Sabin Wine Journeys

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 25, 2023.   We continued our drive for about ten minutes or so to Chiswell Farm and Winery in Greenwood.   This is a new winery – only open for two years – owned by the Chiles Family, one of the largest fruit growers in the state.   Haven’t heard of them?   Well, if you are in the Charlottesville area this time of year, pay a visit to Carter’s Mountain Apple House on the same road as you take to Monticello.   Carter’s Mountain is the Chiles’ apple orchard, offering spectacular vistas across the valleys to the east and west.     From here, you can make out Mr. Jefferson’s Rotunda peaking above the old trees at the Academical Village.   You can also pick your own apples or buy apples in any incarnation you wish:   ten varieties of whole apples, apple pies, cider, caramel apples, and of course apple cider donuts.   Yum! The Chiles Family have been in the apple and peach fruit business since 1912, before coming to wine grapes.   Mr. Chiles at age 88 is still involved in operatio