Wine Dogs Find Hot Stuff in the PC Cellar

Philip Carter Winery of Virginia

Hume, VA 22639

It turned out to be a day of wine and roses as the Wine Dogs stopped in for a Father's Day barrel tasting at the Philip Carter Winery.

Charles Carter - who could be called the father of winemakers in Virginia, having produced award winning wine in the 1700s - would be proud of the efforts of his decendent, Philip Carter Strother. Philip and wife Danielle purchased Stillhouse Vineyards last year. While the first PC Wines were introduced last May, the 08 vintage will be the first under the complete control of the new owners.[For bargain hunters, the final bottles of Stillhouse are a steal at $5/bottle.]

Prepare to be impressed. Based on what Munchkin and Pomeroy tasted, winemaker and vineyard manager Seth Chambers has some hot stuff going on in the PC Cellar. Seth, one of a growing list of proteges of Chris Pearmund in the Virginia wine industry, is the sole full-time employee at Philip Carter. That keeps him busy on a property that grows all its own grapes except the vidal (and is planting more), and which bottles 1,000 cases of wine a year, with plans to grow to 2,800.

Seth started by pouring the Vidal, followed by a Chardonney which exhibited a citrusy (apple-crispy) and oaky flavor with hints of butterscotch produced by a slow malolactic fermentation.

The real treat was the Cab Franc, an elegant vintage heightened with 5 percent Petit Verdot and aged in 50 percent neutral oak. Roy told Munchkin, "Cab Francly, my dear, this will be a wine to watch."

The Meritage, which will be bottled in February, features 80 percent of the same outstanding Cab Franc grapes, mixed with 18 percent Cabernet Sauvignon and 2 percent Petit Verdot.

All in all, the Wine Dogs are excited about the latest developments at Philip Carter, and look forward to watching this new winery, and its wines, mature.

Memorial Day 2009

Lots of big happenings out in Virginia Wine Country for Memorial Day Weekend, and the Wine Dogs will be making the circuit.

We'll be reporting for duty at wineries along the Generals' Wine and History Trail (see right).

Two of our favs -- Barrel Oak and Philip Carter -- are celebrating their one-year anniversaries, and a very successful year it has been.

And out at Cooper Vineyards, it's Lucy's weekend. James River Cellars will join in this annual benefit for the Richmond SPCA, honoring Cooper's found hound and mascot, Lucy. Leashed four-legged friends and picnics are welcome. There will be fun, food, music, wine and adoptable pets. Check out the blessing of the animals on Sunday at 1 PM.

See you on the trail. And eight paws up to all those who have served and sacrificed on behalf of this great nation!

Chow Now at BOW... Wow!

Barrel Oak Winery

Delaplane, VA

During their most recent visit to Barrel Oak Winery, the Virginia Wine Dogs ran into the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel meet-up group. In addition to BOW's always wonderful wine, Munchkin and Pomeroy were treated to tasty tidbits from the folks at Chow Now in Marshall, Virginia. These true pet lovers have whipped up a yummy "farm to bowl" raw food diet. Munchkin took home a tub, which her Mom gently sautees to warm up before serving. She loves it, and is finding she is much less ravenous between meals. Pomeroy, a very picky eater, has become a member of the clean bowl club since his Dad began using Chow Now to spike his kibble.

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Well Munchkin! What a great blog that you and Pomeroy have put together - you pooches are quite busy! Thank you for the four paw review - we're thrilled that you two love it. We'll see you again soon, we hope. Come see us Memorial Day, 5/25 at BOW! We'll have your pool all ready for you . Thanks again! Say hi to your mom!
Best,
Carole (Chow Now)

Earth Day and Other Spirits Move the Wine Dogs at Gadino Cellars

Gadino Cellars
Washington, VA

Munchkin has been looking forward to a trip to Gadino Cellars ever since she got a taste of the Gadino grape at the Front Royal Wine and Crafts Fair. So when she heard that her favorite traveling troubadour, Robbie Limon, had a gig there, she told Pomeroy to grab his leash and the Wine Dogs high-tailed it out to Little Washington.

Gadino Cellars is a family affair, harking back to the Italian heritage of Bill Gadino and his wife, Alita. There was nothing but old pastureland when the Gadinos purchased the property in 1989, but years of careful tending have borne fruit, literally, producing award-winning wines and bringing a touch of Italy to Rappahannock County, VA.

Festive flags representing the families and cantatas of Sienna wave at visitors from the ceiling of the tasting room, which opened in 2005. Here too, the Gadino pack is well represented, with daughter Stephanie working the register.

Penny, the Wine Dogs’ pourer for the afternoon, guided them through a flight of eight wines – 3 whites, 3 reds, a Rose (Moonrise), and a wonderful dessert wine, the Dolce Sofia, named for the Gadinos’ granddaughter, whose picture is on the label. Grandson Dominic adorns the label of the aptly named Imagine, a blend of Chambourcin, Cab Franc, and Cabernet Sauvignon. Cab Francophile that she is, Munchkin was disappointed that the varietal was sold out, but found hints of the spicy grape in the Delfino Rosso (the Gadino meritage) and complementing the Merlot.

Out on the trellaced deck, Robbie strummed his guitar and crooned those oh-so-familiar 70s tunes as the Wine Dog party enjoyed a tasty bottle of 2006 Viognier. It went down so smoothly on the sun-warmed patio that they followed up with a bottle of the 2006 Reserve Viognier, and found it equally delightful.

“We’ve planted our roots here,” Alita told the Wine Dogs, adding “I’ll never get Bill to leave the vineyard. “ Indeed, Bill was out in the vineyard during the Wine Dogs’ visit, planting new grapes. In the spirit of Earth Day, Munchkin and Pomeroy put down their own roots at Gadino. You will find their Petit Verdot vines on the last full row in front of the tasting room – Munchkin’s is number 15; Pomeroy’s is number 32. The new vines should produce fruit in three years, but the Wine Dogs plan to be back before that!

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It was a pleasure to meet Munchkin, Pomerory and the rest of your party today. Thanks again for helping us plant some Petit Verdot on earth day. As you may know, we are a certified GREEN FACILITY in the state of Virginia and you did your part today to keep us GREEN. Thanks again.

Ciao
Bill Gadino

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The site is really cool, I love the photos of the dogs.

See ya around,

Robbie