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Wineries

Discussion in 'Area Restaurants, Dining and Food' started by RollTide, Mar 30, 2008.

  1. RollTide

    RollTide New Member

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    Been living here in the Broadlands for a year and a half, just found these boards...Can anyone recommend good local wineries?
     
  2. redon1

    redon1 aka Aphioni

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    http://www.virginiawines.org/wineries/

    We love Tarara and Chrysalis,and hear wonderful things about Breaux as well.

    But head to Wine Smith ( by home Depot and Panera Bread...) and speak with Neil. he will know of local events going on, recommend some excellent wines, and may even have a tasting going on when you pop in...
     
  3. ChrisL

    ChrisL Member

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    I really like Linden but it's a little farther near Front Royal.
     
  4. Chsalas

    Chsalas Active Member

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    Loudoun Valley is very good, and Piedmont is also excellent. They are both in Hillsbourgh. I don't care for Tarara, it's a beautiful vineyard, but their product taste like finely aged kerosene.
     
  5. SarasMom

    SarasMom Member

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  6. Silly Yak

    Silly Yak Member

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    My house after my girls have had a busy day...

    whine, whine, whine, whine

    :)
     
  7. T8ergirl

    T8ergirl New Member

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    I find the winery aesthetics very pleasing here. That is, the wineries are lovely places to vist and spend time. The wine--not so much! We did a three winery tour this past October for a friends birthday and it was spectacular. We went to Breaux, Hillsborough, and Chrysalis. Hillsborough was my favorite. If you squinted while looking out over the hills you MIGHT have been in Italy or France. We must have tasted 20 wines that day and would have really bought only one of them.

    If you're willing to venture further, Horton Vineyards in Orange County is spectacular. And they have a few good wines. Years ago they used to make a blend called Dionysus that we loved--in fact, a sommelier at a restaurant in Chicago had a few bottles stashed away and was stunned when we told him we had been to the vineyard and were big fans.

    www.hvwines.com

    They are having their spring thing soon:

    April 5-6 – Horton Vineyards Spring Barrel Tasting. Taste the NEW ’07 wines and tour the cellars of our stone winery. There will be discussions on viticulture and winemaking throughout the day. 11am – 5pm. $5/person includes glass. Info: 540-832-7440.
     
  8. Zeratul

    Zeratul Well-Known Member

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    yea, wineries are great and bring a picnic. We love to go and enjoy the rolling hills of Loudoun Valley, but man, do not go for the wine, other than to add to the enjoyment of the day. Red wine in Virginia is more likely to taste like "kerosene" has been introduced... and the semi-sweet whites might be your best bet. For $15-25 for the typical red wine in Virginia, I usually say no thanks. You can get lucky and find something decent once in a while, and I think the real enjoyment and excitement is in the trip and a visit to nature...
     
  9. redon1

    redon1 aka Aphioni

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    i don't like every wine I've had from Tarara, but you can't characterize ALL of it as finely aged kerosene- although I think I know which wines you are referring to from there!

    They have wonderful events, and as you said, a beutiful vinyeard.
     
  10. SarasMom

    SarasMom Member

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    Try the Malbec from Pearmund before you give up on Virginia reds.
     
  11. Zeratul

    Zeratul Well-Known Member

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    Yea I agree SarasMom - I think I rememer that from the Wine Festival. And like I said, I do not think, automatically all Reds in VA stink, just by default do not expect much. I have come across a few surprises over the years but it is unusual to find one... and when you do, the prices are not justified... I know they have to try and stay in business but it is tough to pay that, when you compare what else is available.
     
  12. RollTide

    RollTide New Member

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    Great, thanks for the responses. My wife and I will definitely head to the wineries mentioned. We're white wine drinkers so we'll be staying away from the red regardless.

    If anyone is interested, the kegbus.com folks are putting together a three winery tour this Saturday, http://www.kegbus.com/events.php?eventid=690. My wife and I are headed up to NY to visit her family so unfortunately we're going to miss it. If you do make it out let us know how it went. Thanks again!
     
  13. LKelly

    LKelly New Member

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    Now the Maryland wines, on the other hand, are really quite good. I went to the MD Wine Festival last year (which, for some bizarre reason, was the same weekend as the VA festival), and while I can't say I remember everything about it (because they're very generous with the tasting pours), I did come back with several great wines (half of which I don't recall buying). I particularly liked the Linganore wines (www.linganore-wine.com).

    As for visiting the wineries, they're all a hike from Broadlands, but you could make a day or weekend out of it and visit several -- as in Loudoun, they tend to be located near one another.
     
  14. foodie

    foodie New Member

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    Fellow Foodies or Wine Drinkers--

    Although we do not drink alot except for some wine, I thought you might be interested in checking the below wineries. Linganore is also a great winery; and we have been to this winery also.

    Here is a great article on Maryland's Wine Trails and wine products from the 06/03/07 Washington Post newspaper. There also over 30 wineries on the Frederick, MD Wine Trail. Great way to enjoy the countryside with the beautiful Spring weather. Some wineries also offers food.

    Also, if you are interested in combining a wine tour with local foods in Frederick and Hagerstown, MD areas, there are great Mennonite farms to buy produce from locally. Just ask and I
    will post info. :cheers: Enjoy!:clap:

    www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/06/01/AR2007060100717.html (Washington Post's article on wineries and vineyards in MD.)

    Maryland also offers 2 organized wine trails. Info below--

    www.masondixonwinetrail.com (Mason-Dixon's site/info about wine trails in MD.)

    www.frederickwinetrail.com (Frederick, MD's site/info about a 30mile wine trail and where to eat at the vineyards.)

    Foodie:happygrin:
     
  15. dcdavis

    dcdavis Ooops!!

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    Willowcroft has a really nice cold steel chardonnay. And the views at the vineyard are superb.

    http://www.willowcroftwine.com/index.html
     
  16. MichelleB

    MichelleB New Member

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    Has anyone been on any of the Kegbus tours of the wineries? We are thinking about taking the trip on May 4th.

    :tgif:
     
  17. redon1

    redon1 aka Aphioni

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    i think i want to organize a group of my own for a wine tour- nothing worse than an alocohol laden tour with that "one guy" (or girl!) who overdoes it and makes it miserable for everyone... lol and when it's a stranger- oy.

    of course, I have NEVER been that girl... :) i'm getting too old to drink that way.
     
  18. catbox

    catbox New Member

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    My favorites are Horton, Prince Michel, and Barboursville. You might want to mark your calendar for May 31 and June 1 for the Vintage Virginia at Bull Run Regional Park. There will be over 350 wines to taste. You might also want to pick up a copy of Virginia Wine Lover magazine. All the Virginia wineries have their events listed, plus lots of info on what wines are winning the medals.

    Living in Zin...
     
  19. redon1

    redon1 aka Aphioni

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    LOVE- THAT QUOTE!!!!! Mine wine quote is

    "Wineaux, Why not!"

    anyone else with a clever wine quote they call their own...?
     

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