Sabin Wine Journeys

February 23, 2024.   We had one more stop on our Friday travels: a drive through the country about a half an hour from Septenary to Knight’s Gambit Vineyard in a very rural part of Charlottesville.   The name “Knight’s Gambit” comes from a short story by William Faulkner that was well-loved by his daughter Jill Faulkner Summers.   Mr. Faulkner lived nearby the property that Jill and her husband bought in the 1970’s.   Their son, Paul Summers, William Faulkner’s grandson, planted grapes on the property in 2003 and, with partner Maggie Duensing, opened the winery in 2016.                                                                                           Maggie Duensing We had a nice visit with Maggie on a dreary Friday afternoon and picked up some background info.   Knight’s Gambit has around seven acres under vine at the Charlottesville location and five more acres in the Lake Anna area where they grow Chardonnay and Petit Verdot.   They produce around 1,000 cases annually u

February 23, 2024.   About twenty minutes from downtown Charlottesville, along Route 250 in Western Albemarle County, near Greenwood, you would do yourself a favor by visiting Septenary – the Winery at Seven Oaks Farm.   The winery sits inside part of the Seven Oaks national historic site where original owner, the Reverend Samuel Black, had a tavern whose patrons included Meriwether Lewis, and William Clark of Lewis and Clark fame.   I doubt those gents drank as fine a wine as we had on the day of our visit.   In case you were asking, a hurricane in the 1950’s brought down six of the original seven oaks.   Only the one they call “Thomas Jefferson” is still standing.  The physical space at Septenary is impressive.   A white manse with long verandas looks out to the vineyards on rolling hills.   Low clouds in the hollows were signaling the arrival of rain later in the day.   Most seating is outside on a covered portico or around a calming pool.   You’re advised to consult the weather

October 27, 2023.   We used to drop-in on wineries with no advance notice and no thought about writing articles about them.   This blog has changed some of our approach, but its nice to feel that we can shift our travel plans as the spirit moves us.   We found ourselves leaving Hark Vineyards in the early afternoon and found out that we were just minutes away from Glass House Winery in Free Union.   So, we added on a short stop to the itinerary.   We last visited Glass House several years ago when it was owned by Jeff and Michelle Sanders.   They sold the operation to their friend Jay Smith in 2020, and we were interested to see if things had changed.   [This post will lack some of the details we normally cover because the the lone staffer on the bar was busy serving several parties.] The Sanders' founded Glass House in 2010 and have produced mostly estate-grown wines from their 15 acres under vine.   Their haul of awards from the Virginia Governor’s Cup competition has been mo

October 27, 2023.   We continued our meandering journey to Hark Vineyards in Earlysville, almost due West from Burnley crossing Route 29.   Once you get out in this vicinity, cell service can be spotty so take care with your navigation.   To me, the optimum development for a winery is to get the vineyard growing first since no great wine comes from inferior grapes.   Next build a production facility and make the investment to make wine on your own terms.   Lastly, build a tasting room to sell your product.   Hark seems to have its priorities straight.   Aaron and Candace Hark bought their property in 2015, began planting grapes in a cattle field in 2016, and had their first harvest in 2017.   They opened to the public in October 2019.   We spent some time talking with assistant winemaker Luke Hintz, who was doubling as wine server that afternoon.   Earnest and younger than his years, we greatly thank Luke for his time with us.  A.J. Greely is the winemaker. You will not see a s