Virginia wine is unique! Virginia is the birthplace of American wine—the first colonists engaged in winemaking as early as 1609. Today, Virginia ranks sixth for the most wineries per state. Member winery Ingleside Vineyards was founded in 1980 and is one of the oldest in the Commonwealth.
WINE AND OYSTERS IN THE NORTHERN NECK GEORGE WASHINGTON BIRTHPLACE AVA
The geographical diversity in Virginia allows for a variety of grape vines to thrive; thus, there are eight AVAs (American Viticultural Areas) in the Commonwealth. The Northern Neck George Washington Birthplace AVA, home to most members of the Trail, is one of only three places in the world where wine grapes grow on land next to waters where oysters are dredged. The sandy, rocky soil composition is similar to the banks of the Garonne River, in the French city of Bordeaux. Incidentally, Monroe Bay Winery owner and winemaker Kiki Apple learned winemaking in France before bringing her knowledge to Virginia.
Dudley Patteson, owner of Trail winery The Dog and Oyster, describes it as the perfect pairing “where the terroir of the grape meets the merroir of the oyster.” To celebrate this phenomenon, the Chesapeake Bay Wine Trail hosts two annual oyster crawls, in the spring and fall. Several Trail members offer oysters year round; and at The Dog and Oyster, you can imbibe on a Bloody Mary Oyster Shooter or Champagne with Oyster.
CELEBRATING VIRGINIA WINE MONTH
In honor of October’s Virginia Wine Month, presented here are some of the grapes and award-winning wine varieties available on the Chesapeake Bay Wine Trail. Influenced by Old World European and New World California flavors, included are innovative, handcrafted blends aged in oak, stainless steel and bourbon barrels that capture the very essence of Virginia. Take note of less common grape varieties such as sparkling rosé using the Touriga grape from General’s Ridge Vineyard; Vignoles from Trail winery Good Luck Cellars; Albariño from Ingleside Vineyards; and Petit Manseng from Monroe Bay Winery and Rivah Vineyards at the Grove, which also offers a Cayuga White.
Ditchley Cider Works, the lone cidery on the Chesapeake Bay Wine Trail, offers a variety of ciders. Blush, in particular, was created for wine lovers, as wine yeast starts the fermentation of this cider, made from fresh pink- and red-fleshed apples.
RED WINES
Here’s a look at some of the red wines produced on our wine trail: Cabernet Franc; Cabernet Sauvignon; Chambourcin; Petit Verdot; Petit Verdot Reserve; Sangiovese; Syrah; and Tannat.
WHITE WINES
Here are some of the white wines produced on the trail: Albariño; Cayuga White; Chardonel; Chardonel Reserve; Chardonnay; Chardonnay Reserve; Petit Manseng; Pinot Grigio; Traminette; Vidal Blanc; Vignoles and Viognier.
UNIQUE BLENDS FROM WINEMAKERS ON THE CHESAPEAKE BAY WINE TRAIL
In additional to single varietal wines, winemakers along the Chesapeake Bay Wine Trail have also developed some unique blends, which have impressed the palates of wine critics and visitors over the years. Please note that blends may vary based on the vintage year. Here’s a look at some of the current blends that can be found on our trail:
Caret Cellars:
Nebbiolo Rosé (60% Nebbiolo, 40% Rkatsiteli)
Rivah Red (95% Chambourcin, 5% Niagara)
The Dog and Oyster:
Pearl (70% Chardonel, 30% Muscat Ottonel)
Shelter Dog Red (50% Merlot, 35% Petit Verdot, 10% Cab Franc, 5% Cab Sauv)
General’s Ridge Vineyard:
GRV White (blend of Traminette and Vidal)
Sparkling Semper Fi (blend of Chardonnay, Chardonnel, and Vidal Blanc)
The Flying Leathernecks Sparkling Rosé (blend using the Touriga grape)
GRV Red (blend of Merlot and Chambourcin)
General’s Reserve (blend of Petit Verdot, Merlot and Tannat)
General’s Last Call (a port blended from American Brandy and Chambourcin)
Good Luck Cellars:
Rip Rap Rosé (blend of Seyval Blanc and Chambourcin)
Red Reach (blend of Chardonel, Chambourcin and Cabernet Sauvignon)
Four Blonds (blend of Vidal Blanc, Traminette, Seyval Blanc, & Chardonel)
Baleen Beauty (blend of Chardonel and Vidal Blanc)
Cuvée de Calamité (blend of Traminette, Chardonel, Seyval Blanc and Vidal Blanc)
Ingleside Vineyards:
Blue Crab Blanc (Chardonnay and Albariño)
Coastal Red (Merlot, Petit Verdot, Cabernet Franc and Cabernet Sauvignon)
Left Bank (Cabernet Sauvignon-based blend)
October Harvest (Albariño and Muscat Ottonel)
Red Drum (Cabernet Franc, Merlot and Petit Verdot)
Right Bank (Merlot and Petit Verdot)
Sweet Rose Mallow (Merlot, Petit Verdot and Sangiovese)
Virginia Gold (Petit Verdot, Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon)
Monroe Bay Winery:
Blue Heron White
Blue Heron Rosé
Blue Heron Red
Rivah Vineyards at the Grove:
Yeocomico White (blend of Vidal Blanc, Viognier, Symphony, Chardonel and Petit Manseng)
Stolen Kiss (rosé blend of Cabernet Franc, Merlot and Chambourcin)
Sweet Sue (blend of Chambourcin and Concord)
2 Labs and a Hound
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Be sure to visit the websites of our member wineries to learn more about their unique wines.
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