2022-09-06 05:49:07
From the first planting in 1981 to producing more than 1,800 tons of grapes in 2021, Loudoun’s viticultural success is down to a tight knit community of driven, determined and innovative local growers. We spoke to one of them. Mike Fritze is owner, grower and winemaker at Carriage House Wineworks, a small hands-on winery in rolling hills outside historic Waterford. The winery’s 2019 Petit Verdot made the Virginia Governor’s Cup Case in 2021. We purchased Carriage House in 2017 and opened in 2020. I’ve traveled to wine regions all over the world. Loudoun stands out. It has beautiful rolling hills which is good terrain for vines, with great drainage. Wine making is still a passion here. Everyone helps each other. It’s a small community but we’re doing world-class wines. At Carriage House we aim to make the best possible wine out of our local estate-grown fruit. It’s a lot of fun to be part of an emerging wine region like Loudoun County. There’s a great spirit of camaraderie and collaboration. In many ways we’re only starting to realize the possibilities.” — Mike Fritze
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