Road Trip to Explore Terroir in DC's Wine Country
Terroir /ter’wär/ (n.) - the complete natural environment in which a particular wine is produced, including factors such as the soil, topography, and climate.
When it comes to wine and the wine-making process, there are a number of factors that contribute to what is poured into our glass. Grapes - of course - are the fruit of the vine which provide the juice for winemakers to experiment and explore using both classical and new methods or techniques. But before the first buds break on the vine, there are a number of factors already hard at work creating each wine’s unique identity. These factors include, but are not limited to, soil composition, geographic topography, and climate; and together, they make up what is known as terroir.
Last week, we joined forces with our Virginia Wine Country friends at Lost Creek Winery, October 1 Vineyard, and Walsh Family Wines to showcase the complex terroir that is Loudoun County’s Blue Ridge Mountains through a virtual tasting paired with at-home tasting kits. The experience featured: Todd and Aimee Henkle of Lost Creek to preview their 2017 Echelon; Nate and Sarah Walsh of Walsh Family Wines to speak on all things Russ Mountain with their 2017 Russ Mountain Merlot; Bob and Loree Rupy of October One Vineyard sharing their 2017 Cabernet Franc; and our very own winemaker Scott Spelbring, to introduce the newest edition to Bluemont Vineyard’s collection, the 2017 Summit.
Now, if you’re reading this and thinking, “Well, dang. I wish I would’ve known about this sooner and joined in on the fun”, don’t you worry! While the tasting kits featured for the tasting did sell out, we’re here to help plan your weekend outing to explore a world-class terroir that’s right in your backyard. Nate and Sarah Walsh made a great point during the virtual tasting in that to have great wine, you first have to have great farmers. As a 3rd generation farming family, we couldn’t agree more! So let’s help kick off your weekend by exploring this unique DC Wine Country terroir in the heart of Loudoun County’s Virginia Wine community.
Start the Day with a Visit to O1V in Leesburg
The Leesburg Farmer’s Market is open Saturdays from 8am - 12noon. Check out the locally grown produce, and say hello to our friends Bob & Loree Rupy, founders of October One Vineyard! Their philosophy is focused on featuring single vineyard, single varietal wine growing, that reflects vintage authenticity. Their 2017 Cabernet Franc was made in collaboration with Nate Walsh, and like all O1V wines is 100% Varietal, or in this case, 100% Cabernet Franc. This wine is pepper, spice, and everything we like! Check out their “Wine without Walls” market to pre-order wines for pick-up.
Take the Backroads to Lost Creek Vineyard
You’ve got the wine, and a few great Farmers Market finds. Now, it’s time to venture up The Potomac a bit (not literally, but you know what we mean) to Lost Creek Winery where you can start to taste Loudoun’s wine-story. Since their inception in 2016, Todd and Aimee’s Echelon series of wines have set out to represent the best wine of each vintage. With no set blend to adhere to, these wines allow the land and the year to speak for themselves. And in 2017, the best of the best happened to be 100% Naturally Fermented O1V grown Merlot. Although the 2017 Echelon will not be released until late 2020, keep an eye out for the Grand Opening of their Echelon Wine Bar very soon!
Continue Westward to Walsh Family Wines
As you continue your journey towards Virginia’s first ridge of the Blue Ridge Mountains, stop in to pick up a bottle (or two) from Walsh Family Wines in Purcellville. While they are currently (Phase One of Northern Virginia’s Reopening) only open for reservations to WFW Club Members, their wines are available for you to pick up and enjoy at home. A true testament to the quality of the wine and to the hard work that went into their 2017 Russ Mountain Merlot, it is unfortunately Sold Out. Don’t let this stop you, though! You can still experience the uniqueness that Loudoun County’s 2017 season produced in their 2017 En Passant, which is comprised of 62% Russ Mountain Merlot, 20% Weatherlea Cab Franc, 13% NorthGate Petit Verdot, 2% Bethany Ridge Cab Sauv, 2% Bethany Ridge Tannat…truly a blend of grapes harvested from some of the best terroir in Loudoun.
Summit at Bluemont Vineyard
The day is drawing to an end, and you’ve traveled all through Loudoun’s wine and farm country, but there’s one stop left to complete our journey together; Bluemont. While not all of the wines represented in the virtual tasting are currently available to be added to your collection, we are excited to announce the limited release of the 2017 Summit June 12, 2020 at Bluemont Vineyard! A representation of the best Merlot fruit that Loudoun has to offer, Scott Spellbring has created something special with this blend of Virginia Merlots. Each bottle of 2017 Summit is composed of equal parts October One Vineyard Merlot grapes, Windhorn Merlot grapes, and Bluemont Vineyard & Russ Mountain blended Merlot grapes.
Let Terroir Create the Wine in the VIneyard
Both Scott Spelbring and Nate Walsh believe in the value of a more “hands off” method in winemaking. In terms of our 2017 Summit, this meant keeping each vineyard’s yield separate until bottling and blending. During this time, the grapes have an opportunity to naturally ferment, incorporating an expression of the surrounding landscape and climate. Though this process leads to a more complex and compelling flavor profile that is unique to each vintage, there is an inherent risk in allowing nature to take its course. Because of this, many winemakers choose to incorporate more controlled methods of fermentation.
All in all, after venturing near and far, we invite you to join us on the mountain summit at Bluemont Vineyard. Reserve a Gator Tour to enjoy the view from atop the Blue Ridge and take in a spectacular view of the Loudoun Valley and taste the fruit of the unique Terroir with a bottle of Bluemont 2017 Summit.
Cheers, from our family to yours.