Virginia is for Wine Lovers Archives

Episode 39: Lee Hartman, Bluestone Vineyard

May 3, 2017April 29, 2017 by Crystal

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We are exploring the Shenandoah Valley AVA on this edition of Crystal Palate’s Wine Country. Central and Northern Virginia often get the lion’s share of attention when it comes to Virginia wine, but the Shenandoah Valley is also showing great promise for the fruit of the vine.

In fact, the Shenandoah Valley AVA is home to more than two dozen vineyards and wineries. Lee Hartman, the general manager and head winemaker for Bluestone Vineyard in Bridgewater joins me on the show this week. Find out what makes this area so unique for viticulture. Plus, Lee is sharing his award-winning Chardonnay that was featured in the 2016 Virginia Governor’s Cup. Enjoy the show!

Visit Bluestone Vineyard

4828 Spring Creek Rd,
Bridgewater, VA 22812
info@bluestonevineyard.com
(540)-828-0099

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Episode 35: Jason Knight, Saudé Creek Vineyards

May 2, 2017April 1, 2017 by Crystal

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We are taking the show on the road this week for a visit to Saudé Creek Vineyards in Lenexa, Virginia. Saudi Creek is a member of Virginia’s Colonial Wine Trail which is also home to Williamsburg Winery, New Kent Winery and James River Cellars. The Colonial Wine Trail runs along the I-64 corridor east of Richmond.

The property is owned by John Britt and Jason Knight. Jason also serves as the winemaker for Saudé Creek. On the program Jason shares his vision for making wine in the Commonwealth. Currently, they are growing many varietals including Vidal Blanc, Traminette, Viognier, Petit Manseng, Petit Verdot and Chambourcin. They are also sourcing grapes from other properties to add more diversity to their wine portfolio.

Like so many places in Virginia, this land has a lot of historical significance. Jason tells us about the connection between our first president George Washington and his property. Plus, we’ll taste his award winning Cabernet and discuss future plans for the vineyard and winery on this edition of Crystal Palate’s Wine Country.

Visit Saudé Creek

6230 Cooks Mill Rd
Lanexa, VA

Tasting Room Hours:

Mon, Wed, Thurs, Sat & Sun: 11am-6pm
Fri: 11am-9pm
Closed on Tuesdays

Episode 26: Stephanie Wright, Lovingston Winery

April 24, 2017January 21, 2017 by Crystal

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Stephanie Wright, with Lovingston Winery stops by the studio for this episode of Crystal Palate’s Wine Country. The winery is located in Lovingston, Virginia. It’s a lovely 45 minute scenic drive south of Charlottesville. Stephanie discussed her family’s wine growing adventures in Georgia before they settled in Virginia wine country. We are also talking about Pinotage. It’s a grape variety we don’t see very often outside of South Africa. With so much talk about Bordeaux varieties thriving in Virginia, Stephanie shares their success secrets of growing this obscure wine variety in Virginia. The family bleeds orange & blue and they have a special wine that pays homage to UVA that’s perfect for a tailgate. Listen in to learn more.

Plus, a little later in the show we are talking about D-Vine, “the keurig of wines.” Joe Thomas filed a special report from Las Vegas at the Consumer Electronics Show about this new wine phenomenon and he’ll let us know when it will be available in the states.

Visit Lovingston Winery

885 Freshwater Cove Lane
Lovingston, VA 22949
434-263-8467

Tasting Room Hours

January – March
Saturdays 11 to 5

April – November
Wed – Fri: 10 to 4
Sat & Sun: 11 to 5

Episode 22: Jennifer Breaux, Breaux Vineyards

April 24, 2017December 10, 2016 by Crystal

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Jennifer Breaux, the VP of Sales & Hospitality and Director Education at Breaux Vineyards in Loudoun County is our special guest on this episode of Crystal Palate’s Wine Country.

Breaux Vineyards is celebrating 20 years of winemaking in Virginia. What started out as three “accidental” acres of vines on the family’s property in the mid 90’s has grown into one of the largest vineyards in Virginia with more than 100 acres under vine. On the show, Jennifer shares her family’s winemaking journey, some of her favorite holiday pairings and why she thinks the rustic and elegant Nebbiolo grape is thriving at Breaux Vineyards.

Visit Breaux Vineyards:

Breaux Vineyards,
36888 Breaux Vineyards Ln,
Purcellville, VA 20132

540-668-6299

Episode 14: Annette Boyd, Virginia Wine Board Marketing Office

April 24, 2017October 24, 2016 by Crystal

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On this episode of Crystal Palate’s Wine Country, Annette Boyd, the director for the Virginia Wine Board Marketing Office joins me to discuss Virginia Wine Month!

The celebration of all things Virginia wine has been going strong every October since 1988. With more than 250 wineries to visit from the Eastern Shore to the Blue Ridge Mountains to Appalachia, there is literally something for everyone. Annette is sharing some great events to take in across the Commonwealth throughout the month of October. She also shares her love of wine and how she got into the wine business. Plus, we talk about the evolution of Virginia wine and what she hopes to see for the industry moving forward. Annette was recently named the Virginia Wine Person of Year for 2016 for her many contributions to the industry. She is ecnouraging everyone to share their Virginia wine experiences this month on social media by using #octvawinemonth. So whether you visit one of the many picturesque wineries, buy a bottle of Virginia vino from your local wine shop or enjoy a great dinner paired with Virginia wine at your favorite restaurant, share your photo on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter.

For a full list of Virginia wineries and events, please visit www.virginiawine.org.

Episode 13: Chris Pearmund, Pearmund Cellars

April 24, 2017October 10, 2016 by Crystal

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Chris Pearmund, owner of Pearmund Cellars, joins me on this episode of Crystal Palate’s Wine Country. Chris has been a fixture in the Virginia wine scene for nearly three decades.

Pearmund is located in Broad Run, Virginia, about an hour drive southwest of Washington D.C., It is home to Meriwether Vineyard, the oldest operational vineyard in Virginia. In addition to Pearmund Cellars, Chris has opened more than a dozen wineries throughout the Commonwealth. He has served on many wine boards over the years and is one of the staunchest advocates for the Virginia wine industry. Chris is a self-acclaimed wine geek and wine educator. He has amassed a pretty impressive selection of wine books on practically every topic you can think of. You can visit the wine library on your next visit to Pearmund Cellars. Pearmund Cellars has received many accolades over the years including Best Winery in Virginia and Best Tasting Room in Virginia.

On the show, Chris shares his journey in the wine industry, his passion for Virginia and his latest business venture, Effingham Manor Winery. Enjoy the show! Each Saturday, you can stream a new show live on WCHV at 8:30.

Visit Pearmund Cellars:

6190 Georgetown Rd.
Broad Run, VA 20137
540.347.3475

Tasting Room Hours:

The Pearmund Cellars tasting room is open daily from 10am-6pm. Pearmund offers the following five wine tasting experiences for you and your guests.

Episode 12: Jon & Mills Wehner, Chatham Vineyards

April 24, 2017October 3, 2016 by Crystal

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Jon and Mills Wehner of Chatham Vineyards join me on this episode of Crystal Palate’s Wine Country on WCHV to talk about the unique wine growing region of Virginia’s Eastern Shore.

The Eastern Shore is probably best known for its vibrant fishing and crabbing communities. While the briny, delectable and various oyster offerings and sweet Chesapeake crab get the lion’s share of attention, there is something quite unique about the terroir here that is garnering interest across Virginia and beyond.

Jon, a second-generation Virginia wine grower, talks about the evolution of Virginia wine since the late 70’s. Jon also discusses his minimalistic winemaking philosophy and talks about his success with planting not only Chatham’s award-winning Chardonnay, but bordelais varietals on the sandy, loam soils surrounded by the Chesapeake Bay and the Atlantic Ocean. Jon’s wife Mills also joins us on the program to tell us about Virginia’s Wine and Brine month that celebrates one of the most classic wine and food pairings in the world, plus she gets personal and shares what its like to raise their three children on the farm. You can catch a new episode of Crystal Palate’s Wine Country every Saturday at 8:30 on Cville 107.5 and 1260 WCHV. Enjoy the show! You can also watch my mini-documentary on Chatham Vineyards below.

Visit Chatham Vineyards:

232 Chatham Road
Machipongo, VA 23405
757.678.5588

Tasting Room Hours

Open Daily 10 am – 5 pm Apr – Dec.
Closed Tuesdays & Wednesdays Jan – Mar.
Closed for major holidays.

Episode 11: Rachel Stinson Vrooman, Stinson Vineyards

April 24, 2017October 3, 2016 by Crystal

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Rachel Stinson Vrooman with Stinson Vineyards is in Crystal Palate’s Wine Country this week. Stinson Vineyards located in Crozet, Virginia, is a family-owned operation in the Blue Ridge Mountains. Father-daughter duo Scott Stinson and Rachel Stinson Vrooman take their wine-making inspiration from the “garagiste” style wineries in France.

On the show, Rachel talks about making wine with her husband Nate Vrooman of Ankida Ridge Vineyards and her father Scott, wine philosophy and working with some interesting grape varietals that you haven’t seen very much of in Virginia including Tannat and Mourvedre. Rachel is using Mourvedre to make a delicious, fruit-forward, dry, crisp and mineral-driven rosé that is garnering rave reviews from many critics. Tune in to hear more from Rachel. You can catch a brand new show every Saturday morning on Cville 107.5 and 1260 WCHV. Enjoy the show. Cheers!

Visit Stinson Vineyards:

4744 Sugar Hollow Road
Crozet, Virginia 22932
434.823.7300
info@stinsonvineyards.com

Tasting Room hours are Thursday through Sunday and Holiday Mondays 11am to 5pm.

Episode 2: Emily Pelton, Veritas Vineyards & Winery

April 24, 2017August 26, 2016 by Crystal

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What started out as a passionate experiment in 1999 has evolved into countless accolades and a thriving business for the Hodson family. Simply put, Veritas is producing world-class wines in the heart of Virginia’s Wine Country.

This week, I am talking with award-winning winemaker Emily Pelton. She is also the daughter of Veritas owners Andrew and Patricia Hodson. We are discussing the Veritas portfolio, some of Emily’s latest projects and an exciting research grant. Plus we’re doing a speed round in our perfect pairings segment with some of Emily’s favorite food & wine pairings. Enjoy the show!

Photo Courtesy: Veritas Vineyard & Winery

VISIT VERITAS

151 Veritas Lane
Afton, Virginia
540-456-8000

Tasting Room Hours:

Monday-Friday 9:30-5:30
Saturday-Sunday 11:00-5:00
We are closed on Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s Day

Tasting fees are $10 per person