Sabin Wine Journeys

February 23, 2024.   We had one more stop on our Friday travels: a drive through the country about a half an hour from Septenary to Knight’s Gambit Vineyard in a very rural part of Charlottesville.   The name “Knight’s Gambit” comes from a short story by William Faulkner that was well-loved by his daughter Jill Faulkner Summers.   Mr. Faulkner lived nearby the property that Jill and her husband bought in the 1970’s.   Their son, Paul Summers, William Faulkner’s grandson, planted grapes on the property in 2003 and, with partner Maggie Duensing, opened the winery in 2016.                                                                                           Maggie Duensing We had a nice visit with Maggie on a dreary Friday afternoon and picked up some background info.   Knight’s Gambit has around seven acres under vine at the Charlottesville location and five more acres in the Lake Anna area where they grow Chardonnay and Petit Verdot.   They produce around 1,000 cases annually u

September 8, 2023.   We continued our day trip to wineries on the southside of the James River with a stop at SummerWind Vineyard in Isle of Wight County near Smithfield.   The approach to SummerWind is through the posh Days Point area and the property slopes down to a creek off of the Pagan River. SummerWind is owned and operated by the Pugh Family who began grape cultivation in 2005.   We were fortunate to catch owner Kim Pugh between chores in the vineyard and also to meet her daughter, Meghan, who manages the tasting room while managing her three-year old little, too.   Kim, with a bun of grey hair and sharp eyes, talked to us some about the operation.   We certainly appreciate her time and the team’s thoughtfulness. The tasting room is housed in an attractive frame house with a small indoor space and tasting bar.   (Know that SummerWind has no posted handicap parking, but you are welcome to let off your passengers at the end of the gravel circle at the house and then park.   Th

  If wineries can be judged like other real estate – by location, location, location - then Prince Michel may be the best situated winery in the State.   It is directly on State Route 29 South in Leon, Madison County, at the top of a hill to catch the breezes and turn the wind-wine sculptures in front of the tasting room.   Prince Michel has been in operation since 1982 and claims to be the oldest continuous operating Virginia winery, a claim that Barboursville, Chateau Morrisette, and a few others would dispute. (Prince Michele is under new ownership since 2005 when Kristen Holzman acquired the property from Jean and Silvian LeDucq.)   But there is no denying it is easy to get go.   Just turn right into their driveway from Route 29.   Period.    The view from the winery is of Route 29, which is not great.   The vineyard stretches out behind a spacious winery building.   Since our last visit, Prince Michel has added a brewery – Tap 29 – and also serves cider.   They sponsor a cash tr