As we were driving in to Wintergreen late on Christmas night, daughter spotted a new vineyard sign off Route 250, just west off I-64. We asked Don at the Devil's Backbone Brewery and he highly recommended visiting Pollak Vineyards. So we looped up to 64 and over to Crozet to try it. Pollak just opened their tasting room in May, so it is all shiny and new and in the spirit of spiffy tasting rooms designed for events and crowds, which surely will come. Like Veritas, it is similar to the major California tasting rooms, which not surprisingly is where their winemaker is from. We were impresssed by the friendly, knowledgable and generous staff pouring. We were equally impressed by the wines, offering a full array of Virginia wines, an excellent Meritage, Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Petit Verdot, Chardonnay, Pinot Gris,Viognier, and Rosé.
These are clearly a cross of California meeting Virginia. An interesting tidbit is that they grow the plantings differently - tiering them higher and across one another, called ballerina trellising - thus inspiring the logo. Daughter bought the rose, husband loved the Meritage. We view this as a great find and very convenient to Charlottesville. Already the wine tours have found the place, for better or worse.
Showing posts with label charlottesville. Show all posts
Showing posts with label charlottesville. Show all posts
Sunday, December 28, 2008
DelFosse Vineyards & Winery
DelFosse Vineyards and Winery is just off Route 29 in Faber - watch for the turn - it is easy to miss and then wind down a road for about two miles and you are suddenly there - their sunny tasting room overlooks a pond and is a charming place for an informal wedding. We had met Claude DelFosse before via Wintergreen and he started the vineyards in 2003 or thereabouts. (hint - it is pronounced Del Foss).This new venture has a lovely French touch to wine, while using the best of Virginia grapes. Their Pinot Gris and Sauvignon Blanc were soft and had that French touch. Their Viogniers are not as "green" as others in Virginia and the Reserves are sublime. The blend for Reserve d'Oriane, named for their daughter, is lovely.

The DelFosse reds are their best - the blends of Cabernet Franc, Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon in their fine rose and Meritage are each unique. Several favorites are named after their sons, so Cuvee Laurent and Grand Cru Olivier are great red table dinner wines. They also have 100% pure Petit Verdot, Merlot and Cabernet Franc wines that will age well and be enjoyed. We paid for two regular tastings and two reserve tastings and shared.
The DelFosse reds are their best - the blends of Cabernet Franc, Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon in their fine rose and Meritage are each unique. Several favorites are named after their sons, so Cuvee Laurent and Grand Cru Olivier are great red table dinner wines. They also have 100% pure Petit Verdot, Merlot and Cabernet Franc wines that will age well and be enjoyed. We paid for two regular tastings and two reserve tastings and shared.
Labels:
charlottesville,
DelFosse,
virginia,
wine,
wine tours,
wintergreen resort
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