Blue Ridge Country January/February 2022 - 42

LEFT: For a break from
the music along Virginia's
Crooked Road, take a hike
in spectacular Grayson
Highlands State Park.
BELOW: At Horton
Winery, along Virginia's
Monticello Wine Trail,
Viognier and Horton are the
primary varietals.
PAT & CHUCK BLACKLEY
with
modern
amenities.
The tasting
room is open Saturdays and Sundays.
(lovingstonwinery.com)
Septenary Winery at Seven Oaks Farm
HORTON VINEYARDS
history of the first " talkie " (sound movie)
about country music.
* Get all the details on 9 major venues,
over 50 affiliated venues, 26 wayside exhibits
with printed roadside panels and audio
recordings to play on your car's FM radio,
22 festivals and 10 virtual wayside stops at
thecrookedroadva.com.
Monticello Wine Trail
All within 25 miles of Charlottesville, this
trail was inspired by the vision of Thomas
Jefferson to surround the countryside of
his home, Monticello, with vineyards and
" produce high quality wine that could rival
the best Old World wines. " The trail
42 BLUERIDGECOUNTRY.COM
consists of 40 participating vineyards and
wineries committed to the same excellence
in their craft. The Monticello Viticultural
Area (AVA designated) contains
over half the state's vineyard acres.
Lovingston Winery (Nelson County).
Stop at the southernmost edge of the trail
for a visit to this family farm. Planted on a
hillside across 10.5 acres are Bordeaux and
South African varietals. By using a " dense "
strategy (with 1,200 vines per acre) fewer
clusters result in a higher quality of fruit.
Wine production is hands-on, and gravityflow
greatly reduces the need for mechanization
in the process. Even stay overnight
at The Cabin-cozy, quiet and equipped
(Greenwood). Spend the day at this 109acre
estate in the Blue Ridge mountains
that is listed on the National Register of
Historic Places. Talk to the owners and
learn about their mission as respectful
stewards of the land, its history and its
fruit. Also on the property, there are 60
acres dedicated to sustainable farming
practices. Open Thursday through Sunday.
(septenarywinery.com)
Horton Vineyards (Gordonsville).
Travel to the trail's easternmost vineyard
and learn how a pioneer and his research
built the " Home of the Original Virginia
Viognier. " The owner's original experiences
growing grapes in the warm and
humid Virginia climate led him to the
Rhone valley in France in search of more
varietals. His discovery, Viognier with its
thick skin and loose clusters, was perfect.
This, along with a desire to revive the historic
Norton with its rich, fruity flavor,
has formed the base of an award-winning
selection. Tasting room is open yearround.
(hortonwine.com)
* Find all the specifics on the vineyards,
wineries and their histories and offerings at
monticellowinetrail.com.

http://www.lovingstonwinery.com http://www.septenarywinery.com http://www.thecrookedroadva.com http://www.hortonwine.com http://www.monticellowinetrail.com http://www.BLUERIDGECOUNTRY.COM

Blue Ridge Country January/February 2022

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Blue Ridge Country January/February 2022