by Elizabeth CurleeUSA: East Coast Wine Tastings
Inside the tropical conservatory at Glass House Winery.
Story and Photos by: Elizabeth Curlee; Edited by: Nikki Pepper.
East coast winemakers have harvested drinkable – if not mildly pleasant – vintages since the 17th century. In recent years, thanks to innovations in technology and growing techniques, many of these wines have taken on Old World flavor profiles, upping the quality bar and piquing the interest of doubtful traditionalists. While not yet primed to supersede their cross country counterparts like Napa and Sonoma, wineries on the east coast are taking advantage of their refined product through thoughtful tasting room programs, which attract thousands of tourists each year. Here are a few worth visiting for their quality, reasonably-priced wine tastings and bottles to bring home.
Virginia is for (Wine) Lovers
Kissed by balmy breezes and lining verdant rolling hills, Virginia’s vineyards are a relatively new addition to the majestic southern landscape. Plagued by an unsuitable climate, winemakers in this region faced many challenges before the 1990s, when they began to care for their vines with meticulous attention to detail. All but 3% of Virginia wine is consumed in the state, making the tasting experience integral to the industry. Unlike a few more ostentatious Napa Valley wineries, the focus at these vineyards is purely on the wine, set against the mountainous backdrop of the spectacular Blue Ridge. Here are a few of my favorites for tastings:
The well-manicured vines at Glass House Winery.
Aspen Dale Winery
Location: 3180 Aspen Dale Lane, Delaplane, VA
540.364.1722
Price: $8.55 per person with food pairing
Gravel crunched and neighs trilled as we pulled up to the historic Aspen Dale Winery, built on a thoroughbred farm an hour west of Washington D.C. in the heart of Virginia horse country. Founded in 2009, Aspen Dale offers tastings in its rustic white barn and 18th century Manor House. We were seated in the well-preserved living room of the latter, and owner Larry Carr served us a flight of wines accompanied by a small plate of sausages, cheeses and chocolates. We were also fed tidbits on the winemaking process, the history of the land and the connection between winemaking and horse farming (hint: they both require patience). After the final taste is tipped back, there is plenty to do on the grounds with polo matches every Saturday, miniature horses to pet and live music, to name a few.
Sip this: Parris Country Blend. Rich but light, with notes of blackberry jam and a hint of bacon. Earthy, sweet plum complements its smooth finish.
Glass House Winery
Location: 5898 Free Union Road, Free Union, VA
434.975.0094
Price: $5 per person
Located on the bend of a winding country road, Glass House Winery sits on a hill overlooking a smooth, reflective pond. Owners Jeff and Michelle Sanders moved to Virginia in 2006 and were able to marry his botanical skills with her love of creating unique chocolates resulting in their first winery. Sunlight reflects from the conservatory roof where tropical plants flourish and visitors enjoy picnics with a bottle of wine beneath a lush, green canopy. Inside, the tasting counter awaits; samplings are just $5 per person ($8 if you want the glass as a souvenir) and finish with a piece of Michelle’s handmade dark chocolate. Glass House specializes in estate wines, blends, chocolates, and even chocolate wine (yes, I said chocolate wine). We were so enamored by the surroundings that we bought a bottle of Pink Drink Rosé to enjoy on the dock.
Sip this: Twenty-First. This complex Bordeaux-style blend of Cabernet Franc, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon and Malbec was named after the 21st Amendment, which signified the repeal of prohibition.
Outside the tropical conservatory at Glass House Winery.
Moss Vineyards
Location: 1849 Simmons Gap Road, Nortonsville, VA
434.990.0111
Price: $5 per person
At the end of a long, snaking forest drive and overlooking a vast landscape draped with vines, the winery at Moss Vineyards offers spectacular vistas and fine, balanced wines. Owner and architect Barry Moss designed and built the winery and tasting room, which opened in 2012 and serves a flight of five wines: Viognier, Rosé, Cabernet Franc, and two blends of Cabernet Sauvignon, Petit Verdot, Merlot, and Cabernet Franc. The staff in the tasting room exemplifies southern gentility; our lovely pourer was a student at the nearby University of Virginia whose blossoming passion for wine was evidenced in her charming narrative. Moss Vineyards welcomes pets and encourages visitors to pack a picnic to enjoy while soaking up the scenery.
Sip this: 2011 Viognier. This version of the “State Grape of Virginia” is an elegant white with hints of fruit and floral aromas.
View of the Blue Ridge Mountains from Moss Vineyards.
Inside the tasting room at King Family Vineyards.
King Family Vineyards
Location: 6550 Roseland Farm, Crozet, VA
434.823.7800
Price: $7 per person
By far one of the largest wineries is near Crozet: King Family Vineyards. David and Ellen King’s 327-acre farm includes 28 acres of vines, which have produced award-winning wines since 2000. In recent years, the wedding and private event business at King has flourished given its picturesque backdrop and expansive indoor venue; not to mention its delicious native libations. On Saturdays from Memorial Day through mid-October, afternoon polo matches attract hundreds of spectators from near and far, with King Family wine available to purchase field-side. We visited on the first Saturday of polo season but unluckily pulled up just as the horses were walked off the field. Even though the tasting room was too crowded to saddle up at the counter, we took the advice of a staffer and snagged a bottle of the 2013 Viognier to enjoy in the courtyard. We relished our wine as children darted across the field, puppies tumbled in the grass and the clink of glasses echoed throughout.
Sip this: 2011 Meritage. Winner of a gold medal in the 2014 Virginia Governor’s Cup awards, this blend of Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot and Malbec is complex, with Old World flavor and great aging potential.
View of Roseland Polo Field at King Family Vineyards.
The Sunday scene at Roseland Polo Field, King Family Vineyards.
Pop the Cork in New York
While grapes grow in every corner of the state, the best wineries in New York are located in the Hudson Valley and along Long Island. In the 1970s, steep licensing fees of $1,000 per year forced many vintners to close, until the Farm Winery Bill passed in 1976 and annual fees dropped to $125. These days, unlike Virginia, New York wineries have become blossoming commercial enterprises beyond the tasting room, with many labels distributed throughout the northeast.
Baco Noir, my sip of choice. Photo Credit: Hudson-Chatham Winery.
Hudson-Chatham Winery
Location: 1900 Route 66, Ghent, NY
518.392.WINE
Price: $5 per person
The Hudson-Chatham Winery, located between the historic towns of Hudson and Chatham, is the first winery in Columbia County. Despite a tiny tasting room, Hudson-Chatham’s quaint 1870 farmhouse offers beautiful artisanal wines from a variety of vineyards in the region. In addition to wine, owners Carlo and Dominique DeVito sell cheeses, drizzles, jams (the Black Currant Caviar is divine!) and a number of other delicacies in the adjacent shop. We found the experience to be incredibly personal and warm, unlike some larger wineries, where individual attention can be lacking. The outdoor area is especially inviting, with picnic tables and Adirondack chairs for an afternoon repose.
Sip this: 2010 Baco Noir. This lovely medium-bodied red has strong notes of plum and vanilla and will age well for years.
Visit this Hampton’s vineyard for a glass outdoors at The Wine Stand. Photo Credit: Wolffer Estate.
Wolffer Estate
Locations: 139 Sagg Road, Sagaponack, NY
631.537.5106
Price: $14-$20 per person
Wolffer Estate is the quintessential Hamptons winery. Walking through the vines, we could even feel sand creeping between our toes. The higher tasting fee – nearly three times the average – is typical for the area and well worth the experience. We arrived at the outdoor Wine Stand just before sunset on a Friday evening, where families gathered on picnic blankets and friends sat in clusters of wooden benches and folding chairs, sipping Rosé and nibbling on cheese and charcuterie. The sun drifted into the horizon to the tune of live music, cascading soft yellows over the vines, as it gradually disappeared into a scarlet haze.
Sip this: 2013 Wolffer Rosé. This wine is rich and lush with hints of strawberry, lychee, cantaloupe, white peach and rhubarb pie. The fruit flavors are balanced with fine acidity, minerality and a long dry finish.
Photo Credit: Wolffer Estate.
