Kalero Vineyard

February 28, 2025.  Looking for places we have not written about that are open in this bleak mid-winter, we came across Kalero Vineyard in the Loudoun Heights cluster of wineries near Hillsboro.  Owner Ann Fortin purchased 130 acres on Short Hill Mountain west of Hillsboro in 2015 with the goal to start a vineyard. 

The focus of the property is the Heartstone Barn, whose cornerstone is etched 1834. 

 

Restored with wood that glows in the sunlight and offset with the rustic stone wall, this is a nice large interior vaulted space in which to host the weddings and private events that are their primary business.  

 

Seating in the barn is at new wood tables that can be configured in many designs depending on the party.  There is no fireplace.  Without the sun, the barn may seem dark except for the two-storey windows facing the West Virginia line just a couple of miles away.  Wedding receptions may flow out from the huge windows onto a wide fieldstone patio. 

We were sorry to have missed Ann, but she was so good to have us connect with Natalie Hoppenjans, her manager at Kalero.  We had a nice time speaking with Natalie, an Army vet who has had a varied career including events management at Kalero and work at Stone Tower Winery.  A warm, frank, and open woman, Natalie got on well with Kim, whom she called “Goldie.” 

Natalie encourages folks to visit Kalero every Friday evening to sample food by Reid Badger, a local chef, alumni of the Culinary Institute of America, owner of “Between the Hills Catering.”  If you can’t make Friday, try visiting for brunch on the third Sunday each month. 

One warning:  Considering this is a wedding venue, you should call ahead before driving to Kalero to ensure they are not closed for a private event.  This is especially advisable during the peak wedding months of September and October.  In those months, it’s normal for Kalero to be closed Friday through Sunday for weddings, going off at one per day.  Natalie said that you can rent the whole property for twelve hours for $10,000 - then add the catering, the music, and everything else.

Also take note that Kaero is an adults-only winery.  Leave the kids at home.  Pets are okay as the vineyard dog, “Ranger” seems to be a mild-mannered gentleman of a sheep dog.  Outside food is okay as their on-site food options are negligible.

According to Ann, the vast majority of grapes from her 14 acres of vines are sold to other wineries.  They only make around 400 cases of wine a year, most of which Natalie tells us are consumed by wedding parties. 

Almost all the wines at Kalero are estate-grown.  All wine is produced under a custom crush arrangement with Walsh Family Wines about ten minutes away.  Nate Walsh is their winemaker. 

We had a standard tasting at Kalero.  If you are a chocolate lover, they offer a chocolate pairing add-on.  Here’s what we had:

2020 Kalero Viognier.  Kim bought a bottle of this B+-rated Virginia Viognier.  It won best Viognier at the 2024 Loudoun Wine Awards.  Pale yellow compared to Kalero’s Chardonnay.  Made in stainless – very clean and sharp approach, even metallic.  Not a lot of the flowery Viognier profile.  Reminding more of Provence than Condrieu.  $28.00/bottle.

2023 Kalero Chardonnay.  Hints of flower.  Medium body priced over $30.00.  Kim rated it a B-.

2020 Kalero Cabernet Franc.  Interesting variegated ruby and borwn rim.  Pepper and tannin.  Less fruit.  Medium bodied.  I rated it a B+ even at $36.00/bottle.

2020 Kalero Petit Verdot.  Like the Cab Franc, this is a 100% estate grown, deep red Petit Verdot with restrained tannin.  Full-bodied.  I rate it a B.

2022 Block Nine Pinot Noir – Caiden’s Vineyard.  Two wines on the standard tasting are from California.  The Caiden’s Vineyard Pinot is from Napa.  It had light to medium body.  Not complex but possessed of some finish.  Light red fruit.  I rate it a B.

2019 Vina Robles Cabernet Sauvignon.  The other California wine is from Pasa Robles.  I got a big aroma of clove/cinnamon, even licorice on the nose.  It seemed the nose was out of balance to the palate.  The fruit on the palate was a milder dark plum.  Mild tannin.  Medium to full-bodied.   Another B rating.

Kalero can be a nice introduction to the Loudoun Heights Cluster along the Charlestown Pike.  When the weather warms, have a seat on the patio and contemplate the hills.