Munchkin Enjoys a Most Civilized Wine Tasting

Vintage Ridge Vineyards

Rectorstown, VA

The Wine Dogs are in full agreement with Ernst Hemmingway, who observed "Wine is the most civilized thing in the world." At Vintage Ridge, they know how to make wine tasting an extremely civilized experience as well, with unique food pairings that are part of every tasting.

Vintage Ridge is one of the new Fauquier County wineries, opening its tasting room in September 2007. Although Pomeroy was unable to make the trip, a full squad was on hand... er, on paw... to greet Munchkin when she arrived on a mid-November afternoon.

The winery dogs include a pointer hound, an Austrailian shepherd, a chow and a spaniel. They led her to a warmly decorated tasting room, filled with tables and chairs, colorful murals, and a roomful of guests clearly enjoying the experience. Steel tanks, where the next vintage was fermenting, lined the room.

Enthusiastic host Bill Edmands, who started the winery with his wife Vicki in 2000 when they planted their first vines, warmly welcomed Munchkin and her party. He explained that along with the wines, they would enjoy an array of cheeses, sauces, chutneys, and meats intended to heighten the appreciation of the wine offerings.

The wines included both the 2006 and 2007 Maiden Voyage, a citrusy white wine beautifully enhanced by the appetizers. Other wines on the tasting list included a 2005 Cabernet Franc, 2006 Syrah, and the Summer Night 2007 and 2006 Late Harvest Vidal, described as "a dessert in itself."

Realizing that he had a true red wine connoisseur in house, Bill brought out his '04 Cab Franc, which was smooth and spicey. He followed up with the Petit Verdot, which Munchkin decided was top dog.

After enjoying a bottle and the rest of the appetizers, Munchkin was ready to join the Vintage Ridge pack.

Mom insisted she go home, but she looks forward to returning with Pomeroy to enjoy the view from the patio in April with Vintage Ridge reopens for the spring.