Casey Kirk's Wine Journal Entries
Fifty-Third Winery and Vineyards (written Jun 22, 2013)
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Winery: Ambiance: 
Favorite Wine: Petit Verdot
Without a doubt, this is the best winery I have been to in Virginia. The Norton is what brought me here, but there are other outstanding examples of what Virginia offers. The wines offered exhibit the best that Virginia can grow. The winery is also easily accessible to I-64.
Horton Cellars Winery (written Jun 22, 2013)
Wine: Winery: Ambiance:
Favorite Wine: Norton Port
The wines here are quite enjoyable. Their Vionier was quite good as expected, as well as their Norton. As I've tasted elsewhere, Norton makes and outstanding Port, and theirs was no different.
Barboursville Vineyards (written Jun 22, 2013)
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Favorite Wine: Nebbelio
This is supposed to be Virginia's most awarded winery. After visiting, I know why. The customers were continually being told by the servers what made the wines great, leaving the drinker no way to decide for themselves. I wasn't fooled. I wasn't impressed when they told me of the Italian immigrants that planted Italian vines here. Notice - this isn't Italy. The wines at best were mediocre. If you want Italian wine, go to the local wine store and you can get something much better. If they want to make better wine, instead of imposing foreign vines upon this soil, find out what works first! Ok, having said all of that, the Nebbelio was good, but their award winning Octogon wasn't.
Rockbridge Vineyard (written Jun 22, 2013)
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Favorite Wine: V d'or
I visited this winery many years ago, and I'm glad to say that it has improved. They are committed to correct viticulture in the state, planting and growing what works the best their. I am a little ashamed that I didn't buy a bottle of their Norton, but I'm committed to buying what I consider the winery's best. I am not a huge fan of Dessert wines, but their V d'or was absolutely wonderful - double gold medals at the Finger Lakes contest.
AmRhein Wine Cellars (written Jun 22, 2013)
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I returned to this winery after being gone for more than ten years. I'm glad to report that it has improved. Try the Petit Manseng, very well suited to Virginia's climate. Their Chambourcin is quite good as well. They no longer make a Petit Verdot single variety, but are considering doing that again. I hope they do. It was very good.
Keels Creek Winery (written Jun 16, 2012)
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Favorite Wine: Chambourcin
I was surprised at this winery. Their Cynthiana/Norton was just fine, though not compared with the Hermann Nortons. I expected touristy type things being in Eureka but this was quite nice. The Vivant was interesting as well as their Chardonel. Their best was the Chambourcin though.
OakGlenn Vineyards and Winery (written Jun 16, 2012)
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Favorite Wine: Norton Port
I wasn't expecting much from this winery, having been that it was blasted in "The Wild Vine" book, but I like being surprised. The staff was very nice and pleasant to talk to. Their Norton Port is made from 110+ year old vines and it honestly blew me out of the water - fantastic! I don't remember much of anything else, but make sure you try the port.
St. James Winery (written Jun 16, 2012)
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Favorite Wine: Cynthiana
I agree with the Norton Travelers here. I just saw this winery off the side of the road while doing our "Norton tour" in Missouri and Arkansas and I'm really glad I stopped. Their "serve yourself" style is actually quite refreshing, a go at your own pace type deal, and you can sample everything for free. The wines are very reasonably priced. Their Cynthiana is made lighter than their Norton and is very nice after tasting all of the heavy Missouri Nortons. I particularly liked their Chambourcin as well. Highly recommended!
Mount Pleasant Winery - Branson (written Jun 16, 2012)
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Favorite Wine: Estate Norton
Their estate Norton is one of the best Norton's I've had, in my mind quite worth the price (35-40 dollars or so). Their regular Norton is very well made also and I enjoyed it. They try and make a Cab Sav in Missouri and it's not very good. Give it up and plant Norton - it's your state's grape! The service was also very well and you can by wine by the glass, but there isn't really any lounge area there so I don't know why you would want to. This is one of the better things to do in Branson.
Stone Hill Winery - Branson (written Jun 16, 2012)
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Favorite Wine: cream sherry
This is a for sure tourist spot, as is all of Branson, but good things can come from that. They try and make it seem like a winery. Just like the Hermann winery, all their wines are well made, however, their cream sherry is only made here in Branson, and it is quite rich and well done. It's worth the trip if just to taste that. I walked away with a few bottles.
Stone Hill Winery (written Jun 16, 2012)
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Favorite Wine: Vignoles
This is the best winery in town, though perhaps others have different wines that are better. The best thing there is the cellar tours - make sure you do it! Every wine that they offer is quality. My only regret is that we were not able to sample the Cross J Norton, however I have a bottle of that in the cellar that I hope will give me a good night in the future.
Hermannhof Winery (written Jun 16, 2012)
Wine: Winery: Ambiance:
Favorite Wine: Norton
I normally agree with the Norton Travelers, but 100 percent disagree with their Norton assessment. There Norton is by far one of the best that I have tasted - a combination of power and taste. They must have had a bad batch. The staff was very enjoyable and probably the best in the Hermann Area. My wife and I really enjoyed the winery too - I didn't notice any uncleanliness. I also enjoyed their Chambourcin very well as well as their Germantown. I have a bottle of their '04 Norton and I'm letting it sit. Hopefully when I open this bottle it will please me as much as it did there.
Bias Vineyards and Winery (written Jun 16, 2012)
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This was the least impressionable winery that I visited on my try. I'm not a fan of DeChaunac or Catawba, but I would suspect if you like those wines it would suit you. I walked around the vineyard for a bit and my suspicions were confirmed - the vines make the wine, so neglect there hinders your product.
Adam Puchta Winery (written Jun 16, 2012)
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Favorite Wine: Norton
This is the first winery that I visited on my Hermann trip, and it did not disappoint. I believe that it is the state's longest running winery. The Norton is well made, complex. The staff is also very helpful. I would however expect a nicer winery to match the history of the winery.
Landry Vineyards (written Jun 16, 2012)
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Favorite Wine: Blackberry Merlot
There is potential with this winery. I do agree with the Norton Travelers about their light Norton, however one does not need to feel the need to make a "fruit bomb" out of that grape all the time. It's too acidic for my taste however, and fixing that would improve the over all taste. The bottle I have said that the Norton was aged four months, and I think longer aging and perhaps a malo ferment would correct that. I thought their Blanc du Bois would be better, but it's just there with not too much to entertain the palate. Their fruit wines, however, are made from local fruit and are much better. I give them a thumbs up for working with the local grapes, Lenoir, Norton and Blanc, and expect their product to get better with time. Jeff is a nice person to talk with and gladly shares what he has learned in the business.
Chateau Morrisette Winery (written Jun 16, 2012)
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Favorite Wine: Chambourcin
This is a very nice winery to visit - wonderful ambiance as well as a very nice restaurant. The selection is very large, perhaps a detriment to full developing a "signature wine", but their Chambourcin is very nice, peppery, as well as their Cab Franc and Petit Verdot.
AmRhein Wine Cellars (written Jun 16, 2012)
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Favorite Wine: Petit Verdot
I actually used to live close to this winery in Virginia, and it was always a treat to take people to. The mountain scenery is beautiful and in my opinion their wine is the best in the area. I'm not sure if the still make it, but their Chambourcin was well made, however their cream of the crop is definitely their Petit Verdot - rich, creamy, dark and beautiful.
Morgan Creek Vineyards and Winery (written Jun 16, 2012)
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Favorite Wine: blueberry
I visited this winery a few years back and don't remember which ones I liked the best, but I seem to remember their fruit wines being fine. The staff was quite nice, taking their time to answer any questions and the winery was very inviting. There is pretty much only sweet wine sold here, which limits what is possible (some great dry fruit wines are made), but being that in the south we like everything sweet, I don't blame them too much.
Corbin Farms Winery (written Jun 16, 2012)
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Favorite Wine: I don't think I had one
I visited there several years ago and can't really remember anything, so that should tell you what I thought of it, however we did have lunch there and I remember that it was quite good. The grapes are imported, and I'm just not much a fan of anything not made in their local climate
Ozan Vineyard and Winery (written Jun 16, 2012)
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Favorite Wine: Peach
I do agree with the comments made by the Norton Travelers. I first visited this winery several years ago where I was first introduced to Norton. After visiting several Missouri wineries I returned and was disappointed in the Norton, however the Norton Rose was well made very well and an interesting take on the grape (and I'm not a Rose fan). However, this wineries claim to fame is their Peach wine, which is quite succulent.
Old South Winery (written Jun 16, 2012)
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Favorite Wine: Sweet Noble
An unapologetic Muscadine winery. Unless you like muscadine, don't bother. I particularly don't mind it when I'm in the mood, but I think the winery has much to improve on, especially on trying ways to improve the fruit. No vineyards here, fruit is purchased.
