Stinson Vineyard Wines Deliver Mountains of Flavor

We taste three wines from Virginia’s award-winning garagiste winery.

By Dave Nershi, CSW

Stinson Vineyards: From Garage to Gold Medals

Stinson Vineyards is nestled in Virginia’s Blue Ridge Mountains and is in one of our favorite wine regions, the Monticello AVA. They specialize in small lot, garagiste wines with a distinct French influence. The husband and wife team of Nathan Vrooman and Rachel Stinson craft the wines, which are garnering growing acclaim, including three gold medals at the recent Virginia Governor’s Cup awards.

Stinson Vineyard wines

Garagiste wines are so named after intrepid winemakers in Bordeaux who had lots of passion, but little money, and who made their wines in unconventional settings. Stinson’s winery is built into an old three-car garage – but their wines are as smooth and silky as the latest Jaguar concept car.

The Monticello AVA is located near Charlottesville and Thomas Jefferson’s famous home. Jefferson believed that the United States could produce fine wine that equaled Europe. He experimented with growing different grapevines on his estate. Although he never saw that come to pass, some would say that winemakers in the Monticello AVA have fulfilled his vision.

We recently had the opportunity to taste three Stinson wines: 2023 Rosé of Tannat, 2023 Cabernet Franc, and 2021 Meritage. The Cab Franc was a gold medal winner at the Governor’s Cup competition.

The Stinson rosé helped me out of a jam at a recent party. We were celebrating Mardi Gras and had a crowd over for the occasion. The menu included crawfish etouffee, crab cakes, gumbo, and jambalaya. That’s a lot of spice, making wine pairing a tricky proposition.

Stinson 2023 Rosé of Tannat

Rosé To The Rescue

I selected a California sparkler, a South African Viognier, and the beautiful Stinson Tannat rosé. Tannat is a super tannic grape, but Stinson has used it to make a delicate and fruity rosé. That fruit played nicely with the variety of spicy food. The wine is crisp and the aging sur lie in stainless steel adds complexity. Notes of lime and tropical fruit make this a winner. Priced at $25.

It’s no wonder the Virginia Governor’s Cup judges selected the Stinson 2023 Cabernet Franc as a gold medal winner. I popped this open with my good friend and sommelier Arthur Barham, who hosted the tasting. He and I have tasted a lot of Cab Franc, from all around the country and the world. This one pushed all the right buttons.

This is a flavorful wine full of brambly blackberries and savory notes. It is whole-berry fermented, which adds an elegant depth. It is rich, with cooking spice notes complementing the fruit flavors. Six months in French oak (20% new) adds just the right finish. This will only improve over the next three to four years. SRP is $33.

A Mighty Meritage Wine

Stinson 2023 Cabernet Franc

Meritage is America’s answer to Bordeaux blends. The term is regulated and is reserved for a winery's best red blend (white Meritage also exists). We love this style of wine, and the 2021 Stinson Meritage displays the power and structure of the best red grapes in the Monticello AVA.

It is a blend of 50% Merlot, 23% Cabernet Franc, 20% Petit Verdot, and 7% Cabernet Sauvignon. With a Merlot focus, I expected a softer wine – but this one comes out swinging for the fences. It has 14.5% ABV and is aged for 18 months in French oak (30% new). 

Following a devastating frost in May of 2020, 2021 was a bounceback year. The Bordeaux varieties responded well with pristine fruit showing powerful acidity and pure flavors. 

The flavors pop with deep plum, blackberry, and currant notes. The tannic backbone and acidity make this a blockbuster that needs some time to open up. After swirling and sipping, warm leather notes and toasty oak enhance the enjoyment.

This vintage should shine in another year or two and drink well for five. If you are like me, and just can’t wait, I’d suggest a good hour of decanting. Only 350 cases were produced with an SRP of $41.

In addition to the tasting room in Crozet, Virginia, overnight guests are welcomed at the Inn at Stinson Vineyards. Guests can enjoy a special Wine Cellar Dinner with a four-course tasting menu, use the self-serve wine bar, or walk through the vines to the tasting room. The scenery in the area is spectacular and well worth the trip. To order wines or to get more information on the Inn at Stinson Vineyards, visit the website.