Winding Road Leads to Good Wine and Good Times for the Wine Dogs

Winding Road Cellars
Markham, Virginia

Ecco and Pomeroy stop to wine along the Winding Road

Heading down the winding road to Hume, the Wine Dogs spotted an unexpected "Open" sign and turned in to investigate. They discovered Winding Road Cellars, a new Virginia winery which opened quietly over Labor Day weekend.

The pups entered the charming red wood building and Ecco's nose began to twitch as it filled with the scent of fresh wood.
From floor to ceiling, the tasting room is rich with polished pine, beautifully crafted by Amish builders from Pennsylvania.

The wines are hand-crafted too - by owner Scott Culver, who got his rookie winemaker training at Mediterranean Cellars.

Winding Road currently is pouring six wines, with a surprisingly mature selection for a new winery. The oldest is a Cabernet Franc from 2007, a pedigree year for Virginia wines. Both dogs liked the off-dry Vidal Blanc (2009). Pomeroy gave paws up to the spicy 2008 Chambourcin, while Ecco preferred its semi-sweet sibling, made from a late harvest of the same grapes.

Both Wine Dogs agreed the 2008 Cabernet Sauvignon was the pick of the litter and their choice for the steak they planned for dinner.

The spacious patio is a great place for wining and unwinding, offering sweeping views of the vineyard.

Viognier, Pinot Grigio, Chardonnay, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon and Cab Franc, are already in the ground - along with one experimental row of Pinot Noir. Scott plans to double the vineyard this spring with another 2,500 to 3,000 vines.

The Wine Dogs are glad they followed the Winding Road to Scott and Linda Culver's door, and are looking forward to future visits.