The Norton Wine Traveler's Wine Journal
| Wineries Visited: 273Journal Entries:  274Photos 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 | 38 | 131 | 29% |  |
| Arkansas Wineries | 4 | 19 | 21% |  |
| South Carolina Wineries | 6 | 30 | 20% |  |
| Georgia Wineries | 15 | 89 | 16% |  |
| Virginia Wineries | 54 | 329 | 16% | |
| Alabama Wineries | 3 | 19 | 15% |  |
| West Virginia Wineries | 2 | 13 | 15% | |
| Tennessee Wineries | 8 | 61 | 13% |  |
| North Carolina Wineries | 19 | 165 | 11% |  |
| Kentucky Wineries | 6 | 59 | 10% |  |
| Illinois Wineries | 9 | 91 | 9% |  |
| Louisiana Wineries | 1 | 11 | 9% | |
| Rhode Island Wineries | 1 | 15 | 6% |  |
| Massachusetts Wineries | 2 | 37 | 5% |  |
| Kansas Wineries | 2 | 40 | 5% | |
| New Hampshire Wineries | 1 | 23 | 4% |  |
| Minnesota Wineries | 2 | 57 | 3% |  |
| Ohio Wineries | 4 | 182 | 2% |  |
| Maryland Wineries | 2 | 92 | 2% | |
| Wisconsin Wineries | 2 | 97 | 2% | |
| New Mexico Wineries | 1 | 54 | 1% |  |
| New Jersey Wineries | 1 | 56 | 1% | |
| Idaho Wineries | 1 | 61 | 1% | |
| Iowa Wineries | 1 | 69 | 1% | |
| Pennsylvania Wineries | 4 | 281 | 1% | |
| Texas Wineries | 3 | 297 | 1% | |
| California Wineries | 15 | 2121 | 1% | |
| New York Wineries | 1 | 297 | 1% | |
Latest Winery Visits
Valley Road Vineyards (added Aug 26, 2024)
Hazy Mountain Vineyards & Brewery (added Aug 26, 2024)
Afton Mountain Vineyards (added Aug 26, 2024)
Shenandoah Vineyards (added Aug 25, 2024)
View all winery visits...
Latest Wine Journal Entries
Burntshirt Vineyards (written Apr 29, 2025)
Wine: 
Winery: 
Ambiance:
Thirty acres of vineyards planted fifteen years ago at 2,200'-3,400' in picturesque surroundings. Burntshirt's winery is an example that good wines can be produced in North Carolina, ~ especially their medium bodied Cabernet Franc and unique white Austrian Gruner Veltliner. A large, comfortable outdoor seating, tasting area is attended to by an attentive staff. Their new restaurant and patio structure compliment the wines with a wonderful menu. We enjoyed their exceptionally tender rack-of-lamb (no knife needed) and New Orleans delicately spiced shrimp 'n rice.
/ Curb delivery was appreciated during a previous visit.
Soda Rock Winery (written Feb 05, 2025)
Wine: Winery: Ambiance:
The original Soda Rock Winery building, which burned down a few years ago, was the site for the first bonded California winery. What a nice cross section of Cab Franc, Primitivo, Syrah and Petite Syrah wines are to be explored here. Our gift bottle of 2021 Alexander Valley Twisted Rail Cabernet Sauvignon has already been ascribed with high commendations.
Valley Road Vineyards (written Aug 26, 2024)
Wine: 
Winery: Ambiance:
1st impression: 5 star setting with placement of winery layout, tasting room, outdoor seating and hillside ambience. 2nd impression was confusion of flight tastings. Luckily, our host picked up quickly on our wanting only to try three out of the eighteen wines (2023 Albarino, 2022 Cabernet Franc and 2020 Petit Verdot). The different flights were charged at the same price and the pours were most generous. This is a unique setting for an operation which is only 8 years old. The wines were too young to truly be able to reflect on where they are headed in the years to come. We are glad that we made this mountain like winery stop in the Virginia hillsides.
Veritas Winery (written Aug 26, 2024)
Wine: Winery: Ambiance:
We had visited this vineyard fourteen years ago and were expecting winery and wine changes. The beautiful hillside setting was undisturbed, but the wines had not significantly developed in expression(s) over the years. Five of their wines had been named as Virginia Governor’s Cup Gold Medal Winners, but their tastes did not align to our expectations. We went for the wines, but enjoyed mostly sitting comfortably on their covered deck listening to a delightful solo guitarist.
View all wine journal entries...
