Chestnut Oak Vineyard
September 28, 2024. The odds were that the sun would eventually return. We are happy to report that after two weeks of rain and overcast skies, on this Saturday, she did reappear with glory. We were able to get back on the road and drive north from Charlottesville on beautiful Route 20. The sun dappled the road strewn with tree debris and wetness rising from the pavement. A few minutes south of the intersection with Route 33, we came to the driveway for Chestnut Oak Vineyard, Barboursville, Albemarle County. Chestnut Oak is a small winery facility surrounded by six acres of vines. We were able to speak with the tasting room manager Sarah Leake. Owner Jan Bolla was away at the time. Jan and her husband are another couple who started a winery to keep busy in retirement. I wonder if they are busier now than ever. Most of Chestnut Oak’s wines are estate grown. With the exception of their Chardonnay from Honah Lee...