Black Women Who Wine

Black Women Who Wine Experience Pippin Hill

Pippin Hilll ranks among the most visited and lauded wineries in Virginia. Known for its picturesque entrance, mountain views, and cuisine, it is a popular choice for weddings, wine tours and foodies.

Over the weekend we got to experience Pippin Hill. Nine Black women in non profits and Black business owners came together for a day on the hill and it met all expectations. For some, it was a return to Pippin Hill, for others it was their first time visiting. Ani, our guide for the day greeted us with sparkling wine. That was followed by a tour of the grounds, a guided tasting and a picnic on the lawn that included a glass of wine of our choice. Ani was knowledgable, friendly, and answered all of our questions. We also tried the frose and one member of our party ordered a salad to go.

Now for the wine. Our tasting included 6 wines – 2 whites, 3 reds and a port-style wine. The favorite white among the ladies was the Chardonnay. The reds were what really stood out though. We got to taste the Cannon Red – a blend of Cabernet Franc, Chambourcin, Merlot, Tannat and Viognier; Cabernet Sauvignon; Easton Blue – the winery’s signature red blend of Petit Verdot,Merlot, Cabernet Franc, and Tannat; and Bin 21 (the Port).

Of these 4, the Cannon Red, Easton Blue, and Bin 21 all got rave reviews. Everyone noted how pleasing both the Cannon Red and Easton Blue were on the nose. At $60 a bottle, the Easton Blue ranks up there in VA wine prices, bit it really is amazing. The notes of cherry and tobacco are immediately detected and the medium finish is why many love an excellent red blend.

Some tips for visiting Pippen Hill? Go on a weekday or make a reservation if you don’t wish to sit on th lawn. It has always been well populated on weekends when I’ve been. Other tips, take lots of pictures! It really is beautiful.

This was a great partnership with the winery and we are so happy we could organize this trip for this special group of ladies.

Learning about how Pippin Hill operates and seeing the gardens and bees was a highlight

Navigating Dog-Friendly Wineries When You’re Not a Dog Person

Wineries seem ideal for dogs. Wide open spaces and outdoor seating means dogs can run and play and owners can enjoy wine while getting their dogs out of the house. Some wineries even offer dog treats and water. But not everyone goes to a winery to hang out with pups. In face, some people don’t enjoy dogs. Period. And they certainly don’t enjoy them while trying to enjoy a nice glass of wine and views.

Wineries are becoming better at stating up front whether dogs are welcome or not. However, not all give guidance and visitors’ judgment varies about this just as it does about kids at wineries. Some people carry their kids everywhere. Some people carry their dogs everywhere. And some people don’t. If you’re one of the people who don’t (writer of this post included) here are some tips.

Do your research and avoid wineries that are dog-friendly. This is the most obvious way to navigate this issue. A visit to a winery’s website or Instagram can usually let you know whether dogs are welcome. If you still really want to visit the winery though, go during off-peak hours or times when less people will be there.
Choose the inside option. If there is an option to sit inside, do it. Most dog lovers will want to be outside. Sitting inside will allow you a chance to enjoy the winery minus the pups.
Politely draw a line. Most dog lovers at wineries are aware their experience is not for everyone and are fine with moving their dog or attempting to quiet it down.

Winery Review: Red Heifer Winery

This weekend some black women who wine had the pleasure of visiting Red Heifer Winery in Smithsburg, MD. Smithsburg is a little under 3 hours from Pennsylvania and about 3.5 – 4 hours from Virgnia. Red Heifer is one of the wineries included in those that are part of the Maryland Wine Pass.

The winery is close to the Catocin Wildlife Refuge and Zoo and some national forest/park areas and about 30 minutes from Frederick, MD, – where we enjoyed brunch before heading to the winery.

The winery is smaller, but has ample space for larger groups and groups of just two or three. We reserved a cabana, which in my opinon was worth the $30 it cost to do so, especially on a hot day. The cabana offers privacy and shade that otherwise isn’t easy to come by. There is no indoor seating available. Red Heifer is 21 and up, so it is a pretty peaceful spot. On Sundays there is live music.

Now for what you really care about, the wine! Eight wines are available to taste via custom flights and others available by the glass and bottle. Since the wine pass offers BOGO flights, we got two flights that included all of the offerings available via flights, so basically a dry flight and a sweet flight. The dry offerings included a vidal blanc, the Chardonel, a 2017 Cabernet Franc, and the 2018 Red Heifer Red. First the good. The Vidal Blanc was a winner and the Chardonel, which is a hybrid grape varietal of Chardonnay and Seyva, was nice as well. The Red Heifer Red is a dry blend of 90% Cabernet Franc and 10% Chambourcin aged in French oak. This was probably one of our least favorites. This was a bold red, but not a good blend.

The sweet flight we got consisted of the Blueberry Wine, Sweet Heifer, Catawba, and Red Heifer White. The Blueberry and Sweet Heifer are semi-sweet, while the Catawba is sweet and the Red Heifer White is a dessert wine. Of these 4, the Catawba, a sweet rose, was the favorite. We picked up the strawberry and lemon notes easily.

The Blueberry was a nice surprise. It was semi-sweet and tasted like a light, mild red table wine.

While there we also enjoyed wine slushies and tried the chacuterie board, which included watermelon, wasabi peas and some other unique offerings.

One thing I love about Maryland wineries is that they really offer a different experience than Virgnia wineries. They often offer more varietals, are often less kid-friendly (which I like), and in many ways just all around more casual. Red Heifer is worth if a visit if you want a fun outdoor experience at a winery with a large variety of wines.

Worth a Trip? Stable Craft Brewing

Wineries and breweries can be far away. They need space after after all. So before committing to a trip to what sometimes turns out to be the middle of nowhere, it is good to know if the trip is worth taking.

Over the past weekend, we visited Stable Craft Brewing in Waynesboro, VA. As with many wineries in the remote, rural localities of Virginia, you’ll definitely pass some Trump signs to get to this location. However, once there, the trip is worth it. Stable Craft is known as a spacious event venue and brewery that offers everything from stables you can visit to corn hole. There is plenty of indoor and outdoor seating. We went around 1 on a Sunday and the inside seating area was empty when we first arrived, as most patrons were outside.

First, understand the setup. You order everything at the register area as you come in and get your drinks there, while food is brought to your table. The drink menu included beer, sours and ciders. We tried a pretty good sampling and standouts included the watermelon sour, Brazen cider and blueberry blonde ale, and Just Peachy cider. Food members of our party had included the pulled pork nachos, grilled chicken salad, pulled pork sandwich, shrimp and crab hoagie and All-American burger. First, the portions of both food and drink are substantial. The shrimp and crab hoagie and pulled pork nachos won raves. The menu also includes some unique desserts. The banana pudding was a hit, while the bread pudding was topped with too much of a cream that we found took away from the dish. However, if that’s the only thing that could be improved during this weird time of dining out, we’ve got nothing to complain about.

It was pretty hot, so we didn’t explore too much, but we did play some cornhole and walk around the property. You are also able to rent a suite to stay the night, brew your own beer and take tours of Stable Craft, which would probably be a lot of fun. All in all, this is a wonderful place to have in our neck of the woods and we recommend it if you’re looking for a brewery that has something for everyone.

Winery Visit: Merrie Mill Farm & Vineyard

The three-day weekend is over, but for for some it was a four-day weekend. If any newish venue in central Virginia deserves taking a day off to visit, it is Merrie Mill Farm and Vineyard. Located in Keswick, VA, the location has become an Instagram darling for its eclectic decor and in lush color palette in shades of pink, gold and blue.

Walking in is like entering another world. It’s quite possibly the best-decorated winery in the state and it’s easy to see how much thought was put into the overall look and feel.

A member of the Merrie Mill team told us the artwork mostly consists of pieces from the owner’s personal art collection.

The actual building is quite simple consisting of a lower level that includes an extensive bar area, high top tables and a cozy seating area by a fireplace. Upstairs you’ll find a loft area that includes public restrooms and the door leading out to the the vine terrace.

We sat outside on the downstairs patio surrounded by views of more outdoor seating and mountains.

Now, about the wine. According to the Merrie Mill website, in 2020 it lost its first vintage to a late frost. So for now, it is offering True Heritage wine sourced from different vineyards in the region. The flight offered consists of all of the wines available for purchase with the exception of the chardonnay. The 2017 True Heritage Viognier, 2018 Estate White Blend, 2020 Rosé, 2018 Estate Red Blend, and 2017 Petit Verdot we all lovely. Standouts were the Viognier, Rose and the Petit Verdot.

Rosé is usually not my favorite wine type, but if I had to pick one to drink, I’d choose this one. It was not too dry, but not sweet at all. It was actually refreshing on a hot day with notes of strawberry and watermelon.

We chose the chicken salad plate to snack on.

Just 30 minutes from Charlottesville and about an hour from the Shenandoah Valley, Merrie Mill is worth a visit, and another, and another.

Eat and Drink Red on Juneteenth

June 19th is Juneteenth. Widely seen as a regional holiday that people in Texas and some other southern states recognized, Juneteenth has come to the forefront nationally in recent years, partially due to the growing desire of others to learn more about Black culture and reckon with the Unites States’ racist systems and backbone of slavery.

June 19, 1865 – over two years after the signing of the Emancipation Proclamation and two months after Robert E. Lee surrendered at Appomattox Court House – is the day when federal troops arrived in Galveston, Texas in 1865 to take control of the state and ensure that all enslaved people be freed. The date is why most historians mark 1865 as the “end of slavery.” Texas made the holiday an official state holiday in 1979.

Juneteenth/Jubilee Day/Freedom Day celebrations often include music, prayer services, historical programs and recognition and of course food. So what food might a Juneteenth celebration include? Red food and drink are staples of Juneteenth celebrations, but why?

The color red symbolizes the blood and resilience of enslaved Black people, but also represents the hue of some of the foods brought from Africa. Red food and drink choices may include:

Watermelon
Hibiscus tea
Strawberry soda
Red velvet cake
Strawberry lemonade
Hot links
Strawberry pie and cake

Other norms of Juneteenth menus are BBQ, fried chicken, tea cakes, greens and other soul food dishes. If you are looking for a why to introduce your family and friends to celebrating Juneteenth, having a special meal and discussing the meaning of it is a great way to start. And who’s to say wine can’t be included, grab your favorite red and toast to Juneteenth and the enslaved Black people who built this country and continue to be left out of spaces and conversations about land use and more.

Winery Review: Eastwood Farm and Winery

Eastwood Farm and Winery is somewhat the new kid on the block. It opened in 2018 and due to the pandemic, many still don’t know about it. So, we decided to check it out and see what the buzz is about for a Mommy and Me winery day. We chose Eastwood for this particular event because it boasts kid-friendly options and has plenty of space to play.

Eastwood is located near some other wineries, including Thatch, Mt. Ida Reserve and Michael Shaps Wineworks in the Scottsville area of Albemarle County. The atmosphere at Eastwood was warm, with lush dark, neutrals inside and bright airy seating outside. There are several options for seating. The winery boasts indoor couch seating, an outdoor tasting room, veranda seating and picnic tables and adirondack chairs.

The winery offers flights, wine slushies, wine by the glass and bottles and snack boxes (including a brunch box and snack box for kids, as well as kids’ drink options). Outside food is allowed in the outdoor areas, but not inside the barn. Between us, we tried all of the wines available via flights. Standouts included the viognier, white blend, cabernet franc and raspberry rosé. The wine slushy was also fantastic and a great size.

The white blend was Eastwood Farm and Winery’s first wine, which was released in October 2019. This wine is made entirely from Virginia-grown apples and pears and was awarded a silver medal in the 2020 Virginia Governor’s Cup. It really is a refreshing offering and a great wine to buy a bottle of when visiting the location and sipping there. Our group also enjoyed the viognier a lot.

Eastwood Farm took home silver and bronze medals in the 2021 Governor’s Cup. It won silver medals for the white blend and raspberry rose and bronze for its 2019 merlot, chardonnay and Meritage.

It’s okay…to not like Rosé

Rosé. It’s trendy. It’s here to stay. I don’t like it. Rosé is made from red grapes, therefore making it a red wine (though with a much lighter hue). Just give me a full-bodied red. It’s more flavorful, has a higher alcohol content and is probably just a better wine.

I’ve tried to like rosé. I try it over and over again, hoping to one day understand why this is a choice wine variety for so many people. To date, I haven’t discovered one that I enjoy. Most are too dry for me. Some have an after taste I don’t like. Others seem flavorless or bland. So what determines the taste of a rosé? The type of grape used is a big determining factor in the taste and color of rosé, as well as the maceration period.

Even with all of this knowledge, I’m here to tell you that it’s okay to not enjoy rosé. More often than not, any rose I acquire ends up frosé. And I’m cool with that.

If you are a rosé fan, check these out these summer.

Mead in Maryland

Mead is truly an acquired taste…or rather you like it or you don’t. If you’re not a fan of sweet wine – or sweet things in general – you probably do not like mead. But what exactly is mead? In its simplest form, mead is created by fermenting honey and water. Most likely, you’ve had mead that also included hops, fruit, and/or spices included in this process.

After winning a Maryland Wine Pass via an Instagram contest, the first place I used it was Orchid Cellar Meadery and Winery. First, the name is misleading. While this establishment once apparently included a winery, it is no more, though I did see 4 bottles of what I assume is what’s left of the wine. There is also wine for purchase on the website.

Instead of wine though, there are two kinds of mead available – traditional mead and a line of single-serve sparkling mead concoctions from Elemental Mead Co. Tastings are offered for both. We did the traditional tasting, which included four mead varieties. As far as mead goes, these were really good. If you like mead or have never tried it and would like to, these are great to start with. I especially enjoyed the Monk, which included rose petals in the fermentation process.

I did try the Elemental mead, which is a sparkling mead beverage in a can. I tried the blackberry flavor. If you enjoy hard seltzer (or seltzer in general) – which I do not, this drink may be for you. Otherwise skip it. It’s not especially flavorful.

A highlight of the visit was the tasting room. As soon as you walk in the aroma of the mead and honey hits you and your experience starts before you taste a thing. It has plenty of space for groups inside and outside, is dog-friendly outside and the staff is knowledgeable, friendly and excited to introduce customers to mead. There is also some great artwork on display and for sale throughout the tasting room.

Virginia Governor’s Cup Trail: First Stop, Bluestone Vineyard

Over the weekend we started our quest to try some of the wines that took home gold in the 2021 Virginia Governor’s Cup.

Our first stop was Bluestone Vineyard. Bluestone is located in Bridgewater, Virginia, and thus part of the Shenandoah Valley Wine Trail. This was our first time visiting Bluestone and we chose it because it has a large variety of wines. It won gold awards in this year’s Governor’s Cup for three offerings.

2019 Petit Manseng
2014 Merlot
2017 Chardonnay

Of these gold medal winners, we only tried the Petit Manseng. Petit Manseng is one of my favorite Virginia wines and this one ranked well among those I’ve tried. The others in the group liked it as well. This was a well-balanced offering and would satisfy those who like white, but not sweet wines.

Bluestone is not currently offering tastings, but you can purchase as many of these small bottles as you’d like to try.

Aside from the Petit Manseng, I also very much liked the Quartz Hill Red. It is described as “two-thirds Chambourcin and one-third Cabernet Franc. Great, easy drinking wine that goes with just about anything.” No lies here! This is a great red to gift and have on hand for guests.

Bluestone is not the most picturesque vineyard in Virginia, but I know I’ll visit it over and over again. It’s a great choice for beginners, a good introduction to Virginia wine and a great space for a casual day at a winery. The staff was helpful and very friendly.