NOVA in the Fall

There are some places that just get it right.  Bluemont Vineyard in Bluemont, Virginia has a good thing going.  We arrived just after noon and when we walked in, they smiled and said take a seat on the patio, we are getting ready to start a tasting.  You have to ask yourself, ok, is this going to be a mass tasting where no one actually gets anything out of it?  Not in this case.  We grabbed the last table on the patio and spent the next hour and a half delighted!  When our server, Erin, came over and poured for us, explaining the wine and how she would be taking care of us that afternoon with great care and no rush, we knew it was not going to be one of those quick 10 minute tastings so we ordered a cheese tray, sat back and relaxed and enjoyed the visit.  The glasses used for the tastings are etched with “951” which is the elevation of the winery and from the patio you feel that you can see forever.  The good thing is we had a lovely afternoon sipping wine, eating cheese and crispy baguette overlooking a beautiful fall day.  The down side is that as we sat and enjoyed the place got really crowded with people jumping onto tables as soon as they emptied.  The trick, I guess, is to get there early.    Cool factor – well that view is incredible!

Then there are places that just don’t quite have it.  Twin Oaks Tavern Winery in Bluemont, VA had a beautiful view from the tiny parking space behind the building.  That same space that was a big challenge to get out of when the stretch limo showed up taking up most of the room needed to get out.  Wineries with really small parking areas should restrict limos.  That’s all I am saying.    While tasting, your back was to the windows so there was no chance of seeing any view that might have been out there, it was busy and there was only a single person behind the bar taking care of those at the bar and tables, people coming in from the patio for wine and cheese, etc. etc.   Maybe someone called in at the last minute leaving just one person,  but another person would have made a great deal of difference in the enjoyment of the visit.  There were some Irish musicians that started playing near the end of our visit that were quite enjoyable.  Oh, and the view from the patio was not that much.  Oh well.  Any cool factor was found in the fun music – thanks musicians!

Later afternoon found us at Veramar Vineyard in Berryville.  The view was beautiful.  A little pond with red Adirondack chairs, lots of seating outside, a beautiful October afternoon, the fall leaves in the back ground.  Nice.  Well, not as nice as I would have liked.  We went in the tasting room and it was busy, but there was someone greeting who told us, just relax and hang around, there will be some openings soon.  No worries, we were happy to sit and relax.  But then more people kept coming in, so they put us all together and took our money for the tasting fee UP FRONT.  I don’t like that.  Then after we thought we were settled in, they moved us all because a big group was coming in.  Finally the tasting started and it was fine, but there were no windows in the tasting room to take advantage of that outstanding view and did I mention the music – an accordion player – yes I said accordion in side playing really loud!  It was enough when we arrived and he was playing outside, but someone had the great idea to bring him into an already crowded tasting room.  Oh well.  It was Italian Day!  The best part was after the tasting sitting outside and looking at those beautiful trees and the music inside sounded much better when we were outside!!

Sunday morning was another beautiful day so we headed to Fox Meadow Winery in Linden.  After the crowds of yesterday it was nice to not have that.  The location was beautiful and you could see outside from the tasting room.  Our server was delightful – he gave us a great tasting.  At Fox Meadow they provide tidbits of food to enhance different wines – nice!   He explained to us why they served the different food and how it complemented out tasting.  He was very informative about the wine.   He also showed us pictures from their night camera of deer, a black bear and a bald eagle.   After our tasting we sat on the patio and relaxed before on to the next big adventure!  Very enjoyable way to start the day.  

Final stop before home BOW – Barrel Oak Winery in Dalaplane.   This is a fun place.  I had heard about it for the last several years as a place I had to go.  This is a party just off Route 66 in Delaplane, VA.  The BOW is very family friendly – all members of the family.  There were so many cute dogs there that day, inside and out  - such fun.  The BOW is, well as you might guess, very K9 themed from the 2 tasting lists, the Bow and the Wow to the Doghaus Rules!  This is a fun place and even though it was crowded when we arrived, we were well taken care of during our tasting as everyone is who cares to taste.  There is plenty of room to picnic outside and though there are lots of dogs, the Doghaus rules require they be kept on leashes – sill a good time was had by all!  Visit, take a picnic, your family and your dog!  Just don’t tell the Beagles – we did not take them this trip!