Country Glam in Virginia Wine Country

As part of the Wine Bloggers Conference (being held in Charlottesville, VA), on a beautiful, but extremely warm Saturday this past July I was fortunate enough to visit Pippin Hill Farm & Vineyards.

Upon arriving at the picturesque and eco-friendly property Dean Andrews (Principal of Pippin Hill) and Lynn Easton Andrews (Principal & President of Easton Events) greeted us graciously on their Veranda with glasses of thyme and citrus water drawn from their well on property. They were warm and welcoming and excited to share their passion for "great wine, fabulous cuisine and beautiful design" all of which we experienced. We were invited into their Tasting Room which was spacious and inviting with just the right mix of country charm and glamour. Placed before us were four of their wines (of which Michael Shaps is a consultant) and four bites to pair with them from their on premise organic vegetable and herb gardens.

The first if these offerings was their 2010 Chardonnay with a Seared Diver Scallop in Grapefruit Butter. The wine was nicely balanced, elegant and the grapefruit in the sauce really highlighted the citrus notes in the wine.

Second was their 2010 Viognier (and what I found really shines in Virginia). The wine was dry with lovely floral and apricot notes. It absolutely sang when paired with a Smoked Chicken and Apricot Salad Wrapped in a Brined Grape Leaf (straight off of their vines!).

Third we moved on to my favorite, the 2010 Summer Farm Rose made 100% from Cabernet Franc. The Rose was a beautifully dry wine with enticing notes of roasted coffee, dried herbs and ripe raspberries. This was paired with a Mini Croque Monsieur that they put their own spin on with a light spread of house made grape jelly. If only the Croque Monsieur wasn't a mini!!

Finally we finished our tasting with their dry Red Blend comprised of Cabernet Franc and Chambourcin (a French/American hybrid grape that grows quite well in Virginia). The raspberry, roasted coffee and chocolate notes in the wine paired deliciously with their Mini Chocolate Cupcake with Cream Cheese Frosting and a Chambourcin Drizzle.

As our time approached it's conclusion I was truly reluctant to leave and anxiously anticipate my next visit to Pippin Hill Farm & Vineyards and the Monticello Wine Trail.

Wine Bloggers Conference Live Blogging White Wines

It is now Day 2 of the Wine Bloggers Conference in Charlottesville, Virginia and one of the main events is upon us. It's a live wine blogging event where we are seated at round tables and every five minutes a new wine is introduced to us by either the wine maker or a representative from the wineries. The idea is in those five minutes to furiously taste the wine and blog live about each one.

I did taste through all the wines but decided rather than to blog live, I would prefer to take the time to reflect upon my favorites and offer my notes and humble opinions now as the day has come to its conclusion.


2010 Keswick Vineyards, Verdejo, Monticello, VA ($18.95)
97% Verdejo, 3% Viognier
On the nose: candied green apple, lime and lime blossom.
On the palate: candied green apple, lime, white peach skins and brilliant minerality.
Only 219 cases produced!


2009 The Williamsburg Winery, Acte 12, Chardonnay VA ($17.99)
100% Chardonnay
On the nose: Baked apple, hazelnut and flinty minerality
On the palate: Baked apple, hazelnuts with skins on, and pain grille
Burgundian style at the fraction of the price!

2009 King Estate, Domaine Pinot Gris, OR ($13)
100% Pinot Gris
On the nose: Subtle peanut shells, peach and tangerine
On the palate: Peach, tangerine, green apple, and stony minerality
Craving some oysters!

2009 Emma Pearl, Chardonnay, Central Coast, CA ($17.99)
90% Chardonnay, 10% Viognier
On the nose: Fresh ginger, nutmeg, butter cream, apple, and pear
On the palate: Fresh ginger, nutmeg, cinnamon, apple, meyer lemon and pear
A beautiful wine with structure and elegance and a website with style

Slainte!