2021 Explore Loudoun Visitors Guide - 2021 Explore Loudoun Visitors Guide
Wine: Loudoun Uncorked
2022-01-03 10:09:45
Loudoun is an oenophile’s dream.
/'eno.fil/- a connoisseur ofwines.
The opening of Willowcroft Farm Vineyards in 1984 marked the birth ofDC’s Wine Country®. Four decades later there are 40-plus wineries in stunning settings, from historic farms and river-crossed valleys to vine-covered hillsides.
Varied topography, temperate climate and well-drained limestone soils deliver terroir suited to many grapes and styles. Chardonnays and French-style Bordeaux varietals (Cab Franc, Cab Sauvignon, Merlot) do well, but so do Albarino, Tannat and Nebbiolo reminiscent ofltaly's Piedmont. Loudoun Viognier is praised by celebrated British wine writers while Middleburg's Chrysalis Vineyards is said to have the world's largest planting of Norton.
Accolades pour in. Loudoun wines have won national awards, including at the San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition, where entries from across the country vie for top honors. At Virginia competitions, 868 Estate Vineyards and Barns at Hamilton Station have claimed the highest honor - the Virginia Governor's Cup.
For all the success, there’s a friendly warmth similar to that of Napa in the 1970s; Willamette Valley in the 1990s. In Loudoun, a winemaker will join you for a tasting, or an owner will recommend a neighboring estate or vintage. Add in talks, tours, picnics, concerts in the vines and those spectacular views and small wonder Wine Enthusiast once declared Loudoun one of the world’s top 10 wine travel destinations.
Don’t miss Virginia Wine Month in October!
Check out the events calendar at VisitLoudoun.org
WINERIES WITH A VIEW
BLUEMONT VINEYARD
The tasting room is perched on the vine-covered slopes of the Blue Ridge Mountains. Try: Farm Table Red
HILLSBOROUGH WINERY, BREWERY & VINEYARD
Enjoy valley and mountain views from the slate stone terrace. Try: Ruby Red
SUNSET HILLS VINEYARD
Solar panels power this Purcellville favorite that promises fabulous sunset views. Try: Shenandoah Springs Rose
CANA VINEYARDS
Gaze down on a valley of vines and forest from the tasting room of this elegant Middleburg winery. Try: Unite Reserve
STONE TOWER WINERY
Mountaintop panoramas stretch over miles of forest to the horizon at this winery south of Leesburg. Try: Estate Chardonnay
CREEK’S EDGE WINERY
This opulent tasting room is tucked away in a lush Taylorstown hollow fronting Catoctin Creek. Try: Vidal Blanc
FABBIOLI CELLARS
Soak up pastoral Lucketts views from the circular tasting room of pioneering winemaker Doug Fabbioli. Try: Tannat
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