Are you interested in creating a new tradition with your family and friends? Are your usual hangout spots just not as exciting to you as they once were? If you answered yes to either of those questions and you’re interested in creating a new tradition and finding a new, enchanting spot to spend time with your family and friends in, may we suggest Blue Valley?
Our winery is one of only a handful of vineyards in Virginia that’s family owned and operated. Nestled in the shadow of the Blue Ridge Mountains, Blue Valley offers scenic views and vistas that provide a magical, storybook setting.
Even better, the area has a deep, rich history you can feel as you walk the grounds. We created our winery more than two decades ago when we purchased a portion of a larger estate that once belonged to John Marshall, who served as the fourth Chief Justice to the Supreme Court of the United States. Let’s face it though, most people don’t spend time exploring vineyards in Virginia because of their historical significance. They come for the wine!
If you don’t know much about wine but want to know more, the place to start is by better understanding the grapes we use to create our award-winning vintages. Here’s a quick overview of just a few of the varieties of grapes we use:
Pinot Gris
This grape is actually a mutant of the Pinot Noir grape that began life in the Burgundy region of France. While the grapes are normally graying-blue in color, they can vary widely from brownish, to pink, or even to white. These days, pinot gris can be found all over Europe, in Russia, North and South America, Australia and New Zealand.
The wines produced from this grape vary in flavor as much as the grapes themselves vary in color, making it an incredibly versatile grape to work with. It is quite commonly grown in vineyards in Virginia.
Cabernet Franc
Cabernet Franc’s origins trace back to the end of the 18th Century in the Bordeaux region of France and is one of two parents of Carmenere, Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon. It has a delightful bluish-black color and is often grown to blend with Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot but it can be vinified on its own.
Since it’s often blended, it sometimes doesn’t get the credit it deserves, but when vinified on its own, it produces a surprisingly complex red wine most often noted for its peppery flavor.
Viognier
This is an interesting white wine grape variety, somewhat more uncommon than other grapes. Interestingly, it is the only type of grape permitted in the French wine Condrieu in the Rhone Valley. These days, it can be found in most other wine producing regions outside the Rhone, including South Africa, New Zealand and Australia and both North and South America.
It can be a bit tricky to work with because too much exposure to oxygen can destroy the natural aromatics of the wine, which means that it takes relatively more skill on the part of winemakers to create a delightful vintage. Because of that, some vineyards in Virginia simply don’t grow this grape.
The history of Viognier dates back to at least 281 AD and according to legend, the name is derived from the Roman pronunciation of the via Gehennae, which can be loosely translated as “The Road of the Valley of Hell,” which alludes to the relative difficulty of growing this particular variety.
Sauvignon Blanc
This green-skinned grape originates from the Bordeaux region of France and gets its name from the French words “sauvage” and “blanc” which roughly translates to “Wild White,” which is an accurate description as initially, the grape grew wild in that region of France.
These days, Sauvignon Blanc can be found in most wine-producing regions of the world because it’s relatively easy to grow and work with, and offers a surprising range of flavors depending on the climate it is grown in. In warm climates, the wine produced from this grape produces delightful fruity flavors, while in cooler climates, grassy and peppery flavors tend to dominate.
Sangiovese
These grapes originated in Italy and have a deep purple coloration. They have a long history in the world of wine that dates back to at least the 16th century. The name is derived from Latin and means “the blood of Jupiter,” and Sangiovese grapes are used in a wide range of red wine varieties including Cabernet Sauvignon and Pino noir. Sangiovese wines often have the flavor of slightly sour red cherries with earthy aromas and typically feature high acidity.
Chardonnay
Chardonnay is a green-skinned grape that’s used in the production of white wine. It originated in eastern France, in the Burgundy region, but these days, is grown all over the world, wherever wines are produced.
Growing Chardonnay is surprisingly easy, and is found in most vineyards in Virginia because it’s seen as a convenient point of entry into the international wine market. The grape itself is neutral, and as such, Chardonnay flavors can vary markedly, bearing a wide range of influences from oak to tropical fruit flavors, and more.
Chambourcin
This hybrid grape variety was produced by Joannes Seyve in the 1860’s. A relative newcomer to the wine scene, it has only been widely available since 1963. A hardy, productive vine, Chambourcin grapes produce wine that’s deep in color and sport fabulous aromatics.
Merlot
Merlot is a black grape and is the most widely planted variety in the Bordeaux wine region, in France. Worldwide, it is the third most grown variety of grape and is commonly either vinified on its own or combined with Cabernet Sauvignon, which results in a vintage that’s higher in tannin.
If you’d like to see these grapes ripening on the vine, or enjoy a wine tasting with your friends and family, why not plan to spend the day with us. In addition to the wines themselves, we offer a menu filled with wholesome and delicious foods that serve as a perfect complement to the wines we create.
Are you a music lover? If so, know that we also regularly host a variety of local and regional musical acts, so be sure to check our event calendar before scheduling your trip to see us.
Note that while we are open most holidays, we are closed on both Christmas and New Year’s Day.
Also note that if you’re planning a holiday party, wedding, reception, corporate retreat or other event and hotel convention centers seem stale to you, we’ve carefully cultivated a number of fantastic event spaces you can book.
What sort of event do you have in mind? Are you interested in hosting something small and intimate, for no more than 40 guests? If so, then The Cave might be just what you’re looking for. If you like the rustic ambiance, but are looking for something larger, then our Barrel Room might be a better fit.
If you need a larger, more expansive space, or elegantly appointed Celebrations Room might be a better fit, and if you have an especially large event planned, you could even book The Loft in tandem with the Celebrations Room as the latter overlooks the former.
While you’re here, feel free to explore each of the venue spaces we have on offer and take a tour of our state-of-the-art production facility. There’s so much to see and do here that the day will be gone before you know it and you’ll be planning your next visit out to see us.
If you have any questions at all prior to scheduling your trip, don’t hesitate to give us a call. We can’t wait to share the magic and wonder of Blue Valley with you. It will be a trip you, your family and your friends won’t soon forget!