by Richard Leahy | Jul 25, 2021 | Tastings/Evaluations, Winery Visits
Hazy Mountain Vineyards & Brewery, perched on a mountaintop with a million-dollar view at the western extreme of Albemarle County, is the newest vineyard and winery in the Monticello AVA (the grand opening was June 17th). Everything is impressive, from the 360...
by Richard Leahy | Jun 22, 2021 | Regions & Terroir, Tastings/Evaluations
Having been forced by the pandemic to avoid traveling to New York State last year, I eagerly drove to the Finger Lakes in early June. It was a good time to check out the wine scene; the “classic” 2019 vintage was still widely available but the great 2020 vintage was...
by Richard Leahy | May 14, 2021 | Regions & Terroir, Tastings/Evaluations, Varietals
In 2004 I had the pleasure of traveling to Lexington, NC and interviewing Richard Childress, the famous NASCAR legend and then the owner of a new, eponymous winery in the Yadkin Valley AVA. The resulting story made the cover of a national wine trade magazine....
by Richard Leahy | May 3, 2021 | Tastings/Evaluations, Virginia Wine, Winery Visits
There’s no winery event like one where a new label is introduced, and the world is coming out of pandemic restrictions. Last weekend in early May I drove to Ankida Ridge Vineyards in western Amherst County, to enjoy the lovely mountain views and top-notch...
by Richard Leahy | Mar 28, 2021 | Events, Tastings/Evaluations, Virginia Wine
On Saturday March 27th, wine blogger Frank Morgan (DrinkwhatYOUlike.com) hosted a Zoom meeting where participants were encouraged to open and comment on their choice of Virginia wine. Some participants were also panelists in a discussion, like Agriculture Secretary...
by Richard Leahy | Mar 12, 2021 | Competitions, Tastings/Evaluations, Virginia Wine
On March 11th, Jay Youmans MW who runs the annual Governor’s Cup wine competition hosted a Zoom meeting with the winemakers of the top twelve wines in the competition this year (the “Governor’s Case”.) Attendees included the competition’s...
