Sabin Wine Journeys

January 13, 2024.   We decided to squeeze-in our first winery visit of 2024 in advance of a predicted Polar Vortex arriving in the Nation’s Capital early next week.   The heavy rains from earlier in the week gave way to a crisp, bright, breezy day that promised well for a return trip to Fleetwood Farm Winery.   Nicely located a few minutes from Virginia State Route 50, between South Riding and Aldie, Loudoun County, take care with the sharp turn and steep drive onto the property. On a rise above the parking lot is the 1765 Federal-style manor house originally built by William Ellzey.   Also called “Peggy’s Green,” the house is on the National Register of Historic Places.   Fleetwood has three main properties: the manor house and tasting room, which we’ll get to in a moment, the Grand Terrace, and the Loft.   Most private events such as wedding receptions, are in the Loft, a barn-like structure next to the parking lot.   In past visits to Fleetwood, we have been in the Grand Terrace

August 12, 2023.   Situated in downtown Leesburg, October One Vineyard is a departure from the normal Virginia farm winery.   The actual vineyard is located around 20 miles away from the tasting room.   There is no public access at the vineyard.   This reminded us of the tasting rooms separated from their vineyards that we saw in Woodinville, Washington State.   Out there this is commonplace; not so in Virginia. Bob and Loree Rupy formed October One in 2015 and for several years sold their wine at local farmer’s markets.   October One is the couple’s wedding anniversary.   Bob was the former co-owner of Bluemont Vineyard which still exists.   October One Vineyard is nearby in Bluemont .                                                                                          Loree and Bob Rupy In 2022, they opened the tasting room and shop on busy Loudoun Street.   There is a public garage across the street where parking is free on weekends and holidays.   The shop/tasting room is

August 12, 2023.   Nestled in the pine trees on Spinks Ferry Road, Leesburg, you will find the small rustic Hidden Brook Winery.   Hidden Brook is directly adjacent to the Vineyards and Winery at Lost Creek that we posted on a couple of days ago.   Lost Creek’s founder, Bob Hauck is the father of Hidden Brook’s founder, Eric Hauck.   I believe Lost Creek was the eighth small winery in Loudoun, while Hidden Brook is the ninth or tenth.   Even though these were originally father-son competing enterprises and their driveways are literally a couple of yards apart, the difference between them today is startling. (See, Washington Post article below).   We encountered a young man named Allan who sported a long Billy Gibbons-style grey beard and told us that he used to be a wine club member at Lost Creek before Todd and Aimee Henkle bought it.   Feeling some snobbery at Lost Creek, he switched his membership to Hidden Brook where he feels more welcome. Eric and Deborah Hauck, the owners, f

August 12, 2023.   Going north on Route 15 from Leesburg and nearly to the town of Lucketts, take a right turn at the Roots 657 Café and you will come to the long driveway for the grandly-named Vineyards and Winery at Lost Creek.   The approach will have you thinking of a southwest hacienda: a beautiful garden patio overhung with green trellised vines and a courtyard fountain.   There is a scent of mushrooms in the air and quiet of surrounding pines.   When we arrived for our reservation, the sun was still largely behind the winery, and the garden was in the cool of the morning.   Todd and Aimee Henke purchased the fifty acres of Lost Creek from the Hauck family in 2013.   At the time of the sale, reports said there were 21 acres of grapes.   Now the Lost Creek website states that there are 16 acres at this site, with additional fruit coming from a vineyard in Bluemont.   All wines are from their vineyard or the Bluemont property – all Loudoun county. We were able to talk a bit w

August 11, 2023.   Just a couple of miles north of the town of Leesburg on Route 15, you will find Bleu Frog Vineyards.   With a first harvest only in 2019, this is a fairly new operation owned by Joe and Jan Kernan who bought the property in 2016.      Joe is a retired Navy SEAL frogman – thus the vineyard name – and the couple are active in Veterans affairs and animal rescue.   The facilities have a fresh bright white and blue motif.   The tasting room is small and mellow with wood beams.  It was a little cramped with merch.      But there is ample seating outside on porches opening from the tasting room or on lawns between the parking area and the tasting room.   There are firepits for cooler months.  There is also an open wood-beamed cupola pavilion a short walk back down the driveway.     Children are welcome at Bleu Frog.   There is a play area for them, and, if you are into merch, plenty of plush blue frogs and ornaments to buy for them.   Also check out the Bleutique gift sho

August 11, 2023.   When we first visited Zephaniah Farm Vineyard outside of Leesburg in 2016, we had gotten lost on the way because, the owner told us, he purposefully used small signage.   At least that is what my notes said about the visit.   That guy must have been Bill Hatch, who else would have said it?     In 2023 we returned to Zephaniah early on a typically humid Virginia summer day and met Mr. Hatch in the parking lot as his only guests of the morning.   ( Bill admitted that he spends no funds on signage except for the sign at the end of the driveway.  Don't miss it.)  In 2016, we remember walking up to the winery through the garden to a stately manor house.   Tastings then were conducted in the living room of the manor house filled with antiques and charm.   The 1820 manor house is still there as a venerable presence, while the tasting room moved to a new building next door.     The tasting room is a high-ceilinged and wood timbered affair.   As with the manor hous

September 16, 2022.   If location is everything, then Dry Mill Vineyards and Winery certainly has a prime location.   Advertised as the closest winery to Leesburg, it is minutes west from downtown.   We last visited in 2016.   The somewhat rustic tasting room sits on a hillock with its back to the traffic along Dry Mill Road.   Walk around to the front and the road noise disappears.   You are in the country again.   The tasting room inside is quite small, but outside there is an extended covered porch with heaters for the winter months.   The lawn rolls down to picnic tables and forest.   The building also features a balcony from which, we understand, the Fairfax Jubil-Aires can often be found serenading the patrons.   We appreciate the hospitality from Tricia, Sandy, and Lou on our short visit.   Dry Mill is part of Vanhuss Family Cellars which has its principal office and its eight acres of vineyards in the Lovettsville area.   Dean Vanhuss is president.   Formed in 2008, Dry Mill