Looks can be deceiving!

For 40 plus years, I have been going to my family's "beach house" in a little redneck, backwoods town on the Potomac River which I call my second home.  For quite a few years, I have noticed a sign on 95 South for Hartwood Winery. It happens to be the same exit where I get off to head towards the beach house, except in the opposite direction.  Quite recently, even two of my friends have mentioned going to this winery. So two Fridays ago, on my way down to the river, I decided to finally check it out!

 

 

I wasn't expecting much being in Stafford County and when we pulled up the gravel driveway, I was a little hesitant on what we were about to find. But I had my protector with me so Prowler wouldn't let any craziness ensue!

 

pretty grounds

 

lovely barn in the distance



A gorgeous butterfly posed for me.



It was then that I knew all would be fine. One of my spirit people was with me.
My protector. Thanks Steve!

Gorgeous butterfly bush!




Looked like we were going into someone's house.... I think we did.....

pretty vines

 

To my surprise and delight, this was a lovely quaint farm winery owned by a very sweet couple. In fact, the gentleman is retired from Prince William County Schools and knows one of my mom's best friends (and a dear friend to me as well), Betty, really well!! Small world!

 

 

Beverly led us in our tasting of 11 wines.  To my surprise, I bought a bottle of the 2006 Chardonnay to share later that day - such a nice porch sippin' wine!

She was so gracious and sweet in letting Prowler come in with us and even told me to let go of him so he could "prowl" around. Well, wasn't he full of himself at that point! I was extremely proud of my boy and he made himself at home quite nicely after inspecting every inch to make sure it was safe for his momma and Aunt Maurine.  While we did the tasting, he eventually laid down next to me at the tasting bar!! What a good boy!


I cannot begin to express what a sweet little place this is - from the beautiful gardens, to the soft spoken genuine Beverly, to the funny Jim and the downhome feel the entire time we were there. We were able to take our time, enjoy what we were tasting, hear stories and share stories.

 

What a gem we had found and a true testament to how looks really can be deceiving!

 

 

As we headed back to Route 17 for the next hour of our trip, I had to stop for a photo op.

The Little Red Barn!

 

I had no idea this "little red barn" was anything special. I just love barns.

As I walked up on it I saw a marker that said the following:

 

"This barn, was constructed by John Calvin Stewart on his farm, the former Hartwood Plantation of Robert C. Rodgers, II. The barn was located across Hartwood Road from its present location. It replaced an oder barn that burned.  In 1993, the barn was threatened with destruction. In response to concerns in the community, Dr. H. Stewart Jones invited the community to move the Little Red Barn to her property. It remains there now as a community landmark and as a symbol of Dr. Jones' commitment to historic preservation. Placed by the Stewart Jones Charitable Trust."

 

This may not seem like a big deal to many and I am sure most people pass this barn and don't even give it a second glance. I, however, am so glad that I stopped. Not only was it a really cool structure but who knew it had some history to it! I found out that Dr. Jones passed away at the age of 94 on April 7, 2009 and not only was she dedicated to the education of young people at all levels throughout her life, but mention of saving the "Little Red Barn" was actually in her obituary. In 2001, the Stafford Historical Society named her as one of its Keepers of Knowledge due to her efforts and generosity in saving the "Little Red Barn" from destruction and serving as a commemoration of the agricultural heritage of the region.

 

I love small town stories!!

 

 

I also love barns that have stories!

 

At this point, Prowler thought I had lost my mind, I'm sure, running around with a big grin on my face taking pictures of a barn of all things!  Let's go Momma!!

 

Next stop - Colonial Beach and front porch wine sippin'! Yee Haw!

 

 

I had already planned the wine theme for this particular weekend as Orin Swift wines and we started off with his white blend, Mannequin. Maurine had tried it on the tasting table previously and Dad and I shared a bottle two years ago but I knew he didn't really remember it and that she needed to have an entire glass to actually enjoy its perfection!

 

We've all heard, "Don't judge a book by its cover,"right?

Well, don't judge a wine by its label either!

Well, unless you love creepy labels and it's an Orin Swift wine - then you can judge because the creepier the label the more fantastic the wine!

 

 

 

I must admit that had I not known of Orin, nor tried this wine before, I would have thought it was ridiculous.

Again, looks can be deceiving!

 

 

2012 Mannequin

Orin Swift Cellars

Napa Valley, CA

 

 

 

There is a LOT going on in this white blend:

 

48% Chardonnay, 14% Sauvignon Blanc, 12% Grenache Blanc, 12% Viognier, 8% Marsanne,

4% Roussanne, 2% Muscat

Aged in 40% new French oak, 40% neutral ok and 20% stainless steel for 14 months

 

I thought of explaining what we smelled and tasted and while we were pretty much on target (apricot, lemon, floral, peach), Orin's website description says it so eloquently:

 

"Gilded in bright yellow, an alluring perfume of candied lemon, Bosc pear, wild flower, and honeydew melon incentivize the palate. Upon entry, a deliciously rich and creamy texture balances out vivid tropical fruit notes, exotic spices, and fresh pineapple that slowly emerge in a captivating way. The finish has a lively tone of acidity, which serves as an ideal foil to the crème brulee, marshmallow, and hazelnut flavors that envelope the mouth."

 

 

Plus, when the Evil Red Genius exclaims, "I really like it" then you KNOW it's good!

 

 

 

Dad was also happy.......

 

 

 

 

The ironic thing is when something is that good you must savor it. 

I learned the hard way a long time ago.  Dad and Maurine, however, weren't so fortunate.

Their glasses are empty; the tiny wine girl's is not.

 

 

Never fear though! I have more wine.

It's no comparison to Mannequin, but it's good wine nonetheless.

 

 

2006

Chardonnay

Hartwood Winery

 

 

A dry white that spent eight months in French and American oak barrels with nutty scents of meadow and ripe peach, apple and butterscotch flavors.

This wine instantly reminded me of chicken and dumplings!

 

 

It also went well with a Vermont swiss cheese!

 

 

Even Mom, who doesn't drink wine, was happy at this point.

Why?

Cheese, of course!

Doesn't cheese make everyone happy?

 

 

 Wine, cheese, family, friends and what else?

Luke Bryan music!

 

Even the neighbor across the street was singing and dancing with us

while he was washing his golf cart.

 

 

 

 

 

Prowler thinks we're all crazy, but I wouldn't dream of going anywhere this fun without my best boy!

 

 

 

Moral of the post: Looks can be deceiving!

 

From a somewhat shady entrance of a winery, to "just another barn" on the side of the road, to naked limbless mannequins on a wine bottle, to a Chardonnay made from grapes grown in Stafford to a scary-faced German Shepherd.....
Had I followed my first instincts on all of these and many other things
 I would have missed out on a lot of pure simple happiness!

 

 

"The least amount of judging we can do, the better off we are."

-Michael J. Fox

 

 

 

 

A tale of two Pinots

Pinot Noir calls the Burgundy region of France "home".  However, pinot noir grapes are planted in regions all over the world. The U.S has become a major Pinot Noir producer, with some of the best regarded coming from the Willamette Valley in Oregon (yay!) and the Sonoma County Russian River Valley region in California.

 

While I have not tried French Pinots, and as I write this I suppose that is something I defnitely need to do sooner rather than later, I do not have a taste for California Pinots at all!  The Willamette Valley is at the same latitude as the Burgundy region in France and has a similiar climate where these grapes seem to thrive.  Odds are I just may enjoy a Burgundian Pinot.

(Note to self: add French Pinot to list)

 

Regardless, there is no doubt, and I am proud to say, that I am

a self-proclaimed

Oregon Pinot Noir snob!

 

With that being said, I will TRY other Pinots, of course, but I'm not likely to ever purchase one from outside of Oregon without tasting it first. Rest assurred, I definitely won't purchase a California Pinot.

 

An Oregon Pinot Noir was the first red wine that I ever tried and could "fathom"way back then. Granted, I needed chocolate, but it didn't take long for me to enjoy it without my favorite crutch. Actually, back then, eating chocolate with red wine was like riding a bike with training wheels. It just helped guide me until I was a big girl and could do it on my own! It actually took longer than one might think but once it did I was full speed ahead!

 

In the August monthly wine club at my happy place, there was a California (gasp) Pinot Noir. I belong to a different wine club there but Dad and the Evil Red Genius each received one of these.  I first tried it a few weeks ago at the Evil Red Genius' house and then tried it again at the beach house two weekends ago.

 

While Dad and she both think highly of this wine, and while I admit it was drinkable and richer than most from California, it's still

"just a California Pinot" to me.

 

Hailing from Napa (there's something it's got going for it!),

the

2012 Steele Canyon Cellars

Pinot Noir

 

has a grassy, backyard smell coupled with plum, berries and a smoky tobacco-esque finish.

This particular California Pinot did not have the overwhelming cherry taste that most have which is my biggest turn-off.  Paired with dark chocolate sea salt almond bark, a dark berry flavor was released with a tad bit of spice on the finish. This is a wine that I would have a glass of if there was already an open bottle and chocolate was nearby.

 

 

 

One Pinot down; one to go......

 

 

"Consistently well-made wines that represent the essence of Oregon"

That is what A to Z Wineworks says on their website. I'd have to agree with this statement.

 

 

 This Pinot has aromas of earth, hay, grass, berries and clove. The smell made me smile and the following exclamation was made, "We like dirty wine!"  I immediately said I wanted to make this smell a "plug-in" fragrance in my home. Flavors of dark cherry (which I love; it's the other cherry I can't stand. You know the one that tastes like Chloroseptic throat losenges. Yeah, that one)

 plum, blueberry, cocoa and green tea give way to a slightly tangy finish. 

 

What came to mind next?

This taste is what happens when a dark cherry and plum roll around in dirt together.

Yum!

I do not recall the vintage of the first A to Z Pinot that I tried but I fell in love with it and A to Z still makes one of my favorite Oregon Pinots. I did not know until researching that the 2012 vintage is one that could stand a few years of cellaring. However, after drinking it, it makes perfect sense now. I wasn't by any means disappointed but it didn't "take me back" to that first time I tried it. However, that was about seven years ago and odds are the vintage was 1-2 years prior to that even.

 It also could very well be that I prefer "bigger" red wines now; and will hardly ever choose a Pinot over a Merlot, Cab or red blend.

 

Still, neither of these were wasted.......

 

 

 

Two simple wines. Two simple labels. Two of my favorite wine regions.

 

 

 

Joel Fleischman of Vanity Fair described pinot noir as

"the most romantic of wines, with so voluptuous a perfume, so sweet an edge, and so powerful a punch that, like falling in love, they make the blood run hot and the soul wax embarrassingly poetic."

 

Val, the Virtual Bachelorette

It's not easy being single. Wait, it wasn't easy being married either. Hmmm.. maybe life just isn't easy.

I've learned a lot in love over the last 20 years. Turning 40 changed everything. No, it didn't make me think half of my life is over, or that I'm old. In fact, it did the exact opposite. It gave me a newfound excitement in my life. A sense of accomplishment. I became more energetic, and less tolerant. Less tolerant of nonsense, that is. I know what I want and I don't settle anymore. I'd rather be alone than with someone just so I'm not alone.  There's a difference in being alone and being lonely. There's also a difference in needing someone and wanting someone. I don't need someone, but I do want someone to share my life.

I'm a hopeless romantic, that is for sure. I'm not sappy and sickening sweet, but I love romance.  However, I am picky and don't want romance with just anyone. I want it to be with the right one. I've been in love before and there's no feeling like it.  Oh, if I could only bottle it!

I've always watched the tv shows, "The Bachelor" and "The Bachelorette". Not necessarily because I believe in it as much as I am entertained by it. I have often joked that I should be the next Bachelorette but I wouldn't run all over the world to exotic places where anyone could fall in love just by sheer location. But I would make it a real life Bachelorette show. Let my suitors come to MY town and meet my family and friends, meet Prowler, know what it's like to be with me on a daily basis. Go to my happy place, do things that I like to do on a daily basis. Then the "special" dates could be places not too far but out of the general area of where I live - A trip to Virginia Beach maybe or the mountains in West Virginia - something that was within 4 or 5 hours so drive.  Considering that won't happen, I decided to go a different route - for entertainment if nothing else. Also because I seem to be bored a lot lately. I love my family. I love my Evil Red Genius. I love my soul sister. I have amazing friends. But some days I just want to have that special someone to spend time with too. It's a different kind of relationship and a connection that has been lacking for quite a while.

I don't go to clubs. I don't hang out in bars. I'm not flashy and I don't go out searching for a man. I joke that unless he's going to randomly show up in my backyard one night or run into my grocery cart at Wegmans at 8am on a Sunday morning, I probably won't find him. I don't go to church regularly and forget about dating someone at work. Tried that - sometimes it works; sometimes it doesn't. Bottom line is I can't spend 24/7 with someone. A girl needs a break and a life of her own too! It's all about balance.

So in April, I bit the bullet and joined an online dating site. After two weeks I was frustrated and ready to call it quits. I was so replused by the vulgar and downright rude messages I was receiving. I was irritated that I spent so much time filling out the questions, picking out good pictures and writing up a profile to only get men that were oblivious to what I was looking for - or even worse, didn't care what I was looking for. Ironically, sounding like every "Bachelorette", I was surrounded by guys that "weren't here for the right reasons." I was very selective in who I would actually meet and even did extensive research on them before I met them in person. I had no chemistry in person with one of them but we stayed friends and still chat every so often. The other was a wonderful date (he even said so and suggested that we go on another) but it was over and I never heard a word from him again. It wasn't long after that when I called it quits. This was just not working for me.

Well, call me a glutton for punishment, a sucker, or just plain bored, but last weekend, I decided to go back online. This time I was going to redo my profile, change some pictures and have a brand new approach in how I treated the experience. This time I was going to take it as pure entertainment, have fun with it, not become obsessed, not take it too seriously and just see what happens. If nothing else, maybe I can meet some new and interesting people. I also learned how to filter out messages from "losers" - hence, the ones that didn't pay attention to my wants, interests and dealbreakers.  This has helped tremendously because now I don't even see their messages unless I purposely go looking for them.

In a matter of five days time, I have definitely been entertained and I have a few potential suitors; two of which I have agreed to meet in person. Let's see who can make the cut.  I won't be giving out roses though; maybe wine corks. Yeah, wine corks to those who have survived the first date with the TinyWineGirl and are worthy of having a second.

Let the fun begin.....

"My weaknesses have always been food and men—in that order."
—Dolly Parton

Honey, we're not in Virginia anymore..... oh wait, yes we are!

I love my state, don't get me wrong. But I don't typically favor its wine. Yes, I know that Virginia is "up and coming" and can "hold its own" in the wine world, but I tend to believe that when Virginia is mentioned in this fashion it is the Charlottesville area of Virginia to which one is referring; not my "northern" Virginia area.  

 

No doubt, the number of Virginia wineries are increasing - 46 in 1995; 107 in 2005 and almost 200 now.  Only California, New York, Oregon and Washington have more wineries than Virginia. But as I've said many times before in this blog, it's not about quantity with me; it's about quality.

 

Virginia is known for their native grape, Norton, Vioginer and Cabernet Franc; all of which I could do without and still survive just fine.

 

Wine Enthusiast Magazine named Virginia as one of the 10 best wine travel destinations for 2012. My lovely state is one of only three domestic destinations to make the list of wine regions that are ideal for wine lovers to visit, along with regions in Italy, New Zealand, Spain, Germany, Spain, France and two regions of California.  Keep in mind, it's not just the fantastic wine produced in Virginia, but the rich history and natural beauty that exists here which makes it a wine travel destination.

 

At this point, I'm sure I've already ruffled some feathers and that's fine. Again, this is MY blog and will represent my views and opinions. If you don't like it, you can start your own or easily enough just stop reading now.

 

 

One of my favorite wineries in Virginia (and when I say Virginia, I mean "my area" of Virginia - Loudoun County, Fauquier County, Prince William County, Rappahannock County), is Chateau O'Brien in Markham (Fauquier County).  I have other wineries in these areas that I frequent and enjoy for various reasons but Chateau O'Brien, by far, has THE best reds that I have ever had in this area.  Chateau O'Brien also has miraculous, picturesque views, a well-known and intelligent owner and, I didn't know until this last visit, a magical, fantasy-land cellar for private tastings!

Such welcoming colors! I can almost taste the wine and feel the sunshine just looking at these pictures again!

 

oh how I'd love to just frolic among these vines!

 

 

ahhh what a view!

Last month, the Evil Red Genius and I decided to do the private reserve cellar tasting at Chateau O'Brien. It had been on our list of things to do for a while and we had heard numerous raves from people!

 

While we were waiting for Howard (the owner), to beckon for us, we were offered the white wine tasting. Neither of us had tasted their white wines before so we agreed to try them out.

 

For a winery that is known for their reds, their whites pleasantly surprised us! The Pinot Grigio and Chardonnay were both very refreshing and easy to drink. While, I am not a Rose fan, I'll always try them in hopes that one day I'll find one that I can fathom. Chateau O'Brien still didn't convince me but it truly was different than any Rose I've had in the past. The Petit Manseng, one I haven't had in quite a long time and most Virginia wineries have on their list, started off sweet and then ended with a burn.

All in all, I was impressed with the whites, considering this is a revered red winery.
Not too shabby, Howard!

 

 

 

When wanting to take a photo, the lovely tasting assistant asked us which was our favorite white, gave us another glass, took the picture and then escorted us out to the deck with panoramic views while we waited for our cellar adventure to begin!
 

 

 

 

Now it was time to go down into the cellar. By the looks of the door that led us downstairs, I felt as if I was going into a dungeon and you can imagine the look on my face at this point. 

 

However, once we got to the bottom and Howard was there to open the door for us, I think both of our mouths fell to the ground. What a beautiful dungeon it was! Ok, a private wine cellar.

 

Holy Wow, people!!

 

I had been to Chateau O'Brien many times before but never even knew such a beautiful and magical underground room existed here!!  My regret is that I didn't take more pictures and that I didn't bring my Nikon.

 Next time.... and yes, there WILL be a next time.

6 exclusive wines on the private cellar wine tasting menu


The Evil Red Genius and I sat next to each other on a cozy but comfortable bench with a plethora of delights in front of us to imbibe on while Howard told us story after story and answered any of our questions.  We were able to enjoy each delicious wine that he provided us and relaxed as if we "belonged" down there.
 I'm still in awe!

artisan meats and cheeses

warm bread and olive oil dipping sauce

Our first tasty wine was a 2010 Malbec.

Chateau O'Brien is one of the only wineries I have ever been to in Virginia that has a Malbec. I am used to Argentina or Chile Malbecs and while this did not taste like those, it was absolutely delicious. Almost more like a Pinot to me in a way.

 

Next was the 2010 Cabernet Franc (pronounced Fraw-unk, not Frank)

I tend to not enjoy Cab Francs and naturally, it is easy to grow in this area, so it's on every Virginia tasting sheet. If it's blended with other grapes, I'm ok with it but on its own, no so much. Usually it overwhelms me with green pepper which I don't care for; however, Howard's Cab Franc was not this way at all.

Excellent!

 

 

 

The 2010 Petit Verdot is a full-bodied red that I also tend to think is a bit too "rich" for me but enjoy when it's blended with other grapes.  However this one is quite luscious with broad tannins coupled with dark lingering fruit and subtle spice accents.

 

 

 

Only 50 cases of the 2010 Limited Reserve Tannat were produced.  I have a bottle of the 2009 Limited Reserve Tannat from my last trip to Chateau O'Brien in my cellar at home waiting for a special occasion.

By far one of my absolute favorite reds here, it is complex with black fruit flavors and the silky smooth finish is definitely crave-worthy!

 

 

And then there was the one that got away.....

 

2009 Northpoint Red

 

Ahhh... while this entire two-hour adventure was marvelous, this wine is the one that was worth it all to me.

Aged 20 months in French oak barrels, it is a blend of 40% Merlot, 20% Cab, 20% Petit Verdot, 10% Malbec, 10% Cab Franc

Howard believes it is the best wine they produced during that year and I must agree. While it is the first wine produced that sells over $100 in Virginia, and that is remarkable in itself, that fact alone was the only reason why a bottle didn't come home with me....
I didn't sleep well that night though, I'll tell ya that, wondering if I should have bit the bullet and brought one home to savor.

Absolutely divine.

 

Last on our tasting was the 2011 Late Harvest Tannat

 

One would compare this to a port-style wine but it is not fortified. 18% alcohol and has a subtle sweetness to it. Very nice to sip on for an after dinner drink, but honestly at this point, I'm still not over my love affair with the Northpoint Red.

....and at this point, the photos are getting blurry. Good thing it was the last wine to taste! ha!

 

 

I cannot even begin to explain what a fabulous time we had during this exquisite experience at

Chateau O'Brien. Everything was balanced so nicely - the mouthwatering wines, the intriguing but relaxed conversation, the elegant but comfortable atmosphere, and we even went over our one-hour time limit! Spoiled? Maybe but definitely appreciative!

Maurine, Howard and me

If you enjoy good red wines and want something special to do or have a celebration in mind, I highly recommend setting up a time for this special cellar tasting with Howard. At only $35 a person, with an exclusive tasting for you and at least one of your friends, it is a must do in Northern Virginia wine country! If Chateau O'Brien has anything to do with it, Virginia will definitely be rising to the top in the wine world! They are already on the top of my list!

For just a moment of time, you'll actually, sit back, relax, enjoy and forget that you are even in Virginia!!

 

"Wine is the pleasantest subject in the world to discuss. All its associations are with occasions when people are at their best; with relaxation, contentment, leisurely meals and the free flow of ideas."
-Hugh Johnson