Sunday, July 14, 2024

Monticello Wine Trail Leads To Treasures of Virginia Wine


Virginia's Monticello Wine Trail Offers unique terroir, passionate winemakers, and collaborative spirit. 

Thomas Jefferson, founding father and wine lover, envisioned vineyards surrounding his mountaintop home, Monticello, and wines from his native state of Virginia attaining world-class status. While he never lived to see the dream fulfilled, today the more than 40 wineries of the Monticello Wine Trail are working to make his vision reality.

Last month we visited the wine trail in the Charlottesville, VA, area and discovered scenic panoramas, friendly faces, and elevated wine.


Barboursville Vineyards

The Library 1821 tasting at Barboursville Vineyards is a celebration of Virginia wine. It takes place in a posh library overlooking a sloping vineyard of Cabernet Franc with the Blue Ridge Mountains in the background. Wines include two dozen selections including the numerous vintages of the flagship Octagon red blend dating back to 2007.

Octagon is a blend of estate-grown Bordeaux varietals, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Petit Verdot. It is only produced in fine vintage years. The 2020 vintage is an angelic-tasting experience with velvety tannins and notes of cooked plums, ripe red berries, herbs, and a touch of oak. It has a finish that lingers. 

Winemaker and General Manager Luca Paschina, who grew up in a winemaking tradition in Piemonte, Italy, focuses on texture and mouthfeel, knowing that the grapes will assuredly deliver aroma, taste, and color. The soil and climate at Barboursville have helped establish a very European style.

There's a lot to love with the Library 1821 tasting (and food is available). In addition to Octagon, the Petit Verdot Reserve 2019 and Paxxito dessert wines were exceptional.

While visiting, be sure to make a stop at the Barboursville Ruins (on the winery grounds), the crumbling remains of Governor James Barbour's Jefferson-designed mansion. The octagon-shaped drawing room in this house lends its name to the winery's premier wine.


King Family Vineyards

King Family Vineyards didn't aspire to produce wine at its beginning, instead when David and Ellen King moved from Texas to Virginia in 1995, they sought 12 acres of flat farmland for a polo field. It didn't take long to realize the land's potential as a vineyard site. The farm now contains both Roseland Polo and King Family Vineyards.

Sipping a chilled glass of wine outside on the winery's patio while watching polo ponies and riders practice on the polo field with a panorama of mountains in the background is an enchanting experience. The 2022 Viognier has a floral aroma with honeysuckle and stone fruit on the palate. Our friend described this as "sipping love from a cloud." Roseland, a classic Virginia blend of  Chardonnay, Viognier, and Petit Manseng, is also recommended.

The reds at King Family are rich and rewarding. The 2024 Cabernet Franc, a 2024 Governor's Cup winner, features black cherry and white pepper notes. The 2020 Meritage is a blend of Merlot, Cab Franc, and Petit Verdot is a memorable wine. The 2021 Petit Verdot was our favorite red, with inspiring flavors of smooth, juicy raspberry, just the right amount of tannins, and a lush body.

King Family Vineyards is an exceptional winery experience. Located in Crozet, it offers self-guided wine flights, guided tastings, and winery tours.


Chestnut Oak Vineyard

Small is beautiful, or it can be if you discover a hidden gem winery. Chestnut Oak Vineyard is such a find. A small, peaceful winery, it has earned some huge accolades. After a long day on the trail (wine trail, that is), this intimate tasting room was perfect for enjoying outstanding Monticello AVA wine.

We recommend this not only for the wine but the outstanding artwork. The bright and playful mural by artist Carol Barber transforms the space into a one-of-a-kind experience. The Chestnut One and Chestnut Two Bordeaux-style blends have earned high honors in the prestigious Governor's Cup competition.

The 2021 Rosa Virginiana Rosé, made with Merlot and Petit Verdot, bursts with fresh strawberries and peach flavors. My favorite on the red side was the 2019 Merlot, which delivers ripe red fruit notes, smokiness, and just the right amount of tannins. The caramel flavor in the finish was the perfect touch.

Chestnut Oak in Barboursville is open Friday through Monday.


Afton Mountain Vineyards

On the eastern slope of its namesake mountain, Afton Mountain Vineyards was founded in 1978 as one of the first vineyards in Virginia. At nearly 1,000 feet elevation, a layer of fog clung to the vines as we arrived for our recent visit. In addition to the stylish tasting room, there is a pavilion for larger groups.

The 2023 Albariño is a shining example of how fabulous this grape can be in the US. It is refreshing with citrus, green fruit, and apricot notes. 

The clay and loam soil produces some tremendous reds. The 2022 Merlot, smooth with lush cranberry flavors, shows why people should love this grape. I wrongly assumed that the 2019 Bacco would be Bacco Noir. Instead this delightful Super Tuscan-style wine is a salute to Bacchus, the god of wine and agriculture. It is a blend of Petit Verdot, Sangiovese, and Tannat. It has flavors of black currant, smooth blackberry, and mint. This was one of the top wines on our five-winery tour.

T is the flagship wine of AMV. This Bordeaux-style blend has Merlot, Petit Verdot, and Cabernet Sauvignon. The wine was selected as a Governor's Cup gold medal winner this year. A well-balanced wine, the 2019 vintage has pronounced tannins and robust black fruit flavors. We were delighted to be able to taste this alongside the 2017 T vintage.


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