Valley Road Vineyards

September 26, 2024.  By the time we arrived at Valley Road Vineyards, the constant drizzle had intensified to real rain.  The low grey clouds resolved to just pour down.  We can tell you that Valley Road is on the Albemarle County side of the line with Nelson County at the head of Rockfish Valley.  The winery is a turn off of State Route 151, also known as Critzer Shop Road, and a stone’s throw from the Critzer Farm itself.  The mailing address is Afton.   

Valley Road began as a project between a group of friends, but is led by Stanley (“Stan”) Knight Joynes and his wife Barbara.  The tasting room is a barn-red building that sits below the Route 151 embankment at the end of a short driveway.  It opened in 2016 which is when they had their first plantings. 

 

A clerestory of windows runs the length of a monitor roof, making the tasting room bright and cheery even on a drab and damp afternoon. 

Since they opened, Valley Road has added outdoor seating on a patio at one end of the tasting room and a long outdoor area with a pavilion roof.  Up the hill is a large barn which is available for weddings and special events.  A balcony at one end of the barn affords nice valley views.  They are in the busy time right now – September through November. 

We met with general manager Lynn Merhib and our server Ann who were quite lovely.  We were their only customers when we visited. 

                                                                               Lynn (l) and Ann at Valley Road

According to these ladies, Valley Road has 18 acres under vine at three different local vineyards: one at Valley Road, called Afton South (2016 – 4 acres), one called Mountain Glen (near Lovingston - leased in 2017 – 7 acres), and one in named Grayson, in honor of their vineyard consultant and original general manager, Grayson Poats (2021 – 7 acres).  Valley Road wines are around 98% estate grown.  Some Viognier comes the Saunders’ Silver Creek Vineyard in Nelson County.  Valley Road also bought some Cabernet Franc to make up their release of the 2022 vintage.  Valley Road grows the grapes but leaves wine production to a custom crush arrangement with Septenary Winery in Greenwood.  They produce around 3,400 cases per year. 

Valley Road is available at some local stores in the Charlottesville area, like Wegmans and Foods of All Nations.  Some wines have limited distribution through the state’s Virginia Wine Distribution Company. 

Here is what we tried at Vally Road.  With the exception of the Petit Verdot, all the wines are noted as made from Monticello AVA grapes. 

2022 Chardonnay.  Kim found the Chardonnay very light and a good wine for summer.  Typical green apple on the palate.  Underwent malo.  Crisp.  Serve chilled.  She rates this a B.

2022 Torn Curtain.  Tart fruit with a noticeable grip.  A little tobacco in the back palate – is that from the 62% of Chambourcin in the blend?  Medium bodied.  I rate it a B.

2022 Cabernet Franc.  I rate this wine a B+.  Nice medium bodied balance.  Longer finish.  Some pepper spice.  Perfect with a slightly charred baguette in front of a fireplace on a winter’s evening.  I bought a bottle. 

2022 Merlot.  Light-bodied.  Not too complex, tannins out of balance.  I rate it a C+

2020 Meritage.  I detected some sweetness in the front palate.  Dark fruit on a short finish.  Very little tannin.  Includes Malbec in the blend.  I rate it a B-.

2020 Petit Verdot.  The tannins here are more assertive than in the Meritage.  Some taste of candied fruit.  Another B from me. 

Valley Road is only about 20 minutes from downtown Charlottesville.  It would be an easy low-stress destination on a nicer day.

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