Brent Manor Vineyards

October 26, 2025.  Brent Manor Vineyards is one quick turn from northbound Route 29 in Nelson County onto the winery driveway and up an abrupt hill to the tasting room.  From the ridge where the tasting room is situated, the view is southeasterly, encompassing a sweep of red and burnt orange mountain foliage and the town of Faber in the distance.

Jorge and Tracie Raposo had been looking for property to build on for some time before Brent Manor came on the market in 2009.  Jorge emigrated to the United States from Portugal as a child in the 1980’s but tells me that Nelson County doesn’t remind him of his native land – he Tracie just love it on its own.  Jorge and Tracie built a career in insurance.  As if those jobs weren’t demanding enough, they built a tasting room and processing facility and opened for business in 2015. 

They completed construction of a separate event building in 2023, but for the foreseeable future, says Jorge, that building will be for Brent Manor events such as wine club gatherings.  In fact, they have hosted only two weddings in the event space since it opened.  That’s probably where they’ll leave it. 

When we visited, the tasting room and the meeting space adjoining it were full of bright happy people.  Jorge and Tracie tended the bar by themselves.  So, my conversation with Jorge took place between pouring tastings for the rest of their customers.  To help with crowd control, Brent Manor has a couple if rules you should be aware of:  no children or pets allowed in the tasting room or the seating area; outside food is allowed on the patio and the grounds of the winery but not in the tasting room where lite fare is available; they try to limit groups at the bar to no more than six.  

 

In spite of a crowd on a busy Sunday afternoon, Jorge was an engaging host, always smiling, patiently explaining their philosophy of blending Old World Portuguese approaches with New World winemaking.  He even took time from the bar to go outside and help guests with group photos at the top of his vineyard.

 Tracie and Jorge Raposo      

Despite the name, however, there are no vineyards at Brent Manor.  There are rows of posts and empty wires with a couple of vines scattered around.  Jorge planted vines when they bought the property in 2009, but then endured first an early summer drought and then lost everything to herds of deer.  He plans to replant when he can manage the time away from his full-time job and (especially) after he builds a deer fence. 

                                                                                 Vineyard with Events Building

To make his wine, Jorge either purchases his grapes or sources grapes from leased vineyards within 45 miles of the winery – the closer the better.  Jorge makes the wine at their facility.  He used to step on the grapes in an open tank in the Old World manner, but with a volume of around 1,000 cases a year, he doesn’t do that anymore.  Jorge’s approach is to make what he likes, which sounds like an eminently reasonable approach to manage yourself if your time is limited.  Indeed, why do otherwise?

Brent Manor has a good selection of New World and Old World Portuguese-style wines.  A tasting is $12.00 and comes with a takeaway glass.  Overall, the quality of these wines is very good.

2024 Chenin Blanc.  Brent Manor’s tasting notes say the wine is full-bodied.  Kim, on the other hand, thought the wine was good if a bit light.  She gave it a B. 

2024 Sauvignon Blanc.  Kim rated the Sauvignon Blanc a B+ - very good.  Both the Chenin Blanc and the Sauvignon Blane would pair well with seafood and chicken dishes.

2024 Chardonnay.  Kim is back to a B rating for the Chardonnay.  It is stainless steel aged – keeping it lighter and drier than an oaked wine. 

Moving on to the reds, I note that Jorge uses natural yeast in all of his red wines. 

2023 Tinta Cão.  This is a medium-bodied red.  Light in color and smooth.  A good general wine made from the traditional grape originating from the Douro region of Portugal.  I gave it a B+

2023 Cabernet Sauvignon.  Medium-bodied but lighter and brighter in fruit flavor than you expect from a Cab Sauv.  More tannin.  Jorge says that this Cab Sauv has a bolder finish than some of his past vintages.  Pairs well with a wide range of food.  I gave it a B+

2023 Pinotage.  Jorge gets his Pinotage from Horton Vineyards.  Plums on the palate; smokey notes.  Earthy.  I gave it a B.

2023 Touriga Nacional.  Another traditional Portuguese grape.  Smokey and wild.  Medium weight with higher tannin.  I gave it a B.

While a number of Virginia wineries offer a single fortified wine, Brent Manor offers THREE.  They are the high point of the tasting.  All three of Jorge’s Port-styled wines are labeled “Vinho Abafado,” a general term meaning fortified wine where fermentation has been stopped by adding wine spirits to the must.

2024 Vinho Abafado Rosé.  The rosé Port-style wine is 80% Chambourcin as the base with Brandy coming from California.  18.8% ABV.  It’s red berry candy and alcohol.  A good dessert wine in the Summer.  I gave it a B. 

2023 Vinho Abafado Branco.  Brent Manor’s white Port-style wine uses Petit Manseng as the base.  20% ABV.  Its caramel taste goes down smooth and balanced.  I gave it a B. 

2023 Vinho Abafado Tinto.  Here’s a B+.  This Ruby Port-styled wine is what Port is to me.  Based on Touriga Nacional, it is very smooth with a long finish.  Raisins and cocoa on the palate.  Definitely a wine for a winter fireplace listening to Joni Mitchell. 

The three Port-styled wines are between $45 and $55.  But if you are a Port aficionado, stopping at Brent Manor is well worth your time and well worth your treasure.