Veritas was another winery that Kathy recommended. Located in Afton not far from 64 this winery is a stunning location for an event. The winding roads going in made us grateful for the driver. The tasting room is big and boldly designed in contrast to the white washed farmhouse looking exterior. The flower baskets in bloom hanging on the porch speak of a simplicity that disappears when you enter the tasting room. We peeked into the back event room which is tented in silky white fabric for weddings.
The tasting room opens up 2 stories with a large hanging cork sculpture that reads “LOVE” above the tasting bar. There is also an elegant (while large) glass sculpture that graces the center of the tasting bar. There are large leather couches to sit in and enjoy a glass if you like.
Here we tasted 8 wines beginning with the 2011 Sauvignon Blanc. This Sav Blanc was clean and not too tart and I enjoyed it. It boasts a little minerality alongside the grapefruit and lemongrass.
Next we tasted the 2011 Saddleback Chardonnay. Modeled after the french Chablis they ferment this in stainless steel and then put it into neutral French oak for 4 months.
Their Viognier was lovely as I have found most Virginia Viogniers to be.
The White Star is a fascinating blend of Viognier, Traminette (which was a new varietal to me), Chardonnay and Vidal Blanc (again new to me). This is a simple fun white blend.
The 2011 Rose was very nice. This almost salmon colored Rose is Cab Franc & Merlot. Again a fun rose. Fun enough that they are shipping me a bottle.
The 2011 Cab Franc was my favorite. It has a smokiness that I am a complete sucker for. It is tart with low tannins with a lighter than usual mouth feel for a Cab Franc due to the late rains of the 2011 season. Still this easy drinking Cab Franc was on my list to take home.
The 2010 Vintner’s Reserve is a blend of 42% Merlot, 17% Cabernet Franc, 25% Petit Verdot and 16% Cabernet Sauvignon. It is barrel aged so you get vanilla, caramel and mocha as well as black fruits and a little hit of tobacco. Kathy & Lisa picked up a few of these. As much as I enjoyed this wine, I was still more enamored by the Cab Franc. Perhaps because of the difference in price ($18 to $35).
The final wine that we tasted is their most popular red blend called the Red Star. It is a blend of Cabernet Franc, Merlot and Chambourcin (again a new varietal for me). This is an easy drinking lighter bodied red. Very easy drinking.
After our tasting we had a little time before the car service was due to return us to our hotel, so we grabbed a bottle of the Vintner’s Reserve and headed out to the patio to enjoy the company the wine and the view.
Over the course of the day we had asked about other local vineyards and one name popped up consistently Pollak. This is a newer winery but everyone mentioned it. So they either have great wine or a great marketing team or perhaps both. It will be on my list for my next trip.
It was a wonderful trip, but I feel like I have just scratched the surface of wines in Virginia. This state has sooo.. many varietals that I have not explored and I am deeply regretting not having an opportunity to taste some Norton.