Let’s Talk Wine and Hint # 6
Did you know that Virginia has 206 wineries and vineyards and 24 Wine Trail Tours? Did you also know that Virginia is the 5th largest wine producing state in the United States? Wine Enthusiast Magazine named Virginia one of the top ten wine travel destinations for 2012. October is considered Virginia’s Prime Wine Month because of the fall foliage, free or low-cost wine festivals, barrel tastings and harvest parties.
One of these wonderful wineries and vineyards is located very close to our plantation. It is called Ingleside Plantation Winery. It is located on a beautiful plantation that was built in 1834 and started as a boys’ school known as Washington Academy. It has also served as a garrison and courthouse during the Civil War. The current family has held this 3000 or more acres since 1890. With this family, the plantation started as a dairy farm. In 1940, the plantation was turned into a nursery and the vineyard was added in 1980.
According to Ingleside Vineyards website
“Ingleside Vineyards is one of Virginia’s oldest and largest wineries and produces over 18 varieties of wine from estate-grown grapes. For thirty years our hand-crafted wines have won numerous awards and top honors in state, national and international wine competitions, such as the Virginia Governor’s Cup Competition, San Diego International Wine Competition, as well as the London International Wine Spirits Competition.”
“At the time of Ingleside’s incorporation, Ingleside was one of the initial six wineries in the state of Virginia.”
Their philosophy is as follows:
“We are serious about our vineyards and our wines. That being said, we encourage a relaxed environment for our customers to taste our wines and sit a spell in our beautiful European styled courtyard.”
The vineyard has four primary vineyards, The Roxbury Vineyards, The Walnut Hill Vineyards, The Chesapeake Vineyards and The Founder’s Vineyard.
The Roxbury Vineyard
“The Roxbury Vineyards, consisting of 12 acres, is planted in Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Viognier. This section takes its name from the 1860”s Victorian mansion built by Dabney Carr Wirt, the youngest son of the former U.S. Attorney General William Wirt. It is now the home of Ingleside proprietor Doug Flemer. Roxbury Vineyards are oriented such that they are well-drained towards the Potomac River. The grapes from the medium textured soils produce wines that are serious yet approachable.”
The Walnut Hill Vineyards
“The Walnut Hill Vineyards consists of 20 acres of Chardonnay clone 96, Merlot, Syrah, Petit Verdot, Sangiovese and Malbec. Walnut Hill is part of the original land purchased by the Flemer Family in the 1880’s. It is a magnificent site for growing grapes as it is part of the highest ridge in the entire Northern Neck. With a commanding view towards the Potomac River, these vineyards are well exposed to breezes off the rivers. The back portion of the property also drains towards the Rappahannock River. The heavier soils on Walnut Hill produce wines of intensity, elegance, complexity and finesse.”
The Chesapeake Vineyards
“The Chesapeake Vineyards consist of 18 acres of Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Viognier, Chardonnay, Charbono, Graciano, Albarino, Nebiollo, Temprillo and Pinot Meunier plus some additional experimental varieties and a selection of rootstocks used for grafting. Our Chesapeake Vineyards are located behind the winery in medium textured soils that are fertile ground for experimentation. It is here that we have and are continuing to discover the best varieties and clones suited to the climate on the Northern Neck, Chesapeake Bay Region.”
The Founder’s Vineyards
The Founder’s Vineyard consists of 8 acres of Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, Viognier, Albarino, Seyval Blanc and Norton. Some of these vines are the oldest in the state of Virginia having been planted in the 1970’s by Carl Flemer, Jr. founder of Ingleside Winery.
The following are some of the awards stated on their website that this great Virginia winery has received:
OVERALL WINERY AWARDS:
– Voted “Best Winery in Eastern Virginia” in 2011 and 2012 by the readers of Virginia Wine Lover Magazine.
– Voted “Favorite Virginia Winery in the Chesapeake Bay Region” in 2011 by the readers of Virginia Wine Lover eNewsletter.
WINE AWARDS for 2012 (BY VARIETY):
Cabernet Sauvignon 2005
Bronze – Virginia Governor’s Cup Competition 2012
Petit Verdot 2007
Silver – San Diego International Wine Competition 2012
Bronze – Virginia Governor’s Cup Competition 2012
Petit Verdot Reserve 2007
Gold – San Diego International Wine Competition 2012
Silver – Virginia Governor’s Cup Competition 2012
Sangiovese 2008
Bronze – Virginia Governor’s Cup Competition 2012
Sangiovese 2009
Bronze – Virginia Governor’s Cup Competition 2012
Virginia Gold 2007
Bronze – Virginia Governor’s Cup Competition 2011
Bronze – Virginia Governor’s Cup Competition 2012
Some of their upcoming events are:
September 8 – Jazz in the Courtyard
October 20 – 33rd Harvest Celebration
November 10 – Fall Barrel Tasting
December 8 & 9 and 15 & 16 – Holiday Open House
New Hint!
Hint One:
Captain John Smith sailed up the river that runs by this plantation in 1608 and noted the Indian settlements along the river banks.
Hint Two:
George Washington was a frequent visitor to this plantation.
Hint Three:
It’s not Williamsburg or the area around Williamsburg.
Hint Four:
Two famous Virginians were born on this plantation. Both were very good with words.
Hint Five:
The town located across the river from this plantation once was under consideration for Nation’s Capital.
Hint Six:
An assassin passed through this plantation on the way to his death.
Advice – Read other’s comments. If someone guesses correctly, I do tell them. The first hint has been answered correctly.