by Keith M » Fri Aug 10, 2007 1:43 pm
Welcome, Tony. I hope you have a good trip.
I visited a number of wineries in southwest Virginia in trips to the region in 2005 and 2006. My impressions from those visits are as follows:
Villa Appalaccia probably topped the list for me. They had a Primitivo and a Toscanello blend of Cabernet Franc, Sangiovese, and Primitivo. They were strong on the berry flavors, as I find somewhat typical of Virginia reds, but far less dense and had an earthy or herbsy thing about them I really liked. I would visit them again if I were in the area. Abingdon Winery had a good selection, including some rather nice hybrids, if you are into trying those--very good prices on the hybrids as well (though, in general, southwest Virginia does better on prices than does the explosion of wineries in northern Virginia). AmRhein was okay, but had some interesting more uniquely styled wines the time I visited. Nothing struck me as outstanding there, but they had some interesting choices including Pinot Grigio and Petit Verdot, which you don't see everywhere.
If you are adventurous, you might consider a visit to Hickory Hill Vineyards. Based on the description of their location, I was expecting something that was more a tourist destination on the lake for easy wine sipping than a winery. Boy, was I wrong. This place is worth a visit just for the contrast to the general Napaization of the Virginia wine tasting experience. The folks there are passionate and experimental . . . some of their wines I liked, some were undrinkable, but their enthusiasm and joy were infectious and I really liked the fact they tried stuff according to their own tastes, rather than someone's perception of what the market demands. In particular, I found their interpretation of Chardonnay interesting (but I have to admit it wouldn't be to everyone's taste, but what is?), unlike the flood of oak-and-butter that was in vogue for a few years. Can't guarantee that you'll like the wines, and I wouldn't recommend you go far out of your way just for the wines, but it's neat to taste experiments in action.
There used to be a place called White Rock close to Hickory Hill. Don't know if they are still around, but another fun visit to see a winery that someone installed in their house. They had a nice Cabernet Franc when I visited.
Peaks of Otter is old skool Virginia fruit wine--in multitudes of flavors and styles. They are a little bit crazy up there and their wines show it. I found their wines more appropriate to sharing amongst a bunch of friends, as many of the more interesting ones it would be difficult to imagine splitting a bottle between two people (rather strong flavor profiles). But they had some bottle of jalapeno or other spicy pepper-based wine, and I have to tell you, it was weird, but I have never found a better match for nachos.
And, it's not on the list for southwest Virginia, but Fincastle Vineyards and Winery is just above Roanoke and is one of my favorite finds in Virginia. Very small scale but I rank their cabernet franc as one of my Virginia favorites for three years running . . . which ain't too shabby, as the last bottle set me back $12, which was pretty much half the price of any other decently interesting Virginia cabernet franc.
I have nothing good to say about the wines at Château Morrisette (except that perhaps folks who generally dislike wine find them an accessible entry point), but the tasting room experience is hilarious. Enormous Napaesque tasting complex right off the Blue Ridge and when I went one taster leading a tasting for about 70 guests, many of whom were wisecracking the whole time. I could barely breathe as I exited to the parking lot, I was laughing so hard.
Beautiful country there, I hope you enjoy it. I look forward to your report.
