Chrysalis Vineyards

Wine: Winery: Ambiance: Feb 26, 2013

Maybe things would have been better on a different day. I hope they paved the driveway to the winery.

Wine: Winery: Ambiance: Aug 27, 2012

Favorite Wine: Papillon

What makes a winery great? For sure the wines, and Chrysalis has some great wines, Norton, Rubiana, Tannat, Albarino, Viognier and others. But the folks at the winery and tasting room at Chrysalis are some of the best we've meet. They're very informative about the history and future plans for the winery as well as how the wines are produced. Summer tasting are outdoors under tents that overlook the vineyard and beautiful Middleburg countryside. Treat yourself and visit Chrysalis. You won't be disappointed.

Wine: Winery: Ambiance: Jan 01, 2011

Favorite Wine: Norton Locksley Estate (the Petit Manseng was great too)

Oh where to begin. So many enjoyable things to choose from during our late August 2010 visit. Let's begin with Kelda, the tasting room director. Albeit we arrived at the first minute of their morning hours and we we were greatly enthused to be visiting the largest acreage of Norton in the World and getting our first taste of Norton outside of the midwest. However, Kelda was just fabulous in her attention she gave us. She introduced us to her husband, Alan, the winemaker. He was busy with matters at hand, but she made sure he gave us a few minutes to get introduced. She told us how she would be sure to pass our regards on to Jenni the owner. And of course she was very knowledgable about all things wine. Kelda made us feel as if we were her only concern in the world. We left the winery wanting more and feeling like we were part owners or something. The winery itself is beautiful with its mountain setting and acres and acres of hillside vineyards. Very relaxing environment. The wines. First the Nortons. They were more robust or fruit forward (if I am using the term correctly) than all other Nortons I have had. More fruit, less oak and earthy elements. But not overdone either. Upon arriving one minute before close a couple days earlier after a long day's drive to "just get there", We had a bottle of 2006 Estate to tide us over until we could visit in earnest and it was good and robust but had not fully benefitted from more aging and mellowing. It was very good for a younger Norton but we know what an aged Norton can bring. Upon getting back to the winery for our actual visit, we tried the 2005 Estate and oh what a difference a year of aging made between it and the younger 2006. When Kelda suggested we try the 20005 Locksley Reserve, I was a little afraid to give it a try for fear that I might be disappointed and not see an improvement over the 2005 Estate Bottled. My fears were unnecessary. The Locksley was another level above. Wonderful. So full yet so smooth and without any tendencies toward the raisiny tones you can find in lesser Nortons as they age. We also tried the Sarah's Patio Red which again is made from Norton but I would describe it as less dry to almost semi-sweet. I gave it somewhat of a ho-hum at the winery but my wife really liked it. I am glad she purchased it because now at home I am really, really liking it. (Actually, it is all gone and we need to order more as soon as the temperatures warm to allow shipping. Not sure if Chrysalis actually ships but we're going to find out soon.) I hestitate to say the Nortons here are the best we have had because of loyalty to some of our other favorites. But the Chrysalis Nortons are tied with our favorites and given their unique (to us at least) fruit forward expression, they are definitely the best of this style that we have had. Several other wine varietals were really noteworthy for us as well. First was the Viognier. It is a sweet white but with very nice floral and peach/apricot fruit flavors. This offering from Chrysalis is right up with our other favorite sweet, yet light white, the Vignoles from Adam Puchta Winery in Missouri. I can't wait to try these two side-by-side. They really stand head and shoulders above anything else we've tried in this category. We tried the Albarino white. This variety is unlike anything we're had before and we only had a tasting of it. We are going to have to have more to get a better handle on it. I suspect it is going to grow on us. Last and certainly not least, was the dessert wine Petit Manseng. It is a luxurous dessert that can be enjoyed alone after a special occasion meal or over ice cream or bread pudding, etc. Last year in Boston, we were at a restaurant and I ordered a dessert off the menu without knowing what it was. To my surprise, I was given a liquoer glass of this wonderful white liquid that quickly made all "well and warm in the world". I had never had anything like this and I wondered if I would have anything like it again. This Petit Manseng, oh how lucky can I be to have found it, does the same thing. This drink and its effects have the power to take a great evening and make it into a best evening. This is probably my longest review by far. We really enjoyed this winery from top to bottom. Our enjoyment was boosted by the fact that I had read about this winery and the Norton in the book "The Wild Vine" by Todd Kliman in the months leading up to our trip to Virginia. The book is fantastic. It reviewed places and people in Missouri we have come to know and love. It previewed all the same for us in Virginia at Chrysalis, Horton, and Monticello. It's a great story on so many levels.

Wine: Winery: Ambiance: Jun 21, 2010

Favorite Wine: Viognier

I have been to visit this Vineyard several times and really have enjoyed myself while there. I like most of the wines but could do with out their Patio Red "Sarah" named for the grave out back near the patio. This red was way tooooooo sweet for me. I think it would make a wonderful Sangria...once everything else was added to it. I have to comment on the grills they have there for public use...love the idea. Just get there early to claim it. Overall this place is one I will go back to time and time again for the other wines in they have stocked.

Wine: Winery: Ambiance: Apr 30, 2010

Favorite Wine: Viognier

Norton Wine Review: Here you have a choice of a $5 Estate tasting or a $10 Reserve tasting. Let me implore you to treat yourself to the $10 Reserve tasting. As you ramble through the offerings, it will soon be apparent for the additional pricing. The beauty of Chrysalis Vineyards is that one can taste a nice $$ range of Norton wines. From their good value Patio Red rose to their Norton "barrel", "estate", and "reserve" wines ($13, $16, $19, $29, $35). Here you have a tasting that broaches all that can be found well in Virginia. You will be treated to an array of non-vinifera wines. With the Reserve tasting, if you buy them or not, you will have experienced some of the best Norton wines that can be found on the East coast. What you experience two years ago will change today and two years from now since Chrysalis dramatically changes their blends annually. If you want to really learn more about the American wine industry which includes a fabled history of the Norton grape, search out the new book by Todd Kliman, The Wild Vine. This is a documentary about characters who advanced Norton viticulture, dead or alive, and the development of the American wine world. Learn the importance of today's wineries; as Chrysalis Vineyards, in the development of a continuing story of American wines, - yesterday, today, and for sure, tomorrow.

Wine: Winery: Ambiance: Mar 06, 2009

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.

Wine: Winery: Ambiance: Jan 21, 2009

Favorite Wine: Rubiana

This was one of the first wineries we went to. It has a beautiful view and great ambiance. The wines are pretty good. Remember, Nortons are a wine that most people love or hate. It's not my favorite Norton, but remember that's subjective. I did really like the other wines, so don't skip this winery based on one wine alone. Try it, you might LOVE it. It's a beautiful place to go and the people are very friendly.

Wine: Winery: Ambiance: Sep 27, 2007

Favorite Wine: Albariño

Wine: Winery: Ambiance: Sep 26, 2007

Favorite Wine: Albariño

These folks make a great Albariño and a wonderful Viognier - well worth the visit