On May 18th, I went to Fox Meadow Vineyards on (aptly-named) Freezeland Road, at over 1,800 ft. elevation near Linden, VA to attend a tasting of neighboring vineyards that grow or source fruit from high-elevation vineyards, and also share proximity to natural attractions, most especially the northern entrance to the Skyline Drive near Front Royal.

Winery principals of “Discover Peak Shenandoah”

The wineries grouped and branded as “Peak Shenandoah” include: Arterra Wines, Capstone Vineyards, Chester Gap Cellars, Fox Meadow Vineyards, Rappahannock Cellars, and Star in the Valley Winery. All except Star in the Valley are located between Paris (VA) and Flint Hill, along the eastern slope of the Blue Ridge Mountains; Star in the Valley is northwest across the Shenandoah Valley from Strasburg, at over 1,000 ft. elevation.

Each of these wineries emphasizes that they are family-run and make their own wines (do not use custom crush facilities), and the high elevation of the vineyards is another thing in common. As climate change increases global warming, high elevation can mitigate the change, allowing higher malic acid retention in the grapes while reducing the risk of spring frost by delayed bud break.

Also, each winery in “Peak Shenandoah” offers “paired adventures” of local, natural beauty. Arterra is paired with the Snowden Trail at Sky Meadows State Park on the Skyline Drive; Fox Meadows is paired with the Trillium Trail in Linden, the largest stand of large-flowered trillium in Virginia, and Star in the Valley is paired with the North Buzzard Rock Trail, the northern terminus of the Massanutten Mountain.

All of these wineries except Star in the Valley are within an hour’s drive of Arlington, VA via I-66; the combination of fresh, lively wines, amazing mountain views, fresh air, and winery-specific natural attractions or trails nearby makes for a pretty synergistic and attractive brand, for those close to Washington and who labor in the bit mines.

I was expecting to enjoy the fresh, bright whites and rose’ wines, but I was most impressed with the reds in this group. Here are my tasting highlights:

White Wines:

***Fox Meadow Chardonnay “Trail Blaze” 2024

A fresh, vibrant unoaked Chardonnay that co-owner Amanda Darvill told me came from a specific block of their vineyard. It’s named “Trail Blaze” because it’s adjacent to a former section of the Appalachian Trail. This is a singular wine, with lovely fresh Meyer lemon notes on the nose, but still subtle. On the palate, it’s juicy with loads of Meyer lemon flavor but not too tart. A very unique and stylish, site-driven Virginia Chardonnay! The elevation contributes freshness and acidity.

**Rappahannock Cellars Seyval Blanc 2024

A specialty of the house, this wine includes both early and late picked fruit. Nose: ripe pear. Palate: round, rich texture; pink grapefruit and passion fruit flavors. A rich, full-bodied style of Seyval but worthwhile for cooler weather (Thanksgiving?) or with rich cream sauces.

*Star in the Valley Rose’ of Cabernet Franc 2024

A Provencal style, pale and delicate but not too thin. Nose: nice rose petal hints. Palate: dry, elegant, with pink cherry hints. Fresh and clean.

Red Wines:

****Rappahannock Cellars Cabernet Franc 2023, Indian Springs Vineyard (Shenandoah Valley)

Very dark, opaque color, unusual for this variety. Nose: freshly baked blackberry cobbler! Ripe, heady, juicy! Palate: AMAZING fruit-driven ripe blackberry, ripe and smooth tannins, fruit explosion but with pure varietal expression (not oaky); rich and large, and could blow a Petit Verdot away!

Warning: this wine is currently available only to Rappahannock Wine Club members.

***Arterra Tannat 2022

Color: inky purple and opaque. Nose: fresh raspberries and pomegranate. Palate: concentrated and pure varietal flavor of ripe berries and fresh earth. Fresh and concentrated but fruity ripe raspberry then tannic and taut; like a flamenco dancer with a rose in her teeth as her black leather-clad partner taps out the tempo with the heels of his boots. Winemaker Jason Murray (above) only uses neutral oak, even with a large, tannic grape like Tannat, since he doesn’t want anything to mar the expression of the grape and the vineyard in the glass.

Star in the Valley “Atlas” (70% Petit Verdot, 30% Cabernet Franc)

Nose: lovely fresh berry and cherry notes. Palate: smooth, but ripe red fruits, rich flavor, smooth tannins, but impressive length, with a pleasing bitter chocolate finish. Stylish.

Note: most photos courtesy of Arterra Wines/Peak Shenandoah