Boxwood Estate Winery, Loudoun County, VA #DCsWineCountry

This was our final Vineyard/Winery visit of the WBC11 Pre-conference tour of Loudoun County.

We all dream.  Some dream of wealth, power or love.  Some dream of drinking and making amazing wine.  Sometimes, if you are very, very lucky, all those combine and that dream of  making wine with those we love at a vineyard that has that expensive chateau style - well, for some, that is reality.  
 
At Boxwood Winery, just outside of Middleburg, VA, everything is the perfect example of an ideal.  Dedicated to red wine in the Bordeaux style, I knew that I was visiting the major leagues (well, more like the NFL, - Big, strong and apt - it is built and owned by John Kent Cooke, second generation past owner of the Washington Redskins - a great article:  From Redskins to Red Wine)  and really I don't even think that I will be alive when these wines come of age. Visiting Boxwood was an amazing experience for me. 
Here is how it went down:
We were given the grand tour by Boxwood Manger/Executive Vice President (and Cooke step-daughter) Rachel Martin and winemaker/viticulturist (and Canadian) Adam McTaggart.

The Winery is a beautiful and functional design by architect Simon Jacobson, and consists of three separate buildings, connected by the Tasting Room.  (I will always shout out to great architects, after all, "Anna Uncorked" was named by one). 
We walked from the circular stainless tasting bar, through the spotless tank room, out to the sorting and stemming platform, it was like we were at Epcot for wineries. Impeccably clean & shiny with all of the latest technology.

 Then we were escorted into the barrel room.  It was more like a slumber party for amazing color coordinated French oak barrels.  As my eyes adjusted to the low lighting, and Adam talked about their vintages, I hopped around taking pictures.  Totally forgetting that we were in a sealed, climate controlled room, I tried to hop up onto the stone step leading out of the barrel room, only to forget that it was sealed by high strength glass.  Imagine a very large, clumsy bird smashing into a window.  Yes folks, I was the comic relief.  With nothing injured by my ego, I stepped back into the group and humbly listened.



Next was the Bottling Room.  This is where I need to note that Boxwood is keeping their production small and exact.  As of Summer 2011, they only produce four wines. And with those four wines, they only plan to produce no more that 5,000 cases of wine annually. That is only 60,000 bottles of wine. That is not a lot of wine. Now for the price.  All of the wines are VERY REASONABLE. Rose $14.00 and the reds, $25.00.


My whole outlook on this winery has changed since the day that we were there.  Maybe, it is because I am reading The Billionaires Vinegar (recommended to me by by fellow blogger Michael Oudyn), maybe because what I saw needed to ferment in my brain for a while (it has been three weeks since we were there). But I can say now that I think I get it. My tasting notes from this tasting are useless, it was 100+ degree weather and we had just had a big lunch. I wasn't ready for this fairly young wine -  but now, in retrospect, I feel as though these reds will age into great wine.
  

Boxwood Estate `09 $25.00 (Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Petit Verdot) Their "left bank style" Bordeaux blend.


Boxwood Topiary `08 $25.00 (Cabernet Franc, Merlot and Malbec) Their "right bank" style Bordeaux blend. 


I have better notes form the Rosé, I would serve both in a heartbeat.  The prices are fantastic for such elegant wines. 


Boxwood Estate Boxwood Rosé `10 $14.00 (Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot) this is a refreshingly dry yet subtly spicy Rosé. Really nicely balanced and really nicely priced.  Excellent value for a fresh, dry French style Rosé.

Boxwood Estate Topiary Rosé `10 $14.00 (Cabernet Franc and Malbec) This was my favorite wine of the tasting.  It had all of the fruitiness of Cabernet Franc, and was deliciously light, with a bright finish. Again, very well priced for the quality.


I think that we have something new here at Boxwood, something that I will be able to say "I was there when...".  They are dedicated to modern viticulture and classic tastes.  And above all, they are dedicated to the community around them.  Middleburg has applied for an AVA.  I am going to buy a couple of their bottles for a proper review and then I am going to buy one of each of their reds, stow them in the cellar and update this post in five years.  Boxwood is here for the long run. I can't wait to re-visit them. 

Here is a link to all of my photos from this visit. 

Chrysalis Vineyards, Loudoun County, VA #DCsWineCountry

This was our third Vineyard/Winery visit of the WBC11 Pre-conference tour of Loudoun County.

A blend of 60% individuality, 10% experimentation and 30% deep respect for history. This is one way that I could sum up Chrysalis Vineyards in Middleburg, VA; but the easier path to take would just be to say "I am now a card carrying member of the cult of Jenni".

Jennifer McCloud is the the charismatic, focused owner/operator of Chrysalis Vineyards at Locksley, a historic 209 acre Middleburg, Virginia Estate and the adjoining Cali Farms the home of the Locksley Estate Farmstead Cheese Company. Hers is a working empire devoted to wine, food and our cultural history. Chrysalis is the world's largest grower of the Norton Grape, an American varietal that once dominated wine production 19th century United States. Jenni is keeping it alive and well, together with iconic Winemaker/Vineyard Manager, Alan Kinne, they are creating easy to drink, nuanced New World wine both classic and experimental. What else would you expect from a vineyard that grows and experiments with over 20 grape varieties, including: Norton, Petit Manseng, Rubiana, Tannat and Albariño - all in the pursuit of creating great American wine.

After I split my capris wide open taking this picture (note to self, the diet starts tomorrow), we tasted 13 of their offerings that morning (I spent the rest of the day touring vineyards in bike shorts):

We split into 2 groups; I was in the Red Barrel Room with my writer friends and we had Kat as our educator. Kat was the perfect hostess, smiling at us, enthusiastically sharing pairing ideas and joking all along (after all, it was 10am, and I was standing there in torn capris). She not only told us the stories behind each bottle, but she shared with us her honest enthusiasm for wine.

Chrysalis Chardonnay `10 $17.00 This is a wine that could win over the ABC people (I am one) as Kat our educator said, "many people are ABC 'Anything but Chardonnay'". Tank fermented, with no oak, this wine had a strong minerality, much more like a French chardonnay than California. It is a nice middle of the road white wine.

Chrysalis Barrel Reserve Chardonnay `10 $24.00 This was their oaked Chardonnay. It spent all of its life in a combination of French and Hungarian Oak. I needed breakfast with this wine. Maybe a quiche? Maybe a Spinach and Cheese Croissant? At 10 am, I was not ready for a rich oaky Chardonnay.

Chrysalis Viognier `10 $29.00 This was the third Virginia Viognier that I had tasted, and I suddenly understood the subtle differences in terroir that so many Virginia wine people rave about. Even though we had not left Loudoun County, the Viognier was totally different between Tarara, Breaux and Chrysalis. This 24 hour horizontal tasting of three `10 vintage was a fascinating exploration in a single varietal. I liked all three, but for three distinct reasons. Tarara, with vineyards growing on relatively flat elevations next to the Potomac River, seemed to be in a classic European style, elegant, a bit concentrated/lush. Breaux, framed by the Blue Ridge Mountains, with farmland/slightly hilly terrain was more open, fruit forward, a touch of oak, with a hint of sweetness in the finish. My epiphany was with this Chrysalis Viognier, also grown on farmland, in the foothills of the Northern Blue Ridge & Bull Run Mountains makes a totally different wine, open and fruity, with hints of vanilla, yet the strength of minerality an amazing combination of both. The fruit (peaches?) was right there at your nose and on your palate yet it is a dry wine. This was an excellent way for me to get to know the varietal, and I think that Chrysalis with its unique terroir did the grape that made this wine proud.

Chrysalis Mariposa Rose `10 $ 15.00 This is a Norton Rose. My first taste of Norton. It is dry, in the European style, but fruity and concentrated. A trait of Norton? I think. This is a food wine.

Chrysalis Sarah's Patio White `10 A blend of Vidal Blanc and Traminette (a hybrid Gewürztraminer/Joannes Seyve 23.416). What a combo! It is refreshing and crisp, and fragrant, and an all around easy drinker. (Kat said that she brought three cases of this on family vacation) and I can see why. This is a patio wine. Invite some friends over, and pour a bottle or two, eat some light food and just enjoy. This is a casual celebration wine that can please a crowd. It is a bit sweet, but not too sweet. I dare to say that Sarah's Patio White has "Hit a Sweet Spot".

We were still on the chilled wine, and Kat poured us:

Sarah's Patio Red `10 $ 15.00 Hah! It may be 100% Norton, but I call it Lambrusco. It is not sparkling, but it is sooo easy to drink, and it is cherry flavored, and Kat told us a secret. When making Ghiradelli box Brownie mix, substitute 1/2 a cup of water with 1/2 a cup of Sarah's Patio Red and POW, you have one amazing brownie! My mouth is watering just thinking about a glass of Sarah's Red and some chocolate cake as I write this. This is what I love and was so unique to Chrysalis. They play with their varietals, and in this playing, mixing and fermenting, they come up with a really nicely styled wine. This is a fun everyday wine, just like its sibling, Sarah's Patio White.
Chrysalis has a tasting room, a patio (Sarah's* Patio) and a BBQ area (Jenni's Pavillion). And they have a Director of Culinary Operations, Chef Hump. You can see his weekend menu at the vineyard, or you can order from his catering. You see, Jenni has it all there, waiting for you.

*Sarah. Kat referred to Sarah, as the vineyard's "Resident Dead Girl". She has to be a great girl to have her own patio AND two wines named after her. I'll let a staffer at the vineyard tell you about Sarah. I'll keep her secrets.


Now, back to the living, and the tasting. One of the great things about having these "insider" views into a working vineyard/winery is seeing the whole operation. From the clean room (I dubbed it the wine laboratory)to the barrel room, and everything in between, there is always something interesting. That morning, I found her in the barrel room; She had just had a terrible summer haircut, and she was sulking. But she was sweet, and she wanted to play. (at 13, who wouldn't want to play?) It wasn't Sarah, it was Tresa Dora, and she loves to play fetch with a barrel cork. I'll admit that I spent an inordinate amount of time taking pictures of and playing with her, but, hey, what do you expect? I was the blogger with the giant hole in her pants.

We moved on to the reds.
Chrysalis Rubiana `08 $17.00 This is where you can tell I was distracted. I tasted this wine, made note that it was dry and slightly smoky, like my beloved tempranillo, and then I played with the dog. If I were a good wine scholar, I would give you better tasting notes. But it was 11 am, there was a cute dog looking at me, and well, I'll just say I had a good reaction to the wine, and you should try it yourself. Maybe go to Chrysalis, buy a bottle and have a BBQ picnic there.

Chrysalis Estate Bottled Norton `07 $17.00 Now this is a wine. It packs a fruit forward punch in the mouth with tannins that remind you that you should be eating something with this wine. Condensed blackberry flavor, with some dark cherry (Highlights?). Intense. It was when I sipped this that I made a decision; and this Vineyard, and this varietal would play a part in my decision**.

Chrysalis Petit Verdot `06 $35.00 This is their Bordeaux. A rich, lingering red wine that simply says "I am wine, take me seriously". Dinner, drinks with your University Professor, a sipping wine for the days when you just want flavor and a hint of bittersweet chocolate. Classic. European, very straight forward, and my bet is that this will still be an elegant wine twenty years from now.

Chrysalis Tannat `07 $35.00 my heart skipped a beat when I read that we were drinking a Tannat. I am smitten with a Tannat ever since I had the fortified Uruguayan Viñedo de los Vientos Tannat Alcyone NV. Now I was going to have Tannat as a wine, not as an after dinner drink. It is the subtle coffee flavor in this wine that is so unique and interesting. Vanilla and complex layers of flavor that makes this a wine and a quiz game all in one sip. On my next trip to Virginia, some of this is coming home with me. I am kicking myself as I write this for not buying some while I was there.

Chrysalis Papillion `08 $35.00 this Petit Verdot/Tannat blend is a robust, multi layered red wine that tastes of pepper and coffee. It is big, bold and fruit forward, and I can imagine will be a wine that will only get more complex with age. I love the blend, and I'd like to see more of this dynamic type of blending.

Norton Locksley Reserve `08 this was the wine that made me realize that I hadn't been dumping enough. Concentrated flavor. It is a mouthful, and has a long, long finish. This is a wine that you build a meal around. I think that as a vehicle to show the grandness and flavor of the Norton varietal, you can't get any more classic that a bottle of this wine. It had all of the flavor, concentrated and ready for your glass. I can imagine though that in a few years, it will mellow even more, and the spicy undertones will become more subtle.

At the end of the tasting, as a special treat, Jenni poured some of their sold out for VIP club Members only Petit Manseng Dessert Wine. It was a hit, and a troupe of bloggers finished their wine, and then walked out into the 100+ degree heat, traipsed up to the Chrysalys Tasting Room to purchase some wine to take home. (I went back to find the bus to change - sigh... it would have been nice to bring a bottle of the Tannat home with me)

Here is a link to all of my photos from the visit.

**My decision? This was part of a pre-conference tour of Loudoun County. Later that day, our tour bus was going to bring us to Charlottesville for the rest of the conference, and on Friday night, we were going to a wine reception at Monticello. I am a Thomas Jefferson geek. I am pretty much an American History Geek, and I am most definitely a wine geek. I had, packed in my bag, a copy of the Declaration of Independence, and as tasted this Norton, and listened to Kat tell the story of this Virginia Bred grape, I decided that I wanted to be sipping Norton when I crept away from the reception to read the Declaration of Independence (quietly, to myself) at Monticello.I can tell you that Jenni herself poured me that glass on the hilltop at Monticello, she also kindly noted that it was 106 degrees in the shade, and I was crazy to be drinking such a big wine in that weather. But I was on a mission, and she poured me a glass anyway. (in hind-site, Sarah's Patio Red is made from Norton too, but well... hind-site is 20/20). I am ending this post with a picture of my bag, glass and Declaration on a bench at Monticello.

Breaux Vineyards, Loudoun County, VA #DCsWineCountry

As the bus turned up the lane we saw that we were in lush farm county.  At the end of the lane, up a slight incline was Breaux Vineyards, framed by the Blue Ridge Mountains, with a foreground of grapevines... acres and acres of manicured grapevines.  There in the cul-de-sac waiting to welcome us: a videographer, a vase of flowers, a table holding chilled wine and Breaux Vineyard's chic Director of Marketing & Hospitality, Jennifer Breaux Blosser.


It was 100+ degrees outside and as the Virginia Wine TV crew got their shots and sound bytes, the chilled Breaux Sauvignon Blanc`10 called to us. How refreshing; a crisp, slightly tart, well chilled light wine in triple digit weather.  Perfect. What a great welcome.  If I weren't such a wine geek, I could have felt like a rockstar getting off the tour bus.  It was a delightful welcome. Standing shyly behind the table of wine was Breaux's Winemaker, David Pagan Castaño - seriously, I felt like I had walked onto a movie set filming "Young, Glamorous and Running a Vineyard".

After brief introductions, Chris Blosser, General Manager and Jennifer's husband, took us on a hayride to look at the Vineyard. It was late afternoon and the sun was low in the sky. We gamely climbed up to our straw bale seats and had a guided tour of some of the vineyard.  It was beautiful.  Chris answered all of our questions and was a great host.  (and I figured out what to do with an empty wine glass on a hayride!)

As we rode past the acres of Nebbiolo planted on the hillside, Malbec and Cabernet Franc grapes neatly trimmed along the flat, Chris told us the story of Breaux Vineyards.  Truly a family affair, it was started in 1980 by his father in-law E. Paul Breaux, Jr., Now, the next generation is at the harvest.  Jennifer and Chris have taken up the day to day running of the Vineyard. (He sweetly calls it a "Mom & Pop Operation"), and you can see touches of the family in everything. From the Nebbiolo on the slope in the background (The vineyard is growing Nebbiolo because Mr. Breaux had a conversation with a man in Italy and decided, "Why not grow Nebbiolo in Virginia?") to the three sisters on the labels of some of their wine. It is a family operation, they love their grapes, they love each other, and if you notice the Crawfish on the glasses in these pictures and on the labels of some of their wine, they love their Cajun roots. (more about that in the tasting notes)

We finished our hayride and Chris took us to join Jennifer and David in Breaux's tasting room. It is an inviting place that showcases their wines and awards, but our treat was waiting in the barrel room. We walked through the Tank Room, festooned with two of the classic colors of Mardi Gras.  Originally chosen for Mardi Gras in 1872, purple represents justice and gold represents power. The Cajun roots of the Breaux Family run deep, and their wine is a testament to that.

The Barrel Room was waiting for us.  I'll get straight to the tasting.  I'll link retail bottles to a proper review (title is link) and I will leave barrel samples here.



#1.  Breaux Vineyards Viognier `10 $24.00 #DCsWineCountry

#2.  `07 Nebbiolo barrel sample. WOW, what a mouthful of wine. This wine exists because Mr Breaux had drinks with an Italian man (who spoke no English), and though, "we could grow this", and look, they did! I have a bottle of the `06, and I will do a proper review with food in the future.  I can't wait to try it head to head.  New World Virginia Nebbiolo and Italian Nebbiolo.

#3.  Breaux Vineyards Meritage `07 $28.00 #DCsWineCountry

#4.  Breaux Vineyards Cabernet Franc Reserve `07
I just wanted to smell this wine.  Ohhh the smell.  It was raspberry, and a hint of blackberry,and deep, deep dark fruit smells, slightly sweet, and so ripe that it is bursting. Of course, as I sipped it, I loved it.  And when Jennifer told me that it was 16% ETOH, I just said "duh, guess who is forgetting to dump in the 'swirl, sip, spit/dump' world of wine tasting". I drank it all, and I am not ashamed!  (I also can't find it on their website as for sale, so the review stays with the Vineyard blog)

#5.  Breaux Vineyards Cabernet Franc`10 Barrel Sample
This is a young wine. I smelled the vanilla from my first sniff, and then of course, I kept on sniffing. I tried to imagine what the concentration would smell like in a year or so. I had only been to two Vineyards so far, but I was sure of one fact: Virginia makes some good Cabernet Franc.

#6.  Breaux Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon `10 Barrel Sample
We ended the tasting with a taste of their latest Cabernet Sauvignon. The flavors of a generation yet to come. It was fresh, with a tight tannic taste. (how's that for ill-iteration?) This wine will age gracefully, I want to come back in a few years and taste those tannins then. All wordplay aside, David Pagan Castaño is a winemaker to watch.  This wine gives a promise of good things to come.  I'm looking forward to it!
 
I am very excited about Breaux being popular in London.  I can't wait until I am home this Fall and we can have a "Virginia Wine Night" in Knightsbridge! Their Viognier can handle a chicken curry, I am sure, and I want to test that theory with a Marks & Spencer Chiken Tikka Masala and a well chilled bottle of Breaux Viognier.

As we left Breaux Vineyards, Jennifer and Chris walked us to our bus.  The were gracious hosts, and I just want to thank them for sharing their wine and stories with us. Wine is about good times, friendship, and often good food.  A visit to Breaux makes you feel as if you have made a friend, and a bottle of their wine will waft a little bit of magic every time you pop the cork.  

From the Blue Ridge Mountains of 

Loudoun County Virginia,

Laissez les bons temps rouler!

Here is a link to all of my photos from the visit

Tarara Winery, Leesburg, VA #TararaWinery, #DCsWineCountry

Just an hour from Washington DC there are wineries and vineyards on beautiful farmlands producing really good wine.  I was lucky enough to have a private group tour of Loudoun County, Virginia as a pre-conference junket of the 2011 Wine Bloggers' Conference.  Our first stop,  Tarara Winery , a producer of good artisan wine made from locally grown grapes, aged predominantly in Virgina Oak (when the varietal/blend calls for it). 

I knew NOTHING about Virginia Wine, and I expected very little.  What I found?  In the shadow of our Nation's Capital, I found a thriving community of grape growers and wine makers who are living and producing the American Dream.  Founded in 1989 by RJ (Whitie) and Margaret Hubert, Tarara Winery was built with passion and determination to make wine;  great wine, that reflects the area (the more candid version is that in retirement, Whitie wanted to grow a few grapes, and his hobby got out of control - I love it when a hobby gets out of control and becomes time consuming yet fun! (my blog for example?!?)).

Tarara growers include Nevaeh (Tarara's estate vineyard managed by Ben Renshaw), Tranquility (in Purcellville, also managed by Ben Renshaw) and Honah Lee (in Orange managed by Wayne and Vera Preddy).

Our bus pulled up to Tarara headquarters just after 2pm on one of the hottest days of summer. We were to have a light lunch/tasting in the private great room of Tarara HQ. Winemaker Jordan Harris was our host and educator for the tasting.



All nineteen of us ogled the spread and then whipped out cameras, iPhones, blackberries, iPads and notebooks (we are bloggers after all!). What an nice introduction to Loudoun County and Virginia wine. As they say, you can only make one first impression, and Tarara, set the bar high.


We tried ten wines at the tasting, then four more in the cellar.  I've pulled my tasting reviews out (consumer market ONLY), the titles are links.






#1  Tarara Charval `09  $20.00

#2.  Tarara Viognier `10 $15.00 (wholesale only)  15.3 ETOH WOW, what a way to start a tasting!  Of course, you are supposed to sip and then spit/dump you glass. (I did not master that until my 72nd glass during the conference)  100% Viognier grapes from Williams Gap Vineyard.  Poured by Sonja and Katie, this would be my very first glass of Virginia Viognier. This is a very young wine, and Jordan recommended that we decant it (I had never heard of decanting a white wine), and drink it young.  It was a refreshing entre into Virginia Viognier.


#3.  Tarara Navaeh White `09 $30.00 For those of you into wordplay. Navaeh is Heaven in reverse. (ummm, you could take that two ways...)


A note on the food:  We were given a selection of local cheeses, a trio of Virginia Ham (one done prosciutto style... droool), Blackberries, Tapanade and bread.  It was a taste of some of  the best Artisan food that Loudoun County offers and it was delicious.  I didn't make note of all the purveyors (did I mention that I had yet to learn to sip/spit/pour? - I just drank, dug in and was fat and happy.)

#4. Three Vineyards Chardonnay `09 $20.00



#5.  Tarara Chardonnay `97  This was a bottle that Jordan pulled from the library just so that we could taste an "old" Chardonnay. This was how I knew that Jordan has fun with his wine. I don't even think that he was out of school when this wine was bottled - let alone did he know that one day he would be making great wine in Virginia.  I laughed about how many times we have found a bottle and opened it not knowing what to expect. It was a risk well taken.  Even though it wasn't at buttery as I have had in an old chardonnay, it still showed that the area can produce wines that last (Well, more like survived - still, that is a lot to be said for aging well).

#6.  Three2One Cellars Tranquility `09 $45.00  

#7.  Tarara Winery Nevaeh Red `08 $40.00   My favorite of the tasting.

#8.  Tarara Winery TerraNoVA `08 $45.00

#9.  Tarara Winery CasaNoVA `08 $45.00 The Commonwealth Collection
(We also tasted this at the Live Blogging Session: Red)

As Jordan was waxing about the Commonwealth Collection, and telling us that the play on words with NoVA being an acronym for Northern Virginia, Tom Plant from WINEormous, joked 'What next?  Chevy NoVA?".  This is why I love traveling with writers, there is always someone who can run with a theme. Jordan laughed, and noted that there may be copyright issues.

We also had a "Bonus Wine" while we were upstairs at the tasting.  Jordan pulled out a `97 Tarara Cabernet. It was subtle, soft and silky. The tannins just went away.  It had the flavor of cooked strawberries. It was a nice contrast to some of the bolder wines that we drank that day.

Then, we went downstairs, through the tasting room and into the cellar.  I think of it more as Jordan and Jonathan's laboratory/play house.

 Jonathan Boyle was waiting for us in the cellar.  Jonathan is Tarara's other Canadian Winemaker, and he and Jordan have worked together for years .Jonathan had a table laid out with some of their newest wines (not yet released). Some of the tanks were fermenting, others waiting for this year's harvest, and the barrels were slowly fermenting their treasures.

We barrel tasted some fresh whites and then tapped a tank for a very special Viognier. It was nice to see such passion as they both discussed their wines. That passion shows in Tarara's current inventory.

 I expect great things from them in the future.  They are young, passionate (just get Jonathan started on the benefits of screw top wine) and marketing savvy.  Jonathan is a blogger too, and the Winery uses all social media to bring their product to the next generation of consumers.  From the QR codes on labels, the summer concert series, to the community involvement and "green" outlook/practices, Tarara has hit it currents trends on the head.  Their media kit is in a biodegradable folder impregnated with flower seeds, we were all given a Tarara flash drive with digital copies of the media kit as well.  I wonder if Whitie had any idea of what what his hobby would grow into when he planted those first acres of grapes in 1989? This is Artisinal Winemaking for the 21st Century;  Jordan and Jonathan are part of the future of wine in the United States - blending ancient techniques with new media, marketing - and screwtops.

When you think Wine Country,
it shouldn't just be the West Coast anymore. 
Virginia is on the map.
It isn't a well kept secret for just the cool kids anymore.

Here is a link to to all of my photos from our stop at Tarara.