Entries from May 2007
HALL St. Helena site is currently being transformed by world-renowned architect Frank Gehry and will feature stunning modern architecture and the restoration of the historic winery buildings currently on the property. Expected completion date is 2009. During my visit to Hall St. Helena, I would rate customer service as poor. The person behind the bar was so busy chatting up with an acquaintant I’m not sure he noticed he had customers waiting. Nevertheless, the wine was very unique and I purchased a bottle of the Merlot.
Hall St. Helena Winery
Location: 401 St. Helena Highway South, St. Helena, CA 94558
Phone: (707) 967-2626 or (866) 667-HALL [4255]
Hours: daily, 10am - 5:30pm
Wines: HALL Rose, Merlot, Sauvignon Blanc, Cabernet Sauvignon
Direction: Take St. Helena Highway (Route 29) NORTH. Prior to downtown St. Helena, turn Left into Hall St. Helena driveway just after Dean & Deluca and Press Restaurant.
Tags: Hall St. Helena Winery
Ok, I took a really bad picture. Don’t let it fool you because this winery has a beautiful tasting room. It was founded in 1933, and dubbed “A Napa Valley Gem.” It is dedicated to producing distinctive Cabernet Sauvignon. If you visit the vineyard, you get a special taste of the Sonoma Valley Monte Rosso Gnarly Vine® Zinfandel.
Louis M Martini Vineyards
Location: 254 South St. Helena Highway, St. Helena, CA 94575
Phone: (707) 968-3361 or 800-321-WINE
Hours: daily, 10am - 6pm
Wines: Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, Cabernet Sauvignon Rose, Gewurztraminer
Direction: Located on Highway 29, one mile south of the town of St. Helena.
Tags: Louis M Martini Vineyards
The 50 foot stucco and stone French Provincial tower encloses 1600 square feet with mezzanine.
Peju Province Winery
Location: 8466 St Helena Hwy, PO Box 478, Rutherford, Napa Valley, CA 94573
Phone: (800) 446-7358 or (707) 963-3600
Hours: Daily, 10am - 6pm (closed Thanksgiving and Christmas Day)
Wines: Peju Pink, Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, Carignane, Syrah, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Zinfandel, Zinfandel Port, Reserve
Direction: Highway 29 North (follow signs to Calistoga). Pass through Napa, Yountville and Oakville. It is located 1 mile north of Robert Mondavi Winery
Tags: Peju Province Winery
Sequoia Grove is named for the circle of giant redwood trees that surround it. It is dedicated to producing the best quality Cabernet Sauvignon from 100% Napa Valley fruit.
Sequoia Grove Vineyards
Location: 8338 St. Helena Highway (Highway 29), Rutherford, CA 94558
Phone: 1-800-851-7841 or (707) 944-2945
Hours: Daily 10:30 to 5:00 (except Easter, Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year’s Day)
Wines: Syrah, Chardonnay, Cabernet Sauvignon
Drection: Stay on Hwy 29 past Napa, Yountville and Oakville towards St. Helena. Sequoia Grove Winery is located on the RIGHT approximately 1 mile North of Oakville.
Tags: Sequoia Grove
Doukenie is a 500-acre farm with 12 acres of vineyards, raspberries, cattle, horses and ducks. Their goal is to make quality wines in a European style.
Doukenie Winery (formerly Windham Winery)
Location: 14727 Mountain Road, Hillsboro, VA 20132
Phone: (540) 668-6464
Hours: Daily 12pm - 6pm
Wines: Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Sauvignon Blanc, Dry Riesling, Chardonnay, Raspberry Merlot, and more.
Directions: From Leesburg take Route 7 west to Route 9 west (Charles Town Pike). Go 7.3 miles on Route 9 and turn right on Route 690 (Mountain Road). Go one mile to winery on the left.
Tags: Doukenie Winery
Your visit on the Loudoun Wine Trail is not complete until you visit Tarara Winery. Tarara is a 475-acre farm situated on the bluffs of the Potomac River. The winery is located in a 6,000 square foot cave. Enjoy one of the many award winning wines on a deck above the river. Don’t forget the reserve tasting where they take you underground to where the barrels are stored.
Tarara Winery
Location: 13648 Tarara Lane, Leesburg, VA 20176
Phone: (703) 771-7100
Hours: January through May, everyday 11am – 5pm; June through December, Monday-Thursday, 11am – 5pm,
Friday through Sunday, 11am – 6pm
Wines: Meritage, Viognier, Cabernet Franc, Chardonnay, Cabernet Sauvignon, Pinot Gris, and Merlot.
Directions: From Leesburg, take Route 15 north to Lucketts to right on route 662 (Lucketts Road). Go 3 miles to sign and driveway on left.
Tags: Tarara Winery
Located just minutes from downtown Leesburg, near historic Waterford. They offer imported cheeses, fresh baked baguettes, and several varieties of pates to complement the wines. Enjoy the wine in a large glass-walled tasting room with spacious wrap around decks and outdoor seating.
Loudoun Valley Vineyards
Location: 38516 Charlestown Pike, Waterford, VA 20197
Phone: (540) 882-3375
Hours: Weekdays, by appointment; Saturday and Sunday, 11am – 5pm
Wines: Two styles of Chardonnay plus Riesling, Sauvignon Blanc, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Pinot Noir, Cabernet Franc, Nebbiolo, Sagiovese, Zinfandel, plus several unique Meritage blends.
Directions: From Leesburg, take Route 7 west approx. 4 miles. Exit onto Route 9 (Charles Town Pike) west and continue 5 miles to the winery on the right.
Tags: Loudoun Valley Vineyards
The winery is built on the hill overlooking the vineyards and Virginia horse country. They offer wines, cheeses, breads and other light fare. You may also bring your own lunch to enjoy around the fireplace in the spacious tasting room. Shop in the gift shop for local products and wine accessories.
Lost Creek Winery
Location: 43277 Spinks Ferry Road, Leesburg, VA 20176
Phone: (707) 443-9836
Hours: Thursday through Monday, 11am – 5pm
Wines: Chardonnay, Vidal Blanc, Chambourcin, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Rose, Late Harvest, Sweet Summer, Springtime, and others.
Directions: From Leesburg, take Route 15 north for 7 miles. Turn Right on Route 657 (Spinks Ferry Road). Proceed 2.0 miles to winery on right.
Tags: Lost Creek Winery
Wine tasting is done in a very charming and intimate setting, Early American-style log winery nestled in the pines. You may bring lunch to enjoy in the dining area and relax by the cozy fireplace. Or you can watch the sun set from the veranda.
Hidden Brook Winery
Location: 43301 Spinks Ferry Road, Leesburg, VA 20176
Phone: (703) 737-3935
Hours: Saturday and Sunday, 11am – 5pm; Monday, Thursday & Friday, 12pm – 5pm; Tuesday & Wednesday, by appointment; Closed New Year’s, Easter, Thanksgiving, and Christmas
Wines: Vidal Blanc, Chardonnay, Rose, Cabernet Sauvignon, Chambourcin, Merlot, Sweet Amber, Reserve
Directions: From Leesburg, take Route 15 north for 7 miles. Turn Right on Route 657 (Spinks Ferry Road). Proceed 1.5 miles until road becomes gravel. Veer left on gravel road for 0.4 miles to third driveway on the right.
Tags: Hidden Brook Winery
On a beautiful Sunday afternoon, Val and I decided to take a drive to Middleburg, VA for a tour around the historic district. We were minutes from Middleburg when we noticed the sign, “Chrysalis Vineyards 1.3 miles.” We made a sudden U-turn and decided to take a detour. As we drove up to the vineyard, we noticed groups of friends and families picnicking, each with a bottle of wine. The vineyard estate is on 209 acres between the Bull Run Mountain to the east and the Blue Ridge Mountain to the west.
Location: 23876 Champe Ford Road, Middleburg, VA 20117
Phone: (540) 687-8222 or (800) 235-8804
Hours: Open daily: 10am – 5pm
Wines: Viognier, Albarino, Chardonnay, Petit Manseng, Norton, Rubiana-a Rioja-style blend featuring Tempranillo, Graciano, Petit Verdot, and Fer Servadou. Go for the reserve tasting.
Directions: From Leesburg go south on Route 15 to Gilbert’s Corner. Right on Route 50 through Aldie to Route 629 (Champe Ford Road). Left on Route 629 for 1.3 miles.
Tags: Chrysalis Vineyards · Visited Vineyards, Virginia
