Sabin Wine Journeys

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

May 15, 2023.   We began the second day of our Charlottesville wine trip by visiting the Gabrielle Rausse Winery, on the Southeast side of Carters Mountain.   The winding Carters Mountain Road passes several wineries including the Trump Winery which announces itself unmistakably.   In contrast, you must be careful not to overshoot the entrance for Gabriele Rausse.   There is no sign on the road telling you where to turn.   Just know the number, 3247 , and look for the large black partially overgrown mailbox with white “3247” on the sides.   Turn in there. Maybe a hundred feet up the gravel driveway across Quarry Creek brings you to the small parking lot for the winery on the left.   The winery building itself reminded me of how glass might be used in the later Usonian homes – to convey a sense of lightness and integration of the building into the forest.   The walls that define the working space are low and accessible.     The dimensions are comfortable and inviting.   With all cus