Willowcroft Farm Vineyards

November 9, 2024   Loudoun County is celebrating 40 years of the wine industry this year - 2024 - because in 1984 Willowcroft Farm Vineyards released its first commercial vintage and became the first winery in the county.  Owner and winemaker Lew Parker bought an old farm on Mount Gilead in 1979 after a successful career in the medical device business.  He planted his first vines in 1980 and replanted in 1981 when the first plantings died.  Lew was the Virginia wine person of the year in 2002 and the winemaker of the year in Loudoun County in 2023 showing long-term recognition by his peers.   

The old red barn from 1875 houses the wine production area on the ground floor, a small wood-beamed tasting room on the second floor and a loft room on the third floor.   

 

 The tasting room itself is cramped with virtually no seating.  Go upstairs for that. 

 

 

Or better yet, take your picnic and your wine to the lawn where Willowcroft has picnic tables and Adirondack chairs facing west.  Tall oak and elm trees form a proscenium arch to frame a view from Mount Gilead across the valley to the northern end of the Blue Ridge Mountains on the opposite side, looking down on the towns of White Pump, Airmont, and Philomont.  It’s like an IMAX projection, honestly.

Willowcroft has around 13 acres under vine spread around five different locations in the Mount Gilead area.  The oldest is the Parker Home site planted in 1980 at the corner of Mt. Gilead and Loudoun Orchard Roads.  All of the vineyards benefit from warm days and cool nights on the mountain and from silty-loamy soils.  They produce around 3,200 cases of wine per year from 12 varietals.  All of Willowcroft’s wines are estate-grown and all are bottled on site.  Because of its size, Willowcroft does not do weddings and corporate events although, according to our server, Robert, the loft can accommodate up to 40 people, therefore, small gatherings are welcome and of course you can get your wine on up there. 

Outside food is fine at Willowcroft or you can order from their limited selection of snacks.  Children are welcome, but if you are outside be careful of the uneven ground and stone outcroppings.  Pets are welcome as well.  Parking is somewhat limited even with additional space up a ramp from main parking.

I had a $15.00 flight of three wines while Kim and our traveling companion, Mitch, had a glass of wine.  The winery also offers wine and truffle and wine and chocolate pairings.  The lady next to us at the tasting bar was pretty ecstatic about the chocolate.  Here’s what we tried:

2022 Chardonnay Reserve.  Kim and Mitch had the reserve Chardonnay.  They felt it somewhat weak; medium-bodied and a hint of oak aging.  Kim rated it a B.

2021 Muscat-Ottonel.  Although it’s not my usual thing, I wanted to try the award-winning Muscat-Ottonel.  It has a strong honeysuckle nose and off-dry taste with a half-percent residual sugar.  Medium bodied and chewy.  It won a silver medal in the 2023 Virginia Governor’s Cup.  I rate it a B.

2021 Assemblage Select.  This is the Willowcroft Bordeaux blend of Petit Verdot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, and Merlot with a longer oak aging.  It is medium-bodied and low tannin.  Hints of herbs and smoke.  I would have rated it higher but for the $55.00 price.  

2022 Chambourcin.  This wine is medium-bodied and complex with a rose/floral perfume.  I think the 10% Cabernet Franc keeps the Chambourcin under control.  It did have some sediment.  I rate it a B+ with a more reasonable price. 

Willowcroft is part of the Loudoun County “Harmony” cluster of wineries off of Route 15 south of Leesburg.  We had a real sense of harmony on the mountainside as we lounged in our easy chairs, our glasses full, relishing a crisp Fall afternoon with the leaves gently tripping down around us. 

 

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