This summer, the marketing gurus of Visit Loudoun launched a super fun and engaging instagram contest for Virginia Wine lovers!  Simple to enter, #FindYourVine encouraged instagrammers to photograph their experiences at 12 Loudoun County wineries and hashtag #FindYourVine.  Upon posting your photo with the accompanying hashtag, you were entered to win over $2,000 in winery cash towards the 12 participating wineries.  We don’t know about you, but the #FindYourVine contest was trending all over our social media feeds.  In light of how many of our followers have been participating in the #FindYourVine contest, we’ve compiled a list of some of our favorite wines from each of the 12 wineries.

If you haven’t made it out yet, don’t worry, this is the last weekend of the #FindYourVine contest, so get out there and hit some wineries!  Enjoy!

Find Your Vine Participating Wineries

8 Chains North Winery: A great summertime sipper, the 2015 LoCo Vino not only has an adorable name, it is a crisp and refreshing white blend of some unique Virginia varietals.

Tasting Notes:

• A blend of 45% Traminette, 20% Viognier, 20% Albariño, and 15% Sauvignon Blanc. Light-bodied and fresh with floral, apricot, and honey notes. A dry finish with light acidity. Pairs well with cheeses and fish.

868 Estate Vineyards: Pair a wine tasting with a meal at this winery by dining at Grandale Vintner’s Table.  We recommend the 2014 Altezza (or if you’re in the mood for something a little bigger and bolder, the Altezza Reserve) paired with a filet!

Tasting Notes:

• 2014 Altezza: A light-bodied Bordeaux style blend, this wine has jammy elements of raspberry and cherry with roasted almond and wood smoke. Pair this with the typical cuisine of Northern Italy.
• Altezza Reserve: Unfined and unfiltered, this rustic wine is in the “Old World” style. Pair this earthy wine with mushroom risotto, braised beef and savory polenta dishes. Truffle, blackberry and layers of pipe tobacco make this a characteristic Nebbiolo beauty.

Bluemont Vineyard: You can’t beat the view from Bluemont where they encourage you to “let your elevation linger!”  Don’t mind if we do.  Our pick is the 2013 Norton “The Pig” 951.

Tasting Notes:

• Aged in French and American Oak creating dark fruit and tobacco notes. This bold wine finishes with a nice silk texture.

 

Breaux Vineyards:  It wouldn’t be a Virginia Wine list without our state grape featured.  The 2014 Viognier from Breaux Vineyards gets the nod.

Tasting Notes:

• The floral and tropical notes of this Viognier help to create lots of texture and complexity of flavors on the palate.

Chrysalis Vineyards:  A great place to spend an afternoon, Chrysalis Vineyards at the Ag District has beautiful views, a plethora of outdoor and indoor space, and is dog and kid-friendly.  They also have quite the selection of wines, with an emphasis on the native Virginia Norton grape.  Our pick is the 2014 Norton Schitz and Giggles.

Tasting Notes:

• This is a fun and off-dry wine with a rich mouth feel and plenty of spice originating from its oak aging. Intensely dark with a hint of sweetness, this blend is a perfect introduction to the Norton variety.

Greenhill Winery & Vineyards: No question in our mind for this winery (one of our favorites!).  We are going with Greenhill’s Oscar-worthy Blanc de Blancs 2014 (that’s right, this wine was featured at the Oscar’s this year!).  Some other exciting news– although we are prone to visiting the winery, this gem is now being sold at Wegman’s!  Whoop whoop.

Tasting Notes:

• Pale straw color with true-to-Chardonnay aromas of crisp green apple, pear, minerals, and hints of lychee. With a lively and persistent mousse and pinpoint bubbles, this sparkling wine has a pleasant velvety and creamy texture that coats the palate. The finish is harmonious, long and lightly tart.

Hiddencroft Vineyards: It’s rosé all the way at Hiddencroft.  We love an off-dry Rosé and the 2015 Chambourcin Rosé hits the spot.

Tasting Notes:

• Essence of strawberries and watermelon.  Deep mauve in color, flavorful and a crisp finish.

Notaviva Vineyards:  Wines paired with music make for an interesting experience at Notaviva.  Although the “Back Dat Glass Up” is tempting, we are going with the “Calor” White Wine, something a little sweeter for our sweet-wine loving friends.

Tasting Notes:

• Like a summer night on South Beach, Calor evokes feelings of good times and good friends. Close your eyes, inhale the ocean breeze, feel the rhythm of the Latin jazz, then enjoy a glass of Calor. Best paired with hot sax. 57% barrel-fermented Vidal Blanc, 43% barrel-fermented Seyval Blanc – 1% residual sugar. Goes well with Caribbean cuisine, fruity with a bit of spice.

Stone Tower Winery: Another favorite winery of ours it was tough to a pick just one wine.   Sandwiched between the 2015 Wild Boar Pinot Noir and the 2013 Estate Wind Swept Hill, we’ve decided on both.  Both wines are divine– flavorful, but silky smooth on the finish.

Tasting Notes:

• Pinot Noir: Presenting with brilliant clarity and a deep garnet color to the rim, the wine exudes a wonderful nose of bright red fruits – cranberries, raspberries and strawberry jam – with notes of cinnamon and clove from nicely integrated oak. On the palate, the red fruits create a marriage of sweet and tart flavors with lovely fruity acidity shining through the very fine tannins. Enjoy with plum jam and manchego crostini, mushroom stew, and brie.
• Wind Swept Hill: This wine is a blend is of 60% Cabernet Franc and 40% Merlot. The primary reason for this second cuvee is to highlight how beautifully these two varietals mesh at this ratio. Together, these varietals lend the wine a character that shows the blueberry fruit and earthiness of the Merlot complimented by the candied, floral quality of the Cabernet Franc in the nose and mouth. The mid palate is filled with soft, rich, almost chocolate tannins that fold together nicely on the dry, but quite silky finish.

Tarara Winery:  If you’re looking for a fun summer date night, look no further.  Tarara Winery’s summer concert series is the perfect way to sip though summertime!  Stay refreshed and pair a concert with their 2013 Charval, a blend of 4 white grapes.

Tasting Notes:

• An eclectic white blend that is all about showcasing the vintage from multiple vineyards. Our most popular white wine of the summer is back with full force. Similar to the 2012 with its great backbone of acidity but shows more intensity and vibrant character. A stunning blend of Chardonnay, Rkatsiteli, Sauvignon Blanc and Petit Manseng.

The Vineyards and Winery at Lost Creek: If you haven’t been to Lost Creek in a few years, it’s definitely a great time for a visit.  Their wine list is divided into a Burgundy Collection, Bordeaux Collection and Estate Collection.  They also feature the much talked about Thibaut-Jannison Blanc de Chardonnay on their menu.  Our pick though, goes to their full-bodied 2013 Cabernet Sauvignon.

Tasting Notes:

• 100% Virginia Cabernet Sauvignon barrel aged for 27 months in French Oak. Blend of Lost Creek Estate Vineyard and Monticello AVA fruit. Full-bodied red with strong structure, texture and longevity in the finish. Beautiful and complex.

Zephaniah Farm Vineyard: Ahhhh, another favorite.  If you haven’t visited, add this winery to your list right now!  Better yet, go this weekend!  It was tough to choose just one wine here with so many delicious and well-crafted options, but we are going with out gut on this one.  The 2014 Rosé is a tasty summer beverage!

Tasting Notes

• This slightly sweet, French-style Rosé has some tart wild berry characteristics.  A nice touch of minerality but smooth and creamy make this one of our favorite Virginia Rosés.

 

Cheers to the weekend fellow winos!

-Amy & Alli