The Norton Wine Traveler's Wine Journal
| Wineries Visited: 261Journal Entries:  266Photos Uploaded:  0 |  |
| About: Former military pilot and retired educator enjoying life with rhododendrons, magnolias, travels, and Norton wine explorations. Recommended reading of Norton wines is Todd Kliman's The Wild Vine. | ||
Favorite States
| State | Your Reviews | Wineries in State | Percent | Progress |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Missouri Wineries | 41 | 125 | 32% |  |
| Arkansas Wineries | 6 | 20 | 30% |  |
| Louisiana Wineries | 2 | 9 | 22% |  |
| Georgia Wineries | 15 | 71 | 21% |  |
| South Carolina Wineries | 6 | 29 | 20% |  |
| Alabama Wineries | 4 | 21 | 19% |  |
| Virginia Wineries | 53 | 299 | 17% |  |
| Tennessee Wineries | 9 | 54 | 16% |  |
| North Carolina Wineries | 20 | 143 | 13% |  |
| West Virginia Wineries | 2 | 15 | 13% | |
| Kentucky Wineries | 9 | 71 | 12% |  |
| Illinois Wineries | 9 | 104 | 8% |  |
| Rhode Island Wineries | 1 | 13 | 7% |  |
| Massachusetts Wineries | 2 | 40 | 5% |  |
| Kansas Wineries | 2 | 44 | 4% |  |
| New Hampshire Wineries | 1 | 23 | 4% | |
| Minnesota Wineries | 2 | 62 | 3% |  |
| Maryland Wineries | 2 | 71 | 2% |  |
| Idaho Wineries | 1 | 43 | 2% | |
| Ohio Wineries | 4 | 192 | 2% | |
| Wisconsin Wineries | 2 | 99 | 2% | |
| New Mexico Wineries | 1 | 59 | 1% |  |
| New Jersey Wineries | 1 | 61 | 1% | |
| Pennsylvania Wineries | 4 | 267 | 1% | |
| Iowa Wineries | 1 | 77 | 1% | |
| Texas Wineries | 3 | 310 | 1% | |
| California Wineries | 16 | 2391 | 1% | |
| New York Wineries | 1 | 314 | 1% | |
Latest Winery Visits
Eagle Mountain Vineyards & Winery (added Aug 26, 2023)
Gadino Cellars (added Jul 11, 2022)
Little Washington Winery (added Jul 11, 2022)
Quievremont Winery (added Jul 11, 2022)
View all winery visits...
Latest Wine Journal Entries
Hightower Creek Vineyards (written Oct 20, 2023)
Wine: 
Winery: Ambiance: 
My original visit to Hightower Creek was in the summer of 2012. Since then they have expanded vineyard plantings and their picturesque 2195' elevation setting. Today they work with estate grown Pinot Gris, Catawba, Cabernet Franc, Viognier, Cabernet Sauvignon, Norton, Seyval Blanc, Traminette, Merlot and Chambourcin grapes. At this rural winery you will find unique white and red blends plus a 'blush' semi-sweet Chambourcin. The reasonably priced bottles are non-pretentious Georgia wines which show an ever improving local wine setting.
Eagle Mountain Vineyards & Winery (written Aug 26, 2023)
Wine: Winery: 
Ambiance:
If you live in South Carolina, you are now only 2,213 miles from Napa Valley. We were pleasantly surprised to find this winery with friends while participating in one of their monthly evening, limited seating, dinner events which included three complimentary wines. Register early for events since space, supposedly, sells out quickly. Currently, six California bottled varietals are available. Reasonable priced for palatable California wines prepared and bottled for this winery. We enjoyed a bright 2022 Lodi Albarino, a light 2020 Russian River Pinot Noir, a 'young' 2020 Knight's Valley Cabernet Sauvignon and varietally correct 2021 Carmel Valley Zinfandel. // Follow driving directions from Eagle Mountain's webpage to this site since GPS address location is inconsistently listed (Google's fault, not the owner's intention).
Gadino Cellars (written Jul 11, 2022)
Wine: Winery: Ambiance:
How much fun to find this winery relatively close to our lodge along the National Park's Skyline Drive. Planted in the early 1990s and opened to the public in 2007, this vineyard offers vinifera tastings from dry wines to a royal sweet port. The draw here for us was a 'tower' tasting of their Virginia Governor Cup gold medal winning Nebbiolo. The 2016 $40 light color example may develop way, ~ way down the road in time. The $48, 13.7% alc 2015 Nebbiolo was the darkest in expected color and should be rocking by 2026. What we purchased was Gadino's $47 2017 medium-dark colored 78% Nebbiolo, 22% combination of Petit Verdot, Cab Franc and Merlot. A nicely balanced wine approachable today and in a few years should continue to evolve gracefully. / Please ask for handicap entrance accessibility.
Quievremont Winery (written Jul 11, 2022)
Wine: Winery: Ambiance:
Quiévremont Winery is yet another charming, not hard to find, new vineyard setting near the National Park Skyline Drive access gate. Interestingly, offered are several rosé & rouge wines plus Meritage examples of estate blendings of Petit Verdot, Cab Sauv, Cab Franc and either Merlot/Malbec grapes. Though only planted in 2016, we found their 2021 Petit Manseng already producing a uniquely drier, crisp alternative to cold climate Rieslings. Will Petit Manseng eventually replace Viognier as Virginia's state grape? / Thank you for generous 6 & 12 bottle and military discounts.
View all wine journal entries...
