r_becca's Wine Journal Entries
Linden Vineyards (written Jun 01, 2010)
Wine: Winery: Ambiance:
On my second visit to Linden, we went on a weekday -- what a difference! We were able to sit on the deck and enjoy a beautiful view and a delicious bottle of wine. A great experience. Save a trip to Linden for a time you can get away on a weekday.
Boxwood Winery (written Jun 01, 2010)
Wine: Winery: Ambiance:
Favorite Wine: Boxwood
To taste wine here, you must visit one of their tasting rooms -- the winery itself is not open for tastings. The tasting room operates with an enomatic dispensing machine -- not bad, but you don't have the typical conversational interaction. They only had 3 different varieties available: "Boxwood," "Topiary" and a Rose -- they were all excellent, but there wasn't a lot of variety. To compensate, they offer tastings of wines from Europe as well. Not your typical Virginia tasting experience, for better or worse.
Willowcroft Farm Vineyards (written Jun 01, 2010)
Wine: Winery: Ambiance:
The wine was only so-so for me. The tasting room is in a converted barn, and very charming. However, in order to get to the winery we had to drive over a long (over a mile) narrow gravel road. I felt like the wine wasn't enough to make up for the tough travel conditions.
Breaux Vineyards (written Jun 01, 2010)
Wine: Winery: Ambiance:
Favorite Wine: Nebbiolo
The winery was very crowded, since we visited on a holiday weekend and they were having a wine club event, but the pourer was knowledgeable and informative, if a little distracted. The wines were good across the board, with only one exception (I was completely unimpressed with the rose). The grounds are beautiful and feature a large picnic area.
Naked Mountain Vineyard (written May 18, 2009)
Wine: Winery: Ambiance:
Favorite Wine: chardonnay
One of my favorite wineries in VA... consistently good wines across the board, a beautiful location and a nice relaxed atmosphere where they don't take themselves too seriously. The winery is up for sale, though -- it will be interesting to see what changes in the next few years.
Linden Vineyards (written May 18, 2009)
Wine: Winery: Ambiance:
We thought the wine was very good here, and the baristas were knowledgeable and friendly, although I agree that the deck policy is off-putting. (Although it's members-only on the weekend, it is open to all during the week.)
Pearmund Cellars (written May 18, 2009)
Wine: Winery: Ambiance:
The wines ranged from "meh" to "pretty good" with several in the "undrinkable" category. Our barista said that a couple of the whites had been bottled only 2 weeks before, and it told in the taste. However the tasting room was packed full with a couple of busloads of people so I guess they don't need to hold out for better quality. I don't plan to return.
Chester Gap Cellars (written May 18, 2009)
Wine: Winery: Ambiance:
Favorite Wine: Viognier
Every wine we tasted here was excellent -- we ended up buying a bottle of the viognier and one of the merlot. The winemaker poured for us personally. They have a small tasting room and a deck with a beautiful view. Also, they do not allow tour buses -- which from my point of view is a good thing.