Sabin Wine Journeys

March 18, 2022.   Kim and I continued our drive on a warm late winter afternoon by stopping at Firefly Cellars in Hamilton, Loudoun County.   Firefly is close-by the intersection of Route 7 and Route 9 at Paeonian Springs.   It was the former Hunter’s Run Winery that was purchased and renovated by Pete and Patty Pierleonardi, owners of Pest Management Services, Inc.   It re-opened in May 2021 with daughter Andrea Zaidi and her brother Zach Pierleonardi in charge.   According to Andrea, Firefly produces between 2,000 and 3,000 cases a year.   Juice is from vineyards in the Shenandoah Valley.   Firefly uses the services of w inemaker Randy Phillips with Cave Ridge Winery in Mt. Jackson, where the wine is produced and bottled.   Firefly does not bottle on at the Hamilton location.   Sounds like a custom crush business.    Firefly has an adults-only tasting room while families and pets are welcome on the deck and in the backyard. ...

March 18, 2022.   Kim and I took advantage of a gorgeous late winter day to drive out to Breaux Vineyards near the town of Hillsborough, Loudoun County.   According to WIKIPEDIA, Breaux Vineyards is one of Virginia's largest grape growers and supplier of wine grapes, bulk juice, and bulk wine to other East Coast U.S. wineries.   Breaux states that it is “100% Cajun owned and operated,” having been founded in 1997 by Paul Breaux, Jr., and now being run by Jennifer Breaux, who is the President and General Manager.   Approaching the winery from the valley, you ascend a steep drive to an elevation of 700 to 950 feet presenting a view of the Blue Ridge and Short Hill Mountains.   It is fun to watch the cloud shadows trace across the hillsides. The main buildings and the outbuildings give you a definite Italianate feel.     Inside, there is a New Orleans vibe, from the filigree iron work around the tasting room to the crawfish company logo, paying trib...

  February 26, 2022.  To conclude our short trip to the Culpeper area, we drove down to Early Mountain Vineyards in Madison, just a short detour from Route 29.   Originally the property of Sweely Estate Winery, Jean and Steve Case of America On-line (AOL) fame purchased the property in 2010 and reopened it as Early Mountain in 2012.   Jean Case is the owner.   Early Mountain is a fictitious name of Madison County Wines, LLC, a Delaware corporation.   Between the Early Mountain site and the acquisition Quaker Run Vineyard in 2015, there are more than 55 acres of vineyard, featuring Cabernet Franc and Merlot and new varietals including Malvasia Bianca, Sauvignon Blanc, Tannat, and other varietals. The tasting room is palatial, sophisticated, and high-end, especially compared with many Virginia wineries in the area.   If you want the intimate and casual hospitality of a small tasting room, Early Mountain may not be the place for you.   The wine...

February 25, 2022.  During our short jaunt to Culpeper, Kim and I stopped-in to Mountain Run Winery.   We were last here in May 2018 when a storm confined us to the upstairs tasting room with other friendly visitors for much of the afternoon.   I noted then on the quality of the Culpeper Crimson offering and the Viognier.  Those comments still stand. David Foster opened Mountain Run in 2016 and has the closest winery to Culpeper.   With this location, I sense that the winery hosts a large number of weddings and community events.   We visited on the last weekend before events really picked-up.   It was quiet until a Girls’ Road Trip of six middle-aged ladies from Pennsylvania came through the door – looking for good wine on their travels and tips on what to see.   We obliged!   The tasting room is in a rustic 70 year-old corn crib.   There is also an outdoor tasting bar for the warmer months.   Outside food is permitted.   The...

February 25, 2022.  During a short trip to the Culpeper area, Kim and I visited the small Revalation Winery.   Revalation is owned by Françoise and Julian Moiseiwitsch, from Belgium and Ireland, who have their main vineyard near their home in Reva.   (This “Reva” connection is the reason why the winery is not spelled “Revelation.”)   The small tasting room is a couple of miles away, overlooking the scenic Hebron Valley in Madison.   The winery is mostly set-up for outside seating.   In the summer, a breeze blows down the valley and keeps the visitors cool as they watch the sun set over the mountains.   The tasting room is an 1830’s cabin that was relocated timber-by-timber from near Gretna to this location.   Inside, there are only two tables arranged around a nice fireplace.   If you anticipate rain or colder temperatures, it is best to call ahead and reserve one of these two tables.   Otherwise, you are at the mercy of firepits.  ...

  February 12, 2022.  A group of us drove out to visit 50 West Vineyards near Middleberg on a breezy but pleasant sunny day.   50 West Vineyards is the smallest of five vineyards owned by Mike and Diane Canny.   The hub of the winemaking for these farms is Sunset Hills Vineyard in Purcellville, and 50 West opened as the second tasting room in 2015.   All of 50 West’s wines are produced at Sunset Hills.   We were honored to have a long convivial talk with Mike Canny sitting around our fire pit.   Much of this post will include our discussion with Mike.   We thank him for his time.   But let’s also give a shout-out to Molly for keeping our fire pit stoked! The tasting room at 50 West is small and cozy inside, but there is ample room outside for larger groups, families and dogs.   Outside food is allowed or you may visit the food truck.   During the summer, there are festivals outside that use the large stage installed across from ...