Sabin Wine Journeys

July 7, 2022.    This begins our 2022 annual wine trip to the Monticello AVA.   Last year, we endured blistering heat during the trip.   It was great to take a dip in the pool after a hard day’s tasting in the sun.   This year, the temperatures were mostly in the 80’s, but with some annoying rain each day, heavy at times.  I plan to post on each of the ten wineries we visited over the next week or so. On the way to Charlottesville, we stopped at Honah Lee Vineyards in Gordonsville on the recommendation of our friends, Joe and Belle.  The name came to owners, Vera and Wayne Preddy, during a beach vacation; it is indeed named after the enchanted land where Puff the Magic Dragon lives, a land of independence and liberation.   Wayne died in 2016, and Vera carries on with Brandy Hopwood, a daughter-in-law, as a manager. The vineyards were planted in 2000 on land that was a cattle farm.   This seems to have happened quite a bit around the state.   Now there are some 90 acres under vine.

  Reynard Florence.    July 7, 2021 The last winery/vineyard we visited on this trip was Reynard Florence Vineyard in Gordonsville/Barboursville.   We really must tip our hats to owner Roe Allison, who opened for us even though we completely mis-read the Vineyard website.   They are open on Wednesday’s by appointment .   We originally planned our visit to Reynard Florence for July 5, a holiday Monday when they were scheduled to be open.   We slipped the visit to Wednesday and forgot about their opening schedule.   In any case, Mr. Allison ended a business call to open the tasting room for us and served us some wine as his two Welsh corgi dogs, Ti-Rey and puppy Brixy, played at our feet.   We are very thankful to Mr. Allison for this and his hospitality! Reynard Florence formed in 2010 and has expanded to include over two acres of Grenache, Petit Verdot, and Merlot.   Roe Allison is also the winemaker while their website mentions assistance from vineyard consultant Chris Hill and