box_wine_guy's Wine Journal Entries
Portteus Vineyards (written Mar 13, 2010)
Wine: 
Winery: Ambiance:
Favorite Wine: Petit Sirah
It's a little off the beaten path, but worth the drive, especially if you happen to find Paul Portteus in the tasting room.
Dunham Cellars w/RV site (written Mar 13, 2010)
Wine: Winery: Ambiance:
In addition to making good wines, they host fun wine dinners.
Hyatt Vineyards (written Mar 07, 2009)
Wine: Winery: 
Ambiance: 
The staff is a little grumpy, but the wines are good.
Hightower Cellars (written Mar 07, 2009)
Wine: Winery: Ambiance:
Haven't visited, but I've had the wines. Good stuff.
Forgeron Cellars (written Mar 07, 2009)
Wine: Winery: Ambiance:
Pretty much middle of the road. Staff could be a little friendlier.
Prince Michel Vineyards & Winery (written Mar 07, 2009)
Wine: Winery: Ambiance:
They take themselves far too seriously, given the quality of the wine produced.
Oasis Winery (written Mar 07, 2009)
Wine: 
Winery: Ambiance:
They were great years ago; now they're in steep decline.
Linden Vineyards (written Mar 07, 2009)
Wine: Winery: Ambiance:
Good wines, goofy deck & food policies. Not only won't we visit again, we'll skip the wines as well, even at retail and restaurant venues. If the owner manages to get in touch with reality again, we'll consider coming back. It's a shame, too, because nothing was nicer in the good old days than to grab some wine and munchies (or a bowl of berries & cream in season) and relax on the deck.
Lake Anna Winery (written Mar 07, 2009)
Wine: Winery: Ambiance:
Haven't visited yet, but we like the wines.
Barboursville Vineyards (written Mar 07, 2009)
Wine: Winery: Ambiance:
Haven't visted yet, but have enjoyed the wines on several occasions.
Cougar Crest Winery (written Mar 06, 2009)
Wine: Winery: Ambiance:
Rush, rush, rush. Drink your teeny sample and go.
Chateau Faire Le Pont & Restaurant (written Mar 06, 2009)
Wine: Winery: Ambiance:
Chandler Reach Vineyards (written Mar 06, 2009)
Wine: Winery: Ambiance:
We tried to visit during published hours, but the place was locked up tight and there were no signs saying why they weren't open. Maybe we'll try again; maybe we won't.
J Bookwalter Winery (written Mar 06, 2009)
Wine: Winery: 
Ambiance:
All the wines are good. The Chardonnay/Viognier blend is a consistent winner, even though they vary the blend from vintage to vintage. You can also enjoy cheese and cold cuts and other light fare while sipping a glass (or several) of something. While you're in the neighborhood, visit Barnard Griffin next door, but skip Tagaris.
Bonair Winery and Vineyards (written Mar 06, 2009)
Wine: Winery: Ambiance:
I love this place. 'Nuf said.
Bergevin Lane Vineyards (written Mar 06, 2009)
Wine: Winery: Ambiance:
Cabernet Sauvignon leads the pack.
Benson Vineyards (written Mar 06, 2009)
Wine: Winery: Ambiance:
Nothing stands out, but the wines are pretty solid and the tasting staff are friendly.
Barnard Griffin (written Mar 06, 2009)
Wine: Winery: Ambiance:
On the white side, Riesling and Orange Muscat are tops. Cabernet Sauvignon heads the red list. Don't forget to go next door to Bookwalter as well, but you can skip Tagaris.
Badger Mountain Vineyard and Powers Winery (written Mar 06, 2009)
Wine: Winery: Ambiance:
The Badger Mountain label includes some vegan-friendly selections (no gelatine or egg white in the fining process). The no-sulfite-added Riesling is excellent. The Powers label is primarily from outsourced grapes but still shows the same attention to detail.
Arbor Crest Wine Cellars (written Mar 06, 2009)
Wine: Winery: Ambiance:
Everything is solid; red has a slight edge over white.
Amavi Cellars (written Mar 06, 2009)
Wine: Winery: Ambiance:
The Semillon gets my vote. The tasting room tends to bog down with only moderate crowding, but the staff do their best to be friendly even under trying conditions.
Airfield Estates Winery (written Mar 06, 2009)
Wine: Winery: Ambiance:
The wines are OK now, but I expect things to improve in the next few years as the winemaker gets a better feel for the grapes.
Pearmund Cellars (written Mar 06, 2009)
Wine: Winery: Ambiance:
The Chardonnay and Ameritage were the big winners for us. They get you big-time for shipping charges, though.
Mediterranean Cellars (written Mar 06, 2009)
Wine: Winery: Ambiance:
Fox Meadow Vineyards (written Mar 06, 2009)
Wine: Winery: Ambiance:
All the wines were above average except for the Chardonnays, which didn't seem to have much going on. The Riesling and Renard Rouge were the winners.
Doukenie Winery (written Mar 06, 2009)
Wine: Winery: Ambiance:
Chrysalis Vineyards (written Mar 06, 2009)
Wine: Winery: Ambiance:
After tasting through the entire collection, I had to go lie down. Not because of the alcohol, but because of the non-stop, high-pressure, we-think-you're-an-idiot blather from the tasting room lady. When I taste wine (and especially after traveling 3000 miles to do so), I want to hear about vintages, varietals, cooperage and treatments (and maybe an amusing anecdote about the harvest or something). Tell me what's in the glass, not what it's supposed to taste like. I'm able to do that part for myself. Otherwise, I could save myself a trip. And frankly, the wines weren't worth the risk of premature deafness.
Willowcroft Farm Vineyards (written Mar 06, 2009)
Wine: Winery: Ambiance:
It's always fun to visit here, especially if Lew is around. Wine-wise, there's something for almost everyone. The Cabernet Franc generally appears high on our list (although, sadly, not on the most recent visit). There's a good chance that the tasting room staff will also recommend a visit to Casanel Winery, just a short drive away. Take their advice.
Naked Mountain Vineyard (written Mar 06, 2009)
Wine: Winery: Ambiance:
We've visited off & on for well over a decade. There are some winners and some clinkers, but the Chardonnays are in the "winner" category pretty consistently. Lovely setting, friendly staff.
Chateau O'Brien at Northpoint Winery (written Mar 06, 2009)
Wine: Winery: Ambiance:
Favorite Wine: Tannat
Like most New Yorkers, the owner likes to shovel the BS deep & wide, but once you allow for that, the wines themselves are rather good. Given the large crowds, the tasting area could be much better designed & staffed. During our visit, the owner's wife was the only pourer, but she was working hard and was unfailingly polite to all the customers. I don't understand the complaints about lack of a play area; it's a winery, not a McBurgerLand. You wouldn't take your kids to a bar (or would you)? Besides, there are big signs well before you get to the tasting room (or even onto the grounds) saying that only people 21+ are allowed.
Raymond Vineyard and Cellar (written Feb 23, 2009)
Wine: Winery: Ambiance:
Casa Rondeña Winery (written Feb 23, 2009)
Wine: Winery: Ambiance:
Favorite Wine: Cabernet Franc
The Cab Franc is our perpetual favorite. The premises are available for special events such as weddings.
Spanish Valley Vineyards and Winery (written Feb 23, 2009)
Wine: Winery: Ambiance:
It's a small (tiny?) outfit, but the people are friendly and the wines are decent. I'd give the whites slightly higher marks than the reds.
Stoney Mesa Winery (written Feb 23, 2009)
Wine: Winery: Ambiance:
We like the Gewürztraminer best. The Riesling is mild, but serviceable. Plenty of fruit in the Merlot.
Mountain Spirit Winery (written Feb 23, 2009)
Wine: Winery: Ambiance:
The Pinot Soleil (a Merlot/Cab blend) stands out; everything else is a distant second. Friendly staff.
Winery at Holy Cross Abbey, The (written Feb 23, 2009)
Wine: Winery: Ambiance:
The Cab Franc and Riesling were our favorites; the Merlot and Syrah were at the other end of the spectrum.
Sonoita Vineyards (written Feb 23, 2009)
Wine: Winery: Ambiance:
Nothing here screams "drink me" but we've generally found the whites to be more dependable than the reds (although the reds have been on the rise for the past couple of years). Sonoita and Callaghan are on our must-visit list when we're in the area; we give the extended middle digit to Village of Elgin as we drive by.
Gruet Winery (written Feb 23, 2009)
Wine: Winery: Ambiance:
The wines were OK, but the tasting room staff were pretentious.
Milagro Vineyards (written Feb 23, 2009)
Wine: Winery: Ambiance:
Favorite Wine: Merlot
Yes, you need an appointment. Yes, it's worth the trouble. Merlot and Zinfandel are the standouts, but you really can't go wrong with anything here. If you're hungry, pop into the Indigo Crow just up the road and enjoy a glass of Milagro wine with your tasty meal.
Callaghan Vineyards (written Feb 23, 2009)
Wine: Winery: Ambiance:
Favorite Wine: Mourvedre
We've always liked the Callaghan offerings. Lately, though, everything seems to be blends and the selection is smaller. I miss the Mourvedre; it was serious stuff. Not that the blends are bad (quite the opposite, in fact). Sure the tasting area is primitive, but that's because they put their money and effort into the wine, not the fripperies.
