On the 1st day of Christmas my true love gave to me a trip to a Virginia Winery!
On the 2nd day of Christmas my true love gave to me Two glasses clinking and a trip to a Virginia Winery!
On the 3rd day of Christmas my true love gave to me Three corks a popping, Two glasses clinking and a trip to a Virginia Winery!
On the 4th day of Christmas my true love gave to me Four vines a growing, Three corks a popping, Two glasses clinking and a trip to a Virginia Winery!
On the 5th day of Christmas my true love gave to me Five GOLDEN grapes, Four vines a growing, Three corks a popping, Two glasses clinking and a trip to a Virginia Winery!
On the 6th day of Christmas my true love gave to me Six Cab Francs Swirling, Five GOLDEN grapes, Four vines a growing, Three corks a popping, Two glasses clinking and a trip to a Virginia Winery!
On the 7th day of Christmas my true love gave to me SEVEN port wines snifting, Six Cab Francs swirling, Five GOLDEN grapes, Four vines a growing, Three corks a popping, Two glasses clinking and a trip to a Virginia Winery!
On the 8th day of Christmas my true love gave to me Eight OCTAGONS, SEVEN port wines snifting, Six Cab Francs Swirling, Five GOLDEN grapes, Four vines a growing, Three corks a popping, Two glasses clinking and a trip to a Virginia Winery!
On the 9th day of Christmas my true love gave to me Nine CHOCOLATE NORTONS, Eight OCTAGONS, SEVEN port wines snifting, Six Cab Francs swirling, Five GOLDEN grapes, Four vines a growing, Three corks a popping, Two glasses clinking and a trip to a Virginia Winery!
On the 10th day of Christmas my true love gave to me Ten Magnums sparkling, Nine CHOCOLATE NORTONS, Eight OCTAGONS, SEVEN port wines snifting, Six Cab Francs Swirling, Five GOLDEN grapes, Four vines a growing, Three corks a popping, Two glasses clinking and a trip to a Virginia Winery!
On the 11th day of Christmas my true love gave to me Eleven Viogniers sampling, Ten Magnums sparkling, Nine CHOCOLATE NORTONS, Eight OCTAGONS, SEVEN port wines snifting, Six Cab Francs swirling, Five GOLDEN grapes, Four vines a growing, Three corks a popping, Two glasses drinking and a trip to a Virginia Winery!
On the 12th day of Christmas my true love gave to me Twelve vintners vinting, Eleven Viogniers sampling, Ten Magnums sparkling, Nine CHOCOLATE NORTONS, Eight OCTAGONS, SEVEN port wines snifting, Six Cab Francs swirling, Five GOLDEN grapes, Four vines a growing, Three corks a popping, Two glasses clinking and a trip to a Virginia Winery!
Inspiration for this song comes from my daughter, Jillian who encouraged me to post something , anything, prior to Christmas. The original idea was something about twelve wineries relating to the Twelve Days of Christmas. Maybe next year!
King Family Vineyard – Seven, a Port -this port wine is made with 100% Merlot and is fortified with brandy, and was aged in Kentucky bourbon barrels for 2 years. The 2009 Viognier ( I love this one!) self described by the owners as 70% of the volume fermented and aged in stainless steel tanks to highlight the freshness of the wine, and 30% in neutral oak barrels, giving the wine fullness without adding oak flavor. There are cantaloupe, honeysuckle and orange zest on the nose and mouth.
Keswick Vineyards Chocolate Norton sauce is a gourmet chocolate sauce made with Keswick Vineyards Norton wine.
Octagon Barboursville Vineyards is described by the vintner as a proprietary blend driven by Merlot, with elements of Reserve Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon and Petit Verdot. Aged 12 to 14 months in new Gamba barriques of the most select French oak, air-dried a minimum of 3 years before coopering, laid down in bottle for an additional six months before release.
Well, now that you asked, may I make some recommendations? North, South, East or West , Central Virginia is the best…for vineyard views and wine tasting with friends and family, that is! Plus, you can get some early Christmas shopping done. Send me a description of the personality of your guests and how much time you have to devote to sight-seeing and I can customize an itinerary for you this holiday season!
Visiting three wineries around Charlottesville is a reasonable number to visit in one day. More can be seen but you really lose in quality time and experiencing the charm of each winery. The vineyards are spread just a little too far apart and you need to make allowances for driving time.
If you have time for only one winery I would suggest Barboursville Winery. Located on the north side of Charlottesville, Barboursville Vineyards is a must do for several reasons. Notable for their award-winning Octagon wine and Palladio, their 5 Star restaurant; Barboursville rates very high on my list as a first class wine tasting and dining experience. They are wonderful at handling a large number of visitors and have an expansive tasting room for groups to spread out.
The price of wine tasting can’t be beat! For 5 dollars you can taste 15 -20 wines and keep the inscribed glass as a souvenir. If you return, bring your glass and the fee is only 3 dollars! Step inside and go to the register on your right to get started. The fireplace separates the tasting area from the gift shop so you can browse while waiting for a spot to slip into at the bar . Take a walk down to the ruins of the estate house, one of only three homes designed for his friends by Thomas Jefferson. It burned Christmas of 1884 and until recently was used as a backdrop for Shakespearian plays!
Barboursville is closed for Thanksgiving Day. From Charlottesville and South: Go East from Charlottesville on Route 250 (bypass), to Route 20 North, “The Constitution Highway,” proceeding 16 miles northeast. Barboursville Vineyards will be visible on your right, turn as directed by the signs into Route 678 to the estate.
Charlottesville UnCorked 