stone fruit on the nose.  Some nascent tannin on the roof of the palate.  Mild - burgeoning on semi-sweet.  B.

2019 Virginia Blend.  In spite of the name, this is a blend of French varietals Tannat, Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Merlot.  Medium-bodied, herbal with a hint of candied fruit and pepper.  B

2017 Chestnut One.  This is Chestnut Oak’s flagship wine, a blend of Merlot, Petit Verdot, and Cabernet Sauvignon.  Probably has benefited from aging in the bottle.  Subdued fruit and managed tannins.  More medium-bodied than “hearty” to me.  It won a Gold Medal in the 2020 Virginia Governor’s Cup.  I rate it a B, especially with the price.

Virginia has many scenic routes and Route 20 is a nice winding journey.  Putting Chestnut Oak right off the drive was a pleasant respite for the eyes and the palate.

 


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