Sabin Wine Journeys

December 7, 2023.   We felt it was high time to get back to our winery visits after taking a break over Thanksgiving.   We drove out to Boxwood Estate Winery which has a Middleburg address but is just over the county line in Fauquier County.   Approaching Boxwood from the south on Route 626 just outside of Halfway, you will pass the distinctive ochre-colored, white-columned manor house at Wavery.   This was the site of Piedmont Winery, the first commercial winery in Virginia’s modern era.   It is amazing that in just one generation we could move from dairy farm to nascent winery to, with Boxwood, a purpose-built modern winemaking facility encircled with extensive producing vines.   So much more is in store for us in the Commonwealth. Boxwood Estate Winery is owned by John Kent Cooke, the former president of Washington’s professional football franchise.   He appears to have brought together a stellar supporting cast to help establish his winery: Lucie Morton for viticulture, Stèphan

April 1, 2022.   Kim and I revisited Greenhill on a blustery April Fool's Day.  Greenhill was founded in 2007 by David Greenhill who took over the property formerly known as Swedenburg Winery just outside of Middleburg on Route 50.   You may recall from the Bureaucracy page that Juanita Swedenburg had a seminal role in challenging restrictions on the interstate commerce of Virginia wine.   Greenhill produces 100% Virginia wine, from 13 acres in Middleburg and 14 acres elsewhere in the Commonwealth along with connections with Walsh Family, Whitehall, and other vineyards.   In 2018, Greenhill announced that Michael Shaps would be its new winemaker.   However, the current Greenhill website and most articles since 2018 show Ben Comstock as the winemaker.   It is not clear what, if any, relationship continues with Michale Shaps.   Since our last visit a number of years ago, a new sunny tasting room has been added with a view across a sweeping hill and pastures.   Outside food is all

April 1, 2022.   This post is a chance for me to clear the air about Cana Vineyards.   Kim and I visited Cana in 2015 or 2016 when it was owned by the Bell family.   My notes from the tasting I had at that time read: “Favored no wines.   All bad.”   Based on this bad experience, Cana has been an object of derision in our house to the present day. But - wait for the rest of the story! One of the pitfalls of writing a blog about a constantly changing subject like Virginia wineries is that you will miss important events and not update your impressions when an open mind would insist on it.   That is the case with Cana.   In 2018, the Bell family sold Cana to Lisa and Bruce Petty.   The Petty’s have since been joined in ownership/management by Michelle and Tom Grant.   They have invested much in upgrading the facilities.   Their winemaker, Melanie Natoli, was named co-Woman Winemaker of the Year in 2017.   Cana won silver or bronze medals in the Virginia Governor’s Cup in 2016, 2018, 201