by Richard Leahy | Oct 9, 2022 | Virginia Wine, Winery Review, Winery Visits
October is Virginia Wine Month, and I recommend everyone not only visit at least one winery this month but visit one you haven’t been to yet. The foliage is peaking, and October is the most popular month for winery visits in Virginia, but here’s a place you’ve...
by Richard Leahy | Feb 6, 2022 | Tastings/Evaluations, Virginia Wine, Winery Review
Twice in 2021 I wrote with enthusiasm about the new Virginia red wines of what has emerged to be a great 2019 vintage, for me the best since 2001. Recently I had the opportunity to view the 2019 vintage through the lens of the dry red wines of DuCard Vineyards,...
by Richard Leahy | Nov 22, 2020 | Tastings/Evaluations, Winery Review
11/22/20: Yesterday I was autographing copies of my third edition of Beyond Jefferson’s Vines at Muse Vineyards near Woodstock in the Shenandoah Valley. They are a small, dry vinifera varieties-focused winery with consistently high quality across the product...
by Richard Leahy | Aug 30, 2020 | News/Announcements, Tastings/Evaluations, Virginia Wine, Winery Review
Rock Roadhouse Winery, a k a Ch. Donze Vineyards, is Bath County’s first licensed winery, and produces only natural wine. They will hold their Grand Opening next weekend, September 3-7th, and are located at 125 Chateau Donze Ln., Hot Springs, VA 24445. The name...
by Richard Leahy | Aug 25, 2020 | Regions & Terroir, Tastings/Evaluations, Virginia Wine, Winery Review, Winery Visits
On August 1st I signed copies of my new third edition of Beyond Jefferson’s Vines (the definitive book on Virginia wine) at Breaux Vineyards in northern Loudoun County, so I stayed for a couple of nights and visited a half-dozen other wineries, some of which...
by Richard Leahy | Jul 4, 2020 | Tastings/Evaluations, Virginia Wine, Winery Review
According to Governor Northam, Virginia has moved into Phase Three of re-opening, which means wineries can welcome visitors again, although social distancing and masking is still required. Not all wineries are following the same model. Some require reservations to...