Sabin Wine Journeys

April 22, 2022.   It was a picture-perfect April day as the wineries beckoned for us to make our trip to Delaplane Cellars.   Sun, a light breeze, and wine – what could be better?.   Delaplane sits on Lost Mountain overlooking Northern Virginia's rural historic Crooked Run Valley on Route 17 between Interstate 66 and Route 50 in Fauquier County.   Originally incorporated in 2007, the winery was purchased by Daniel and Kate Gomez, Nicholas Jordan, and Thomas Duckenfield in 2019, making it one of the few minority-owned wineries in Virginia. This was our third visit to Delaplane where we have always found a very hospitable and informed staff and good selection.   I freely recommend Delaplane to folks asking my winery recommendations.   We spent some time speaking with wine master, Matt Wuertzer.   Delaplane has 12 acres of vines .  On this beautiful afternoon, after some days of freezing cold, the vines at the top of the vineyard were at bud br...

April 14, 2022.   We drove some 23 miles off of the beaten path from Culpeper to reach Chateau MerrillAnne Vineyard in Orange.   The trip was worth the drive.   And we appreciate Kenny White, the owner, being such a great host opening for us and being flexible as we did get lost a couple of times on our way.   This small winery opened in 2012 with Kenny and his wife, Emily, in charge.   They renovated an old corn crib into the tasting room which is a cozy space.   Most wineries have dog mascots; this one has cats.   If you like cats, this is your winery.   The White’s are in the process of building a new outdoor space to better accommodate visitors who want the country air.   Outside food is allowed, and there is plenty of space for picnics.  They accept the Virginia Wine Pass for discounts on tastings and bottle purchases. Chateau MerrillAnne has five acres under vine at the Orange location but sources most of its fruit from leases or...

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 ...

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 me...

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...